England V Wales

[Banquo]

I was at this one two years ago, just afore covid struck here; must confess to being slightly the worse for wear and missed the very exciting last couple of minutes when Wales nearly snatched victory post Manu's sending off (got lost on way back from the toilet! oh the shame). Two years that have gone in a very bizarre flash.

Anyway- what's your England team, assuming - per eddie- Lawes, Launchbury, Manu all available? ...and what team will Eddie actually pick.

[Oakboy]

Bloody hell, my pick v Jones's?

Based on who I think IS available, I'd go:

Marler, LCD, Sinckler, Itoje, Launchbury, Lawes, Curry, Simmonds, Quirke, Smith, Daly, Slade, Marchant, Nowell, Steward

What Jones will do, I can't guess. He'll start Genge, I suppose. Probably, Youngs will be in. Beyond that, it's all quirky bollix. I think he's lost it.

[Puja]

I was at this one two years ago, just afore covid struck here; must confess to being slightly the worse for wear and missed the very exciting last couple of minutes when Wales nearly snatched victory post Manu's sending off (got lost on way back from the toilet! oh the shame). Two years that have gone in a very bizarre flash.

Anyway- what's your England team, assuming - per eddie- Lawes, Launchbury, Manu all available? ...and what team will Eddie actually pick.

Frankly, I think the real issue is how Eddie has ignored players...

I'd go full-bore and pick the team best suited to a result - this is not the point to be looking to the future or trying some new backline experiment; this is a must-win game. The only exception to that would be keeping faith with Smith - the last two games have shown that Ford is the better 10 at present, but Smith's got such a high ceiling that he's worth the growing pains.

Marler
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Launch
Lawes (resignedly)
Curry
Dombrandt (as I think he brings a lot of support to Smith)

Youngs (Randall's kicking and game management isn't international standard and, while his passing is better than Youngs's, people seem to have forgotten the two he sent to bootlaces against Italy. If it wasn't must-win, I'd have Quirke, but that's a big gamble when the 10 is so inexperienced)
Smith

Daly
Manu
Slade
Nowell (if fit)
Steward

Coup de gracers: Genge, LCD, Stuart, Isiekwe, Simmonds, Quirke, Ford, Malins

Puja

[Banquo]

I was at this one two years ago, just afore covid struck here; must confess to being slightly the worse for wear and missed the very exciting last couple of minutes when Wales nearly snatched victory post Manu's sending off (got lost on way back from the toilet! oh the shame). Two years that have gone in a very bizarre flash.

Anyway- what's your England team, assuming - per eddie- Lawes, Launchbury, Manu all available? ...and what team will Eddie actually pick.

Frankly, I think the real issue is how Eddie has ignored players...



Puja

indeed

[Puja]

Beyond that, it's all quirky bollix. I think he's lost it.

No! You? I can't believe it.

Puja

[Banquo]

I was at this one two years ago, just afore covid struck here; must confess to being slightly the worse for wear and missed the very exciting last couple of minutes when Wales nearly snatched victory post Manu's sending off (got lost on way back from the toilet! oh the shame). Two years that have gone in a very bizarre flash.

Anyway- what's your England team, assuming - per eddie- Lawes, Launchbury, Manu all available? ...and what team will Eddie actually pick.

Frankly, I think the real issue is how Eddie has ignored players...

I'd go full-bore and pick the team best suited to a result - this is not the point to be looking to the future or trying some new backline experiment; this is a must-win game. The only exception to that would be keeping faith with Smith - the last two games have shown that Ford is the better 10 at present, but Smith's got such a high ceiling that he's worth the growing pains.

Marler
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Launch
Lawes (resignedly)
Curry
Dombrandt (as I think he brings a lot of support to Smith)

Youngs (Randall's kicking and game management isn't international standard and, while his passing is better than Youngs's, people seem to have forgotten the two he sent to bootlaces against Italy. If it wasn't must-win, I'd have Quirke, but that's a big gamble when the 10 is so inexperienced)
Smith

Daly
Manu
Slade
Nowell (if fit)
Steward

Coup de gracers: Genge, LCD, Stuart, Isiekwe, Simmonds, Quirke, Ford, Malins

Puja

I think you should always put out the side best to win, and development will take care of itself (ish)

[Mellsblue]

Team I’d pick:

Marler
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Isiekwe
Lawes
Curry
Dombrandt

Randall
Smith
Daly
Manu
Marchant
Nowell
Malins

LCD
Genge
Stuart
Launch
Simmonds
Youngs
Ford
Slade

[Banquo]

I was at this one two years ago, just afore covid struck here; must confess to being slightly the worse for wear and missed the very exciting last couple of minutes when Wales nearly snatched victory post Manu's sending off (got lost on way back from the toilet! oh the shame). Two years that have gone in a very bizarre flash.

