Post-AI team selection.

[fivepointer]

Certainly the time for experimentation is gone. Its now about getting the preferred starting XV - or as much of it as injuries allow - onto the pitch.
Its also time to make some tough calls on a few players.
The 6N squad should be pretty close to the WC one.

[p/d]

There are only 9 matches before the RWC. Jones is set on 31 players, he says. There should now be minimal chopping and changing.

Selection decisions should only be about those remaining few places and, the hard bit, being hard-nosed about whether those still injured for Dublin or who are injury-prone can justify a RWC squad place.

Dors, Billy and Manu will be included.

[Oakboy]

There are only 9 matches before the RWC. Jones is set on 31 players, he says. There should now be minimal chopping and changing.

Selection decisions should only be about those remaining few places and, the hard bit, being hard-nosed about whether those still injured for Dublin or who are injury-prone can justify a RWC squad place.

Dors, Billy and Manu will be included.

I hope so but I'd rather either was left out if not fully up to top club form/fitness by the time we play in Dublin. We simply have to build the team unit. It is more important than any individual.

[Freddo]

There are only 9 matches before the RWC. Jones is set on 31 players, he says.

When did he say this?

[Oakboy]

There are only 9 matches before the RWC. Jones is set on 31 players, he says.

When did he say this?

Before the Australia match.

[Mellsblue]

BBC Sport users have selected their England XV:

[Mellsblue]

[Renniks]

BBC Sport users have selected their England XV…

Those forwards aren't far from what I would pick at all…

I'd probably have Launchbury instead of Lawes - but wouldn't complain

And I'd prefer Curry, Kvesic (unproven - I know), or Willis over Underhill - as I think it's more balanced



The backs don't surprise me, but it really isn't the style of rugby I want us to be playing

Give the ball to the biggest back on the charge, and hope he makes ground. Rinse. Repeat.
It's like Gatball ++

Oh what I wouldn't give to see: Robson - Cirpiani - May - Williams - Joseph - Daly - Watson…

[Stom]

TBH, when the BBC sport users are so close to what you would pick, you know the core of the team is pretty much spot on.

I think we'd all pick Mako, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Wilson, Billy, May and Daly (though probably not at FB). The only ?s are at 5, 7, 9, 10, 11/15, 12 and 13. Which pretty much shows...

WE ALL DISAGREE ON HOW ATTACKS PLAY!

Our pack almost picks itself. Our backs are a mess. We have a choice from Fatty Arbuckle, "ref, there's a player lying within 6 foot of me" and an OAP at 9. We've got BOSH BOSH BOSH in the midfield or balance. Wing is the only "nice" decision we have.

[Oakboy]

Cokanasiga as a starter after 2 games v Japan and a crap Australian team? He might be good but I'd not pick him in our best back three if Watson is fit to play at FB. May and Daly are our best two wingers.

I'd pick Lawes and Launchbury ahead of Itoje.

[Which Tyler]

Cokanasiga as a starter after 2 games v Japan and a crap Australian team? He might be good but I'd not pick him in our best back three if Watson is fit to play at FB. May and Daly are our best two wingers.

I'd start him in the 6N - because there's only so much time to get him accustomed to the pace at international level, and I think hes shown enough to deserve a place on the plane to Japan (barring a collapse in form).
Give him another 400-500 minutes of international rugby, and the fact that he brings something so vary different (and useful) to the other contenders; and he's got a good chance of starting on merit.

[Oakboy]

Cokanasiga as a starter after 2 games v Japan and a crap Australian team? He might be good but I'd not pick him in our best back three if Watson is fit to play at FB. May and Daly are our best two wingers.

I'd start him in the 6N - because there's only so much time to get him accustomed to the pace at international level, and I think hes shown enough to deserve a place on the plane to Japan (barring a collapse in form).
Give him another 400-500 minutes of international rugby, and the fact that he brings something so vary different (and useful) to the other contenders; and he's got a good chance of starting on merit.

