Second Test

[TheDasher]

Marler
George
Williams
Itoje
Shields
Hughes
Robshaw
BillyV

Youngs
Farrell
Brown
Loz
Slade
May
Daly

Is what I'm scared Eddie will pick.

Puja

That team is like a pedophile raping a special needs child in an elevator...wrong on so many levels.

Wow... that's horrendous.

[Raggs]

Launch is apparently available!

EDIT - Genge is a little broken though.

[Oakboy]

Launch is apparently available!

EDIT - Genge is a little broken though.

Great news about Joe. Is Genge seriously injured?

[Raggs]

Going for a scan, which generally isn't a great sign.

[Mellsblue]

Phew!!

[Puja]

Launch being back is the best news of the day. The newspapers seemed to think we were going to start with Shields at 5, which would've been utter lunacy.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Yep, Launchbury confirmed as being available. Thats very good news.
I dont think we realised just how much he would be missed in the 1st test.

[Oakboy]

Yep, Launchbury confirmed as being available. Thats very good news.
I dont think we realised just how much he would be missed in the 1st test.

Yes, even if it is only two changes - Launchbury for Isiekwe and the Daly/Brown positional swap - it could make a big difference. I'd hope for more, of course.

[Puja]

Yep, Launchbury confirmed as being available. Thats very good news.
I dont think we realised just how much he would be missed in the 1st test.

I'll be honest, I had completely forgotten that it was effectively Isiekwe's maiden game for England (the few minutes in Arg not really counting). I had felt like he was clearly one of our top locks, rather than remembering he's a 19 year old rookie.

Puja

[Banquo]

Yep, Launchbury confirmed as being available. Thats very good news.
I dont think we realised just how much he would be missed in the 1st test.

Yes, even if it is only two changes - Launchbury for Isiekwe and the Daly/Brown positional swap - it could make a big difference. I'd hope for more, of course.

I'd hope Robshaw is sent to the beach.

[Banquo]

Yep, Launchbury confirmed as being available. Thats very good news.
I dont think we realised just how much he would be missed in the 1st test.

I'll be honest, I had completely forgotten that it was effectively Isiekwe's maiden game for England (the few minutes in Arg not really counting). I had felt like he was clearly one of our top locks, rather than remembering he's a 19 year old rookie.

Puja

It was a big ask; I also think people underestimate what a tough gig SA away is, no matter if this is not a vintage set of Boks. Chuck in Eztebeth and Marx, and the Kriels (where are they??) and it would be even tougher.

[Mikey Brown]

Just watched the highlights of the 20s. Weird thinking that Isiekwe could have been playing for them. Must be odd for the Currys too.

[Scrumhead]

Yep, Launchbury confirmed as being available. Thats very good news.
I dont think we realised just how much he would be missed in the 1st test.

Yes, even if it is only two changes - Launchbury for Isiekwe and the Daly/Brown positional swap - it could make a big difference. I'd hope for more, of course.

I'd hope Robshaw is sent to the beach.

I agree. I’d have to have seen Wilson get a chance in a more meaningful game, but since Eddie clearly wants to invest in Shields, let’s see how he does in his actual position.

[p/d]

Yep, Launchbury confirmed as being available. Thats very good news.
I dont think we realised just how much he would be missed in the 1st test.

Yes, even if it is only two changes - Launchbury for Isiekwe and the Daly/Brown positional swap - it could make a big difference. I'd hope for more, of course.

I'd hope Robshaw is sent to the beach.

Would be the call, however wouldn’t be surprised to see Shields replace Curry such are the oddities associated with our flatlining Ozzie coach

[Stom]

Yes, even if it is only two changes - Launchbury for Isiekwe and the Daly/Brown positional swap - it could make a big difference. I'd hope for more, of course.

I'd hope Robshaw is sent to the beach.

Would be the call, however wouldn’t be surprised to see Shields replace Curry such are the oddities associated with our flatlining Ozzie coach

Yeah, that's what I'm worried about...

[Renniks]

How smart a player is Shields?

I feel that this is one of the biggest things missing from the team currently…

We need players who can take that step back and assess what's needed at the right times, maybe Launchbury will bring a bit of that - but I can't think of many players we have who are any good at it

[Oakboy]

How smart a player is Shields?

I feel that this is one of the biggest things missing from the team currently…

We need players who can take that step back and assess what's needed at the right times, maybe Launchbury will bring a bit of that - but I can't think of many players we have who are any good at it

Agreed. DT reports Youngs as saying he needs to cut down Faf's space/effectiveness in next match. Surely a decent international SH would have seen that issue in about the 5th minute. If not, the captain should have done.

[Stom]

How smart a player is Shields?

I feel that this is one of the biggest things missing from the team currently…

We need players who can take that step back and assess what's needed at the right times, maybe Launchbury will bring a bit of that - but I can't think of many players we have who are any good at it

Agreed. DT reports Youngs as saying he needs to cut down Faf's space/effectiveness in next match. Surely a decent international SH would have seen that issue in about the 5th minute. If not, the captain should have done.

It's one thing noticing it and another being able to do anything about it. Youngs looks completely unfit to me. But, then again, I've thought that for most of his years as an international...

[Puja]

Team up:

Mako
George
Sinckler
Launch
Itoje
Shields
Curry
BillyV

Youngs
Ford
Brown
Fazlet
Slade
May
Daly

LCD, Marler, Williams, Wilson(!), Hughes, Spencer, Cipriani, Solomona

Looks like belated admission that Robshaw should've been on a beach somewhere rather than being flogged again.

Puja

[Banquo]

And Twitchy was correct on Isiekwe being make or break and a continued kick in the nads for Hill and Simmonds; Eddie has lost his effin marbles on the Brown and Daly thing. Nice that Cips makes the bench.

Robshaw rested/dropped is the only happy thing in that announcement imo

[Mellsblue]

Other than Brown still on the wing and a Kiwi at 6 I’ve little to complain about. Would’ve definitely swapped Sinckler and Williams but that’s about it.
I wouldn’t go with Hughes (as I hate Wasps). Would rather Isiekwe or Simmonds.
I’d probably go with Robson on the bench, too - more of a finisher and partnership with Cipriani.

Now I mention it. The ‘finisher’/dynamic bench theory seems to have gone out the window.

[Oakboy]

It's still a muddle in terms of the bench. For example, should Joe get an early recurrence of the calf injury, Shields moves to the 2nd row etc. Why not pick a lock on the bench? If they haven't got one in the tour squad that is up to it fly one out.

[fivepointer]

Well its a better pack than last week. Launch returning is a welcome boost and Shields at 6 is an upgrade on a worn out Robshaw. Quite how good he is and what he can bring the team we'll hopefully find out. Billy will be better for having a full 80 last week and Curry gets another chance to nail down the openside role full time.
Williams deserved a start. Sinckler needs a kick up the arse after last week.
Brown on the wing is just plain odd, but maybe the feeling is that he and Daly at FB will work better for having a run out.
Wilson on the bench pleases me a lot.
Cips inclusion wasnt expected but i'm liking it.

[Raggs]

I think the finishing front row always look a lot more dynamic than starters, so am fine with sticking with sink. Would have thought Isiekwe on the bench would have been a smart choice, perhaps they were more upset over what they saw than most of us.

Would have liked to have seen Robson, but I guess Spencer is preferred (he does play for Saracens after all...).

Quite excited about doing the ruck marks for this test.

[Oakboy]

I wonder who will come off should Cipriani come on. Will we get Spencer and him replacing Youngs and Ford (yes, please)? Or, will we see Cipriani going to FB and Daly moving to wing (no, thanks)?