Anyway- what's your England team, assuming - per eddie- Lawes, Launchbury, Manu all available? ...and what team will Eddie actually pick.

Frankly, I think the real issue is how Eddie has ignored players...

I'd go full-bore and pick the team best suited to a result - this is not the point to be looking to the future or trying some new backline experiment; this is a must-win game. The only exception to that would be keeping faith with Smith - the last two games have shown that Ford is the better 10 at present, but Smith's got such a high ceiling that he's worth the growing pains.

Marler
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Launch
Lawes (resignedly)
Curry
Dombrandt (as I think he brings a lot of support to Smith)

Youngs (Randall's kicking and game management isn't international standard and, while his passing is better than Youngs's, people seem to have forgotten the two he sent to bootlaces against Italy. If it wasn't must-win, I'd have Quirke, but that's a big gamble when the 10 is so inexperienced)
Smith

Daly
Manu
Slade
Nowell (if fit)
Steward

Coup de gracers: Genge, LCD, Stuart, Isiekwe, Simmonds, Quirke, Ford, Malins

Puja

Just on the midfield, I'd have Slade at 12 most of the time, but mix em up depending on set piece type, phase and move. I'd love to get Steward hitting a flat long pass from Slade at pace in the outside channel. I also like the rest of the team, though would prefer not to have to pick Nowell , nor Lawes at 6, but they are the right calls. I think that's the 23 close to what Eddie'll pick too.

[Banquo]

Team I’d pick:

Marler
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Isiekwe
Lawes
Curry
Dombrandt

Randall
Smith
Daly
Manu
Marchant
Nowell
Malins

LCD
Genge
Stuart
Launch
Simmonds
Youngs
Ford
Slade

Not a bad call to stick with Isiekwe who has shown up well so far.

[Mellsblue]

Team I’d pick:

Marler
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Isiekwe
Lawes
Curry
Dombrandt

Randall
Smith
Daly
Manu
Marchant
Nowell
Malins

LCD
Genge
Stuart
Launch
Simmonds
Youngs
Ford
Slade

Not a bad call to stick with Isiekwe who has shown up well so far.

I think Launchbury is currently a better player but the consideration of his match fitness and an eye to the future would make me select Isiekwe.

[Puja]

Team I’d pick:

Marler
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Isiekwe
Lawes
Curry
Dombrandt

Randall
Smith
Daly
Manu
Marchant
Nowell
Malins

LCD
Genge
Stuart
Launch
Simmonds
Youngs
Ford
Slade

Not a bad call to stick with Isiekwe who has shown up well so far.

I think Launchbury is currently a better player but the consideration of his match fitness and an eye to the future would make me select Isiekwe.

Fair shout. I think I'd probably still pick Launch on my "nothing but winning" approach, but Isiekwe has shown a lot of promise so far and I can absolutely understand wanting to stick with him. Wouldn't be disappointed if that was the selection.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I have no problem with Launch starting but he’s always looked great to me as a CDGer off the bench, and it makes sense to give Isiekwe an extended run.

I’d like to avoid rearranging everything for the small amount of time Manu can stay fit, but having him outside Smith is very tempting, and I’d be fine with either Slade or Marchant at 13.

[FKAS]

I suspect whether Launchbury is included over Isiekwe or not will depend on what Eddie thinks we need most. Launchbury the better carrier, scrummager and is handy come maul defence time but has never been a good lineout jumper and has lost a lot of the mobility that made him rampant around the field in his early International career. Isiekwe would give us a lot more threat at the lineout, more mobility around the field but less bulk and power.

It might be moot point if Lawes is out as Isiekwe might end up playing 6.

Do we need more power up front or is the ability to keep up with Wales when they go wide and hopefully nullify their ability to pick off our lineout?

The likely loser seems to be Chessum which is a bit harsh on the big lad who looked like he slotted on and did well Vs Italy. A lineout steal and then the kick chase regather were good touches for a debutant. Tigers will gladly have him back with Gloucester heading to town on same weekend as England Vs Wales though.

[Scrumhead]

Is this one of those rare and weird threads where we all more or less agree?

I like Oakboy’s team. With the exception of swapping George for LCD, it’s the team I’d like to see too.

