England vs. Ireland - Saturday 21st Nov

[Puja]

You aren’t listening to Puja.

That said I do think he will go with Hill, who will probably still pack down on the tight head side. Lineout will be critical and it’s not Launchburys strong suit, and although Curry is a decent lineout option, it’s definitely something Ireland will attack.

(Btw itoje and launch have started together)

I am genuinely interested in knowing when that was.

Puja

It doesn’t take that long to find

Italy, Wales, Scotland, France 2018 6n starters as locks
2 x SA 2018 tour
1 x Wales 2019 WC warm up

A lot of the missing games between, one or other has been injured.

That is a surprise - I have medical problems with my memory (which makes me claiming things occasionally a bit wobbly) and I genuinely did not have any memory of them ever playing together, let alone that frequently. I may have to revisit my opinion and maintain a dignified silence on the matter until I've looked into it a bit more.

Mind, it still doesn't feel like they should work as a partnership. But I will acknowledge that I might be wrong.

Puja

[Spiffy]

Burns is possibly still concussed from the weekend. I'm actually a bit disappointed - I'd rather we got a real test rather than facing an Ireland side riddled with injuries.

I'm still a bit confused as to how an honest trier like Billy Burns is an international player.

Puja

I agree.

In fairness to Billy Burns, he’s been good for Ulster and Ross Byrne is not obviously better.

Billy can be very good and is a neat little footballer. Consistency has been his main problem at Ulster. Every now and again he has a bit of a howler. He was looking Ok for Ireland v. Wales until he was injured.
Ross Byrne is reliable but unexciting. His brother Harry looks a great prospect at FH for Leinster, with a lot more flair. He could make the Ireland squad soon.Leinster have another great FH prospect in Frawley, but they seem bent on converting him to a 12.

[Stom]

If I was picking from choice, I'd have:

Marler, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Willis, Curry, Simmonds, Robson, Simmonds, May, Slade, Joseph, Daly, Watson.

From this squad, I'd have to change the 10 to Ford and the 8 to Billy.

I still think Jones will select as I suggested above. Happy to be proved wrong.

You won’t be surprised to know that my team would be similar but not the same, lol. Aided by the fact I’m not considering players outside the squad.

Mako George Sinckler
Itoje JHill
Curry Willis
Billy
Young’s Ford
May Farrell Laurence Watson
Daly

Dunn, Marler, Stuart, Launch, THill, Robson, Slade, Thorley

[Scrumhead]

If I was picking from choice, I'd have:

Marler, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Hill, Willis, Curry, Simmonds, Robson, Simmonds, May, Slade, Joseph, Daly, Watson.

From this squad, I'd have to change the 10 to Ford and the 8 to Billy.

I still think Jones will select as I suggested above. Happy to be proved wrong.

You won’t be surprised to know that my team would be similar but not the same, lol. Aided by the fact I’m not considering players outside the squad.

Mako George Sinckler
Itoje JHill
Curry Willis
Billy
Young’s Ford
May Farrell Laurence Watson
Daly

Dunn, Marler, Stuart, Launch, THill, Robson, Slade, Thorley

Interesting. Mine would be very similar in the starting XV minus Mako.

1. Genge
2. George
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Hill
6. Willis
7. Curry
8. Billy
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Lawrence
14. Watson
15. Daly

16. Dunn 17. Mako 18. Stuart 19. Launchbury 20. Earl 21. Robson 22. Slade 23. Marchant

[Banquo]

I am genuinely interested in knowing when that was.

Puja

It doesn’t take that long to find

Italy, Wales, Scotland, France 2018 6n starters as locks
2 x SA 2018 tour
1 x Wales 2019 WC warm up

A lot of the missing games between, one or other has been injured.

That is a surprise - I have medical problems with my memory (which makes me claiming things occasionally a bit wobbly) and I genuinely did not have any memory of them ever playing together, let alone that frequently. I may have to revisit my opinion and maintain a dignified silence on the matter until I've looked into it a bit more.

Mind, it still doesn't feel like they should work as a partnership. But I will acknowledge that I might be wrong.

Puja

We’ve all done it.

[Banquo]

What is Lawrence’s handling like?

[fivepointer]

Squad to be reduced later today. Those players surplus to requirements will go back to their clubs for the weekend premiership games.
Mail suggesting Willis may be among them. Wouldnt surprise me.

[Epaminondas Pules]

What is Lawrence’s handling like?

Pretty decent of both hands. You'll tend to see him throw short pops and offloads mainly because of making breaks and having someone on shoulder, but he can throw wider. He's not a Slade, but he's got good hands.

[Oakboy]

Squad to be reduced later today. Those players surplus to requirements will go back to their clubs for the weekend premiership games.
Mail suggesting Willis may be among them. Wouldnt surprise me.

Agreed. Disappoint but not surprise!

[Banquo]

What is Lawrence’s handling like?

Pretty decent of both hands. You'll tend to see him throw short pops and offloads mainly because of making breaks and having someone on shoulder, but he can throw wider. He's not a Slade, but he's got good hands.

I just didn’t fancy both him and Faz in the same midfield unless he has good hands and decision making.

