England vs Wales match thread - RWC warmup, Raeburn Shield challenge, and chance to take down the #1 ranked team

[Puja]

Actual answer:
No I don't want jack pissing clifford instead of billy vunipola?

More diplomatic answer:
Our back row is in the best shape it has been in at least a decade. No idea why any one feels the need to tinker.

It is at least getting us talking about something other than the sodding word association thread.

Puja

We should start a match thread for the wales game Longest build up in history.

So, should we be aiming for a 30 point win, or a 50 point one?

Puja

[Which Tyler]

So, should we be aiming for a 30 point win, or a 50 point one?

That all? I guess you're expecting it to be our 2nds Vs their 1sts?

[Digby]

Looking at the Wales attack if you score 3 points you'd be justified feeling confident of the win

[Puja]

On a semi-serious note, what kind of team ought we to put out for this? It's the only game before the finalised squad is announced, but is one game really going to be enough to change Eddie's mind about anybody? Is it better to experiment or get match fitness up?

One thing which I'd say is that we absolutely must start Spencer. If Youngs goes down, we're left with him and his 3 caps of experience - he has to get international minutes if we're to pick him.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

100% agree Puja. Spencer deserves a shot and given that Youngs has been out for some time, I think it would be better to ease him back in from the bench.

[Which Tyler]

I think we'll se the pote total bolters in that squad (AND whoever's vulnerable), in which case it might change the squad.

[Stom]

I think we'll se the pote total bolters in that squad (AND whoever's vulnerable), in which case it might change the squad.

You mean bolter, right?

I'm pretty sure 30 of the squad are nailed on. It's just 1 spot potentially up for grabs, and even then...

I mean...the 31st spot is pretty much Dunn vs Singleton...if he takes 6 props and 3 hookers like a sensible person.

[Puja]

I think we'll se the pote total bolters in that squad (AND whoever's vulnerable), in which case it might change the squad.

You mean bolter, right?

I'm pretty sure 30 of the squad are nailed on. It's just 1 spot potentially up for grabs, and even then...

I mean...the 31st spot is pretty much Dunn vs Singleton...if he takes 6 props and 3 hookers like a sensible person.

I can actually completely see Eddie doing something like picking McConnochie instead of Cokanasiga, just to emphasise that he is in charge and isn't beholden to pcik the media's favourites.

Those are other names that need international minutes under their belt though - Cokanasiga, Dunn, Singleton.

I'd go with:

Genge
Dunn
Sinckler
Itoje
Kruis
Underhill
Curry
Wilson

Spencer
Farrell
Cokanasiga
Tuilagi
Joseph
McConnochie
Watson

Marler, Singleton, Williams, Lawes, Ludlam, Heinz, Slade, Francis


Puja

[Danno]

I think we'll se the pote total bolters in that squad (AND whoever's vulnerable), in which case it might change the squad.

You mean bolter, right?

I'm pretty sure 30 of the squad are nailed on. It's just 1 spot potentially up for grabs, and even then...

I mean...the 31st spot is pretty much Dunn vs Singleton...if he takes 6 props and 3 hookers like a sensible person.

I can actually completely see Eddie doing something like picking McConnochie instead of Cokanasiga, just to emphasise that he is in charge and isn't beholden to pcik the media's favourites.

Those are other names that need international minutes under their belt though - Cokanasiga, Dunn, Singleton.

I'd go with:

Genge
Dunn
Sinckler
Itoje
Kruis
Underhill
Curry
Wilson

Spencer
Farrell
Cokanasiga
Tuilagi
Joseph
McConnochie
Watson

Marler, Singleton, Williams, Lawes, Ludlam, Heinz, Slade, Francis


Puja

Won't disagree with any of that - buuuut I'd prefer Ford to start since it might be the only chance to see him in an England shirt for more than 90 seconds until Jones is gone.

Curious to see how Wales treat their selection. I haven't been keeping up with their chatter so unsure what their problem positions are (other than 10, as is traditional. Or maybe they've actually settled on one??)

[Puja]

You mean bolter, right?

I'm pretty sure 30 of the squad are nailed on. It's just 1 spot potentially up for grabs, and even then...

I mean...the 31st spot is pretty much Dunn vs Singleton...if he takes 6 props and 3 hookers like a sensible person.

I can actually completely see Eddie doing something like picking McConnochie instead of Cokanasiga, just to emphasise that he is in charge and isn't beholden to pcik the media's favourites.

Those are other names that need international minutes under their belt though - Cokanasiga, Dunn, Singleton.

I'd go with:

Genge
Dunn
Sinckler
Itoje
Kruis
Underhill
Curry
Wilson

Spencer
Farrell
Cokanasiga
Tuilagi
Joseph
McConnochie
Watson

Marler, Singleton, Williams, Lawes, Ludlam, Heinz, Slade, Francis


Puja

Won't disagree with any of that - buuuut I'd prefer Ford to start since it might be the only chance to see him in an England shirt for more than 90 seconds until Jones is gone.

Curious to see how Wales treat their selection. I haven't been keeping up with their chatter so unsure what their problem positions are (other than 10, as is traditional. Or maybe they've actually settled on one??)

As a general rule, I'm 100% in agreement that Ford needs to play at 10. However, given the constraint that we're apparently set on Fazlet at 10 and bosh at 12, I'd like to see how Joseph plays outside of that, as I regard him as better all-around than Slade.

Puja

[Danno]

Would you mind deleting the post where I done goofed and quoted myself, please?

[Puja]

Would you mind deleting the post where I done goofed and quoted myself, please?