As tempting as it may be to bring Tuilagi back in, we’ll never develop a credible alternative midfield if we don’t give it time. Pairing Slade and Marchant has shown some promise and I’d prefer to see it retained for the tournament TBH.

[Puja]

Is this one of those rare and weird threads where we all more or less agree?

I like Oakboy’s team. With the exception of swapping George for LCD, it’s the team I’d like to see too.

As tempting as it may be to bring Tuilagi back in, we’ll never develop a credible alternative midfield if we don’t give it time. Pairing Slade and Marchant has shown some promise and I’d prefer to see it retained for the tournament TBH.

Has it though? They did all right against South Africa (whose defence had prepared for a very different attacking threat), but I didn't think they looked particularly promising against Italy.

Doing my part to bring a bit of rancour back to the board!

Puja

[FKAS]

Slade's looked pretty mediocre so far, Marchant seems to have barely featured ball in hand. I can't say I'd be at all fussed if one of them were dropped for the Wales game in favour of Manu. Sure Manu's a sicknote but he's also pretty much the only game changing centre we have currently. Look at his comeback game, first bit of action was smashing Big Andre, very short list of backs that can say they've done that.

I also think we need to give Smith weapons at 10, I know the media like to blow smoke up his backside and claim he's the second coming but the kid needs attacking options to play off as he isn't going to switch to the game controling general if it isn't working that's not how he likes to play. I'm not saying he can't control a game I'm saying he has a style that works and he backs himself with and to be successful at international level he needs attacking options.

9. Youngs
10. Smith
11. Nowell
12. Manu
13. Slade
14. Malins
15. Steward

Quirke, Ford, Marchant.

[Mellsblue]

Smith is the future of this team and I’d therefore try and bracket him with the closest resemblance to what he has at Quins* so:
Dombrandt
Randall (Care)
Smith
Manu (Esterhuizen)
Marchant

For me, Youngs v Randall and Slade v Marchant are close calls so i went with the closest/exact match to Quins.

*This may or may not have something to do with my ptsd from watching Ford being repeatedly hamstrung.

[Galfon]

EJ's squad:
Forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

No Marler.

[Puja]

EJ's squad:
Forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

No Marler.

You know, as I was talking about how well Isiekwe had done, I was thinking, "Shall I make a flippant comment about him being dropped cause Eddie will keep Ewels instead? Nah, let's not bring the thread down."

Lawes is apparently still doing his return to play protocols.

Puja

[Galfon]

..Shall I make a flippant comment about him being dropped cause Eddie will keep Ewels instead? Nah, let's not bring the thread down....
Puja

Launch must be in good shape ; if he's playing mind-games with NI not sure this will exactly spur him on.
(He took him off straight after the Negri hit/fist-pump, not sure if this was seen in a negative light.)

[FKAS]

EJ's squad:
Forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

No Marler.

You know, as I was talking about how well Isiekwe had done, I was thinking, "Shall I make a flippant comment about him being dropped cause Eddie will keep Ewels instead? Nah, let's not bring the thread down."

Lawes is apparently still doing his return to play protocols.

Puja

Watch Eddie change the squad early next week anyway.

There's a few players in there who could do with game time at their clubs so hopefully they get the chance to at the weekend and Eddie doesn't hold onto them all.

[p/d]

EJ's squad:
Forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

No Marler.

Out of that list, you got to start your best players, so:

Genge
LCD
Sinckler
Itoje
Launch
Barbeary
Curry
Dombrandt
Randall
Smith
Nowell
Tuilagi
Slade
Malins
Steward

[Scrumhead]

EJ's squad:
Forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

No Marler.

You know, as I was talking about how well Isiekwe had done, I was thinking, "Shall I make a flippant comment about him being dropped cause Eddie will keep Ewels instead? Nah, let's not bring the thread down."

Lawes is apparently still doing his return to play protocols.

Puja

Watch Eddie change the squad early next week anyway.

There's a few players in there who could do with game time at their clubs so hopefully they get the chance to at the weekend and Eddie doesn't hold onto them all.

Yeah. I’m trying to take that view.

Hopefully Marler and Isiekwe come back in next week.

[jngf]

How long is Ludlam laid off from test duty?- I’d have him ahead of Lawes at 6 and think he offers a better balance with Dombrandt and Curry. I have also thought a Curry, Simmonds, Dombrandt might work well against the Welsh (especially if they stick to using two opensides).

[Timbo]

Ludlum expected back for next week. Eddie also says he’s hopeful Lawes will be fit to train fully by the end of the week.

Expect Marler released back to Quins partly to get some more minutes, but also to get home to his family during this fallow week.