vs Georgia

[Epaminondas Pules]

Two weeks away after a rusty crusty bag of meh against Italy. A chance to experiment a little and also a chance for much needed game time. Decisions. Decisions.

Anyway....they won't go for it, but...


1. Genge
2. Dunn
3. Stuart
4. Itoje (c)
5. Hill, J
6. Willis
7. Earl
8. Vunipola
9. Robson
10. Umaga
11. May
12. Lawrence
13. Slade
14. Thorley
15. Watson

16. George
17. Obano
18. Sinckler
19. Ewels
20. Hill, T
21. Youngs
22. Malins
23. Marchant

[fivepointer]

Depends on what is England's thinking ahead of this series of games.
Does Jones experiment, try some new players and combinations, or largely stick with the tried and tested. Does winning this series really matter to him, or are results not as important at building depth in the squad?
I fear its going to be results driven so changes will be kept to a minimum.
We should see some changes for Georgia as its a perfect opportunity to introduce new players. I imagine most who were on the bench for Italy will be involved, some should start and its surely time for Willis and Ted Hill to get a look in.

[jngf]

Depends on what is England's thinking ahead of this series of games.
Does Jones experiment, try some new players and combinations, or largely stick with the tried and tested. Does winning this series really matter to him, or are results not as important at building depth in the squad?
I fear its going to be results driven so changes will be kept to a minimum.
We should see some changes for Georgia as its a perfect opportunity to introduce new players. I imagine most who were on the bench for Italy will be involved, some should start and its surely time for Willis and Ted Hill to get a look in.

I would go further and draft in Dombrandt not just into the squad but the starting 8 berth for Georgia match

I thought Billy showed a decent return to form v Italy and looked dynamic and energetic doing some great tight carrying - I do however think we need to blood a credible alternative/back up 8 and adapt our plans to accommodate to their playing strengths not expect them to be a Vunipola clone. I very much like the prospect of experimenting for this game with a Willis,Earl,Dombrandt trio and think it would be much better balanced and offer more by way of lineout jumping than the status quo offered.

[Raggs]

I don't want to see too large changes. I don't mind 2nds with 1sts on the bench so much, but not too many basically new caps. If we see that, to me it's meaningless. If we see a large portion of established players, with a mix of new(ish, thinking Robson can't be classed as established), then it's feasible Eddie is looking at genuinely bringing them in as options, if it's just a bunch of new guys, it just feels like a break for the seniors, rather than development.

[Epaminondas Pules]

They do also have four games in four week. Georgia may well be the only time to rest the front line player if we're taking this tournament as a 'must win'. And that's not to say any approach is right or wrong. For me, I'd be looking at a second string largely against Georgia, frankly because we can (or bloody well should be able to) and because we may need them in the follow on games.

Equally, can see playing more front line players to get them game ready. Or more game ready. I'd go with the former myself.

[16th man]

I'll second / third that the opportunity to blood new players needs to be taken but in a structured way that doesn't just see this as Barbarians MK2, with a completely scratch 15 that is immediately written off as a meaningful exercise in learning anything.

[Peej]

Problem is, after the dross of the weekend some of the established players clearly more time to get their heads back into it (as apparently the end of the Prem season wasn't enough). Which means we'll see less changes, but then after that the games get more serious and so the risk of new caps increases.

But if Jack Willis, Robson, Lawrence, Dunn or Umaga don't get meaningful gametime, it will be Johnson-esque levels of wasted opportunity.

[switchskier]

It's a no win scenario. Georgia were bad against Scotland and England should put 70 on them, especially if the fly half keeps missing touch and the full back avoids tackling. However of England do blood newcomers and run up a big score then it was only Georgia. If they only match what Scotland did then theres an excuse that they're not ready for primetime.

[Stom]

I'd probably go for a mix and match.

I'd look to keep that 2nd row partnership for starters, but I'd also like to see Willis start, along with Lawrence, Thorley and Malins.

I'd probably look at something like:

Mako
George
Stuart
Itoje
JHill
Willis
Curry
BillyV
Robson
Farrell
May
Lawrence
Slade
Thorley
Malins

Dunn, Genge, Sinckler, Launchbury, THill, Mitchell, Ford, Watson

[francoisfou]

Wouldn't it be meaningful to see Robson and Umaga start and keep Mr Dependable on the bench to lead on the cavalry if it all goes tits up?

[Raggs]

Genge, George, Stuart
Itoje, Hill
Willis, Underhill, Curry,
Robson
Umaga
May
Farrell
Joseph/Lawrence
Watson
Furbank

Is a sort of mix between what I'd like to see whilst tempered with what may also be possible.

[Oakboy]

I think the important goal in matches like this is to practise coping without two or three certain starters. For example, George, Itoje and Curry. A big mistake in a coach's preparation is to be forced through injury or suspension to play without Itoje, say, and never have prepared the squad for his absence. Maybe, Sinckler's RWC final departure is an example.

Oddly enough, the Ford/Farrell competition has prepared them for losing either. Marler has started often enough at LH. Billy V and Tuilagi are often injured so their absence has been covered before.

[Mikey Brown]

If Itoje’s out just bring in Launchbury and nobody will know the difference.

[Stom]

Wouldn't it be meaningful to see Robson and Umaga start and keep Mr Dependable on the bench to lead on the cavalry if it all goes tits up?

For me, no, as it's never likely to actually happen in a meaningful game. Farrell is mr. undroppable, so if you want to bring a 9 in, he needs to learn to play with Farrell. So if Robson starts, I want to pair him with Farrell. While if Umaga comes in, pair him with Youngs, poor sod.

