England v Wales - Team Announcement

[Mikey Brown]

Daly for Tuilagi if he breaks. What if Nowell breaks as well? Ford at IC?

Yeah any backline with the 2 of them has me slightly worried. I'd genuinely rather see Simmonds out in the backs than Smith/Ford playing centre.

[Dan. Dan. Dan.]

Slade was first receiver for A LOT of the first two, so I think the 10, 12 and 13 will be swapping round constantly on Saturday. Could be a really good tactic if done well...

[32nd Man]

It's definitely a return to some of our darker mid 00s teams in terms of flat out pace.

Can't see any of that backline putting away a finish like Daly's from a couple of years ago.

It also makes the kick through much easier for them too as there's no one there who's winning a chase back on the turn with anything to spare.

Eweks and the ongoing gripe of Lawes at 6 aside, that's a good pack, especially if they kick infield and give Steward ball with Tuilagi and Dombrant broken field to exploit.

[p/d]

Ewels aside, bloody marvellous.

Right on the money starting Randall and more than happy with the back 3.

Time for Jones’ boys to put in a shift and take our play to another level

[Banquo]

Slade was first receiver for A LOT of the first two, so I think the 10, 12 and 13 will be swapping round constantly on Saturday. Could be a really good tactic if done well...

Yep, he gave Smith a lot of time on the ball to pick a pass, it looked promising if they can do it closer to the tackle line, which will also make Tuilagi even more of a threat.

[Dan. Dan. Dan.]

Tuilagi running threatening lines + Slade giving Smith the chance to ship it wide could be glorious... could...

[Banquo]

Tuilagi running threatening lines + Slade giving Smith the chance to ship it wide could be glorious... could...

Yep, and a nice mix up using Tuilagi as a straightforward tackle line breaker as an option keeps them honest.

[Mikey Brown]

It's definitely a return to some of our darker mid 00s teams in terms of flat out pace.

Can't see any of that backline putting away a finish like Daly's from a couple of years ago.

It also makes the kick through much easier for them too as there's no one there who's winning a chase back on the turn with anything to spare.

Eweks and the ongoing gripe of Lawes at 6 aside, that's a good pack, especially if they kick infield and give Steward ball with Tuilagi and Dombrant broken field to exploit.

Not sure it’s that slow but at least they don’t have LRZ. I’d have started Daly on the wing I think, but Malins generally seems quite quick and alert to me.

Really keen to see how well we use Tuilagi and Dombrandt, as you mention.

[Numbers]

I'm assuming Anthony Watson is injured, is Malins any good in the air?

[Banquo]

I'm assuming Anthony Watson is injured, is Malins any good in the air?

Yes, been out for months. Yes, he is ok, more so on the wing than 15 I'd say, ditto Daly.

[Numbers]

I'm assuming Anthony Watson is injured, is Malins any good in the air?

Yes, been out for months. Yes, he is ok, more so on the wing than 15 I'd say, ditto Daly.

I think we could see a fair few bombs gong onto Malins' wing, he's not the tallest and Adams is good in the air.

[FKAS]

I'm assuming Anthony Watson is injured, is Malins any good in the air?

Watson is indeed injured. Malins is better in the air than Watson but not as quick and doesn't have the same finishing ability.

[Banquo]

I'm assuming Anthony Watson is injured, is Malins any good in the air?

Yes, been out for months. Yes, he is ok, more so on the wing than 15 I'd say, ditto Daly.

I think we could see a fair few bombs gong onto Malins' wing, he's not the tallest and Adams is good in the air.

I don't that would be much of a surprise, its been pretty prevalent in welsh (and most other sides) play for a while.

[jngf]

Good side. I mean, gods help us if Curry takes an early knock, but overall that's a very decent side. I am startled at Randall's inclusion; I didn't think he made a good enough showing against the Italians (mind, neither did Youngs), but Eddie's obviously decided it's time to invest in a new 9.

Puja

Why? Simmonds is fast, squat and under 6’2”. He’s the perfect openside.

To be fair I thought he had a good stab there against Italy after Curry went off

[FKAS]

Yes, been out for months. Yes, he is ok, more so on the wing than 15 I'd say, ditto Daly.

I think we could see a fair few bombs gong onto Malins' wing, he's not the tallest and Adams is good in the air.

I don't that would be much of a surprise, its been pretty prevalent in welsh (and most other sides) play for a while.

I'm expecting them to tee up a few man and ball hits early doors. Look for either a turnover penalty to kick into the corner or to ensure its slow enough so that Randall has to box kick and then look to pressure that.

I really hope Eddie has a change in game plan, I have no faith on Randall being able to play Eddie percentage rugby. England are going to need to play at a high tempo to see the best of Little Harry.

[chris1850]

Manu broken again

[Spiffy]

I think we could see a fair few bombs gong onto Malins' wing, he's not the tallest and Adams is good in the air.

I don't that would be much of a surprise, its been pretty prevalent in welsh (and most other sides) play for a while.

I'm expecting them to tee up a few man and ball hits early doors. Look for either a turnover penalty to kick into the corner or to ensure its slow enough so that Randall has to box kick and then look to pressure that.

I really hope Eddie has a change in game plan, I have no faith on Randall being able to play Eddie percentage rugby. England are going to need to play at a high tempo to see the best of Little Harry.

Bit of a circular argument. Little Harry is there to set the high tempo (that Youngs does not set) and get the best out of England.

[chris1850]

I think we could see a fair few bombs gong onto Malins' wing, he's not the tallest and Adams is good in the air.

I don't that would be much of a surprise, its been pretty prevalent in welsh (and most other sides) play for a while.

I'm expecting them to tee up a few man and ball hits early doors. Look for either a turnover penalty to kick into the corner or to ensure its slow enough so that Randall has to box kick and then look to pressure that.

I really hope Eddie has a change in game plan, I have no faith on Randall being able to play Eddie percentage rugby. England are going to need to play at a high tempo to see the best of Little Harry.

If we are relying on Randall's box kicking then we really are playing with one hand behind our backs. If we are starting him, then use his strengths - speed to the ruck and speed at the ruck with his passing ability. All of which Quirke gives you, plus a very decent box kick

[Puja]

Manu broken again

Ugh. Why can't we have nice things?!

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Hang on why have we got 2 England v Wales threads?

[SDHoneymonster]

ANOTHER hamstring tear as well. I'm amazed he's got any left at this point they've ripped so often.

[Mellsblue]

Lol.

[Danno]

I am shocked, shocked I tell you

[Timbo]

ANOTHER hamstring tear as well. I'm amazed he's got any left at this point they've ripped so often.

If it’s low grade then it’s likely just a strain rather than a tear. May well have not even showed up on the scan he went for, but if Manu is feeling it and given what happened in the Autumn I guess they’re not risking it.

[FKAS]

I don't that would be much of a surprise, its been pretty prevalent in welsh (and most other sides) play for a while.

I'm expecting them to tee up a few man and ball hits early doors. Look for either a turnover penalty to kick into the corner or to ensure its slow enough so that Randall has to box kick and then look to pressure that.

I really hope Eddie has a change in game plan, I have no faith on Randall being able to play Eddie percentage rugby. England are going to need to play at a high tempo to see the best of Little Harry.

Bit of a circular argument. Little Harry is there to set the high tempo (that Youngs does not set) and get the best out of England.

My last sentence pretty much says that though that isn't how we've played previously under Eddie we have the players to play high tempo. When we previously tried to play super high tempo rucks with Amor as attack coach it was a disaster though that could have been as much backline selection as the actual game plan (Farrell/Slade and then May/Watson/Daly, combinations didn't work).