England vs South Africa

[Shiny]

Initial thought is thank f*ck we've not picked Te'o and Manu together, nor is Itoje at 6. So let's be grateful.

However, the rest of it is baffling. Wilson is not bigger than Mercer and isn't an 8. Shields is an 8, but is in no kind of form. The only possible reason to keep Youngs over Care is to keep a club 9/10 combo, which has now been broken because we're dropping Ford now that he's finally in form. We're picking Te'o, who has played 29 minutes, presumably because Manu's not got enough games under his belt? There's no back three cover on the bench and I'm baffled as to what happens if Daly gets injured. Slade at 15? May?!

I am thanking heavens for small mercies, but that is mostly because my expectations were set so abysmally low.

Puja

Has Nowell not played a bit at 15 and could cover there. Apart from that we're doomed, doomed.

[Mellsblue]

Happy for Wilson, it’s just a shame he hasn’t got the start in his favoured position. Why we don’t start George with his two club mate locks is beyond me, and that’s before you get to the fact he’s just clearly a better player.
Midfield is a lot more balanced even if it’s not what I’d pick.
I’ve no idea what to expect on Saturday.

[TheDasher]

So we have what one player that can carry in the forwards vs a pack of complete animals. I can't really see us getting any thing from this game. Lots of heroic last ditch tackles probably a load of injuries and a loss.

I agree entirely, this is esssentially what I've just said too. I think this team may be heroic losers. Work-rate, solid, high-tackle count, won't get hammered but won't win.

Just wish we'd picked Morgan. We have only two serious carriers on the pitch which vs SA is silly.

[Mikey Brown]

I'm trying to be positive. Te'o might be great. He must know he's not remotely earned the shirt on form and is there to show he's a serious running threat. Then I remember we have Youngs running things at 9, so fluidity might be a problem. He is pretty gash but often seems to start games well and appears to like playing SA at least.

[Digby]

No pace on the bench nor fullback cover, it's an unusual achievement with 4/3 bench split. And Hartley is in no matter his form concerns piled atop his ability concerns

[fivepointer]

Can see why Manu on the bench as he hast been involved with England for a number of years. Te'o does have recent experience of playing, so that would have just won out. Manu from bench with 20-25 to go is the right way to bring him back in.
Elsewhere i'm surprised Hepburn starts ahead of Moon. I suspect his carrying work got him the nod.
No lock at 6 is god news. Curry continuing at 7 i like and as a fan of Wilson i'm delighted he's starting. He has played a bit at 8 so he's not completely new to the position. Mercer on the bench seems the right call.
Farrell widely expected to start at 10 so now we have to see how he directs this team.
Pleased that Nowell gets in ahead of Ashton and Daly stays at FB.
In the circumstances not the worst side that could have been selected, but the lack of experience at prop and in the back row is really quite alarming. Sinckler has 1 start at Twickenham, the other props have 2 starts (Williams) between them and none of the back row have played a test in England.

[Mikey Brown]

In the circumstances not the worst side that could have been selected, but the lack of experience at prop and in the back row is really quite alarming. Sinckler has 1 start at Twickenham, the other props have 2 starts (Williams) between them and none of the back row have played a test in England.

LOL. Hadn't picked up on that.

What's the plan if a couple of back-three players go down. Ford at fullback and Manu on the wing?

[Oakboy]

Shields, yuk!

An injury to any of the back three sees Tuilagi on the wing. With Farrell's good fitness record why not pick Ashton and Tuilagi on the bench with Slade covering FH. It all means the first change, provided the back three are uninjured, is Ford to 10, Farrell to 12 and Tuilagi at 13. Basically, Jones does not have the courage of his convictions. Either T'eo is a genuine international IC or he's not. Same with Slade at OC. I can see none of the midfield liking this apart from Farrell.

[Tigersman]

Urgh Farrell and T’eo have the attacking ability of a sloth if the Ireland game was anything to go from and that had a back 3 of Daly, Watson and May...

[Scrumhead]

So we have what one player that can carry in the forwards vs a pack of complete animals. I can't really see us getting any thing from this game. Lots of heroic last ditch tackles probably a load of injuries and a loss.