[Banquo]

Squad to be reduced later today. Those players surplus to requirements will go back to their clubs for the weekend premiership games.
Mail suggesting Willis may be among them. Wouldnt surprise me.

I would be questioning Eddie if that were the case. I get that Willis ostensibly has joined a long and very good queue, but he has a big point of difference to the others.

[Stom]

btw, I don't really get Earl. I mean, he seems perfectly good but... I just don't get it. Why has he been promoted over the others?

[Mellsblue]

He’s big, strong and fast, with decent hands and great over the ball. He’s also just come off a run of games at Bristol that put him in the convo for player of the year. Was probs the season at Goldington Rd Finishing School that swung it, though. I believe he keeps his portaloo in his back garden as a reminder of his time there.

[Scrumhead]

Agreed. All of the above. Earl has a real point of difference with his pace. He’s like Simmonds but better at the breakdown IMO.

To put it another way, he’s a different type of flanker to the rest we have and is a good player to add impact off the bench.

There was one perfect example in Saturday’s game with a half break and offload. I’m not saying our other flankers can’t do that, but it comes more naturally to Earl.

[Beasties]

btw, I don't really get Earl. I mean, he seems perfectly good but... I just don't get it. Why has he been promoted over the others?

I was very much like you til the last part of the season. His spell at Bristol has allowed him to get proper exposure and gametime and I've had to alter my view, he's top quality. I still rate Willis above him though. One can only hope that Eddie's got a plan for Willis if it's true he's sending him home. Doesn't make any sense otherwise.

[Mikey Brown]

I’d slowly come round to see what Earl offers too, and his familiarity at 8 could help his case too.

I thought his head to head with Willis in the semi might have given JW the edge over him though.

[Mellsblue]

Earl is perfect for the 20 shirt.

[fivepointer]

"He’s [George Ford] progressing nicely, we’re hoping he’ll be in contention for some part of this tournament – it’s an Achilles injury which can take some time. [Joe Marler] He’s another one in a similar place where he’s progressing nicely and moving in the right direction, they’re just niggly injuries that we’ve just got to get right.” - Simon Amor

Ford and Marler wont be playing this weekend.

[Banquo]

btw, I don't really get Earl. I mean, he seems perfectly good but... I just don't get it. Why has he been promoted over the others?

He’s quick, big, and skilful. Not a bad start.

[Banquo]

Agreed. All of the above. Earl has a real point of difference with his pace. He’s like Simmonds but better at the breakdown IMO.

To put it another way, he’s a different type of flanker to the rest we have and is a good player to add impact off the bench.

There was one perfect example in Saturday’s game with a half break and offload. I’m not saying our other flankers can’t do that, but it comes more naturally to Earl.

Simmonds is very good at the breakdown too, to be fair.

Willis also is different again imo

[Scrumhead]

Depends what you mean? I often think Exeter are crying out for someone who can come up with more turnovers. LCD is the only one who really seems to jackal with any regularity.

Simmonds might be good on the clear out etc. but I don’t see him as being particularly good over the ball.

[Oakboy]

"He’s [George Ford] progressing nicely, we’re hoping he’ll be in contention for some part of this tournament – it’s an Achilles injury which can take some time. [Joe Marler] He’s another one in a similar place where he’s progressing nicely and moving in the right direction, they’re just niggly injuries that we’ve just got to get right.” - Simon Amor

Ford and Marler wont be playing this weekend.

So, it will be Farrell- Slade-Lawrence (or Joseph if fit) presumably. Will Jones again risk a 23 without a second regular FH?

[Oakboy]

Depends what you mean? I often think Exeter are crying out for someone who can come up with more turnovers. LCD is the only one who really seems to jackal with any regularity.

Simmonds might be good on the clear out etc. but I don’t see him as being particularly good over the ball.

I don't disagree with that, theoretically, but the way they play means that Exeter don't kick possession away for as big a proportion of 80 minutes as most teams - preferring to keep it with more multi-phase stuff. Does that therefore mean that winning it back is a lower priority? I think so. Simmonds therefore fulfils the No 8 role to the full extent required of his club's game plan. It may be that he could be as good over the ball as his rivals but we just don't see it to the same extent.

[Puja]

"He’s [George Ford] progressing nicely, we’re hoping he’ll be in contention for some part of this tournament – it’s an Achilles injury which can take some time. [Joe Marler] He’s another one in a similar place where he’s progressing nicely and moving in the right direction, they’re just niggly injuries that we’ve just got to get right.” - Simon Amor

Ford and Marler wont be playing this weekend.

Ugh. That is the *worst* news. I'm starting to think that Ford has now taken over from Sinckler as the player who England can least afford to have injured. Not necessarily because there's a massive gap in quality to his nearest replacement (like there was from Sinckler to Cole), but because Eddie won't pick his nearest replacement while he can put Captain England in at 10.

Puja

[Raggs]

I think whilst we cannot say Simmonds is weak over the ball, we equally can't claim it as any sort of strength. We just don't see it. And because it's not seen, it could very well be marked down as a weakness as far as Eddie is concerned. If you're not performing the skills week in/week out, then you won't be honing them regardless.