vs Georgia

[Banquo]

And I wouldn’t have said Willis plays a typical blindside role in any case.

He is able to pick and choose though- he won’t be able to in this unit.

And note I was specific about the set piece. Defence off a scrum is obviously the big difference.

[Puja]

I assume, it's because Itoje is increasingly key to everything this squad does and it also reduces the number of people who are not part of the squad's core. Still, it's a bit weird to be honest.

You'd've thought it made more sense to play Itoje where he's actually going to play in the future, with Curry and Willis on the flanks to see if they could work together as a unit. One gets the sense that Eddie's still fighting the last war and looking for a way to out power the South Africans.

Puja

[Banquo]

I assume, it's because Itoje is increasingly key to everything this squad does and it also reduces the number of people who are not part of the squad's core. Still, it's a bit weird to be honest.

You'd've thought it made more sense to play Itoje where he's actually going to play in the future, with Curry and Willis on the flanks to see if they could work together as a unit. One gets the sense that Eddie's still fighting the last war and looking for a way to out power the South Africans.

Puja

Well yes. It’s not really rocket science, but the tinker man knows better. Well he does tbh

[francoisfou]

And the 9th forward?

[Beasties]

I've had the morning from Hell but seeing Willis in at 7 has changed all that. I'm choosing to ignore the usual Eddie selection bingo in other areas. My only hope is that Farrell actually passes the ball this weekend. Yeah, you're right, I'm having a larf.

[Mr Mwenda]

I assume, it's because Itoje is increasingly key to everything this squad does and it also reduces the number of people who are not part of the squad's core. Still, it's a bit weird to be honest.

You'd've thought it made more sense to play Itoje where he's actually going to play in the future, with Curry and Willis on the flanks to see if they could work together as a unit. One gets the sense that Eddie's still fighting the last war and looking for a way to out power the South Africans.

Puja

Indeed.

[Peej]

And I wouldn’t have said Willis plays a typical blindside role in any case.

He is able to pick and choose though- he won’t be able to in this unit.

And note I was specific about the set piece. Defence off a scrum is obviously the big difference.

Agreed, this set up doesn't maximise his strengths.

I don't see Itoje at 6 as increasing physicality. If that were the case, I'd have played Curry in the back row to smash people and then let Willis pick and choose when to attack and pilfer.

[Stom]

I mean, 10 of the choices are: yeah, ok, good.
3 of them are: meh, fine.
And 2 are: seriously?

Any guesses?

I mean, what do we learn from playing Ewels and Itoje? If Itoje is so essential, then play him at lock and bring in THill.

Other than that, it’s pretty good. While I don’t agree with Joseph at wing, I can understand it. Good to see Willis, good to see stats for the props, don’t get the row. Where’s JHill?

[Oakboy]

Been obviously better for Willis to be starting in his club position from a set piece defence point of view, and paired with a proper flanker. Other than that, not much to say other than it’s probably worth giving Slade a go at 12, but not outside the current 9 and 10.

Willis plays 7 whenever Young isn't available. It's not exactly foreign to him.

Fair point, but he’s been genuinely at 6 recently. International rugby is also new for him albeit v Georgia. He will obviously also have to do more openside work than for Wasps. Imo a missed opportunity to bed him in, in a better way. Why not give him the best opportunity to succeed with some more mobile mates in the unit, and able to do what he has been doing for Wasps?

It might have done Itoje good to be on the bench for once. Why not just start with Willis at 6 and Curry at 7? I suppose it will be interesting to see how Earl and Curry are used off the bench when Itoje is moved forward. I still believe that Curry and Willis are our best two flankers - which probably means they will not be used as such.

[Oakboy]

I've had the morning from Hell but seeing Willis in at 7 has changed all that. I'm choosing to ignore the usual Eddie selection bingo in other areas. My only hope is that Farrell actually passes the ball this weekend. Yeah, you're right, I'm having a larf.

To Farrell, 'pass' must be as unheard of as 'left over wine' to some cooks.

[Raggs]

It may also be that Willis is faster breaking off the scrum/lineout or more effective clearing a ruck, than Curry, and thus even if paired with Curry, would be in the 7 shirt.

[Danno]

I've had the morning from Hell but seeing Willis in at 7 has changed all that. I'm choosing to ignore the usual Eddie selection bingo in other areas. My only hope is that Farrell actually passes the ball this weekend. Yeah, you're right, I'm having a larf.

To Farrell, 'pass' must be as unheard of as 'left over wine' to some cooks.

Leave Digby alone

[Raggs]

So I think I've read Farrell started playing for Sarries at 13?

So that's 6 13s in the backline?

[Mikey Brown]

What a weird looking team. I assume looking at Joseph on the wing against a pitiful Georgia side is some masterful but of planning rather than an utter waste of time when you could give Thorley a a nice, leisurely introduction to test rugby. Could have started Marchant on the other wing and had an entire centre/back-three combo of players who all consider themselves 13s.

Will be good to see Willis and Lawrence though. Giving Slade another shot at 12 sort of makes sense given what a nothing game it was last week, but I don't get the feeling it's going to be a permanent move. I wonder if we'll see him crashing it up as much, hopefully the balance will be different with Lawrence at 13 rather than Joseph.

