On and Off the Plane

[Scrumhead]

Harsh on the locks, but considerably better than the Rugby Pass ratings IMO.

[Renniks]

Likewise regards Launchbury

As for the penalties, agree. Still doesn’t mean Ford’s defence isn’t easy metres

Ford second highest completed tackle count, and I didn't think he conceded overly many today; I reckon Faz concedes similar or more through his misses.....in fact, the 10 channel is the softest in most teams.

Especially since repetition of the trope that Ford is a weak link means that sides always run their big carriers into him, meaning he is more likely to get dragged just because of the calibre of player running at him.

Puja

If our forwards are playing well - I genuinely think that having someone run down Ford's throat play after play is easier to deal with than having the gaps Farrell creates. If our forwards aren't playing well, then the ground lost by Ford is more of an issue as we can't stop them being on front foot from that point

[Renniks]

Dan Cole - No carries and Three tackles - What was he doing the rest of the game?!

I'd love to see his Ruck marks…

Better ratings for sure, if a slightly harsh reflection on the locks

[Stom]

Ford second highest completed tackle count, and I didn't think he conceded overly many today; I reckon Faz concedes similar or more through his misses.....in fact, the 10 channel is the softest in most teams.

Especially since repetition of the trope that Ford is a weak link means that sides always run their big carriers into him, meaning he is more likely to get dragged just because of the calibre of player running at him.

Puja

If our forwards are playing well - I genuinely think that having someone run down Ford's throat play after play is easier to deal with than having the gaps Farrell creates. If our forwards aren't playing well, then the ground lost by Ford is more of an issue as we can't stop them being on front foot from that point

With Daly at FB, a linebreak can be fatal for our try-line.

I'd rather we give up 1m every time than have 1 in every 3 attacks in the 10/12 channel end up in a linebreak.

[Banquo]

Especially since repetition of the trope that Ford is a weak link means that sides always run their big carriers into him, meaning he is more likely to get dragged just because of the calibre of player running at him.

Puja

If our forwards are playing well - I genuinely think that having someone run down Ford's throat play after play is easier to deal with than having the gaps Farrell creates. If our forwards aren't playing well, then the ground lost by Ford is more of an issue as we can't stop them being on front foot from that point

With Daly at FB, a linebreak can be fatal for our try-line.

I'd rather we give up 1m every time than have 1 in every 3 attacks in the 10/12 channel end up in a linebreak.

Whilst I'm no fan of Daly at 15, one on one in space I'd expect an international back to beat a 15.

[Mikey Brown]

So, Te’o out. Francis and Heinz in is all I’ve gathered from the beeb page so far.

[Mikey Brown]

Here we go;

Forwards: Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps) **

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 11 caps)

Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)

Jamie George (Saracens, 37 caps) *

Maro Itoje (Saracens, 27 caps)

George Kruis (Saracens, 32 caps) *

Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 59 caps) *

Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 72 caps) **

Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)

Joe Marler (Harlequins, 58 caps) *

Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 22 caps)

Jack Singleton (Saracens, 1 cap)

Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)

Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 42 caps) *

Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps) *

Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons / Sale Sharks, 13 caps)

Backs: Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)

Elliot Daly (Saracens, 31 caps)

Owen Farrell (Saracens, 70 caps) *

George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 56 caps) *

Piers Francis (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)

Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)

Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 41 caps) *

Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 45 caps) *

Ruaridh McConnochie (Bath Rugby, uncapped)

Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 33 caps) *

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 22 caps) *

Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 33 caps) *

Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 34 caps) *

Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 86 caps) **

* number of Rugby World Cup tournaments played

[Mikey Brown]

So what happens if McConnochie does a Burrell?

[Mellsblue]

I’ll accept that. I wonder what odds you’d have got on Heinz and McConnochie making the squad only two months ago.

[Mellsblue]

So what happens if McConnochie does a Burrell?

Gets replaced by redacted?

[Mikey Brown]

I can’t remember who posed this question earlier but I’m fascinated to know what EJ did/didn’t see in Heinz when he had him in the squad a while back, and what has suddenly changed that makes him so great now.

