Team for Italy

[Digby]

Is T'eo as physically impressive as some imply? He's not that much heavier than Slade or Joseph and he's slower than either. What's left - merely the ability to offload quite well?

A) He's a Kiwi
B) He's a former RL international

Ergo: he's a superstar!

Burgess was only one of those making Te'o 100% better

[Oakboy]

Is T'eo as physically impressive as some imply? He's not that much heavier than Slade or Joseph and he's slower than either. What's left - merely the ability to offload quite well?

A) He's a Kiwi
B) He's a former RL international

Ergo: he's a superstar!

He's a pretty good 12 when fit and firing. No idea why one would compare him to JJ or Slade, as you'd be asking him to do different things to either of them, and indeed JJ and Slade are themselves markedly different styles. Well, in a sensible world that is, but EJ, who knows.

I was merely reacting to Jones's exultation over the size of his backline and his implication that swapping Slade for T'eo significantly increased the capacity to smash the opposition. Jones did not emphasise the change in the 12/13 alignment with Tuilagi moving to 13 though I did manage to notice it for myself!

[Mikey Brown]

Te'o is definitely good at smashing people. Most of the highlights I've seen of him are of him blasting people in the face with that massive wrist-guard he wears.

I'm struggling to remember when he was last putting those incisive runs through midfield in though, he had a real flurry of it when coming off the bench in 16/17, but not seen much of it since. I guess he's barely played since then anyway.

[Stom]

Te'o is definitely good at smashing people. Most of the highlights I've seen of him are of him blasting people in the face with that massive wrist-guard he wears.

I'm struggling to remember when he was last putting those incisive runs through midfield in though, he had a real flurry of it when coming off the bench in 16/17, but not seen much of it since. I guess he's barely played since then anyway.

I seriously see 0 reason why these are allowed...Bothma at Quins has an absolutely huge one on his forearm, with the word SMASH written on it. I wonder what that could possibly be...

They should be outlawed, imo.

[fivepointer]

Whats a bit odd about Te'o is that he put into the side despite having no club form this season. Its not as if he's been outstanding when he's played for England either. I'm struggling to think of him playing anything above acceptable, so its hard to see him as a player vital to our cause.
But plainly Eddie sees something he likes that really takes little account of current form or previous appearances.
Dare I say Shields falls into the same category.

[Mikey Brown]

Odd, yes, but not even slightly surprising anymore.

[Oakboy]

Whats a bit odd about Te'o is that he put into the side despite having no club form this season. Its not as if he's been outstanding when he's played for England either. I'm struggling to think of him playing anything above acceptable, so its hard to see him as a player vital to our cause.
But plainly Eddie sees something he likes that really takes little account of current form or previous appearances.
Dare I say Shields falls into the same category.

I agree about the weird over-assessments. In Shields's case, why is he rated more highly than Rhodes (not that I like either)? At least Rhodes has had some impactful performances for Saracens yet he now appears to have joined the list of discards. If I was rating the three 6s with overseas origin, I'd have Armand first by some margin followed by Rhodes and then Shields a long way back in third.

[Banquo]

Te'o is definitely good at smashing people. Most of the highlights I've seen of him are of him blasting people in the face with that massive wrist-guard he wears.

I'm struggling to remember when he was last putting those incisive runs through midfield in though, he had a real flurry of it when coming off the bench in 16/17, but not seen much of it since. I guess he's barely played since then anyway.

That's the daft thing, he's hardly played. yet gets the nod ahead of say JJ, or Marchant or Williams albeit they are utterly different options; he is/was a decent quality 12, but may be utter turd on Saturday. I guess this confirms that Eddie is now committed to boshing at 12, which isn't a massive issue for me, as it sort of suits the pack....but only if you have Ford at and someone speedy with decent hands at 13.

[Digby]

If only we had a speedy 13 with decent hands who's been pretty much our best player for a good few seasons

[Banquo]

If only we had a speedy 13 with decent hands who's been pretty much our best player for a good few seasons

well indeed, thought I was being subtle. Yet sent back to his club, when lesser players remain.

