Squad for Ireland

[Banquo]

If we go 6:2 is it better to have a back 3 cover sub, and Malins covering 10 or Ford on the bench and the prospect of Smith at FB or on the wing?

just don't go 6:2 is a better answer

I agree. 7:1 is the way to go.

[Renniks]

Ah - surely we just put Ford on the bench to cover 9 & 10… and just get rid of Youngs?

[32nd Man]

If we go 6:2 is it better to have a back 3 cover sub, and Malins covering 10 or Ford on the bench and the prospect of Smith at FB or on the wing?

just don't go 6:2 is a better answer

Not sure this is the time to be going hope over experience with Eddie.

[FKAS]

Ah - surely we just put Ford on the bench to cover 9 & 10… and just get rid of Youngs?

To be fair Ford played scrum half for ten mins Vs Saints earlier this season and was outstanding with Tigers down to 13.

[Puja]

Cowards. Go 8:0 with Simmonds and Barbeary covering or don't even bother.

Puja

[TheDasher]

Daly should 100% be on the wing, I don’t remember him having a bad game there to be honest, he was one of the first names on the team sheet whilst playing there.

Frankly I wouldn’t object SO much to him at 13 if Manu or someone of that ilk was at 12, it’s about balance and Slade/Daly is horrible, as is Slade at 12 generally in my opinion. People often think that if the player is a bit like a fly half they can play as a creative 12 but as we so often see, it doesn’t pan out like that.

Is Devoto fit now? If he is, I think I’d have to go with him at 12 and Slade at 13.

On the wings, we need Cokanasiga back in the mix asap in my view, some direct running and physical threat out wide. Separately Watson always provided so much threat to defences, something happened pretty frequently when he had the ball, so we miss him tremendously imo. I just don’t think Nowell is good enough at this level and watching Malins at the moment is painful – a quick, talented footballer basically playing out of position and suffering for it – like watching Daly at fullback…

Upfront, delighted if Barbeary is involved and I’d have thought Ted Hill should get a look at some stage which would allow Lawes to move to lock but keep some lineout presence at 6 with some physicality… it’d be good to see him as an option. Love Underhill put I think we have to face a bit like Manu that he gets injured/concussed quite a bit.

As Banquo has said, unfortunately the ‘special’ talent isn’t there right now but I don’t think Jones is making all the right moves to find it or optimize what we have.

I feel like we have enough talent to beat Ireland if we select perfectly, but unfortunately, France are just generally blessed with more talent overall.

[Puja]

I feel like we have enough talent to beat Ireland if we select perfectly, but unfortunately, France are just generally blessed with more talent overall.

I'd agree with that. I'd say Ireland are better than us because they're making better use out of the quality of player available to them, but France are just in a different category to everyone else in the 6N in terms of players available to them. The only way they'll not win the world cup is some spectacular implosion, because they're clearly the best team in the world right now.

Puja

[FKAS]

Is Devoto fit now? If he is, I think I’d have to go with him at 12 and Slade at 13.

Upfront, delighted if Barbeary is involved and I’d have thought Ted Hill should get a look at some stage which would allow Lawes to move to lock but keep some lineout presence at 6 with some physicality… it’d be good to see him as an option.
.

I can't see Lawes moving to second row for club or country pre world cup. Saints have just acquired another lock/6 for next season to show their dedication to playing with at least three locks on the pitch at all times. Shame because in Ted Hill and George Martin England have young hungry options at 6 that could step up. Hopefully one or both get game time in the summer. There's Chessum as well but I think the second row beckons for him.

Devoto I believe is still injured, pretty sure it was Hendrickson and Whitten in the centres for Chiefs at the weekend.

[Puja]

Is Devoto fit now? If he is, I think I’d have to go with him at 12 and Slade at 13.

Upfront, delighted if Barbeary is involved and I’d have thought Ted Hill should get a look at some stage which would allow Lawes to move to lock but keep some lineout presence at 6 with some physicality… it’d be good to see him as an option.
.