[Mr Mwenda]

Are 6 13s better than 36?

[Raggs]

What a weird looking team. I assume looking at Joseph on the wing against a pitiful Georgia side is some masterful but of planning rather than an utter waste of time when you could give Thorley a a nice, leisurely introduction to test rugby. Could have started Marchant on the other wing and had an entire centre/back-three combo of players who all consider themselves 13s.

Will be good to see Willis and Lawrence though. Giving Slade another shot at 12 sort of makes sense given what a nothing game it was last week, but I don't get the feeling it's going to be a permanent move. I wonder if we'll see him crashing it up as much, hopefully the balance will be different with Lawrence at 13 rather than Joseph.

Joseph will be a reassuring hand on Lawrence's shoulder. Help bed him in. Same for Willis operating in that back 5, Curry may have been more helpful, but it's an experienced group.

[Banquo]

It may also be that Willis is faster breaking off the scrum/lineout or more effective clearing a ruck, than Curry, and thus even if paired with Curry, would be in the 7 shirt.

It may be. Been good to find out, really. It would help Willis no end to have another flanker to play with. You will note I made two point about his selection.

[Banquo]

What a weird looking team. I assume looking at Joseph on the wing against a pitiful Georgia side is some masterful but of planning rather than an utter waste of time when you could give Thorley a a nice, leisurely introduction to test rugby. Could have started Marchant on the other wing and had an entire centre/back-three combo of players who all consider themselves 13s.

Will be good to see Willis and Lawrence though. Giving Slade another shot at 12 sort of makes sense given what a nothing game it was last week, but I don't get the feeling it's going to be a permanent move. I wonder if we'll see him crashing it up as much, hopefully the balance will be different with Lawrence at 13 rather than Joseph.

Joseph will be a reassuring hand on Lawrence's shoulder. Help bed him in. Same for Willis operating in that back 5, Curry may have been more helpful, but it's an experienced group.

Yes and the latter is one of the points I was making. It’s not a very mobile back 5 tbh.

Have Launchbury and Ewels played together before?

[Mikey Brown]

What a weird looking team. I assume looking at Joseph on the wing against a pitiful Georgia side is some masterful but of planning rather than an utter waste of time when you could give Thorley a a nice, leisurely introduction to test rugby. Could have started Marchant on the other wing and had an entire centre/back-three combo of players who all consider themselves 13s.

Will be good to see Willis and Lawrence though. Giving Slade another shot at 12 sort of makes sense given what a nothing game it was last week, but I don't get the feeling it's going to be a permanent move. I wonder if we'll see him crashing it up as much, hopefully the balance will be different with Lawrence at 13 rather than Joseph.

Joseph will be a reassuring hand on Lawrence's shoulder. Help bed him in. Same for Willis operating in that back 5, Curry may have been more helpful, but it's an experienced group.

Well I get the logic I guess. Seems a bit weird to use up a spot for an on-field defence coach for Lawrence when you're putting him outside Slade in his 3rd game at 12 for 3 years though.

I'm not totally sure why Willis would need babying from Itoje at 6, but I'm not expecting to see enough resistance from Georgia to be able to tell either way.

[Raggs]

They're operating in an unfamiliar team without much time training together. Having someone to just help direct you here and there who's been there and done that etc, is just going to help keep everything going smoothly, and give them their best chance to shine.

I would have liked to see Willis with another flanker (preferably Curry), but can't get everything.

[Puja]

And the 9th forward?

Farrell.

Puja

[Epaminondas Pules]

What a weird looking team. I assume looking at Joseph on the wing against a pitiful Georgia side is some masterful but of planning rather than an utter waste of time when you could give Thorley a a nice, leisurely introduction to test rugby. Could have started Marchant on the other wing and had an entire centre/back-three combo of players who all consider themselves 13s.

Will be good to see Willis and Lawrence though. Giving Slade another shot at 12 sort of makes sense given what a nothing game it was last week, but I don't get the feeling it's going to be a permanent move. I wonder if we'll see him crashing it up as much, hopefully the balance will be different with Lawrence at 13 rather than Joseph.

Joseph will be a reassuring hand on Lawrence's shoulder. Help bed him in. Same for Willis operating in that back 5, Curry may have been more helpful, but it's an experienced group.

Yes and the latter is one of the points I was making. It’s not a very mobile back 5 tbh.

Have Launchbury and Ewels played together before?

Yep, Argentina tour.

[JellyHead]

Bit late to the party. I like it. I'm hoping the itoje and Joseph thing is to have a proper look at them in a second position. Having players that can do a proper job in a second position really adds to the flexability in the make up of the match day 23.

Yeah, I do realise what I've just said, and I've not even had a drink yet.

[Mikey Brown]

This is why I thought we might see Lawrence introduced as a 12 (where I believe he's played a fair bit) between Slade/Joseph and Mr. Defensive Reliability at 10.

The problem with Lawrence needing to be out on the right side of the pitch so Joseph can tell him what to do is that Farrell can't pass in that direction. Should have stuck him on the left.

[francoisfou]

And the 9th forward?

Farrell.

Puja

Of course! Why didn’t I think of our illustrious skipper?