I agree entirely, this is esssentially what I've just said too. I think this team may be heroic losers. Work-rate, solid, high-tackle count, won't get hammered but won't win.

Just wish we'd picked Morgan. We have only two serious carriers on the pitch which vs SA is silly.

I tend to agree. However, Japan only had one carrier when they beat SA (Leitch) and not a particularly outstanding one at that.

I wouldn’t class Hepburn or Sinckler as outstanding carriers, but they are both dynamic with good handling.

Itoje’s carrying has improved and Wilson and Sheilds are serviceable if not notably good.

It’s not great, but it’s not 8 Steve Borthwicks.

[Bloggs]

Was expecting a lot worse

When' s the South Africa team announced?

[Mikey Brown]

With Farrell's good fitness record why not pick Ashton and Tuilagi on the bench with Slade covering FH.

Because Ford is our best back? Maybe Daly, but it's between the two of them with Joseph out of the picture.

Though I agree in a sense, EJ clearly doesn't want to ever remove Farrell so may as well just keep him at 10 until he's injured.

[Oakboy]

Overall, there is what to get excited about? May on the wing, perhaps. I think Daly is our best player if he's on the wing. At FB, he's nothing special. Slade just might be the winner in the back-line as it's set up, provided that he's not looking over his shoulder wondering when he'll be replaced.

Has a team ever been chosen before with such a likelihood of both centres being replaced?

[Beasties]

It could've been a lot worse. But it's still difficult to raise a smile at Eddie's selections these days. At least we've got a bit of dog in the back row considering there's not much carrying there. No Ashton is a plus I suppose, but fekk knows what's gonna happen when everyone shuffles along one outside Youngs/Care, never mind an injury to any one of our 2 quick backs. You could make a good case for not bringing Ford on at all to minimise the disruption. Pleased for Hepburn and Wilson.

[Renniks]

I assume that if one of the back 3 goes down, Slade will move to fullback (not that I'd do that)

I also assume that Ford will be coming on for Slade or Te'o… and it could be as soon as half time if EJ doesn't see exactly what he wants

Things to be excited about:
- Itoje and Kruis are having great seasons
- Curry at 7
- Wilson on the pitch
- May, Nowell, Daly back 3
- A change to the 10/12 partnership that EJ didn't look like changing
- Tuilagi back in an England shirt
- Mercer being involved
- New coaches
- A solid challenge to gauge where we're at!

[Scrumhead]

Overall, there is what to get excited about? May on the wing, perhaps. I think Daly is our best player if he's on the wing. At FB, he's nothing special. Slade just might be the winner in the back-line as it's set up, provided that he's not looking over his shoulder wondering when he'll be replaced.

Has a team ever been chosen before with such a likelihood of both centres being replaced?

Not that long ago we would have said ‘Daly is great as a centre, but he’s not a winger’. He’s already shown his ability to adapt and it was probably naive to expect him to immediately look at home as a fullback.

It’s a position where we currently have Brown and no real alternative so IMO it’s an experiment that is worth persevering with. I believe that Daly is intelligent enoug to adapt and become an excellent fullback and an upgrade on Brown.

[Renniks]

Overall, there is what to get excited about? May on the wing, perhaps. I think Daly is our best player if he's on the wing. At FB, he's nothing special. Slade just might be the winner in the back-line as it's set up, provided that he's not looking over his shoulder wondering when he'll be replaced.

Has a team ever been chosen before with such a likelihood of both centres being replaced?

Not that long ago we would have said ‘Daly is great as a centre, but he’s not a winger’. He’s already shown his ability to adapt and it was probably naive to expect him to immediately look at home as a fullback.

It’s a position where we currently have Brown and no real alternative so IMO it’s an experiment that is worth persevering with. I believe that Daly is intelligent enoug to adapt and become an excellent fullback and an upgrade on Brown.

+1

Unless we're persisting with a 10/12/13 that leave huge gaps and require Brown's cover defence… I'd much rather try something different - sadly there isn't anyone else worth trying that I've seen

[fivepointer]

Daly at FB is a thoroughly good thing. The back 3 look to be the best unit in the side, featuring 3 guys who have performed well at this level.

