England vs Argentina - Revenge of the Crappy Away Kit?

[Banquo]

Gawd

[Stom]

Am I allowed to mention the howling reception that Jones got when his face came up on the big screen at the Aus v Wales match? Such vitriol might not suggest that we have the best head coach. Or, it might suggest that we have, I suppose.

Jones was there to assess our possible QF opponents, I read. I think we might have to adapt to cope with the turnover potential of either back row. Curry/Underhill or Wilson/Curry for the job? I hope that Jones makes a decision on that and sticks to it for the remaining pool games. They need to be sharp and practised together.

Mind you, I still maintain the lack of cohesion in our XV through Jones not getting it fixed before the warm-up games could cost us dear. It is a gamble to only finalise his best team at this stage.

I actually think we're looking pretty alright.

But Argentina will be the test of that.

[jngf]

Am I allowed to mention the howling reception that Jones got when his face came up on the big screen at the Aus v Wales match? Such vitriol might not suggest that we have the best head coach. Or, it might suggest that we have, I suppose.

Jones was there to assess our possible QF opponents, I read. I think we might have to adapt to cope with the turnover potential of either back row. Curry/Underhill or Wilson/Curry for the job? I hope that Jones makes a decision on that and sticks to it for the remaining pool games. They need to be sharp and practised together.

Mind you, I still maintain the lack of cohesion in our XV through Jones not getting it fixed before the warm-up games could cost us dear. It is a gamble to only finalise his best team at this stage.

There is the Wilson/Underhill option to consider as well - if I was guessing at Jones’ pecking order for 7 - it might well be that Underhill gets first dibs. Bit of an ask to expect Curry to switch back to 7 just like that?

[Mellsblue]

Daly; Watson, Tuilagi, Farrell, May; Ford, B Youngs; Marler, George, Sinckler; Itoje, Kruis; Curry, Underhill, B Vunipola.

Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, M Vunipola, Cole, Lawes, Ludlam, Heinz, Slade, Nowell.

[Danno]

Poor old Wilson.

[twitchy]

Injured?

[Danno]

Grauniad hints at it, but I thought everyone was available. It means Billy for 80 again and I haven't the faintest idea who is covering him.

[Puja]

I think dropping Wilson is a mistake, but aside from that I can't really argue with that team. Great to see Mako and Nowell back fit as well.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Grauniad hints at it, but I thought everyone was available. It means Billy for 80 again and I haven't the faintest idea who is covering him.

Might actually be Itoje at this rate. Ludlum ever played there?

Surely Wilson is still held back by his injury. It seems mad EJ has really converted to a dual opensides setup at this stage?

I guess he was the one who put George Smith there to accommodate Phil Waugh though, no?

Hopefully our bench players are actually fully fit.

[Danno]

I think dropping Wilson is a mistake, but aside from that I can't really argue with that team. Great to see Mako and Nowell back fit as well.

Puja

It's my one and only gripe, but it is baffling me some now that the opposition is getting stronger.

[twitchy]

JJ injured also?

[fivepointer]

Surprised Wilson isnt even in the 23.
Back row aside, this is the team I expected to see.
Bench contains 3 players - Mako, Slade and Nowell - who have played virtually no rugby for months. Not ideal, but if they were included in the squad now is the time to introduce them.

[Banquo]

Surprised Wilson isnt even in the 23.
Back row aside, this is the team I expected to see.
Bench contains 3 players - Mako, Slade and Nowell - who have played virtually no rugby for months. Not ideal, but if they were included in the squad now is the time to introduce them.

This. Slade and Nowell are very strange calls, given Slade looked shaky last time, and Nowell has had zero rugby. Ah well, such is Eddie.

[Mellsblue]

Agreed. I’m just waiting for Slade to replace Ford, Slade to aggravate his injury, Nowell to replace him only to aggravate his injury and then see Heinz on the wing.

[Puja]

Surprised Wilson isnt even in the 23.
Back row aside, this is the team I expected to see.
Bench contains 3 players - Mako, Slade and Nowell - who have played virtually no rugby for months. Not ideal, but if they were included in the squad now is the time to introduce them.

This. Slade and Nowell are very strange calls, given Slade looked shaky last time, and Nowell has had zero rugby. Ah well, such is Eddie.

I don't expect Argentina to genuinely test us (famous last words) - they're good enough that we'll have to take them seriously, but this should be a comfortable 15 point win. And if we want to use Slade and Nowell at any point this tournament, then we have to get some game time into them, for which this is the last real chance.

Puja

[Stom]

Surprised Wilson isnt even in the 23.
Back row aside, this is the team I expected to see.
Bench contains 3 players - Mako, Slade and Nowell - who have played virtually no rugby for months. Not ideal, but if they were included in the squad now is the time to introduce them.

This. Slade and Nowell are very strange calls, given Slade looked shaky last time, and Nowell has had zero rugby. Ah well, such is Eddie.

I thought Slade looked good technically at FB. But he looked a little iffy fitness wise.

Perhaps the extra time off has helped him along. If it hasn't, he shouldn't be there, which is a shame as I suddenly thought he looked really good at FB.

Slade, England's James O'Connor, without the alcohol fuelled rampages.

