England - USA

[Renniks]

Well, with a 4 day turn around now needed…

And some players having more minutes than others

Plus a game which didn't really put us in a super positive mind-set

And then a 9 day gap until Argentina

Who do we pick?

(Note: I've also lost track of who is fit / injured)
----

I'd go with:

1. Genge
2. LCD
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Kruis
6. Ludlam
7. Underhill
8. Wilson
9. Heinz
10. Ford
11. McConnochie
12. Francis
13. Joseph
14. Big Joe
15. Watson

16. Singleton
17. Mako*
18. Sinckler
19. Lawes
20. Curry
21. Youngs
22. Slade
23. Nowell*

---
* Assuming fit enough to come on from the bench

That leaves George, Marler, Itoje, Billy, Farrell, Tuilagi, May, Daly to be rested after this weekend

[Puja]

I would entirely agree with that XXIII, with the possible exception that I might pick May over McConnochie - he didn't have much time in the warm-ups and went off early today, so I wouldn't mind him having some extra time and maybe a morale-boosting try or two. Depends if he was at all injured today - if so, then wrap in cotton wool and go with your 23.

Puja

[Renniks]

Yeah, May looked like he did himself a mischief so I’d rest him unless it really was precautionary.

[fivepointer]

Depends on who is available but something close to the team Renniks has put up seems likely. Important to stand down a few players, as well as bringing in those not involved against Tonga.

[Oakboy]

Normally, I'd accept rotation but I think we looked so woefully disjointed that we should play our best XV to build cohesion. It looks to me as if Jones has been concentrating too hard on physical aspects of training rather than in-depth ball-handling routines. Contrary to what some have said, I think our problems are in the slickness of the team unit. Players look like strangers to each other based on positional form.

Get the group won, build the team's confidence and then rest players would be the way that I would go. Wilson for Underhill with Curry at 7 would be my only change.

[Stom]

I would do similar, but I'd be very tempted to pick Slade at 15. I thought he looked good there briefly against Tonga and think it's worth a go - not that we're short of back 3 players.

McConnochie has to start, otherwise we just wasted a spot on him.

I'd not risk Mako yet.

[Puja]

I would do similar, but I'd be very tempted to pick Slade at 15. I thought he looked good there briefly against Tonga and think it's worth a go - not that we're short of back 3 players.

McConnochie has to start, otherwise we just wasted a spot on him.

I'd not risk Mako yet.

That's not going to change by him playing against the USA.

Puja

[Puja]

USA name their side:

1. David Ainuu Prop Toulouse 8
2. Joe Taufete’e Hooker Worcester Warriors 23
3. Titi Lamositele Prop Saracens 28
4. Ben Landry Lock Ealing Trailfinders 22
5. Nick Civetta Lock Unattached 23
6. Tony Lamborn Flanker Melbourne Rebels (AUS)
Hawke’s Bay Magpies (NZL) 19
7. John Quill Flanker Rugby United New York 36
8. Cam Dolan No, 8 NOLA Gold 47
9. Shaun Davies Scrumhalf Glendale Raptors 25
10. Aj MacGinty Flyhalf Sale Sharks 24
11. Martin Iosefo Wing USA Sevens 6
12. Paul Lasike Center Harlequins 16
13. Marcel Brache Center Western Force 19
14. Blaine Scully (C) Wing Unattached 50
15. Will Hooley Fullback Bedford Blues 12
RESERVES
PLAYER NAME POSITION CLUB CAPS
16. Dylan Fawsitt Reserve Rugby United New York 12
17. Olive Kilifi Reserve Seattle Seawolves 27
18. Paul Mullen Reserve Unattached 14
19. Greg Peterson Reserve Newcastle Falcons 26
20. Hanco Germishuys Reserve Glendale Raptors 17
21. Ruben de Haas Reserve Free State Cheetahs 13
22. Bryce Campbell Reserve London Irish 28
23. Mike Te’o Reserve San Diego Legion


Nothing too startling there, although I'm not sure Iosefo at 11 is a good idea considering he's a very recent convert. Strongest side they can name, probably the strongest they've ever had, but likely not strong enough to cause us too much trouble.

Puja

[Peej]

I'm slightly wary of the nine day turnaround before Argentina. For a team that looks d bit rusty, that's a long time to go rustier still

[Raggs]

The other option is of course we weren't rusty, but a bit fatigued? We put out a very strong side, we may not have put them out in peak condition. Instead trusting in our abilities. Early subs could back the idea of that to some degree.

