Team for France

[Timbo]

I thought the original back row selection was suspect. It could easily have been expanded to 6 or 7 and included a genuine No 8 for instance, but at least it featured a player who had played No 8 this season and was in good form.
Excluding him leaving us with an out of position flanker at No 8 in the back row is baffling.
Can somebody help me out and explain why that might be a good idea?

Because every other time we’ve tried a flanker at no8 it’s worked perfectly. Don’t you remember Tom Wood against Wales and Sanderson under Andy Robin....ah, no.....wait......nope, can’t explain it to you.

In the interests of fairness, Tom Curry is twice the rugby player either of those two ever were.

[Freddo]

I'd rather Daly went back to the wing but is it more likely Thorley is brought in over Furbank? Haven't seen much of either player so who is the guy in form?

[p/d]

I thought the original back row selection was suspect. It could easily have been expanded to 6 or 7 and included a genuine No 8 for instance, but at least it featured a player who had played No 8 this season and was in good form.
Excluding him leaving us with an out of position flanker at No 8 in the back row is baffling.
Can somebody help me out and explain why that might be a good idea?

Because every other time we’ve tried a flanker at no8 it’s worked perfectly. Don’t you remember Tom Wood against Wales and Sanderson under Andy Robin....ah, no.....wait......nope, can’t explain it to you.

Can’t believe you left Worsley v Wales out of your list of successes

[morepork]

I thought the original back row selection was suspect. It could easily have been expanded to 6 or 7 and included a genuine No 8 for instance, but at least it featured a player who had played No 8 this season and was in good form.
Excluding him leaving us with an out of position flanker at No 8 in the back row is baffling.
Can somebody help me out and explain why that might be a good idea?

Because every other time we’ve tried a flanker at no8 it’s worked perfectly. Don’t you remember Tom Wood against Wales and Sanderson under Andy Robin....ah, no.....wait......nope, can’t explain it to you.

In the interests of fairness, Tom Curry is twice the rugby player either of those two ever were.

He is a future leader for England IMO. Better than the golden maned place kicking robot with the attacking dash of a white rook on a chessboard you have now.

[jngf]

I thought the original back row selection was suspect. It could easily have been expanded to 6 or 7 and included a genuine No 8 for instance, but at least it featured a player who had played No 8 this season and was in good form.
Excluding him leaving us with an out of position flanker at No 8 in the back row is baffling.
Can somebody help me out and explain why that might be a good idea?

Because every other time we’ve tried a flanker at no8 it’s worked perfectly. Don’t you remember Tom Wood against Wales and Sanderson under Andy Robin....ah, no.....wait......nope, can’t explain it to you.

In the interests of fairness, Tom Curry is twice the rugby player either of those two ever were.

Not sure that’s fair to Pat Sanderson, a very skilled player who did Moody’s openside work for him in Robbo era.

Regarding Wood he was originally earmarked as being a test 7 ( at the time it was heralded by parts of rugby press that he would be England’s Sam Warburton ) - thanks to injury, and Burt choosing to retain Robshaw at 7 - Wood ended up at 6 which did him no favours imo - there is a risk that history might be repeating itself with T Curry being moved to 6 (and 8 )

[Puja]

I'd rather Daly went back to the wing but is it more likely Thorley is brought in over Furbank? Haven't seen much of either player so who is the guy in form?

Thorley looks more ready for international rugby. He's older, in his second season, and more physically robust, so I'd probably pick him.

On the other hand, Furbank is an actual full-back, which is something of a novelty for us. Hell of a baptism of fire though.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Times believe Furbank will start.

[Gloskarlos]

Think Furbank and Thorley are both the same age, 23?

All depends how much of a risk Eddie is prepared to take at FB against France away from home.

[Peej]

I thought the original back row selection was suspect. It could easily have been expanded to 6 or 7 and included a genuine No 8 for instance, but at least it featured a player who had played No 8 this season and was in good form.
Excluding him leaving us with an out of position flanker at No 8 in the back row is baffling.
Can somebody help me out and explain why that might be a good idea?

Because every other time we’ve tried a flanker at no8 it’s worked perfectly. Don’t you remember Tom Wood against Wales and Sanderson under Andy Robin....ah, no.....wait......nope, can’t explain it to you.

