Team for Australia

[fivepointer]

"Eddie Jones says he will not risk Manu Tuilagi’s fitness against Australia this weekend but is still hopeful the Leicester centre can transform England as an attacking force at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Tuilagi has not featured in any of this month’s Tests at Twickenham and is described by the head coach as “very doubtful” to face the Wallabies on Saturday"

[Renniks]

"Eddie Jones says he will not risk Manu Tuilagi’s fitness against Australia this weekend but is still hopeful the Leicester centre can transform England as an attacking force at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Tuilagi has not featured in any of this month’s Tests at Twickenham and is described by the head coach as “very doubtful” to face the Wallabies on Saturday"

Shit.

Try Nowell at 13 again?
Persist with Slade?
Throw caution to the wind and put Big Joe there
Te'o at 13? (Not a bad idea)
Does Francis play 13 or just 10/12?

[Digby]

Eddie may mean there's no risk in picking Manu

[TheDasher]

I think I'd persist with Slade.

It's linked to what he's going to do with his back three too though. If Daly is our 15 until after the WC, I'd pick Slade at 13. If he picks Daly on the wing I'd pick Slade at 13. However, if he were to ever think of dropping Daly for another 15 and play say Cokanasiga and May on the wings leaving out Daly, I'd rather have Daly at 13 than out... If that makes sense.

[Oakboy]

Francis was called up as cover for Tuilagi presumably. I just hope he takes over Manu's seat in the stand rather than one on the bench. I suppose he might be on the bench if Ford starts at 10 but that would mean T'eo not getting in the 23. Unless, Ford is not in the 23? Weird.

[p/d]

Francis was called up as cover for Tuilagi presumably. I just hope he takes over Manu's seat in the stand rather than one on the bench. I suppose he might be on the bench if Ford starts at 10 but that would mean T'eo not getting in the 23. Unless, Ford is not in the 23? Weird.

Could be back to the Ford/Farrell 10 & 12 with Te'o shifting one out and Slade benched. A line up we know Jones is comfortable with.

Mind you half expect:

10. Farrell
12. Francis
13. Te'o

[Oakboy]

Francis was called up as cover for Tuilagi presumably. I just hope he takes over Manu's seat in the stand rather than one on the bench. I suppose he might be on the bench if Ford starts at 10 but that would mean T'eo not getting in the 23. Unless, Ford is not in the 23? Weird.

Could be back to the Ford/Farrell 10 & 12 with Te'o shifting one out and Slade benched. A line up we know Jones is comfortable with.

Mind you half expect:

10. Farrell
12. Francis
13. Te'o

Yuk. But, either could happen.

[Timbo]

It’ll be Farrell-Te’o-Slade. Daly at 15.

They’re all good players, and it’s probably the most balanced backline we’ve had for a long time. But what they lack is game time together and subsequently cohesion. Stick with them.

[Renniks]

It’ll be Farrell-Te’o-Slade. Daly at 15.

They’re all good players, and it’s probably the most balanced backline we’ve had for a long time. But what they lack is game time together and subsequently cohesion. Stick with them.

It's not what I want, and I can't decide if I prefer it to Ford-Farrell-Te'o or not…

Really do wish we had better options!

[Timbo]

On Francis, not sure where I stand on him as an england player, but probably only fair to point out that Northampton fans seem to be unanimous that since moving full time to 12 he’s be very good.

Apparently had an outstanding game against Wasps at the weekend.

[Renniks]

On Francis, not sure where I stand on him as an england player, but probably only fair to point out that Northampton fans seem to be unanimous that since moving full time to 12 he’s be very good.

Apparently had an outstanding game against Wasps at the weekend.

Yeah, I actually think he looked awful when Jones last included him, and quite decent when Jones last excluded him…

The enigma that is EJ

[Timbo]

It’ll be Farrell-Te’o-Slade. Daly at 15.

They’re all good players, and it’s probably the most balanced backline we’ve had for a long time. But what they lack is game time together and subsequently cohesion. Stick with them.

