I dont know for sure, purely guesswork here but I'd say no. If it were me I'd train them very hard leading up to the 2 week shut down then once on shut down feed up to 70% Barley, also miss a days feed a couple of times within them two weeks.
Heaters will aid early form but I wouldn't expect them to hold that form for too long. The better races start June time and I fear they would've shot their bolt by then.
9 pair put together today. Hens locked in one half of nestbox, cocks here there & eveywhere....................... when the music stops thats the nestbox the cocks will be staying in.
The professionalism of teams now have a huge impact on the way the game is played. The slowing down of quick ball now dictates the tempo & tactics being deployed. I feel the only way to get the game back on track is to punish misdemeanors in and around rucks more severely, hopefully this would help the free & flowing game return.
The acid test was always going to be when they found themselves behind, for me the question still remains as feel the use of the French replacements was a tactical blunder. Nevertheless England showed character which can only bode well for the future of this young team.