Borthwick’s England 2.0

[Oakboy]

It now sounds like Tuilagi is available for selection but Lawrence is not - just rejoined for rehab according to BBC.

[Margin_Walker]

I'd be surprised if it wasn't Tuilagi/Slade then for Scotland.

[16th man]

Pretty certain it's in the RFU's mortgage conditions on Twickenham that if Manu's fit then he has to be crowbarred into the side.

At least we no longer act like putting him on the wing was ever a good idea.

[Banquo]

I'd be surprised if it wasn't Tuilagi/Slade then for Scotland.

me either, which is a bit comedic.

[Puja]

Blamire, Pearson, and Beard drop out of the squad on the full return of LCD, Martin, and Manu. Not sure I like Pearson dropping out for Martin. Smacks of lock at 6 again, which is not good news.

Puja

[16th man]

Blamire, Pearson, and Beard drop out of the squad on the full return of LCD, Martin, and Manu. Not sure I like Pearson dropping out for Martin. Smacks of lock at 6 again, which is not good news.

Puja

Martin at lock, Chessum back to 6, roots out of the squad?

Doesn't address the issue of us possibly being chopped to bits at the breakdown.

[Oakboy]

Blamire, Pearson, and Beard drop out of the squad on the full return of LCD, Martin, and Manu. Not sure I like Pearson dropping out for Martin. Smacks of lock at 6 again, which is not good news.

Puja

Martin at lock, Chessum back to 6, roots out of the squad?

Doesn't address the issue of us possibly being chopped to bits at the breakdown.

Or, Martin on to the bench for Coles or C-S.

[FKAS]

Blamire, Pearson, and Beard drop out of the squad on the full return of LCD, Martin, and Manu. Not sure I like Pearson dropping out for Martin. Smacks of lock at 6 again, which is not good news.

Puja

Martin at lock, Chessum back to 6, roots out of the squad?

Doesn't address the issue of us possibly being chopped to bits at the breakdown.

Or, Martin on to the bench for Coles or C-S.

You'd imagine Martin would come onto the bench for Coles. Coles went into the backrow Vs Wales and Martin could do that as well as add some bulk to the engine room if it's required.

With more momentum up front you'd hope they'd be less opportunity for the opposition to attack the breakdown.

[Banquo]

Martin at lock, Chessum back to 6, roots out of the squad?

Doesn't address the issue of us possibly being chopped to bits at the breakdown.

Or, Martin on to the bench for Coles or C-S.

You'd imagine Martin would come onto the bench for Coles. Coles went into the backrow Vs Wales and Martin could do that as well as add some bulk to the engine room if it's required.

With more momentum up front you'd hope they'd be less opportunity for the opposition to attack the breakdown.

yep

[Mikey Brown]

Scotland depth in the tight 5 is piss. Having some combo of Marler/Cole/Martin come on late in the game and wreck the Scottish scrum/maul might be a good approach.

[p/d]

I’d be starting a back row of C-CS, Earl and Dombrandt at 8 with Ford , Dingwall and Daly swapped out

[16th man]

I’d be starting a back row of C-CS, Earl and Dombrandt at 8 with Ford , Dingwall and Daly swapped out

Did Ford, Dingwall and Daly know they were playing in the back row?

[Banquo]

I’d be starting a back row of C-CS, Earl and Dombrandt at 8 with Ford , Dingwall and Daly swapped out

Who are you putting at 10? And who at 12?

[Puja]

Blamire, Pearson, and Beard drop out of the squad on the full return of LCD, Martin, and Manu. Not sure I like Pearson dropping out for Martin. Smacks of lock at 6 again, which is not good news.

Puja

Martin at lock, Chessum back to 6, roots out of the squad?

Doesn't address the issue of us possibly being chopped to bits at the breakdown.

I mean, you say that, but people were confidently predicting that Reffell would be stealing every bit of our ball against Wales and I think we only gave away one breakdown penalty all game. Combined with us only conceding one ruck turnover against Italy as well, it does suggest that our current back row are doing an okay job.

Puja

[FKAS]

Blamire, Pearson, and Beard drop out of the squad on the full return of LCD, Martin, and Manu. Not sure I like Pearson dropping out for Martin. Smacks of lock at 6 again, which is not good news.