[Banquo]

stolen................Meat, but ain' no guile.....is an anagram of.....Ben Teo, Manu Tuilagi

[p/d]

If we are going to persist with Farrell and a ‘boahing’ 12 then might as well call up Brad. Defensive Goliath and would walk over hot coals for the team. Then someone like JJ, Loziwski or Slade at 13

[Oakboy]

If we are going to persist with Farrell and a ‘boahing’ 12 then might as well call up Brad. Defensive Goliath and would walk over hot coals for the team. Then someone like JJ, Loziwski or Slade at 13

Did Barritt more or less always play between Farrell and Tuilagi for England? It never worked (whoever it was) as I remember but maybe it was less Brad's fault than many of us thought.

[Digby]

If we are going to persist with Farrell and a ‘boahing’ 12 then might as well call up Brad. Defensive Goliath and would walk over hot coals for the team. Then someone like JJ, Loziwski or Slade at 13

If it’s going to be bosh then they'll need to be able to bosh, something Brad has never shown at test level, it's hardly his forte at club level

[Scrumhead]

Te'o is definitely good at smashing people. Most of the highlights I've seen of him are of him blasting people in the face with that massive wrist-guard he wears.

I'm struggling to remember when he was last putting those incisive runs through midfield in though, he had a real flurry of it when coming off the bench in 16/17, but not seen much of it since. I guess he's barely played since then anyway.

I seriously see 0 reason why these are allowed...Bothma at Quins has an absolutely huge one on his forearm, with the word SMASH written on it. I wonder what that could possibly be...

They should be outlawed, imo.

I think both of them wear the arm guard is because they’ve both had issues with broken forearms. Bothma’s done his 3 times I think (once before he arrived and then twice since).

Presumably it’s allowed as protection for them, but I’d absolutely agree that both use it illegally.

[twitchy]

It's not the best team but I reckon you guys seriously love a moan don't you. I think EJ is experimenting and resting people for next week. I genuinely don't think he reckons this is our strongest team. It will probably be awkwardly close for 60 mins then we hopefully pull away in the last 20 when the cavalry comes on.

[Mellsblue]

The issue is that he wants to play that back line at all. Especially against Italy. Worst case scenario is that this is his preferred back line and this is the first time they’ve all been matchfit. Cockanasiga aside, what will we learn? Niente. Why not start Robson, LCD etc.

[Oakboy]

I can't believe what I am about to write. I am looking forward more to the Scotland v Wales match.

[Mellsblue]

I’m looking forward more to Doncaster v Bedford. Even though it involves a 3 to 4hr round trip and it’s absolutely chucking it down.

[twitchy]

I think it will be close for the first half then wales will pull away in the second.

[ad_tigger]

I’m looking forward more to Doncaster v Bedford. Even though it involves a 3 to 4hr round trip and it’s absolutely chucking it down.

And you have to go to Doncaster...

[Mellsblue]

I’m looking forward more to Doncaster v Bedford. Even though it involves a 3 to 4hr round trip and it’s absolutely chucking it down.

And you have to go to Doncaster...

Ha. True.

[twitchy]

What do you guys reckon for ire vs fra?

[Gloskarlos]

What do you guys reckon for ire vs fra?

Depends on the Welsh result doesn't it. Not that what I want to happen will actually happen, but I would like Scotland to beat Wales, then Ireland to beat France (as Ireland are my second team) leaving England to win the 6N by resounding victories over Italy and then Scotland.

Of course Eddie and the Welsh will scupper all of that and I will drink a surfeit of Guinness to compensate.

[Banquo]

What do you guys reckon for ire vs fra?

Depends on the Welsh result doesn't it. Not that what I want to happen will actually happen, but I would like Scotland to beat Wales, then Ireland to beat France (as Ireland are my second team) leaving England to win the 6N by resounding victories over Italy and then Scotland.

Of course Eddie and the Welsh will scupper all of that and I will drink a surfeit of Guinness to compensate.

sorted!