Can’t believe you left Worsley v Wales out of your list of successes

We may have lost that game, but didn't Melon Head get man of the match that day? His job was to get off the back of the scrum and chop down Jamie Roberts, which he did continuously.

[Mellsblue]

Because every other time we’ve tried a flanker at no8 it’s worked perfectly. Don’t you remember Tom Wood against Wales and Sanderson under Andy Robin....ah, no.....wait......nope, can’t explain it to you.

Can’t believe you left Worsley v Wales out of your list of successes

We may have lost that game, but didn't Melon Head get man of the match that day? His job was to get off the back of the scrum and chop down Jamie Roberts, which he did continuously.

Wasn’t he 7 in that match?

[Peej]

Fair enough, you're right. I was convinced he was at 8 and Haskell and Rees played 6 and 7, but I've just looked it up and Easter was playing 8.

As you were!

[p/d]

Because every other time we’ve tried a flanker at no8 it’s worked perfectly. Don’t you remember Tom Wood against Wales and Sanderson under Andy Robin....ah, no.....wait......nope, can’t explain it to you.

Can’t believe you left Worsley v Wales out of your list of successes

We may have lost that game, but didn't Melon Head get man of the match that day? His job was to get off the back of the scrum and chop down Jamie Roberts, which he did continuously.

Different game. 2009 motm and 2005(?) played 8 with Hazell and Jones

[Oakboy]

So, Daly, fallible under the high ball, will be moved to the wing. Furbank, fallible under the high ball, will make his debut at FB?? (Or was that just in his last game?)

[Banquo]

So, Daly, fallible under the high ball, will be moved to the wing. Furbank, fallible under the high ball, will make his debut at FB?? (Or was that just in his last game?)

He wasn’t great. He’s talented but fear for him a bit.

[p/d]

Nothing to worry about, he will have a stormer

[Mellsblue]

So, Daly, fallible under the high ball, will be moved to the wing. Furbank, fallible under the high ball, will make his debut at FB?? (Or was that just in his last game?)

He wasn’t great. He’s talented but fear for him a bit.

Yep. Talk about in the deep end.

[fivepointer]

Get the lad in. He's a quality player who has been mostly excellent this season.

[Banquo]

Get the lad in. He's a quality player who has been mostly excellent this season.

That’s an approach. Just don’t hammer him or Eddie if it doesn’t come off. It’s a hotbed though, and I feel reservations are appropriate.

[Mikey Brown]

England: Furbank; May, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), Daly; Ford, B Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler, Itoje Ewels, Lawes, Underhill, Curry.

Anyone else worried that Ewels might get swept away if he's lifted in the lineout at the same moment as there's a swift breeze? Or is it just me and JNGF?

[TheNomad]

Ewels?! Didn't see that coming at all

If they were after that type of lock I think I'd have preferred Isiekwe. Or put Lawes there and have Hill at 6

[p/d]

And there was me wondering if Ewels would ever start. Big game for him

[Banquo]

England: Furbank; May, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), Daly; Ford, B Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler, Itoje Ewels, Lawes, Underhill, Curry.

Anyone else worried that Ewels might get swept away if he's lifted in the lineout at the same moment as there's a swift breeze? Or is it just me and JNGF?

Not happy. At least there is a 15 at 15 (though see above). A lock at 6, a flanker at 8.....and faz at 12 again.

[Banquo]

Why Devoto AND Joseph on the bench. assume mako is crocked. Carrying might be an issuette

[Banquo]

And there was me wondering if Ewels would ever start. Big game for him

Nothing to worry about, he’ll have a stormer.

[p/d]

England: Furbank; May, Tuilagi, Farrell (capt), Daly; Ford, B Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler, Itoje Ewels, Lawes, Underhill, Curry.

Anyone else worried that Ewels might get swept away if he's lifted in the lineout at the same moment as there's a swift breeze? Or is it just me and JNGF?

Not happy. At least there is a 15 at 15 (though see above). A lock at 6, a flanker at 8.....and faz at 12 again.

Yep. But what a cracking starting and replacement front row.. WC wake up call?