[Renniks]

Wilson is the most notable missing player

It’ll be interesting to see if and how Big Joe and JJ are involved come the QFs — and whether the starters and bench swap much

Until then I think EJ is sorting out players missing game time and getting them up to speed which makes a lot of sense - even if it feels risky to get them all in at the same time

Overall - happy - and expecting a solid win

[jngf]

Wilson is the most notable missing player

It’ll be interesting to see if and how Big Joe and JJ are involved come the QFs — and whether the starters and bench swap much

Until then I think EJ is sorting out players missing game time and getting them up to speed which makes a lot of sense - even if it feels risky to get them all in at the same time

Overall - happy - and expecting a solid win

Through no fault of his own, Wilson may well be in danger of being perceived as a back row jack of all trades and not necessarily a first choice in any - post RWC he may be well advised to forget about covering 7 and 8 at test level and really focus on developing himself into the automatic selection at blindside for England?

[Banquo]

Surprised Wilson isnt even in the 23.
Back row aside, this is the team I expected to see.
Bench contains 3 players - Mako, Slade and Nowell - who have played virtually no rugby for months. Not ideal, but if they were included in the squad now is the time to introduce them.

This. Slade and Nowell are very strange calls, given Slade looked shaky last time, and Nowell has had zero rugby. Ah well, such is Eddie.

I don't expect Argentina to genuinely test us (famous last words) - they're good enough that we'll have to take them seriously, but this should be a comfortable 15 point win. And if we want to use Slade and Nowell at any point this tournament, then we have to get some game time into them, for which this is the last real chance.

Puja

Fair, I just don't like the thought of say Daly getting crocked early, and Nowell having to come on and play 70 mins.....and not lasting.

IMO Nowell shouldn't have been in the party given his injuries and injury track record, but that's probably bias. Slade didn't look fit last time out.

as a whole, that bench has a certain degree of risk....

[Beasties]

The Wilson thing is baffling without knowing exactly what his injury status is. On the one hand he seems to have been consistently treated badly by Eddie when all he's even done is put in quality performances, but on the other hand Eddie's taken him to the WC over his previous long-standing attachment to Robshaw (and ahem Shields obvs). Hopefully we might get more info shortly. Then again, how nailed on is that team above?

[Banquo]

Surprised Wilson isnt even in the 23.
Back row aside, this is the team I expected to see.
Bench contains 3 players - Mako, Slade and Nowell - who have played virtually no rugby for months. Not ideal, but if they were included in the squad now is the time to introduce them.

This. Slade and Nowell are very strange calls, given Slade looked shaky last time, and Nowell has had zero rugby. Ah well, such is Eddie.

I thought Slade looked good technically at FB. But he looked a little iffy fitness wise.

Perhaps the extra time off has helped him along. If it hasn't, he shouldn't be there, which is a shame as I suddenly thought he looked really good at FB.

Slade, England's James O'Connor, without the alcohol fuelled rampages.

He was ok going forward, but hardly tested all round.

[Beasties]

Wilson is the most notable missing player

It’ll be interesting to see if and how Big Joe and JJ are involved come the QFs — and whether the starters and bench swap much

Until then I think EJ is sorting out players missing game time and getting them up to speed which makes a lot of sense - even if it feels risky to get them all in at the same time

Overall - happy - and expecting a solid win

Through no fault of his own, Wilson may well be in danger of being perceived as a back row jack of all trades and not necessarily a first choice in any - post RWC he may be well advised to forget about covering 7 and 8 at test level and really focus on developing himself into the automatic selection at blindside for England?

I think Wilson will have his work cut out post WC, there are a good number of quality backrows just about become established now as we've already debated. He's not old but the yout are coming. Don't get me wrong, I really like Wilson, he'd be my nailed on 6 right now. Post WC? Not so much. His time is (or should be) now.

[Stom]

This. Slade and Nowell are very strange calls, given Slade looked shaky last time, and Nowell has had zero rugby. Ah well, such is Eddie.

I thought Slade looked good technically at FB. But he looked a little iffy fitness wise.

Perhaps the extra time off has helped him along. If it hasn't, he shouldn't be there, which is a shame as I suddenly thought he looked really good at FB.

Slade, England's James O'Connor, without the alcohol fuelled rampages.

He was ok going forward, but hardly tested all round.

I know not tested, but I just had an impression of..."hang on a minute, he looks to the manor born there!"

Would be interested to see it again.

[Banquo]

I thought Slade looked good technically at FB. But he looked a little iffy fitness wise.

Perhaps the extra time off has helped him along. If it hasn't, he shouldn't be there, which is a shame as I suddenly thought he looked really good at FB.

Slade, England's James O'Connor, without the alcohol fuelled rampages.

He was ok going forward, but hardly tested all round.

I know not tested, but I just had an impression of..."hang on a minute, he looks to the manor born there!"

Would be interested to see it again.

He has played there before in an England cameo and looked similar going forward. But as we all know, 15 is a position anyone can just pick up.....

[Puja]

He was ok going forward, but hardly tested all round.

I know not tested, but I just had an impression of..."hang on a minute, he looks to the manor born there!"

Would be interested to see it again.

He has played there before in an England cameo and looked similar going forward. But as we all know, 15 is a position anyone except Watson can just pick up.....

FTFY

Puja