It's not what I want, and I can't decide if I prefer it to Ford-Farrell-Te'o or not…

Really do wish we had better options!

I think we’ve got lots of very good options. Te’o, Slade, Daly, Joseph (when back)...are all bloody good players. I think there has to be an element of realism from England fans that it takes time to build up combinations and develop cohesion. Playing rugby is quite tricky without it. The Farrell-Te’o-Slade midfield has played 2 games together in total. I’m personally quite confident that if those 3 can stay fit and get games together they’ll come very good for us.

[Oakboy]

It’ll be Farrell-Te’o-Slade. Daly at 15.

They’re all good players, and it’s probably the most balanced backline we’ve had for a long time. But what they lack is game time together and subsequently cohesion. Stick with them.

It's not what I want, and I can't decide if I prefer it to Ford-Farrell-Te'o or not…

Really do wish we had better options!

I think we’ve got lots of very good options. Te’o, Slade, Daly, Joseph (when back)...are all bloody good players. I think there has to be an element of realism from England fans that it takes time to build up combinations and develop cohesion. Playing rugby is quite tricky without it. The Farrell-Te’o-Slade midfield has played 2 games together in total. I’m personally quite confident that if those 3 can stay fit and get games together they’ll come very good for us.

Yes, from the squad that is the best starting line-up.

I see Ashton is out, letting in the big guy, at least as far as the bench.

[p/d]

not too mention the Aussies have been hit by a dodgy pesto

[Mikey Brown]

It’ll be Farrell-Te’o-Slade. Daly at 15.

They’re all good players, and it’s probably the most balanced backline we’ve had for a long time. But what they lack is game time together and subsequently cohesion. Stick with them.

It's not what I want, and I can't decide if I prefer it to Ford-Farrell-Te'o or not…

Really do wish we had better options!

I think we’ve got lots of very good options. Te’o, Slade, Daly, Joseph (when back)...are all bloody good players. I think there has to be an element of realism from England fans that it takes time to build up combinations and develop cohesion. Playing rugby is quite tricky without it. The Farrell-Te’o-Slade midfield has played 2 games together in total. I’m personally quite confident that if those 3 can stay fit and get games together they’ll come very good for us.

All fair comments I think. We're in a really dumb situation now where every selection pivots so heavily on others and require quite a change in setup. Ford-Farrell-Slade just doesn't appear to work. It was better with Joseph at 13, certainly defensively, but was still lacking in a lot of ways.

In theory having Farrell at 10 with a physical running option and more of a gliding/handling runner outside is a bit more balanced, but neither centre have looked great when starting for England and we very quickly need to find an effective way to use them. The big upside with this is Joseph/Daly could fit in more easily at 13 if available/required, but it suddenly becomes a pretty stodgy affair if Tuilagi comes in at 13. It means Ford is resigned to the bench too, and if we're going to stick with Farrell at 10 we may as well pick Wigglesworth rather than put all the playmaking duties on Youngs.

I'm still wondering if Te'o hasn't played basically all his best rugby at 13 anyway, which would probably be scenario 2. Stick with two playmakers at 10/12 and hope a) Te'o can perform from the start b) Tuilagi makes a magical comeback. Slade can cover midfield/15 from the bench if needed.

It's over-simplifying things to say we need a big, bashing centre like Te'o/Tuilagi in there in order to be balanced, but there's very little real firepower in the backline otherwise and we are so insanely reliant on the pull-back pass behind the heavy runner. We don't appear to have any other methods of attacking at all. If Cokanasiga gets more of a chance he could make a difference there. I thought we might have a trick up our sleeves to utilise Ashton through the middle, or even Nowell who is occasionally actually useful in this way.

Now, how do we properly balance our scrummaging props with our playmaking props???

[twitchy]

Looks like ashton is definitely out. Do we start big joe?

[Digby]

not too mention the Aussies have been hit by a dodgy pesto

They'll be up all night damaging the Dalton

[Puja]

Looks like ashton is definitely out. Do we start big joe?

