England V Wales

[Stom]

EJ's squad:
Forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

No Marler.

You know, as I was talking about how well Isiekwe had done, I was thinking, "Shall I make a flippant comment about him being dropped cause Eddie will keep Ewels instead? Nah, let's not bring the thread down."

Lawes is apparently still doing his return to play protocols.

Puja

I was going to say it, but I’m late to the party. This is that selection bingo. No isiekwe but Ewels retained…

Anyway, this is my team for Wales:

Marler
George
Sinckler
Itoje
Launch
Lawes
Curry
Dombrandt
Youngs
Smith
Daly
Slade
Manu
Nowell
Steward

LCD, Genge, Stuart, Isiekwe, Barbeary, Quirke, Ford, Malins

[francoisfou]

It'll be tough on young Chessum if he's excluded from the group.

[Stom]

It'll be tough on young Chessum if he's excluded from the group.

Why? He’s fine, but he’s not exactly a world beater (yet).

[fivepointer]

We could see changes in every unit in the team. Is that desirable?
Also, are Launchbury, Lawes (if passed fit) and Tuilagi ready to start a test?
In altering the team across the board we could end up with yet more new combinations with players who have very little recent rugby behind them.

[francoisfou]

It'll be tough on young Chessum if he's excluded from the group.

Why? He’s fine, but he’s not exactly a world beater (yet).

No, not yet, but may be he'll be one day, but he's undoubtedly got promise.

[Raggs]

I'm guessing he's taken people that he either doesn't want playing a match to rest them, or he plans to blitz them harder than they would be in a match situation to help get the upto speed for Wales for thosethat he feels needs it.

[FKAS]

It'll be tough on young Chessum if he's excluded from the group.

Why? He’s fine, but he’s not exactly a world beater (yet).

No, not yet, but may be he'll be one day, but he's undoubtedly got promise.

It was a very promising debut but due to the difficulty of the game remaining I suspect he won't get another cap until the summer. Keeping him on camp Eddie can keep him working on the areas he wants to see improvement in though Borthwick has done a good job at pushing him on.

[Stom]

We could see changes in every unit in the team. Is that desirable?
Also, are Launchbury, Lawes (if passed fit) and Tuilagi ready to start a test?
In altering the team across the board we could end up with yet more new combinations with players who have very little recent rugby behind them.

I don’t see a major problem in this when the changes are likely to be bringing in players who have played regularly with a large proportion of the rest of the xv. Otherwise you wouldn’t make any changes ever.

Of the team I suggest, you can say that the back row has never played together, or that the back line has never played together…

Or you can say that dombrandt is one of those backrow, so it’s going to be fresh no matter, and the backs is just Smith being fresh.

So, no, this isn’t a problem. If we were changing lots, sure, but swapping around the front row is standard and they’ve all played with each other plenty. The rest, it’s3 changes, bringing in experience…

[FKAS]

You know, as I was talking about how well Isiekwe had done, I was thinking, "Shall I make a flippant comment about him being dropped cause Eddie will keep Ewels instead? Nah, let's not bring the thread down."

Lawes is apparently still doing his return to play protocols.

Puja

Watch Eddie change the squad early next week anyway.

There's a few players in there who could do with game time at their clubs so hopefully they get the chance to at the weekend and Eddie doesn't hold onto them all.

Yeah. I’m trying to take that view.

Hopefully Marler and Isiekwe come back in next week.

I'd be surprised if Marler didn't come back in. Isiekwe is 50/50. If Lawes and Launchbury are good to go he's got no chance as Eddie seems to like Ewels for some reason.

[Stom]

It'll be tough on young Chessum if he's excluded from the group.

Why? He’s fine, but he’s not exactly a world beater (yet).

No, not yet, but may be he'll be one day, but he's undoubtedly got promise.

So does Ted hill, so does George Martin. Truth is, we’re well stocked in the back row and these players need to go away and learn. They’ve been given a taste, let them develop.

Barbeary is a freak, though. Get him in.

[Banquo]

We could see changes in every unit in the team. Is that desirable?
Also, are Launchbury, Lawes (if passed fit) and Tuilagi ready to start a test?
In altering the team across the board we could end up with yet more new combinations with players who have very little recent rugby behind them.

we had a load of new units last week too.