I can see that argument but would you risk him in Dublin? There's a possibility of him getting his confidence shattered. Maybe start Nowell with JC on the bench if Watson is not fit.

[Doorzetbornandbred]

Cokanasiga as a starter after 2 games v Japan and a crap Australian team? He might be good but I'd not pick him in our best back three if Watson is fit to play at FB. May and Daly are our best two wingers.

I'd start him in the 6N - because there's only so much time to get him accustomed to the pace at international level, and I think hes shown enough to deserve a place on the plane to Japan (barring a collapse in form).
Give him another 400-500 minutes of international rugby, and the fact that he brings something so vary different (and useful) to the other contenders; and he's got a good chance of starting on merit.

I can see that argument but would you risk him in Dublin? There's a possibility of him getting his confidence shattered. Maybe start Nowell with JC on the bench if Watson is not fit.

Nowells out for 9 weeks

[Stom]

Cokanasiga as a starter after 2 games v Japan and a crap Australian team? He might be good but I'd not pick him in our best back three if Watson is fit to play at FB. May and Daly are our best two wingers.

I'd start him in the 6N - because there's only so much time to get him accustomed to the pace at international level, and I think hes shown enough to deserve a place on the plane to Japan (barring a collapse in form).
Give him another 400-500 minutes of international rugby, and the fact that he brings something so vary different (and useful) to the other contenders; and he's got a good chance of starting on merit.

I can see that argument but would you risk him in Dublin? There's a possibility of him getting his confidence shattered. Maybe start Nowell with JC on the bench if Watson is not fit.

I doubt he'd have his confidence shattered up against Earls, tbh...

But if Watson is fit, I would definitely start him at FB and have Daly back in the 11 shirt.

Big Joe in the 23 shirt, mind, if not starting.

[Rich]

BBC Sport users have selected their England XV:

https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-union/46356677


I just saw that and I agree with every position except hooker and right wing.

Hartley has to start all the important games. He's till the best leader England have.

I prefer Watson to May

[Rich]

Oh what I wouldn't give to see: Robson - Cirpiani - May - Williams - Joseph - Daly - Watson…

And so would every one of England's opponents at the RWC

[Rich]

WE ALL DISAGREE ON HOW ATTACKS PLAY!

Our pack almost picks itself. Our backs are a mess. We have a choice from Fatty Arbuckle, "ref, there's a player lying within 6 foot of me" and an OAP at 9. We've got BOSH BOSH BOSH in the midfield or balance. Wing is the only "nice" decision we have.

On first phase ball you have two basic tactics:

Kick or Bosh

I believe you have to have a "Bosh" option in the midfield and another one in the back 3.

[Beasties]

A rampaging Ire in Dublin are enough to dent anyone's confidence. I agree with WT and want him heavily involved in the 6N. I was sceptical at the start of the season that he was anything other than a big quickish lump and got told off on one thread for inferring such. I'm totally on the bus now, I've seen enough in his game to be excited about what he can bring to the WC party. He kept pace with a full throttle May at one point on Sat in spite of looking like he's not moving that fast on his own in space.

He's made the transition to test rugby look easy in these AIs. I know Aus were poor on Sat but he couldn't do anything about that. We need to see him in more intense games: cue the 6Ns.

[Rich]

I'd start him in the 6N - because there's only so much time to get him accustomed to the pace at international level, and I think hes shown enough to deserve a place on the plane to Japan (barring a collapse in form).
Give him another 400-500 minutes of international rugby, and the fact that he brings something so vary different (and useful) to the other contenders; and he's got a good chance of starting on merit.

I can see that argument but would you risk him in Dublin? There's a possibility of him getting his confidence shattered. Maybe start Nowell with JC on the bench if Watson is not fit.

I doubt he'd have his confidence shattered up against Earls, tbh...

But if Watson is fit, I would definitely start him at FB and have Daly back in the 11 shirt.

Big Joe in the 23 shirt, mind, if not starting.

Watson didn't look exactly comfortable last time he played FB for England.

