Next up.....France

[Puja]

The French squad for Twickenham that includes Vakatawa, Chat and Ntamack.

https://t.co/fgTf2bx5rB?amp=1

The next step to a Grand Slam!

I'd rather you than the Welsh!

Puja

[francoisfou]

The French squad for Twickenham that includes Vakatawa, Chat and Ntamack.

https://t.co/fgTf2bx5rB?amp=1

The next step to a Grand Slam!

I'd rather you than the Welsh!

Puja

Agreed!!

[p/d]

So Itoje to 6 alongside Earls and the mighty Ewels to start

[Banquo]

So Itoje to 6 alongside Earls and the mighty Ewels to start

dear lawd, is that the case? I know they need to look at the lineout v France's four or five jumpers, but....

Is Earls replacing BV?

[Digby]

We could give away a pot of penalties and still beat France, so says a wise man. Who also says we gave away 5 avoidable penalties against Wales, 3 of which were just players trying too hard

[p/d]

So Itoje to 6 alongside Earls and the mighty Ewels to start

dear lawd, is that the case? I know they need to look at the lineout v France's four or five jumpers, but....

Is Earls replacing BV?

I have no idea, just what has been hinted at.
Earls replacing Hill wouldn’t surprise me.

[twitchy]

France by 21.

[francoisfou]

France by 21.

At least!

[Digby]

A moral win if we lose by 20 is an amusing (depressing?) thought

[Banquo]

So Itoje to 6 alongside Earls and the mighty Ewels to start

dear lawd, is that the case? I know they need to look at the lineout v France's four or five jumpers, but....

Is Earls replacing BV?

I have no idea, just what has been hinted at.
Earls replacing Hill wouldn’t surprise me.

eh?

[p/d]

dear lawd, is that the case? I know they need to look at the lineout v France's four or five jumpers, but....

Is Earls replacing BV?

I have no idea, just what has been hinted at.
Earls replacing Hill wouldn’t surprise me.

eh?

Malins in at 15, Ewels to replace Hill and Earls replacing Wilson.

And LCD to start!!!

[fivepointer]

England: Malins; Watson, Slade, Farrell, May; Ford, Youngs; M Vunipola, Cowan-Dickie, Sinckler, Itoje, Ewels, Wilson, Curry, B Vunipola.

Replacements: George, Genge, Stuart, Hill, Earl, Robson, Lawrence, Daly.

[Which Tyler]

Malins in at 15, Ewels to replace Hill and Earls replacing Wilson.

Are you sure?
I've got the same as 5P

15. Malins
14. Watson
13. Slade
12. Farrell
11. May
10. Ford
09. Youngs

1. M Vunipola
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Ewels
6. Wilson
7. Curry
8. B Vunipola

16. George 17. Genge 18. Stuart 19. Hill 20. Earl
21. Robson 22. Lawrence 23. Daly

[Banquo]

I have no idea, just what has been hinted at.
Earls replacing Hill wouldn’t surprise me.

eh?

Malins in at 15, Ewels to replace Hill and Earls replacing Wilson.

And LCD to start!!!

nearly

[Banquo]

Malins in at 15, Ewels to replace Hill and Earls replacing Wilson.

Are you sure?
I've got the same as 5P

15. Malins
14. Watson
13. Slade
12. Farrell
11. May
10. Ford
09. Youngs

1. M Vunipola
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Ewels
6. Wilson
7. Curry
8. B Vunipola

16. George 17. Genge 18. Stuart 19. Hill 20. Earl
21. Robson 22. Lawrence 23. Daly

Mixed feelings. Glad the mooted Itoje to 6 hasn't happened, but not sure Ewels is a trade up- its a bugger that both Lawes and Launch are out. Bench is a big improvement on 6:2. Obviously would prefer Lawrence at 12 and Faz at 22, but never going to happen. Unlike many, I'm pleased he's stuck with a back row that was pretty good v Wales, though Wilson was a little too much unseen work . Back three is a good shout.
I'd have stuck with George as a starter, but we will see LCD under pressure on his darts and that's a good thing. Looks like we are going to have a go at the breakdown in defence, but give what happened with this ref last time there..........

[fivepointer]

Malins for Daly is long overdue.
LCD offers more in open play than George and its a move i approve of.
Ewels for Hill is pretty neutral.
Bench is FAR better with a 5:3 split and the inclusion of Lawrence.
Think the changes are probably the most that could have been expected. Youngs and Farrell arent going to be dropped and Billy showed a definite step up last time out.
Its basically the same 23 as played against Wales (Lawrence for Martin is the only change) so there is continuity aplenty. Is that what we need right now? We'll see.

