England squad for start of 6N’s

[Timbo]

Tbh I did wonder about adding the Scotland caveat, though in our case we often have more choice

You really think that England have frequently picked particularly slow back lines when compared to other teams?

I really think we've picked slower backlines than we ought to have, I don't really care about other sides

Ok. It was just confusing when you said the opposite.

[Oakboy]

It's bizarre how few full backs we have. We shouldn't need to be converting players from other positions.

Englands problem has always been at 12. We've had the odd one or two that could play 2nd 5/8th and do the modern physical bit.

We didn't really have an openside after Backy finished - till perhaps now? I thought Tom Rees was the chosen one but he broke.
Mind you some coaches had different ideas about playing a fetcher.

We've had some very good fullbacks over years - I go back to Peter Rossborough, but we could throw in names like Dusty Hare, Jonathon Webb and Josh Lewsey without thinking too hard.

I always liked Tim Stimpson.

[p/d]

It's bizarre how few full backs we have. We shouldn't need to be converting players from other positions.

But we do have FBs. It's just Eddie didn't want Mike Brown for some reason...

Plus Watson was injured. And Goode and Pennell not selected.

Doesn't seem "few" to me.

Jones loves MB. He knows what he’s got there so wanting to look at back up options. Giving Daly a run was just that.
Brown back in was always going to be the case.

[Digby]

You really think that England have frequently picked particularly slow back lines when compared to other teams?

I really think we've picked slower backlines than we ought to have, I don't really care about other sides

Ok. It was just confusing when you said the opposite.

In my honest opinion I humbly apologise and promise in my honest opinion to never again exaggerate for effect, honestly, in my opinion

[switchskier]

Farrell out for today and to have surgery on his hand. Likely to be out for 10 days, but still probably in camp in Portugal.

[francoisfou]

As I posted on t'other thread - due to excessive thumb sucking, apparently.

[Mellsblue]

Amen to that. Wouldn’t bother me if Daly only made the bench. A 15 he ain’t

He's shown that he's a good wing. Daly/May are probably England's best wing pairing.

IF Daly recovers his full form and confidence you are right. For Dublin will he have, though? Jones is entirely to blame for wasting his time at FB and, basically, buggering him up.

He’s clearly not happy at Wasps, either. Considering he’s not that experienced at wing, the games at 15 should make him a more rounded back player. I’m very much looking at a glass that is half full - I’d have put him back on the wing after SA - but in the long term, it may be a good thing. Even more so if he gets the move he wants to Sarries over the summer.

[Scrumhead]

Farrell out for today and to have surgery on his hand. Likely to be out for 10 days, but still probably in camp in Portugal.

What would happen if Farrell misses the Ireland game and Ford is instrumental in orchestrating an unlikely away win?

Who’s captain? Maro?

[Mikey Brown]

Farrell out for today and to have surgery on his hand. Likely to be out for 10 days, but still probably in camp in Portugal.

What would happen if Farrell misses the Ireland game and Ford is instrumental in orchestrating an unlikely away win?

Who’s captain? Maro?

Ford would the next choice going on EJ's previous selections wouldn't he? Which would make the above scenario even more amazing.

[Which Tyler]

It's bizarre how few full backs we have. We shouldn't need to be converting players from other positions.

Brown
Pennel (took himself out of contention by being relegated)
Watson (too injured)
Woodward (too conspiratorial)
Haley (too Irish)
McConnochie (too inexperienced)
Goode (too incapable of stepping up to international level)

There's nothing about Daly's game including his prior experience at FB which made experimenting with him at FB was a bad idea. It just didn't pan out. As ever, the experiment should have been made at club level, not international - just like Daly at wing, Farrel at FH or Shields at rugby.

[Oakboy]

. . . or Shields at rugby.

[Renniks]

Shields missed Wasps game today with Side Strain… might not make Ireland game!

Launchbury just gone off with HIA, looked more like Toner landed on his neck and they get a free 10 minutes off the pitch, so hoping no issues there



Were there any key injuries yesterday?

(Farrell sounds like he'll be fine for Ireland, but we'll see!)

[Peej]

Launch passed the HIA but was kept off.

[Mellsblue]

Shields missed Wasps game today with Side Strain… might not make Ireland game!

Launchbury just gone off with HIA, looked more like Toner landed on his neck and they get a free 10 minutes off the pitch, so hoping no issues there



Were there any key injuries yesterday?

(Farrell sounds like he'll be fine for Ireland, but we'll see!)

Who is Side Strain? Tell me he’s not another SH import.

[Timbo]

Shields missed Wasps game today with Side Strain… might not make Ireland game!

Launchbury just gone off with HIA, looked more like Toner landed on his neck and they get a free 10 minutes off the pitch, so hoping no issues there



Were there any key injuries yesterday?

(Farrell sounds like he'll be fine for Ireland, but we'll see!)

Not that I know of. Shields just a precaution apparently.

Hope Launch is also a precaution.

[Puja]

I'm starting to wonder who Eddie's sold his soul to. We've never had this few injuries going into a 6N.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

I'm starting to wonder who Eddie's sold his soul to. We've never had this few injuries going into a 6N.

Puja

Judo session first thing Monday morning......

[Timbo]

Jonathan Joseph looked sharp from what I saw. As long as his body holds up I don’t think it’ll take him too long to get up to speed, he’s such a quality athlete. Could be involved at the back end of the 6n’s.

[Which Tyler]

JJ played well, then hobbled away from a ruck and was immediately replaced...

Just hope the hobbling was through concern rather than injury; he didn't look too bad on the sideline

[Mellsblue]

If he has an interrupted run of games through to the end of the season the injury could be a blessing in disguise come World Cup time.

[twitchy]

How is watson going?

[Oakboy]

I've had a few so am I allowed to dream of Shields and Farrell both being unavailable. Cipriani gets called up and starts in Dublin. Youngs loses his way to the ground and Robson starts. We win and Jones retains a skilful 9/10 combo that has played together dozens of times. Then, Armand gets the call . . . .

I'll have another glass of red, please . . .

[Timbo]

JJ not injured according to Blackadder, just cramping up and a bit knackered. That was a seriously heavy pitch.

[Which Tyler]

How is watson going?

Targeting mid-February, dunno how realistic that is though.

JJ not injured according to Blackadder, just cramping up and a bit knackered. That was a seriously heavy pitch.

Great news

Jo Coka due back "later this month"

[richy678]

Farrell out for today and to have surgery on his hand. Likely to be out for 10 days, but still probably in camp in Portugal.

Cough..ahem...."wankers cramp"....etc