Team for Japan

[TheDasher]

Has there ever been a player to make an england squad as quickly as ted hill?

Surely the soonest capped is still Barkley? Capped before making his club debut.

EJ's plans on the centres confuse me no end...

He's been going with the 'runner' at 12 (Teo) and the ballplayer at 13 (Slade).

Now he switches to the runner at 13 (Nowell) and the ballplayer at 12 (Lozowski).

Can he make his mind up on what he wants at 12, then what he wants at 13, then highlight 3 players for each position, rather than switching the skills/expertise between 12 and 13 all the time?

Am I mad or wouldn't that bring a bit more cohesion over time?

TBF his first choice is still clearly a non-runner, non-ballplayer at 12 (Farrell), with a runner/defensiveunfucker at 13 (JJ)

Maybe, but why not try Slade at 12 in the last two games then?

[francoisfou]

Is Wiggly that much better than the other 9s in the Premiership ? Genuine question as I hardly ever watch Premiership rugby.

[Mikey Brown]

Well, it’s certainly interesting. Obviously he’s going out of his way to avoid picking Wilson, Underhill, Mercer but I guess keeping Underhill fresh would be sensible. Nowell at 13 and Lawes starting at 6 I guess you have to think are ‘what ifs’ for a small World Cup squad, but I don’t know much we’ll learn about that from playing Japan.

Suppose Joe C and Nowell go really well do we think they have a legitimate chance of making the XV? In those positions I mean.

Actually if we keep Daly at 15, Nowell at 13 and stick Joe C at 12 (Top14 style) we could have a whole backline of wingers.

[Oakboy]

If seeking options is the way to go, I hope they try an alternative to Daly at FB for part of the game.

Are you thinking of swapping Nowell and Daly during play (could call - would certainly keep the Japanese defence guessing).
Or do you prefer Slade at FB for the last 20? Surely he's expected to replace JoCoka on debut.

I'd love to see the former anyway, but may be too much to ask in a one-off game; and have no objection to the latter. Or, sod it, even Farrell at FB - out of harm's way

Farrell at FB for 20 minutes would be my choice. Let Slade have that period with Ford and Loz. It's a bit of an irony that Nowell gets to play with them whereas Slade has had to put up with Farrell and T'eo. A Slade-Loz centre pairing still has great potential with Ford, IMO.

[Oakboy]

Has there ever been a player to make an england squad as quickly as ted hill?

Surely the soonest capped is still Barkley? Capped before making his club debut.

EJ's plans on the centres confuse me no end...

He's been going with the 'runner' at 12 (Teo) and the ballplayer at 13 (Slade).

Now he switches to the runner at 13 (Nowell) and the ballplayer at 12 (Lozowski).

Can he make his mind up on what he wants at 12, then what he wants at 13, then highlight 3 players for each position, rather than switching the skills/expertise between 12 and 13 all the time?

Am I mad or wouldn't that bring a bit more cohesion over time?

TBF his first choice is still clearly a non-runner, non-ballplayer at 12 (Farrell), with a runner/defensiveunfucker at 13 (JJ)

Maybe, but why not try Slade at 12 in the last two games then?

If Slade and Loz are the centres it matters little who is nominally IC. Just let them have the time outside Ford and give them the freedom to play rugby as they see fit.

Incidentally, I have seen nothing about the captaincy. It should be Ford.

[Oakboy]

Ah, just seen that it IS Ford. That, with Farrell not in the XV, is Jones's best decision.

[Mikey Brown]

To be fair we’ve seen 10. Ford (c) 12. Lozowski 13. Slade once or twice before I think.

[Digby]

Would this be the slowest bench in history?

[Beasties]

Christ, I didn't see that selection coming, or anything remotely like it. I'm hugely excited and hugely puzzled at the same time.

Faz to FB could cause some defensive issues what with his rushing up at every opportunity and all....

[Puja]

Is Wiggly that much better than the other 9s in the Premiership ? Genuine question as I hardly ever watch Premiership rugby.

Sadly yes, with the exception of the injured Robson. His closest challengers are Braley and Townsend who are exceedingly average, Spencer who is deservedly behind him for Saracens, and Maunder who can't get a game for Exeter.

Puja

[Stom]

Wow. I mean...

There are some lovely selections. We get Mercer, Ford with no Farrell and Cokaganisa. Plus Hill on the bench.

But we also get Lawes at 6, Wilson at 7, Loz and Nowell together for the first time ever and that bench...

I kinda understand but it's throwing Ford under the bus somewhat. He plays well and it's only Japan, we've got a totally different team unlikely to ever play together again. If we lose...well...

But it confirms we've kind of selected our 32.

Hartley, George, A.N.Other
Mako, Genge/Moon/Hepburn
Williams, Sinckler
Itoje, Lawes, Launch, Kruis, Ewels
Shields, Wilson/Robshaw, Curry, Underhill
BillyV, Hughes
Care, Youngs, Wigglesworthless
Farrell, Ford
Slade, Te'o, JJ/Tuilagi, Lozowski
May, Watson, Nowell
Daly, Brown/Ashton

[Oakboy]

Christ, I didn't see that selection coming, or anything remotely like it. I'm hugely excited and hugely puzzled at the same time.

Faz to FB could cause some defensive issues what with his rushing up at every opportunity and all....

Theoretically, it's harder to rush up from FB.

It just might do him good as the last line of defence to be compelled to time his tackles. There's no doubting his bravery, just his intelligence.