...

Devoto I believe is still injured, pretty sure it was Hendrickson and Whitten in the centres for Chiefs at the weekend.

Plus, even if he was, I have to amaze at the optimism of people saying, "We can't rely on Tuilagi being fit, let's go for Ollie Devoto"!

Puja

[jngf]

Is Devoto fit now? If he is, I think I’d have to go with him at 12 and Slade at 13.

Upfront, delighted if Barbeary is involved and I’d have thought Ted Hill should get a look at some stage which would allow Lawes to move to lock but keep some lineout presence at 6 with some physicality… it’d be good to see him as an option.
.

I can't see Lawes moving to second row for club or country pre world cup. Saints have just acquired another lock/6 for next season to show their dedication to playing with at least three locks on the pitch at all times. Shame because in Ted Hill and George Martin England have young hungry options at 6 that could step up. Hopefully one or both get game time in the summer. There's Chessum as well but I think the second row beckons for him.

Devoto I believe is still injured, pretty sure it was Hendrickson and Whitten in the centres for Chiefs at the weekend.

Is not playing a tall flanker/lock at 6 the (after the event!) answer to yesterday’s problem of trying to win a World Cup final against the boks (when PsDT was playing)? - now even the boks have moved to “flanker sized” flankers so to speak

[Puja]

Is Devoto fit now? If he is, I think I’d have to go with him at 12 and Slade at 13.

Upfront, delighted if Barbeary is involved and I’d have thought Ted Hill should get a look at some stage which would allow Lawes to move to lock but keep some lineout presence at 6 with some physicality… it’d be good to see him as an option.
.

I can't see Lawes moving to second row for club or country pre world cup. Saints have just acquired another lock/6 for next season to show their dedication to playing with at least three locks on the pitch at all times. Shame because in Ted Hill and George Martin England have young hungry options at 6 that could step up. Hopefully one or both get game time in the summer. There's Chessum as well but I think the second row beckons for him.

Devoto I believe is still injured, pretty sure it was Hendrickson and Whitten in the centres for Chiefs at the weekend.

Is not playing a tall flanker/lock at 6 the (after the event!) answer to yesterday’s problem of trying to win a World Cup final against the boks (when PsDT was playing)? - now even the boks have moved to “flanker sized” flankers so to speak

I mean, Lawes has been trying to move to 6 pretty much his whole career, so I don't think it's *just* that, but I'm fairly certain that's a big part of England's selection problems rn. It's infuriating as, while PSdT was excellent, he wouldn't have been negated by us playing a lock at flanker and not doing so is not where we lost that game.

Puja

[FKAS]

Is Devoto fit now? If he is, I think I’d have to go with him at 12 and Slade at 13.

Upfront, delighted if Barbeary is involved and I’d have thought Ted Hill should get a look at some stage which would allow Lawes to move to lock but keep some lineout presence at 6 with some physicality… it’d be good to see him as an option.
.

I can't see Lawes moving to second row for club or country pre world cup. Saints have just acquired another lock/6 for next season to show their dedication to playing with at least three locks on the pitch at all times. Shame because in Ted Hill and George Martin England have young hungry options at 6 that could step up. Hopefully one or both get game time in the summer. There's Chessum as well but I think the second row beckons for him.

Devoto I believe is still injured, pretty sure it was Hendrickson and Whitten in the centres for Chiefs at the weekend.

Is not playing a tall flanker/lock at 6 the (after the event!) answer to yesterday’s problem of trying to win a World Cup final against the boks (when PsDT was playing)? - now even the boks have moved to “flanker sized” flankers so to speak

Only due to injuries to the players they would have played as the third lock. Even then there's apparently elements in SA unhappy with the continued selection of Smith at blindside with Elrigh Louw I believe the one tipped to come through next and he's not small. In fact the kid is a monster and it's probably only a matter of time before a French or British club splash the cash to bring him in.