[Banquo]

Folks seem to be mostly wanting Manu at 12 and Slade at 13 which is interesting; Whilst I’m a dull advocate of positional specialities and nuances in midfield, this is a pairing which imo lends itself well to mixing up what they do in both attack and defence depending on phase and field position, and how the oppos set up. IF they start, I’d hope to see that play out.

[FKAS]

Why? He’s fine, but he’s not exactly a world beater (yet).

No, not yet, but may be he'll be one day, but he's undoubtedly got promise.

So does Ted hill, so does George Martin. Truth is, we’re well stocked in the back row and these players need to go away and learn. They’ve been given a taste, let them develop.

Barbeary is a freak, though. Get him in.

Chessum is a lock that can cover backrow. Martin and Hill are flankers that can cover lock. Chessum could be a very good option to partner Itoje post world cup. He's a big lad, good at the lineout, high workrate and doesn't mind mixing it in tight and loose. Needs to finish maturing physically as he's still young and a bit more experience, particularly at leading the lineout, would help.

Hill and Martin both look likely to remain playing on the flank. Martin really has taken to the traditional blindside role of just hitting everything really hard in defence. Given Tigers have more locks coming through but no immediate graduates at flanker there's little want to move him. Chessum Jnr stood next to his 6ft7 older brother https://images.app.goo.gl/vZkZmriSsTgzEBDR7 for instance. Hill I thought might have moved to lock having played a couple of games there for Wuss towards the end of last season, it gave them a different dynamic with more overall pack mobility but still plenty of physicality. Seems not and he's now partnered up with Hatherall on the flanks, I don't particularly think that backrow suits Wuss but hey ho.

[Oakboy]

According to the DT both Hill and Lawes should be ready to train next week. Our pack starts to look more competitive with Itoje, Hill and Launchbury as the three locks in the 23 and Lawes at 6.

Against Wales, a big issue could be the props. Anybody know much about the Scottish ref, Adamson?

[SDHoneymonster]

EJ's squad:
Forwards: Barbeary, Chessum, Cowan-Dickie, Curry, Dombrandt, Ewels, Genge, George, Itoje, Launchbury, Pearson, Rodd, Sinckler, Stuart.

Backs: Daly, Ford, Malins, Marchant, Nowell, Randall, Slade, Smith, Steward, Tuilagi, Youngs.

No Marler.

You know, as I was talking about how well Isiekwe had done, I was thinking, "Shall I make a flippant comment about him being dropped cause Eddie will keep Ewels instead? Nah, let's not bring the thread down."

Lawes is apparently still doing his return to play protocols.

Puja

Isiekwe apparently picked up a head knock v Italy as well. Passed his HIA at the time but they're being cautious, hence why he's not involved this week.

[Oakboy]

Folks seem to be mostly wanting Manu at 12 and Slade at 13 which is interesting; Whilst I’m a dull advocate of positional specialities and nuances in midfield, this is a pairing which imo lends itself well to mixing up what they do in both attack and defence depending on phase and field position, and how the oppos set up. IF they start, I’d hope to see that play out.

I think a sensible move with Tuilagi, if judged fully fit, would be to start him on the bench. If we are winning, leave him there. Why risk breaking him again with two much harder matches left?

[SDHoneymonster]

Seems to be me to be made up of those Jones wants to wrap in cotton wool over the weekend, those returning from injury who need to get brought back up to speed and those who Jones perhaps feel will benefit from more time in camp - Rodd and Pearson for example.

[fivepointer]

We could see changes in every unit in the team. Is that desirable?
Also, are Launchbury, Lawes (if passed fit) and Tuilagi ready to start a test?
In altering the team across the board we could end up with yet more new combinations with players who have very little recent rugby behind them.

I don’t see a major problem in this when the changes are likely to be bringing in players who have played regularly with a large proportion of the rest of the xv. Otherwise you wouldn’t make any changes ever.

Of the team I suggest, you can say that the back row has never played together, or that the back line has never played together…

Or you can say that dombrandt is one of those backrow, so it’s going to be fresh no matter, and the backs is just Smith being fresh.