I was going to say Brown at 15 and Daly to the wing, but I've just noticed that Brown's not in the squad. Barring something outre, that's Daly getting another shot at 15, which is... loyal, I guess.

As that's not happening, I would definitely be in favour of more Joe. He's raw, but will learn with more experience and this is the ideal game to test and stretch him.

Puja

[Renniks]

26 men currently with England…
Hill and Ashton no longer with the squad



Tuilagi still there (But I assume he'll not be selected)…

Looking like 2 of Te'o, Slade, and Francis (to me at least)

Then one of the locks or backrowers to be left off the 23…

I'm now hoping it'll be Stooke

[Timbo]

I can’t see any point in picking Brown at this point. At the very least we need to develop an alternative to him, as he’ll be 34 at the World Cup and is already a bit past his best.

Assuming fitness i’d plan on giving Watson games at fb during the 6N, then take stock after that.

[Puja]

I can’t see any point in picking Brown at this point. At the very least we need to develop an alternative to him, as he’ll be 34 at the World Cup and is already a bit past his best.

Assuming fitness i’d plan on giving Watson games at fb during the 6N, then take stock after that.

The argument I'd make is that I'm worried about ruining Daly. He was looking absolutely mustard as a wing with people labelling him world class, but has now had two international windows of being turd with 15 on his back. I'd be happiest putting him back to where he was good and getting his confidence back, even if that means going back to Brown. I'd rather have an excellent wing and a slow fullback, than a rubbish full-back and Ashton on the wing.

However, it is only the last game and he might suddenly come good, so I guess there's no great harm in it.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Yeah. I feel the same re. Daly. Being totally honest, I’m slightly disappointed as I expected him to adapt and he hasn’t.

Brown is past his best, but he’s still our best fullback. If Watson is fit, he could be the answer, but the more I think about it, the more I think we should just stick with Brown. Even if he’s not a world beater, I’d far rather have a solid, reliable performer who is safe under a high ball, safe in defence and reasonable in attack.

[Renniks]

Yeah. I feel the same re. Daly. Being totally honest, I’m slightly disappointed as I expected him to adapt and he hasn’t.

Brown is past his best, but he’s still our best fullback. If Watson is fit, he could be the answer, but the more I think about it, the more I think we should just stick with Brown. Even if he’s not a world beater, I’d far rather have a solid, reliable performer who is safe under a high ball, safe in defence and reasonable in attack.

Genuine question, which I can't believe I'm asking… Any reason not to go with Goode for this role then?

[Puja]

Yeah. I feel the same re. Daly. Being totally honest, I’m slightly disappointed as I expected him to adapt and he hasn’t.

Brown is past his best, but he’s still our best fullback. If Watson is fit, he could be the answer, but the more I think about it, the more I think we should just stick with Brown. Even if he’s not a world beater, I’d far rather have a solid, reliable performer who is safe under a high ball, safe in defence and reasonable in attack.

Genuine question, which I can't believe I'm asking… Any reason not to go with Goode for this role then?

Brown's shown international quality repeatedly over his career and, whatever his limitations, has done well for England. Goode's disappointed on every occasion. I'd rather go back to the last good option than give Goode yet another chance.

Puja

[WaspInWales]

I think Farrell will definitely start at 10. Youngs too. This allows Ford to come on and Farrell to shift to 12. Is Te'o up to test fitness yet? I think Eddie will let him run at the Aussies and tackle till he has nothing left, then we'll have Ford-Farrell-Slade to see out the match.

Although if Tuilagi can start, I expect Eddie will do that...but how long will he last till he's either injured or knackered? May be a sensible option to bench Manu.

Daly looks certain to play 15, and I'd like to see Cokanasiga and May start, but we'll no doubt see the experience of Nowell.

Wigglesworth to come on to partner Ford.

Still not getting the best out of half-back pairings out of the options available.

Bench will be interesting.