[Scrumhead]

USA name their side:

1. David Ainuu Prop Toulouse 8
2. Joe Taufete’e Hooker Worcester Warriors 23
3. Titi Lamositele Prop Saracens 28
4. Ben Landry Lock Ealing Trailfinders 22
5. Nick Civetta Lock Unattached 23
6. Tony Lamborn Flanker Melbourne Rebels (AUS)
Hawke’s Bay Magpies (NZL) 19
7. John Quill Flanker Rugby United New York 36
8. Cam Dolan No, 8 NOLA Gold 47
9. Shaun Davies Scrumhalf Glendale Raptors 25
10. Aj MacGinty Flyhalf Sale Sharks 24
11. Martin Iosefo Wing USA Sevens 6
12. Paul Lasike Center Harlequins 16
13. Marcel Brache Center Western Force 19
14. Blaine Scully (C) Wing Unattached 50
15. Will Hooley Fullback Bedford Blues 12
RESERVES
PLAYER NAME POSITION CLUB CAPS
16. Dylan Fawsitt Reserve Rugby United New York 12
17. Olive Kilifi Reserve Seattle Seawolves 27
18. Paul Mullen Reserve Unattached 14
19. Greg Peterson Reserve Newcastle Falcons 26
20. Hanco Germishuys Reserve Glendale Raptors 17
21. Ruben de Haas Reserve Free State Cheetahs 13
22. Bryce Campbell Reserve London Irish 28
23. Mike Te’o Reserve San Diego Legion


Nothing too startling there, although I'm not sure Iosefo at 11 is a good idea considering he's a very recent convert. Strongest side they can name, probably the strongest they've ever had, but likely not strong enough to cause us too much trouble.

Puja

Agreed.

MacGinty’s boot is the biggest threat. If we give up more silly penalties within our half he’ll punish us more than Takalua did.

Taufete’e and Lasike are threats, but more in the sense of being big, ultra physical guys who enjoy smashing people.

[jngf]

I’d be tempted to give all three of Curry, Underhill and Billy a rest (as I suspect this is Eddie’s preferred starting back row for Argentina and Wales) - thus play 6 Lawes 7 Ludlum 8 Wilson.

[Mellsblue]

I might support the USofA. They have more players from teams I support than Eng do.

Of those I’ve watched semi-regularly. John Quill is a big, abrasive and unsubtle blindside. Best him in contact and he’s out of the game. Will Hooley is a flyhalf who only plays 15 for the US - he’s in his third season with Bedford and has never played anywhere other than 10. Not sure whether this is true for Exeter and age grade. That said, he’s nailed the spot for the US so he must be suited to their game plan. I’d look to test his positioning and his quality under the high ball. He’s also not the quickest as a back three player. Fawsitt is great around the field but a liability at the lineout. He’s also pretty quick when he turns on the taps. Where’s my coat.

[Renniks]

This is why I'd have played the scratch team against Tonga, and the number 1 team against USA

We now are in a pinch where we don't want to let the first side get rusty, and we want to build cohesion between units
But it's a 4 day turnaround - after a big game against Tonga

It'll be interesting to see what EJ does!

[Puja]

Okay, so there is a 9 day gap to Argentina and Billy does like to play, but this does seem a little silly. At least there's 8 cover on the bench this time.

Puja

[Insouciant]

Yeah Billy playing is a head scratcher. I'd have wrapped him and his brother in cotton wool and given others a go. Plus we don't have a like for like 8 so it might have been good to try 1 or even 2 other options in that position.

[Oakboy]

Does that mean that Slade and Nowell are unfit?

[fivepointer]

Thought Billy might get a break. Will he actually complete another 80 minutes?
No real surprises with the selection. Sensible rotation with a few players getting a much needed run out.

[Raggs]

I'm looking at this positively. Billy is going to be in bloody brilliant shape!

[p/d]

Like it.

[Renniks]

Slade, Nowell, Mako missing is frustrating and concerning

Billy is baffling

Otherwise, I think it's what was expected

[Raggs]

Mako was supposed to still be missing I think, meant to be back for Arg and Fra I thought.

[richy678]

Watson coming on for Daly.

Apart from McConch as the bolter, the 9 and the 12 - that looks like a team you could start in the 6n, and the 9 and 12 could possibly play their way into contention anyway.

Bet somebody is going to point out "Thats a fifth of your team!!!!!"

We definitely have to play a good chunk with our sans Billy backrow. Whatever that is.

[Which Tyler]

Pretty much as expected, with the exception of Billy starting (which was kinda expected, but hoped against).
Looks like Mako, Underhill, Slade and Nowell must be injured though.
I don't recall SU looking to be in any trouble when he came off, and I just don't see why you'd take him off early otherwise if it isnt to start this one.

[Puja]

I'm looking at this positively. Billy is going to be in bloody brilliant shape!

I like that optimisim! TBF, Eddie has a very good record of getting players to their best for World Cups and I kinda trust that he knows what he's doing from a player management standpoint, as he has so much more data than we do. I'll still breathe a sigh of relief if he comes through intact though.

TCurry is apparently a 6 forever and a day now (just like Manu's nothing but a 12), regardless of who the other flank is. I'm in favour if it makes room in future for BCurry to be involved as well, slightly less so to have more obvious blindsides like Wilson, Ludlam, and Underhill pushing him there. And yes, yes, I know position's just a number, etc, etc, but he is definitely taking on different responsibilities when asked to play 6 and I don't know that they suit him as well as when he's given licence to roam.

Puja