I didn’t have any massive problems with his performance on Sunday, I’d probably have him ahead of Youngs, but it’s just a bit weird.

No doubt EJ would say that he gave him a list of things to work on and he went away and did it, rather than accepting that he’s screwed up all other attempts to find a replacement for Care.

[Banquo]

so he's dumped a tight head and taken Francis/Nowell instead? I'd have rather taken another 9 tbh. Great job by Ludlam to get Shields bundled out. 6 back three players and only one specialist 15 too.

[Renniks]

Can’t understand two tighthead props and two scrum halves. If Sinckler gets a dead leg in training, having to ditch him for the whole tournament would be a disaster. Can any of our looseheads perform there?

[Banquo]

hats off to 5p on Francis prediction btw

[Mellsblue]

Have to say, I’d missed that Williams had been dropped. However, you’ve got to make compromises in certain key positions due to the 31 limit. That said, I’d have made the compromise in the back three and the back row given Joseph and Lawtoje’s ability to cover in extremis, rather than 3 and 9.

[Which Tyler]

LHP: Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler, Ellis Genge
HK: Jamie George, Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Singleton
THP: Dan Cole, Kyle Sinckler
LK: Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury
FL: Tom Curry, Sam Underhill, Lewis Ludlam
#8: Billy Vunipola, Mark Wilson

SH: Ben Youngs, Willi Heinz
FH: Owen Farrell, George Ford
CE: Manu Tuilagi, Jonathan Joseph, Henry Slade, Piers Francis
WG: Jonny May, Joe Cokanasiga, Jack Nowell, Ruaridh McConnochie
FB: Elliot Daly, Anthony Watson


I'd happily sacrifice Francis and one of Nowell/McConnochie in order to have the correct number of THPs and SHs

[Mellsblue]

hats off to 5p on Francis prediction btw

Solid if unspectacular 10/12, played in NZ.....I’m surprised he’s not capt!

[Stom]

Can’t understand two tighthead props and two scrum halves. If Sinckler gets a dead leg in training, having to ditch him for the whole tournament would be a disaster. Can any of our looseheads perform there?

Maybe Marler's been learning from Adam Jones.

[Warrior85]

I kind of like that squad. Better than it could have been with Eddie!!

Are we only taking 1 number 8 and 1 recognised 6?

[Epaminondas Pules]

Have to say, I’d missed that Williams had been dropped. However, you’ve got to make compromises in certain key positions due to the 31 limit. That said, I’d have made the compromise in the back three and the back row given Joseph and Lawtoje’s ability to cover in extremis, rather than 3 and 9.

I'd have taken WIlliams and left McConnochie at home, but otherwise I'll take that. Was never going to be three scrum halves and he's plumped for Heinz, so although he wouldn't be my choice it was never going to anyone else.

[Mikey Brown]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... nds-rugby/

Used my free one this week so can’t read it, but it mentions Slade being in a knee brace which doesn’t sound promising. Anyone catch that, or heard anything?

Hadn’t clocked there’s no 3rd tighthead either.

I suppose in that situation you can’t ditch one of your uninjured players in a different position? That would seem incredibly harsh even if you could.

[Epaminondas Pules]

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... nds-rugby/

Used my free one this week so can’t read it, but it mentions Slade being in a knee brace which doesn’t sound promising. Anyone catch that, or heard anything?

Hadn’t clocked there’s no 3rd tighthead either.

I suppose in that situation you can’t ditch one of your uninjured players in a different position? That would seem incredibly harsh even if you could.

Had a brace on when he was in the stand yesterday, but Jones said he should be fine. Wasn't any serious scaffolding.

[Banquo]

Have to say, I’d missed that Williams had been dropped. However, you’ve got to make compromises in certain key positions due to the 31 limit. That said, I’d have made the compromise in the back three and the back row given Joseph and Lawtoje’s ability to cover in extremis, rather than 3 and 9.

6 back three players is OTT. Think it indicates Nowell-love.

[I R Geech]

So after years of planning, plotting, and testing, he’s picked 4 players with 3 caps between them.

[Banquo]

someone has said elsewhere that Marler can play tighthead......never seen it, so no idea...