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'Can't wait to kick on': England pick Joseph signs Irish contract

(Photo by Alex Davidson/The RFU Collection via Getty Images)

New England squad call up Will Joseph has signed a new contract at London Irish, ending speculation that he would look to progress his burgeoning career elsewhere in the Gallagher Premiership. The Exiles last month lost Phil Cokanasiga, another coveted up and coming talent, to Leicester for next season, a departure that mirrored the historical decisions of other academy graduates who believed their talent is better served elsewhere.

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A long list of London Irish players have left the club in the past and gone on to become England internationals elsewhere, most notably the likes of Anthony Watson, Joe Cokanasiga and also Jonathan Joseph, the older brother of the 19-year-old Will.

Despite only making ten appearances so far as a London Irish first-team player, Joseph was chosen by England boss Eddie Jones in this week’s 35-strong Test squad for a three-day camp in London ahead of the June 19 Australian tour warm-up fixture versus the Barbarians at Twickenham.

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Battling The Poisonous Welsh Press & An Epic International Comeback | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 37

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Battling The Poisonous Welsh Press & An Epic International Comeback | RugbyPass Offload | Episode 37

That good news has now been added to by the teenager agreeing to an unspecified length, long-term deal with London Irish. A club statement read: “London Irish is proud to announce that Will Joseph has signed a long-term deal with the club.

“The versatile back has pledged his commitment to the Exiles this week after a successful second season involved in the London Irish first team. “Will Joseph is one of a crop of young stars who have staked their place amongst a plethora of talent at Irish this year.

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“He scored his first two tries for the club this season, broadcasting his searing pace in the EPCR Challenge Cup round of 16 against Castres Olympique and then again when taking on Leicester Tigers in the Premiership Rugby Cup semi-final.

“Having been capped for England at U18 level, Joseph additionally made his debut with the England U20s in March during their Six Nations campaign, lining up against Ireland U20s and France U20s. Joseph has been within the London Irish set-up since the age of 13, representing Newbury Blues and the county of Berkshire in his youth.”

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London Irish director of rugby Declan Kidney said: “We’re delighted to have Will signed on with us here at London Irish for the foreseeable future. He has been impressive in his cameos this season and last and we are excited to see him grow further. He has a real desire to improve and work hard, which is something that you can’t coach. We look forward to helping Will develop over the years.”

Joseph added: “This is a hugely proud moment for me and my family, and I am grateful to London Irish for giving me this opportunity. My teammates have helped me bed into the system over the course of the last two seasons and Declan Kidney and the coaches have helped me further my game to another level. I can’t wait to kick on with Irish.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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