Sure thing. I just thought you had ambition to take over from Mells as our premium self-quoter. It'll make you go blind, you know.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Would you mind deleting the post where I done goofed and quoted myself, please?

Sure thing. I just thought you had ambition to take over from Mells as our premium self-quoter. It'll make you go blind, you know.

Puja

Sadly, it wasn’t self-quoting that made me go blind.

[Danno]

Would you mind deleting the post where I done goofed and quoted myself, please?

Sure thing. I just thought you had ambition to take over from Mells as our premium self-quoter. It'll make you go blind, you know.

Puja

Much obliged. Health risks noted. Won't happen again.

[fivepointer]

I see the first 2 warm up games against Wales as a bit of mix n match in selection.
We might see some fringe players get a final chance to impress but i'm pretty sure Jones knows most if not all of his squad by now. He wont want to give game time to players who are already earmarked for standby duty.
For Ireland and Italy I expect us to field a first choice XV.
I thought the squad had to be named by 2 September (after the Ireland game) is that correct?

[Scrumhead]

Eddie’s already said he’ll be naming the day following the first Wales game.

Apparently Wales are going full bore on both of these games and we’re expected to follow suit.

The warm ups are always odd games. Players want to impress to be selected, but they’re also (understandably) shi*ting themselves about picking up injuries.

[Scrumhead]

I’m curious to see what kind of team Eddie puts out for this one, given he’s committed to naming his squad the following day. Presumably that means it’s a last/only shot for any fringe players/maybes to make the final 31.

I’d like to see (I don’t expect this from Eddie):

1. Marler
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Williams
4. Lawes
5. Launchbury
6. Wilson
7. Underhill
8. Dombrandt
9. Spencer
10. Cipriani
11. Cokanasiga
12. Te’o
13. Joseph
14. McConnochie
15. Watson

16. Dunn/Singleton
17. Genge
18. Cole
19. Ewels
20. Ludlam
21. Youngs
22. Francis
23. Daly

Before anyone says so, I know full well that it’s highly unlikely Cipriani will be selected, but who knows, it could have all been a massive mind game with Eddie wanting to put him in a one chance ‘sink or swim’ situation?

While a lot of the squad picks itself, there are questions to be answered all over the pitch:

Hooker - Cowan-Dickie needs to show he deserves to be second choice and we need to blood our third choice. I like Singleton and I think he will become the better player, but Dunn is better right now IMO.

Tighthead - Sinckler is the obvious first choice, but who is the preferred back-up out of Williams and Cole? Williams hasn’t really shown he’s good enough yet and despite Cole looking much better for Tigers last season, he didn’t do that with England.

Back Row - if fit, Wilson, Curry, Billy is the go-to combination, but we need to find the alternative set-up. Shields was probably inked-in, but if Dombrandt is given a run-out, I’d back him to take his chance. Ludlam has clearly impressed so I’d like to see if he can make an impact off the bench.

Scrum Half - Spencer simply must get game time.

Centre - I never thought I’d pick Te’o, but I’m basically resigned to the fact that he’s going so this is a good chance to see our likely second choice midfield pairing. As much as I’d like Marchant to get some game time, I think Francis gives an alternative off the bench as a second playmaker.

Back Three - The main question here is who plays at 15. I’d like to see Watson given a shot to see if he looks better there than Daly does. It’s a shame to leave Thorley out, but Cokanasiga and McConnochie feels like a more likely pairing.

Thoughts?

[Raggs]

Back three is in an almost great place. We have to bench someone worth starting ( i really like Joe c). Only fullback is not strong, but then most our options seem similar in overall ability if not style. Here's hoping Watson stakes a good claim.

Youngs, Farrell, May, Teo, Manu, Joe C, Brown.

Not an imaginative backline, but it would be brutally effective both aerially and in straight lines.

[Mr Mwenda]

Off the top of anyone's head, is this gonna be beeb or sky or summin else?

[Scrumhead]

Almost definitely Sky. I think. Channel 4 have some games, but I think they’re Wales (away) and Italy maybe?

[fivepointer]

Much as i'd like to be proved wrong, Cips isnt going to play and wont be going to the WC.
Other than that, I wouldnt veer too far away from Scrumhead's selection.
Important to give certain players game time. Marler to start makes sense, as does LCD. Given Shields injury, I think we have to have another look at Dombrandt. Agreed on Spencer. He must start. Centre could be any one of the combinations available, though JJ needs to get a run. I'm happy with Watson at FB.

[Oakboy]

Are there many doubts now about Jones's 1st choice 23, assuming fitness: XV: Vunipola, George, Sinckler, Kruis, Itoje, Curry, Wilson, Billy, Youngs, Farrell, May, Tuilagi, Slade, Nowell, Daly. Bench: Marler, LCD, Cole, Lawes, Shields, Spencer, Ford, Watson.

Assuming he is thinking along those lines, presumably he will want to assess any slight doubts. That might mean bench hooker and tighthead. Then, possibly one or two back three places only, I'd suggest. I doubt he'll be experimenting much.

All that leaves is injury-cover selections and I doubt we will hear the truth about any of the players currently unfit, making it impossible to predict.

[Mikey Brown]

Do we think he's settled on 12. Tuilagi 13. Slade?

[Banquo]

Do we think he's settled on 12. Tuilagi 13. Slade?

Hope not. Nor do i want Nowell as a first choice esp as he is pretty injury prone. Daly on the wing please.

[Oakboy]

Do we think he's settled on 12. Tuilagi 13. Slade?

Hope not. Nor do i want Nowell as a first choice esp as he is pretty injury prone. Daly on the wing please.

Oh, I don't disagree but Jones is Jones.