It's why I would like to see May given a go there in Dublin.

[Rich]

...I can see that argument but would you risk him in Dublin? There's a possibility of him getting his confidence shattered. Maybe start Nowell with JC on the bench if Watson is not fit.

Why not let Cokanasiga shatter the confidence of a few Irish players ?

[Beasties]

I can see that argument but would you risk him in Dublin? There's a possibility of him getting his confidence shattered. Maybe start Nowell with JC on the bench if Watson is not fit.

I doubt he'd have his confidence shattered up against Earls, tbh...

But if Watson is fit, I would definitely start him at FB and have Daly back in the 11 shirt.

Big Joe in the 23 shirt, mind, if not starting.

Watson didn't look exactly comfortable last time he played FB for England.

It's why I would like to see May given a go there in Dublin.

May's tried FB in club rugby more than once. He's a wing.

[Raggs]

WE ALL DISAGREE ON HOW ATTACKS PLAY!

Our pack almost picks itself. Our backs are a mess. We have a choice from Fatty Arbuckle, "ref, there's a player lying within 6 foot of me" and an OAP at 9. We've got BOSH BOSH BOSH in the midfield or balance. Wing is the only "nice" decision we have.

On first phase ball you have two basic tactics:

Kick or Bosh

I believe you have to have a "Bosh" option in the midfield and another one in the back 3.

Or, you know, lines, pace and maybe a score... Wasps were fantastic last season at scoring straight from a lineout or scrum, Glaws don't look quite as slick at it yet, but it's coming, England actually looked half handy at it at times too (Scotland being the high point a couple of years ago).

[Stom]

I can see that argument but would you risk him in Dublin? There's a possibility of him getting his confidence shattered. Maybe start Nowell with JC on the bench if Watson is not fit.

I doubt he'd have his confidence shattered up against Earls, tbh...

But if Watson is fit, I would definitely start him at FB and have Daly back in the 11 shirt.

Big Joe in the 23 shirt, mind, if not starting.

Watson didn't look exactly comfortable last time he played FB for England.

It's why I would like to see May given a go there in Dublin.

Yeah, about that...

Not sure May's your man for the more...cerebral positions.

Wing is fine. "Where ball. Get ball. Run with ball."

FB...a little bit more complicated.

[Stom]

WE ALL DISAGREE ON HOW ATTACKS PLAY!

Our pack almost picks itself. Our backs are a mess. We have a choice from Fatty Arbuckle, "ref, there's a player lying within 6 foot of me" and an OAP at 9. We've got BOSH BOSH BOSH in the midfield or balance. Wing is the only "nice" decision we have.

On first phase ball you have two basic tactics:

Kick or Bosh

I believe you have to have a "Bosh" option in the midfield and another one in the back 3.

Or, you know, lines, pace and maybe a score... Wasps were fantastic last season at scoring straight from a lineout or scrum, Glaws don't look quite as slick at it yet, but it's coming, England actually looked half handy at it at times too (Scotland being the high point a couple of years ago).

A back 3 of May, Daly and Watson running lines off Ford, Farrell, Tuilagi would be pretty damn effective.

Shame we've not really had a chance to use it.

And I disagree on the idea you only have two ideas. There's such a thing as a backs move, too. Often involving dummy runners, pace out wide to stretch the defense and runners from deep. Bosh is not something you need at all. Bosh is just running at an opposition instead of around them. Joseph consistently made more meters than Te'o. Did he "bosh"? Did he fook. He used his feet to get round them, or half way round them. And it's that half way round you need to give the offload.

SBW at his peak was exceptional at it, and not just because of his power. He had good footwork to switch the point of contact very slightly.

Eastmond is excellent at it, too, and he's rather small...

It's why Ford is so effective as an attacking weapon: his delayed passes change the defenses positioning...only by a few cms but that's plenty to create a half gap.

[Renniks]

I wish that I wanted the same team Rich did, as he's much more likely to see it…

Luckily though, he's also much more likely to see it fail