Team for Italy

[paddy no 11]

That's a shocker, my condolences to RR englanders

[Puja]

I've got one upside - Te'o and Tuilagi at least has the merit of taking the pressure off Manu to be the number 1 bosh man in tight and lets him run at outside shoulders where he's actually effective.

Puja

[Stom]

I've got one upside - Te'o and Tuilagi at least has the merit of taking the pressure off Manu to be the number 1 bosh man in tight and lets him run at outside shoulders where he's actually effective.

Puja

Oh yes, that's true. So how many times will he actually get the ball?

5 times in 3 games for 2 players...

I think we can predict Tuilagi will touch the ball 0.66 times.

[paddy no 11]

I've got one upside - Te'o and Tuilagi at least has the merit of taking the pressure off Manu to be the number 1 bosh man in tight and lets him run at outside shoulders where he's actually effective.

Puja

but who's going to pass him the ball?

[Digby]

I'm just going to assume you're all on the wind up. Nobody wants that side

[Oakboy]

You can hear it now the post-match statement. 'You wanted us to kick less so we picked a team to run the ball. 6 tries is ample evidence that we got it right."

A physically dominant victory with tries scored late in the game against a tiring opposition XV, is not hard to imagine. As progress towards RWC preparation will it be relevant at all, though?

[Freddo]

Teo has shown on multiple occasions that he is very effective at test level. I don't really see what the problem people have with him unless you are a wuss fan.

Thorley is brilliant. Just a matter of time before he nails down an england spot. Having him coka and may going forward is amazing really, spoiled for choice.

And Watson.

I mean... I had to go check because I was certain that was a windup.

Awful team. Just awful. Poor Curry. Poor Genge. Poor Robson, ffs! It's just an affront to rugby.

Curry and Genge are both in the team. Not sure what Robson has to do to get a start though.

[El Tigre]

This selection has made me a little sad. Though Eddie might just be getting the selection ready for Gatland to come in as it has Gatball written all over it.

[Stom]

I'm just going to assume you're all on the wind up. Nobody wants that side

I like to think that Beefeater is somewhere gleefully rubbing his thighs and screaming "Ooooooh" while listening to Andrew Sheridan's album on repeat.

[Stom]

Teo has shown on multiple occasions that he is very effective at test level. I don't really see what the problem people have with him unless you are a wuss fan.

Thorley is brilliant. Just a matter of time before he nails down an england spot. Having him coka and may going forward is amazing really, spoiled for choice.

And Watson.

I mean... I had to go check because I was certain that was a windup.

Awful team. Just awful. Poor Curry. Poor Genge. Poor Robson, ffs! It's just an affront to rugby.

Curry and Genge are both in the team. Not sure what Robson has to do to get a start though.

I meant Curry has to do the work of 2 and Genge has to put up with a poor performance around him and getting labeled as the weaker link...

[Mellsblue]

I'm just going to assume you're all on the wind up. Nobody wants that side

I like to think that Beefeater is somewhere gleefully rubbing his thighs and screaming "Ooooooh" while listening to Andrew Sheridan's album on repeat.

Between that mental image and this England team it’s going to be a nightmare filled nights sleep.

[Freddo]

I meant Curry has to do the work of 2 and Genge has to put up with a poor performance around him and getting labeled as the weaker link...

No doubt.

[Digby]

I'm just going to assume you're all on the wind up. Nobody wants that side

I like to think that Beefeater is somewhere gleefully rubbing his thighs and screaming "Ooooooh" while listening to Andrew Sheridan's album on repeat.

Between that mental image and this England team it’s going to be a nightmare filled nights sleep.

This is no time to be a hero, pour plenty into the brandy glass

[JellyHead]

I don't see what people have against this team. Teo to run the dummy, Farrell to through the miss pass to Manu and the fastest back 3 we have to chase down the intercept. Makes sense to me.

[Digby]

The reasonably small Italian backline will want their pack to stop ball coming out quickly into the backs. It doesn’t look to be a creative gameplan, nor one to trouble a good side, but supposing we don't kick the plastic off the ball it should be a backline which gives Italy problems. My problem is being so cross we're unwilling to give Italy problems using Robson, Ford and Joseph (and then not dropping them after the Italy game)

[Mikey Brown]

The reasonably small Italian backline will want their pack to stop ball coming out quickly into the backs. It doesn’t look to be a creative gameplan, nor one to trouble a good side, but supposing we don't kick the plastic off the ball it should be a backline which gives Italy problems. My problem is being so cross we're unwilling to give Italy problems using Robson, Ford and Joseph (and then not dropping them after the Italy game)

I’m aware I’m painting EJ as a real cartoon villain here but I really believe he is so stubborn about his selections that he wouldn’t want to risk this happening. Also protects himself from any potential accusations of underestimating them.

[Mellsblue]

I don't see what people have against this team. Teo to run the dummy, Farrell to through the miss pass to Manu and the fastest back 3 we have to chase down the intercept. Makes sense to me.

This is one of the best constructed jokes I have ever read. It had me moving from incredulity to anger through to laughter in the space of a few seconds. Bravo.

[twitchy]

I'm just going to assume you're all on the wind up. Nobody wants that side

I like to think that Beefeater is somewhere gleefully rubbing his thighs and screaming "Ooooooh" while listening to Andrew Sheridan's album on repeat.

Bring back beefy.

[Spiffy]

How did that useless midget, Jonny May, make his way into that threequarter line?

[Mellsblue]

How did that useless midget, Jonny May, make his way into that threequarter line?

This made me lol, too.

[Oakboy]

I'm just going to assume you're all on the wind up. Nobody wants that side

I like to think that Beefeater is somewhere gleefully rubbing his thighs and screaming "Ooooooh" while listening to Andrew Sheridan's album on repeat.

Bring back beefy.

I've posted this tribute to Beefy several times but it does cheer me up:

[p/d]

I'm all for making changes to better our strength in depth this close to a WC, but FFS Jones really is a piece of work!

If I was Robson & Ford, I would walk.

[francoisfou]

Wtf is Eddie playing at? Why hasn’t he given Robson a place in the starting XV? And Shields? Has he been ripping up trees in training, cos I don’t believe he has with Wasps? On the other hand, I’m pleased Genge and Cokanasiga are starting. Finally, are we likely to see this team in the World Cup? Surely not, but with this Aussie tw@t at the helm, I guess anything is possible!

[Banquo]

I've got one upside - Te'o and Tuilagi at least has the merit of taking the pressure off Manu to be the number 1 bosh man in tight and lets him run at outside shoulders where he's actually effective.

Puja

Manu has been effective imo at 12 for England, when given the ball.

[Stom]

I've got one upside - Te'o and Tuilagi at least has the merit of taking the pressure off Manu to be the number 1 bosh man in tight and lets him run at outside shoulders where he's actually effective.

Puja

Manu has been effective imo at 12 for England, when given the ball.

Oh yes, the 0.66 times per game he gets it...