[Stom]

Christ, I didn't see that selection coming, or anything remotely like it. I'm hugely excited and hugely puzzled at the same time.

Faz to FB could cause some defensive issues what with his rushing up at every opportunity and all....

Theoretically, it's harder to rush up from FB.

It just might do him good as the last line of defence to be compelled to time his tackles. There's no doubting his bravery, just his intelligence.

If we called Goode too slow for international 15, what the feck will we call Farrell!!!!

[Mellsblue]

Christ, I didn't see that selection coming, or anything remotely like it. I'm hugely excited and hugely puzzled at the same time.

Faz to FB could cause some defensive issues what with his rushing up at every opportunity and all....

Theoretically, it's harder to rush up from FB.

It just might do him good as the last line of defence to be compelled to time his tackles. There's no doubting his bravery, just his intelligence.

I think Farrell at 15 has a touch of genius. Starting his rush from that far back he will be in the defensive line just as he has to make a tackle. Kudos, Dors.

[Oakboy]

Wow. I mean...

There are some lovely selections. We get Mercer, Ford with no Farrell and Cokaganisa. Plus Hill on the bench.

But we also get Lawes at 6, Wilson at 7, Loz and Nowell together for the first time ever and that bench...

I kinda understand but it's throwing Ford under the bus somewhat. He plays well and it's only Japan, we've got a totally different team unlikely to ever play together again. If we lose...well...

But it confirms we've kind of selected our 32.

Hartley, George, A.N.Other
Mako, Genge/Moon/Hepburn
Williams, Sinckler
Itoje, Lawes, Launch, Kruis, Ewels
Shields, Wilson/Robshaw, Curry, Underhill
BillyV, Hughes
Care, Youngs, Wigglesworthless
Farrell, Ford
Slade, Te'o, JJ/Tuilagi, Lozowski
May, Watson, Nowell
Daly, Brown/Ashton

That looks well-reasoned. I'd prefer Robshaw AND Wilson with Shields discarded. I can't see Brown being there if Watson is fit.

WT may have palpitations over you suggesting that JJ will only be there if Tuilagi is not.

[Mellsblue]

Christ, I didn't see that selection coming, or anything remotely like it. I'm hugely excited and hugely puzzled at the same time.

Faz to FB could cause some defensive issues what with his rushing up at every opportunity and all....

Theoretically, it's harder to rush up from FB.

It just might do him good as the last line of defence to be compelled to time his tackles. There's no doubting his bravery, just his intelligence.

If we called Goode too slow for international 15, what the feck will we call Farrell!!!!

A test match fullback of ice?

[Oakboy]

Christ, I didn't see that selection coming, or anything remotely like it. I'm hugely excited and hugely puzzled at the same time.

Faz to FB could cause some defensive issues what with his rushing up at every opportunity and all....

Theoretically, it's harder to rush up from FB.

It just might do him good as the last line of defence to be compelled to time his tackles. There's no doubting his bravery, just his intelligence.

If we called Goode too slow for international 15, what the feck will we call Farrell!!!!

Do you think he is slower than Goode (genuine question)?

[Peej]

I think he is, and he certainly isn't as nimble with his footwork

[Which Tyler]

That looks well-reasoned. I'd prefer Robshaw AND Wilson with Shields discarded. I can't see Brown being there if Watson is fit.

WT may have palpitations over you suggesting that JJ will only be there if Tuilagi is not.

[Oakboy]

Christ, I didn't see that selection coming, or anything remotely like it. I'm hugely excited and hugely puzzled at the same time.

Faz to FB could cause some defensive issues what with his rushing up at every opportunity and all....

Theoretically, it's harder to rush up from FB.

It just might do him good as the last line of defence to be compelled to time his tackles. There's no doubting his bravery, just his intelligence.

I think Farrell at 15 has a touch of genius. Starting his rush from that far back he will be in the defensive line just as he has to make a tackle. Kudos, Dors.

I'm just thinking of the headlines after he saves us with a last-ditch tackle. 'Arise, Sir Owen'?

[Stom]

That looks well-reasoned. I'd prefer Robshaw AND Wilson with Shields discarded. I can't see Brown being there if Watson is fit.

WT may have palpitations over you suggesting that JJ will only be there if Tuilagi is not.

Well if Nowell is covering 13, it means Jones doesn't want to bring too many centres. There will be a first choice partnership and backup and then cover will come from elsewhere. Which suggests that, if he wants variations - one runner and one distributor at 13 - then it's a choice between Manu and JJ.

[Mellsblue]

Setting aside some flaws. Chief amongst them the back row, obvs. That is a very exciting team with a midfield that will leak like a sieve, given the amount of time I’d imagine they’ve spent training together. It’s set up to be an open and entertaining and I’m very much looking forward to the trip down south. The weather looks like it will play along, too.

[p/d]

Wilson the new Robshaw. Play him every minute and move him around the back row.

Who the heck is Captain? If Ford then SCW is going to go maaad!!!!

[Puja]

Wilson the new Robshaw. Play him every minute and move him around the back row.

Who the heck is Captain? If Ford then SCW is going to go maaad!!!!

Ford it is. What's SCW's problem? With that specifically, not just in general - we don't have all day.

Puja

[p/d]

Wilson the new Robshaw. Play him every minute and move him around the back row.

Who the heck is Captain? If Ford then SCW is going to go maaad!!!!

Ford it is. What's SCW's problem? With that specifically, not just in general - we don't have all day.

Puja

a 10 should not be captain, too much responsibility. Then he went on to list top 10's that never captained.