Six Nations countdown

[Renniks]

Depends who runs better in training between Ford-Slade-Manu and Ford-Devoto-Manu.

I try to ignore Shields's existence where I can anyway, so he doesn't really affect my selection.

Puja

Yep… If anything, I think selection is less complex with Farrell out

As I still have no clue what I'd do with 10/12/13 if he wasn't

[Stom]

Depends who runs better in training between Ford-Slade-Manu and Ford-Devoto-Manu.

I try to ignore Shields's existence where I can anyway, so he doesn't really affect my selection.

Puja

Yep… If anything, I think selection is less complex with Farrell out

As I still have no clue what I'd do with 10/12/13 if he wasn't

I dunno. He's - and this is a sad indictment of the quality on show - our best 12. I'd have Ford, Farrell, Tuilagi every day of the week.

[Puja]

Depends who runs better in training between Ford-Slade-Manu and Ford-Devoto-Manu.

I try to ignore Shields's existence where I can anyway, so he doesn't really affect my selection.

Puja

Yep… If anything, I think selection is less complex with Farrell out

As I still have no clue what I'd do with 10/12/13 if he wasn't

I dunno. He's - and this is a sad indictment of the quality on show - our best 12. I'd have Ford, Farrell, Tuilagi every day of the week.

Ditto. My major objection to him is at 10 and the massive handbrake on our attack that he represents there.

However, I note in the papers that Eddie is talking about 2018 being because we tried to go away from "traditional English strengths" and that we were "trying to copy other teams rather than being England". So we can expect Faz/Te'o/Manu in Dublin and for every scrap of leather to be kicked off the ball. I can't think of a worse approach to take vs this Ireland side.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

If that’s how we intend to play, we may as well not turn up.

Eddie’s apparent inability to see the bleeding obvious is a huge concern.

[Eugene Wrayburn]

I wouldn't believe a single word that comes from EJ.

He's foolishly highlighting that protecting Sexton needs to be a thing and contrasting the treatment of Farrell who's lucky not to get an awful lot more yellows, to the treatment of Sexton who is very much more sinned against than sinning.

[Mellsblue]

Let’s stop this now. The avalanche of injuries is hard to take at the best of times. Don’t make the fall even further.

I say this in the hope that one injury we do see is Hughes. Nothing serious. Perhaps a severely bruised toe after stepping on a piece of Lego, keeping him out for 6 weeks. Maybe Youngs could tweak a muscle in his back trying to catch him.

I know it’s too much to ask for the gods of injury to be on our side but they’ve already answered 50% of my injury prayers.

[Oakboy]

Let’s stop this now. The avalanche of injuries is hard to take at the best of times. Don’t make the fall even further.

I say this in the hope that one injury we do see is Hughes. Nothing serious. Perhaps a severely bruised toe after stepping on a piece of Lego, keeping him out for 6 weeks. Maybe Youngs could tweak a muscle in his back trying to catch him.

I know it’s too much to ask for the gods of injury to be on our side but they’ve already answered 50% of my injury prayers.

If we are each allowed one, can I have Jones incapacitated till after the RWC is over?

[morepork]

Whoever plays fullback better just pray that he doesn't stray too far from the loosies and the rest of the forward cavalry when the inevitable kicks come raining down. Daly can kick the leather off a ball can't he? He has to be an option at wing for an aerial territory war. Surely Ford is also the more sensible option at 10 given his kicking from hand?

[Peat]

I don't think you can look at the performance of the England team in recent times and think that the fault can lie with the skill of the players involved...they have looked like they're playing the wrong tactics, they are overtired and overtrained, and that has nothing to do with their individual skill.

I do think that though. I've been thinking it for about four or more years, give or take. Sure, circs don't help, but the aggregate skill level of our team falls at a level where we'll be among the best of the rest and plucky contenders against the best. This'll only change when the players change and getting on for four years post-Lancaster, there's not been a lot of movement there.

[Puja]

Whoever plays fullback better just pray that he doesn't stray too far from the loosies and the rest of the forward cavalry when the inevitable kicks come raining down. Daly can kick the leather off a ball can't he? He has to be an option at wing for an aerial territory war. Surely Ford is also the more sensible option at 10 given his kicking from hand, ability to pick a pass, tackle completion percentage, general likeability, and not being a tw*t?

FTFY.

Puja