[Puja]

I think the important goal in matches like this is to practise coping without two or three certain starters. For example, George, Itoje and Curry. A big mistake in a coach's preparation is to be forced through injury or suspension to play without Itoje, say, and never have prepared the squad for his absence. Maybe, Sinckler's RWC final departure is an example.

Oddly enough, the Ford/Farrell competition has prepared them for losing either. Marler has started often enough at LH. Billy V and Tuilagi are often injured so their absence has been covered before.

I'd generally agree with that, although I wouldn't drop Itoje. I'd rather get some more match-fitness for him and allow him to build a partnership with Hill.

Puja

[Raggs]

Wouldn't it be meaningful to see Robson and Umaga start and keep Mr Dependable on the bench to lead on the cavalry if it all goes tits up?

For me, no, as it's never likely to actually happen in a meaningful game. Farrell is mr. undroppable, so if you want to bring a 9 in, he needs to learn to play with Farrell. So if Robson starts, I want to pair him with Farrell. While if Umaga comes in, pair him with Youngs, poor sod.

Thing is, Farrell will only be at 10 if Ford is out, so I'd rather Umaga start to be brought in to cover Ford's absences, whilst we look towards Slade or similar to cover Farrel.

[Puja]

Wouldn't it be meaningful to see Robson and Umaga start and keep Mr Dependable on the bench to lead on the cavalry if it all goes tits up?

For me, no, as it's never likely to actually happen in a meaningful game. Farrell is mr. undroppable, so if you want to bring a 9 in, he needs to learn to play with Farrell. So if Robson starts, I want to pair him with Farrell. While if Umaga comes in, pair him with Youngs, poor sod.

Thing is, Farrell will only be at 10 if Ford is out, so I'd rather Umaga start to be brought in to cover Ford's absences, whilst we look towards Slade or similar to cover Farrel.

That's a pretty good point. If Umaga is going to be the third fly-half, then he's going to need to get used to playing alongside Fazlet.

Puja

[Banquo]

If Itoje’s out just bring in Launchbury and nobody will know the difference.

Truth. Though you might have to ask Jonny Hill to pack down as left lock and jump at 4, as Itoje did on Saturday

[Puja]

If Itoje’s out just bring in Launchbury and nobody will know the difference.

Truth. Though you might have to ask Jonny Hill to pack down as left lock and jump at 4, as Itoje did on Saturday

Everyone's a comedian!

Puja

[Banquo]

If Itoje’s out just bring in Launchbury and nobody will know the difference.

Truth. Though you might have to ask Jonny Hill to pack down as left lock and jump at 4, as Itoje did on Saturday

Everyone's a comedian!

Puja

It did make me laugh on Saturday though. Bout the only thing to smile about.

[FKAS]

For me, no, as it's never likely to actually happen in a meaningful game. Farrell is mr. undroppable, so if you want to bring a 9 in, he needs to learn to play with Farrell. So if Robson starts, I want to pair him with Farrell. While if Umaga comes in, pair him with Youngs, poor sod.

Thing is, Farrell will only be at 10 if Ford is out, so I'd rather Umaga start to be brought in to cover Ford's absences, whilst we look towards Slade or similar to cover Farrel.

That's a pretty good point. If Umaga is going to be the third fly-half, then he's going to need to get used to playing alongside Fazlet.

Puja

Umaga's best form has also been when he's had an experienced 12 to hold his hand and take responsibility off of him. Has helped reduce the brain farts considerably. Get Umaga capped at 10 to secure him for England and get Farrell some game time to try and play into form. Lawrence in at 13 to provide some muscle.

[Oakboy]

Thing is, Farrell will only be at 10 if Ford is out, so I'd rather Umaga start to be brought in to cover Ford's absences, whilst we look towards Slade or similar to cover Farrel.

That's a pretty good point. If Umaga is going to be the third fly-half, then he's going to need to get used to playing alongside Fazlet.

Puja

Umaga's best form has also been when he's had an experienced 12 to hold his hand and take responsibility off of him. Has helped reduce the brain farts considerably. Get Umaga capped at 10 to secure him for England and get Farrell some game time to try and play into form. Lawrence in at 13 to provide some muscle.

I can imagine Umaga's pre-match pep-talk. "Today, the FH (that's you) will not kick it up in the air aimlessly. The FH (that's you) must pass to the IC (he's the captain, wearing 12) and he will kick it up in the air aimlessly."

[FKAS]

That's a pretty good point. If Umaga is going to be the third fly-half, then he's going to need to get used to playing alongside Fazlet.

Puja

Umaga's best form has also been when he's had an experienced 12 to hold his hand and take responsibility off of him. Has helped reduce the brain farts considerably. Get Umaga capped at 10 to secure him for England and get Farrell some game time to try and play into form. Lawrence in at 13 to provide some muscle.

I can imagine Umaga's pre-match pep-talk. "Today, the FH (that's you) will not kick it up in the air aimlessly. The FH (that's you) must pass to the IC (he's the captain, wearing 12) and he will kick it up in the air aimlessly."

Umaga nods eagerly. Farrell calls for it on the first good piece of English possession (fully expecting for the ball to come down with snow on it but safely in the arms of the Georgian fullback). Umaga however, fluffs the pass giving the inrushing Georgian flanker an easy interception try. I can see it all now.

[Stom]

Rumor is Ben Earl will be in the XV








On the wing

[Danno]

Fine, but if there's still no Willis that will be the straw. Last, camel, man, coles, whatever.