All depends on game plan doesn't it. England got the tactics badly wrong for the final, Eddie and the team were over confident after such a dominant display against NZ in the semis. Marler for Mako and Lawes into the backrow with Kruis in at lock would be adjustments we'd all make in hindsight to bolster the packs chances. Now Eddie wants a solid set piece game to help secure England a foothold as the attacking game is still misfiring even with a change at half back and attack coach.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Cowards. Go 8:0 with Simmonds and Barbeary covering or don't even bother.

Puja

HA! I laugh in the face of your cowardly answer and counter it with a 0-8 split.

[twitchy]

Apparently sink is struggling (not 100% out).

[Oakboy]

No mention of doubts with Curry, though, so he must be fully recovered hopefully.

[ad_tigger]

Ireland team is up...

Ireland: Keenan; Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt.), Gibson-Park; Healy, Sheehan, Furlong, Beirne, Ryan; O'Mahony, van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Herring, Kilcoyne, Bealham, Henderson, Conan, Murray, Carbery, Henshaw.

[Danno]

Even without Porter that pack is frightening. O'Mahoney starting to maximise his shithousing too.

[Mikey Brown]

Is Healy still the same force he was? With Sinkler potentially out or not 100% I don't know what to make of that match up.

That's a good looking bench. Maybe I just don't rate Aki but it seems weird to see Henshaw on the bench if he's not injured. No place for Hansen. At least I won't have to look at his stupid scrumcap.

[Raggs]

Aki running at Smith is a concern. He won't look to break the line, just produce good quick front foot ball.

[FKAS]

Aki running at Smith is a concern. He won't look to break the line, just produce good quick front foot ball.

Aki is good at getting over the gain line and then offloading from contact which could be dangerous with the England defence if the flankers aren't switched on.

[Banquo]

Aki running at Smith is a concern. He won't look to break the line, just produce good quick front foot ball.

Aki will always cause trouble in that channel, but they will have noted how easily Tompkins made dents for Wales. I think Curry was missed a fair bit when he went off from that point of view.

[SDHoneymonster]

Squad is in:

Genge
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Ewels
Lawes (c)
Curry
Simmonds

Randall
Smith
Nowell
Slade
Marchant
Malins
Steward

Bench: Blamire, Marler, Stuart, Launchbury, Dombrandt, Youngs, Ford, Daly.

No Big Alf, but Big Kyle fit to start and Big Joe on the bench. Big Alex only fit for a bench spot.

[Banquo]

Squad is in:

Genge
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Ewels
Lawes (c)
Curry
Simmonds

Randall
Smith
Nowell
Slade
Marchant
Malins
Steward

Bench: Blamire, Marler, Stuart, Launchbury, Dombrandt, Youngs, Ford, Daly.

No Big Alf, but Big Kyle fit to start and Big Joe on the bench. Big Alex only fit for a bench spot.

Well that's a side that a lot have been waiting for, bar maybe Launchbury starting. IMO Daly should start ahead of Malins. Interesting that Youngs is still benched, esp v this Irish team. We seem to aspire to run them about a bit....

[FKAS]

Heyes hasn't been returned to Tigers so there could be a late fitness test for Sinckler if he's a doubt. If Barbeary is also remaining there could be similar for Dombrandt. Chessum is with the squad as well I think but that's more travelling reserve as he has been for a few of the games so far.

[Portcullis Irish]

Reasons to be positive: Porter a > loss for Ireland; EfD is only on the bench; A selection that leaves Henshaw on the bench shows the Irish strength in the centre; WE'RE AT HOME ...............................
Negatives - we've been bloody ordinary thus far are we going to click this weekend?
Can Simmonds run the moves that Dominator does?
Fingers crossed Curry is fully fit and ready for a long day of tackling Aki & repeat..........

Forecast dry following heavy rain Friday