[Mellsblue]

Jones saying Tuilagi is seen exclusively as a 13 and no longer as a potential 12, as he referenced when he first took charge. Looks like we will end the game Ford - Farrell - Tuilagi (which is what I would’ve liked Jones to have picked given Farrell’s nailed on status) if no injuries in the back three.
I wonder if he’ll have a look at Daly - May - Slade back three should we build up a good lead.

[Stom]

Positives.

Good to see Sinckler back in the 3 shirt, hopefully his form continues to return to pre-Lions levels.
Itoje and Kruis work very well together when the latter is on form.
Curry persisted with.
The midfield is balanced!
The back 3 are all hard working and hard to put down.

Negatives.

Hartley ahead of George?
2 blindsides...
Ben Youngs
Is Te'o really up to it? From a fitness or a skill pov.
When/if Ford comes on, you just know Farrell is going to shift out one and we're going to be stuck with the sorry mess all over again.

God, I'd be happy with Te'o, even, if it meant Ford got to be at 10 with a balanced backs division.

It's not a bad team, it's just that Eddie continues to make 1-3 baffling calls every time. Wilson doesn't get a look in and then, suddenly, he's asked to play 8 ahead of one of the premierships in form 8s. Te'o after 29 minutes, while Tuilagi benches after I don't know how many games.

[Mikey Brown]

I assume that if one of the back 3 goes down, Slade will move to fullback (not that I'd do that)

I also assume that Ford will be coming on for Slade or Te'o… and it could be as soon as half time if EJ doesn't see exactly what he wants

This is a very real possibility. With real potential for hilarity when one of the outside backs then gets injured.

[Mush]

If England can maintain high quality line speed on defence without giving away daft penalties and we can achieve parity in the tight five I think England have an opportunity to win this game. Most of all the England team need to win this by using intelligence rather than muscle - not something they have been renowned for over the last 12 months or so.

[Puja]

Jones saying Tuilagi is seen exclusively as a 13 and no longer as a potential 12, as he referenced when he first took charge. Looks like we will end the game Ford - Farrell - Tuilagi (which is what I would’ve liked Jones to have picked given Farrell’s nailed on status) if no injuries in the back three.
I wonder if he’ll have a look at Daly - May - Slade back three should we build up a good lead.

Stated like that, the selection makes a great deal more sense. Slade has been the form 13 in the Premiership and deserves his place there. And Eddie is (belatedly) right - Manu is a 13 and does better where he can attack outside shoulders. He can play 12, but it doesn't suit his strengths and I'm starting to think the same of Slade.

Not sure about picking Te'o on no form or fitness, but the other option is Williams (based on 6 good games) or Fazlet and not playing Slade/hanging Slade out to dry in a midfield that doesn't suit him.

Puja

[Peej]

Positives.

Good to see Sinckler back in the 3 shirt, hopefully his form continues to return to pre-Lions levels.
Itoje and Kruis work very well together when the latter is on form.
Curry persisted with.
The midfield is balanced!
The back 3 are all hard working and hard to put down.

Negatives.

Hartley ahead of George?
2 blindsides...
Ben Youngs
Is Te'o really up to it? From a fitness or a skill pov.
When/if Ford comes on, you just know Farrell is going to shift out one and we're going to be stuck with the sorry mess all over again.

God, I'd be happy with Te'o, even, if it meant Ford got to be at 10 with a balanced backs division.

It's not a bad team, it's just that Eddie continues to make 1-3 baffling calls every time. Wilson doesn't get a look in and then, suddenly, he's asked to play 8 ahead of one of the premierships in form 8s. Te'o after 29 minutes, while Tuilagi benches after I don't know how many games.

I agree with the rest, but has Morgan been consistently good this season, and not just the past couple of games? Was he even getting in to the Glos team in September?

[WaspInWales]

Wtf has Teo done to deserve this starting jersey?!?!? It truly baffles me.

He's only starting so that Ford can come on for him with 15 minutes remaining, then Farrell switches to 12...oh, and we're 20 points down.