So, no, this isn’t a problem. If we were changing lots, sure, but swapping around the front row is standard and they’ve all played with each other plenty. The rest, it’s3 changes, bringing in experience…

Do you want to make as many as 7 changes though?

And do you want 3 starters who have just come back into availability?

I think some continuity wouldnt be a bad thing in the starting XV.

[Mellsblue]

I suppose you have to weigh it up given match fitness, talent levels etc. It’s why I’d have Isiekwe in over Launch despite thinking Launchbury is a better player at present. I’d also like to think we could imbed these combos over the next four weeks and beat a seriously depleted Wales at Twickenham before the real tests against Ireland and France. I’d rather have what I’d consider to be our optimal XXIII in place for the last two matches, and the last 18 months before the World Cup, rather than continue on with what I believe to be a lesser team just because of continuity.
On the continuity point, Itoje and Launch have played together numerous times and there’s no way to actually pick a continuity backrow given who is available. I’ll grant you my backline is set-up to play in a completely different way to what we’ve put out in long time but I think it’s the best set up for Smith (and Ford if Smith is injured).

[p/d]

Barbeary is a freak, though. Get him in.

Absolutely!!

Though surprised you put Youngs to start

[p/d]

We could see changes in every unit in the team. Is that desirable?
Also, are Launchbury, Lawes (if passed fit) and Tuilagi ready to start a test?
In altering the team across the board we could end up with yet more new combinations with players who have very little recent rugby behind them.

we had a load of new units last week too.

Exactly. And a couple forced. We need more grit in the second row - I mean Ewels & Isiekwie is hardly the thing of dreams (no offence to either) - balanced back row and some direct running from midfield. For all the talk of our win last week Italy, to be fair, weren’t brilliant and left a lot of points out there

[Dan. Dan. Dan.]

Folks seem to be mostly wanting Manu at 12 and Slade at 13 which is interesting; Whilst I’m a dull advocate of positional specialities and nuances in midfield, this is a pairing which imo lends itself well to mixing up what they do in both attack and defence depending on phase and field position, and how the oppos set up. IF they start, I’d hope to see that play out.

Strange isn't it, especially as Slade seemed to be playing first receiver for a lot of the last two games. Tuilagi certainly isn't doing that.
Doesn't really matter what numbers they have on their back though, I think this is probably the most balanced midfield we can play. Until Manu gets injured again of course.

[Stom]

Barbeary is a freak, though. Get him in.

Absolutely!!

Though surprised you put Youngs to start

I don’t think Randall is good enough and Quirke needs some time off the bench first. We’re mid cycle, still (just), so let’s take our time before Quirke is starting for the wc.

[Stom]

We could see changes in every unit in the team. Is that desirable?
Also, are Launchbury, Lawes (if passed fit) and Tuilagi ready to start a test?
In altering the team across the board we could end up with yet more new combinations with players who have very little recent rugby behind them.

I don’t see a major problem in this when the changes are likely to be bringing in players who have played regularly with a large proportion of the rest of the xv. Otherwise you wouldn’t make any changes ever.

Of the team I suggest, you can say that the back row has never played together, or that the back line has never played together…

Or you can say that dombrandt is one of those backrow, so it’s going to be fresh no matter, and the backs is just Smith being fresh.

So, no, this isn’t a problem. If we were changing lots, sure, but swapping around the front row is standard and they’ve all played with each other plenty. The rest, it’s3 changes, bringing in experience…

Do you want to make as many as 7 changes though?

And do you want 3 starters who have just come back into availability?

I think some continuity wouldnt be a bad thing in the starting XV.

I don’t consider swapping around the current 6 front rows as real changes, though. Other than that, I suggest 5 Chester’s from Italy - 3 returning from injury, 1 because I don’t think Malins has been good enough to keep his shirt, and one that is bringing in the most experienced player in the squad (for better or worse).

These aren’t new units, they’re just adapting current units who have played or trained together plenty

[Raggs]

I suspect more and more teams will have a centre capable of playing 10/15 to be honest. 50/22 law has forced 2 players to be back at all times basically, often even 3. It's very easy to not have a winger/fullback available (just been tackled etc, or tackled), then the next pair are putting in another kick chase, and you do end up with centres in the back field. Seen it in a few games.