Puja

Martin at lock, Chessum back to 6, roots out of the squad?

Doesn't address the issue of us possibly being chopped to bits at the breakdown.

I mean, you say that, but people were confidently predicting that Reffell would be stealing every bit of our ball against Wales and I think we only gave away one breakdown penalty all game. Combined with us only conceding one ruck turnover against Italy as well, it does suggest that our current back row are doing an okay job.

Puja

Really? Maybe only one penalty but Reffell stole the ball on several occasions.

I'd also say re 16ths point, Roots out of the squad is unlikely. Borthwick clearly likes what he brings.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Refell was a pain in the arse all game. He was a very different threat than Italy had against us. It showed up the imbalance in our backrow for me. We need to really disrupt Scottish ball and that’s not really coming from Roots, Underhill, Earl. I’d be looking at Curry. We really need to threaten them there and without Lawes and missing Curry we’re not disruptive at ruck time.

[Oakboy]

Martin at lock, Chessum back to 6, roots out of the squad?

Doesn't address the issue of us possibly being chopped to bits at the breakdown.

I mean, you say that, but people were confidently predicting that Reffell would be stealing every bit of our ball against Wales and I think we only gave away one breakdown penalty all game. Combined with us only conceding one ruck turnover against Italy as well, it does suggest that our current back row are doing an okay job.

Puja

Really? Maybe only one penalty but Reffell stole the ball on several occasions.

I'd also say re 16ths point, Roots out of the squad is unlikely. Borthwick clearly likes what he brings.

Roots is a 'does what it says on the tin' type. He is reliable at the lineout - catches clean, delivers and does not get knocked about. He is a good physical presence in all areas. The odd penalty by him or any of the forwards seems not to matter much. I'm not totally convinced but he's a good balance with Underhill and Earl (neither of whom I like especially). I doubt SB will change the starting 2nd or back row - for the Scotland game anyway.

[p/d]

I’d be starting a back row of C-CS, Earl and Dombrandt at 8 with Ford , Dingwall and Daly swapped out

Who are you putting at 10? And who at 12?

Smith and Manu (if Lawrence not available)

2 games in against the weakest sides and Smith has had, what, 10mins?
I know we all want to win but alongside Smith we also need to give the Welsh lad some time on the wing.

[Stom]

It feels like Underhill is there for what he's done in the past rather than what he does now, tbh...

[Oakboy]

It feels like Underhill is there for what he's done in the past rather than what he does now, tbh...

Quite!

[Mellsblue]

Lawrence / Slade
Tuilagi / Slade
Tuilagi / Lawrence
Steward / Lawrence

…. See where I’m going here

Around in circles?

[p/d]

Lawrence / Slade
Tuilagi / Slade
Tuilagi / Lawrence
Steward / Lawrence

…. See where I’m going here

Around in circles?

It does feel like it.

[Banquo]

I’d be starting a back row of C-CS, Earl and Dombrandt at 8 with Ford , Dingwall and Daly swapped out

Who are you putting at 10? And who at 12?

Smith and Manu (if Lawrence not available)

2 games in against the weakest sides and Smith has had, what, 10mins?
I know we all want to win but alongside Smith we also need to give the Welsh lad some time on the wing.

Good one...

[Oakboy]

It's weird. I think SB has to make changes on the one hand. On the other if the main one is bringing Tuilagi back in at 12, it feels like such a backward step. The likes of him and Billy V in the short-term scenario of the RWC were understandable but in a quest for progress Dingwall should get another game - especially as Lawrence is not ready.

Where I get more contrary thoughts is in the case of the 10 shirt. I really want Fin Smith to start, again because Marcus is not ready, but SB has not prepared for that with his time off the bench so far.

I suppose SB has to be cut some slack to treat the Scotland game as a one-off - looking for a 3rd 6N win.

[p/d]

Who are you putting at 10? And who at 12?

Smith and Manu (if Lawrence not available)

2 games in against the weakest sides and Smith has had, what, 10mins?
I know we all want to win but alongside Smith we also need to give the Welsh lad some time on the wing.

Good one...

Eh?