[Stom]

OK, that's actually a pretty good team. He's pretty much improved on everything that was needed. Hill has been just not good enough, imo. Ewels has shown himself to be a perfectly serviceable bang average lock in the past, so hopefully he can show that side of his game and be a good foil for Itoje - we don't need everyone to be world class and he's just shirt holding for Launch.

Malins is just a better fullback than Daly and better at the linking play than Daly because of his experience at 10. I really like the look of that team if we're going to play a certain way, tbh, although, of course, an extra runner at 13 would be good.

[p/d]

I would have started Robson. Not because he will automatically be better than Youngs but because development requires it. Ditto Lawrence, even if that was at the expense of Ford.

Still remain unconvinced Ewels brings much to the party, Ditto Earls and Hill. Though we are where we are in those positions.

LCD is rightly reinstated in the starting XV.

Looking forward to see how Malins goes.

[FKAS]

Some token changes by Eddie but he's failed to address the major issue which is the steaming turd of a midfield. No balance there whatsoever and up against what France could bring it could be a long afternoon. It'll be made no better by the telegraphed change when Lawrence comes off the bench for Ford on 60 minutes and we see him not touch the ball and dropped again as his talents are wasted outside Farrell who has three plays ball in hand which are kick (favourite), pop for crash ball (second favourite) and third throw massive miss pass to winger (limited to one per half).

Nice to see Malina get his chance, the French don't always kick that well but they do chase well. Can't afford to give them turnover ball to attack from so he's going to have to be clinical at the back. Could be chances for him to attack.

Nice to see LCD get his form recognised with the starting spot.

Robson is frankly lucky to be on the bench. Would have preferred to see Mitchell get a run out for experience at the end of the game. Hopefully Robson remembers how to play rugby this weekend after his NFL block and pass to the opposition last weekend (made worse because his flyhalf had set up the attack on the other side of the pitch and was screaming for the ball).

[Banquo]

Some token changes by Eddie but he's failed to address the major issue which is the steaming turd of a midfield. No balance there whatsoever and up against what France could bring it could be a long afternoon. It'll be made no better by the telegraphed change when Lawrence comes off the bench for Ford on 60 minutes and we see him not touch the ball and dropped again as his talents are wasted outside Farrell who has three plays ball in hand which are kick (favourite), pop for crash ball (second favourite) and third throw massive miss pass to winger (limited to one per half).

Nice to see Malina get his chance, the French don't always kick that well but they do chase well. Can't afford to give them turnover ball to attack from so he's going to have to be clinical at the back. Could be chances for him to attack.

Nice to see LCD get his form recognised with the starting spot.

Robson is frankly lucky to be on the bench. Would have preferred to see Mitchell get a run out for experience at the end of the game. Hopefully Robson remembers how to play rugby this weekend after his NFL block and pass to the opposition last weekend (made worse because his flyhalf had set up the attack on the other side of the pitch and was screaming for the ball).

The major issue has actually been discipline.
I agree the midfield remains chronically unbalanced though, with nothing coming from the back three that helps that.
The French kicking game is excellent- they kick long and often. They kick a lot more than is generally recognised.

[Digby]

OK, that's actually a pretty good team. He's pretty much improved on everything that was needed. Hill has been just not good enough, imo. Ewels has shown himself to be a perfectly serviceable bang average lock in the past, so hopefully he can show that side of his game and be a good foil for Itoje - we don't need everyone to be world class and he's just shirt holding for Launch.

Malins is just a better fullback than Daly and better at the linking play than Daly because of his experience at 10. I really like the look of that team if we're going to play a certain way, tbh, although, of course, an extra runner at 13 would be good.

Lucy had experience at 10, and he wasn't a linking 15

[Insouciant]

The changes feel a bit like throwing the great unwashed a bone. It's a bit like Game of Thrones season 8 - suddenly even fanboys have noticed that the quality of the product has taken a massive dive. For the record, I don't doubt the ability of those picked for the previous games but given the the manner of the results some things do need to change.

Good to see Malins given a proper chance. Daly is a very good player, but he's never looked truly comfortable as a full back even during England's better performances. I'd likely keep him in the squad as 13 and wing cover unless someone else is putting their hand up. Plus he has that giant boot, must be useful for something.

The bench looks better, although as someone has already mooted - Ford off for Lawrence @ 60 mins does seem to be on the cards. Not sure that would help but I'm happy to reserve judgement until we find out hat situation we are in. If we are chasing the game, will Eddie try something more expansive in the backs?

Shame about the lack of changes elsewhere, hence my original comment about throwing us a bone. These do look like token changes to placate the outside world. Things can't go too much worse than the Scotland game but, given memories of 2004-2011, it's probably best not to tempt fate. My prediction - France by 10 to 15.

[FKAS]

Some token changes by Eddie but he's failed to address the major issue which is the steaming turd of a midfield. No balance there whatsoever and up against what France could bring it could be a long afternoon. It'll be made no better by the telegraphed change when Lawrence comes off the bench for Ford on 60 minutes and we see him not touch the ball and dropped again as his talents are wasted outside Farrell who has three plays ball in hand which are kick (favourite), pop for crash ball (second favourite) and third throw massive miss pass to winger (limited to one per half).

Nice to see Malina get his chance, the French don't always kick that well but they do chase well. Can't afford to give them turnover ball to attack from so he's going to have to be clinical at the back. Could be chances for him to attack.

Nice to see LCD get his form recognised with the starting spot.

Robson is frankly lucky to be on the bench. Would have preferred to see Mitchell get a run out for experience at the end of the game. Hopefully Robson remembers how to play rugby this weekend after his NFL block and pass to the opposition last weekend (made worse because his flyhalf had set up the attack on the other side of the pitch and was screaming for the ball).

The major issue has actually been discipline.
I agree the midfield remains chronically unbalanced though, with nothing coming from the back three that helps that.
The French kicking game is excellent- they kick long and often. They kick a lot more than is generally recognised.

Sorry I meant the big selection issue, agree that discipline has been killing us.

France do kick and as you say kick long. They are very talented footballers but do tend to kick just a bit to long to complete, were in not for their exceptionally well organised chase it would be a defect in their game. Edwards has really done an exceptional job there, Ibanez talking him into taking the job was a masterstroke. Ireland were able to match France in the tactical kicking game by taking those slightly long kicks and replying before the chase got there. Made the game a lot closer than many expected.

[Banquo]

Some token changes by Eddie but he's failed to address the major issue which is the steaming turd of a midfield. No balance there whatsoever and up against what France could bring it could be a long afternoon. It'll be made no better by the telegraphed change when Lawrence comes off the bench for Ford on 60 minutes and we see him not touch the ball and dropped again as his talents are wasted outside Farrell who has three plays ball in hand which are kick (favourite), pop for crash ball (second favourite) and third throw massive miss pass to winger (limited to one per half).

Nice to see Malina get his chance, the French don't always kick that well but they do chase well. Can't afford to give them turnover ball to attack from so he's going to have to be clinical at the back. Could be chances for him to attack.

Nice to see LCD get his form recognised with the starting spot.

Robson is frankly lucky to be on the bench. Would have preferred to see Mitchell get a run out for experience at the end of the game. Hopefully Robson remembers how to play rugby this weekend after his NFL block and pass to the opposition last weekend (made worse because his flyhalf had set up the attack on the other side of the pitch and was screaming for the ball).

The major issue has actually been discipline.
I agree the midfield remains chronically unbalanced though, with nothing coming from the back three that helps that.
The French kicking game is excellent- they kick long and often. They kick a lot more than is generally recognised.

Sorry I meant the big selection issue, agree that discipline has been killing us.

France do kick and as you say kick long. They are very talented footballers but do tend to kick just a bit to long to complete, were in not for their exceptionally well organised chase it would be a defect in their game. Edwards has really done an exceptional job there, Ibanez talking him into taking the job was a masterstroke. Ireland were able to match France in the tactical kicking game by taking those slightly long kicks and replying before the chase got there. Made the game a lot closer than many expected.

They aren't trying to compete, its a territory game....and very deliberately done as you point out. As you say, if you can match their length of kicking and even up the kick tennis, then fine; Ireland kicked a lot more than France, and attacked their line out and forced a lot of turnovers- not sure why you say it was closer than expected--- tough place and side to play.

Their game will put a lot of pressure in Malins, which is a good thing.

[Mikey Brown]

Actually very pleased with that.

Seems slightly odd adding LCD as you remove Hill, but Hill hasn't shown enough for me yet. His ceiling is higher but Ewels is solid in every area. I felt like he may essentially be in the squad as an extra lineout coach, so it's good to see he actually was fighting for a spot. I think he's a bit underrated to be honest. Hill is a much better impact player (I know) as well.

Backrow is good. Was Vunipola announcing to the world he's been a poor/lazy perhaps a weight off his mind? He looked a bit more like his old self vs Wales, though I would love to see him start really busting tackles again.

Lawrence has presumably done some top notch training to make up for his abominable performance vs Scotland. I really am shocked to see Daly benched. Good on you, Eddie. Let's give Malins a proper chance in these last two games.

Bench is a massive improvement in terms of balance. I know we're all dreading the FFS/60-minute-midfield-switcheroo, but it can certainly do the job if the pack have their heads screwed on and we've got a competent fullback.