England vs Canada - Sat 10th July

[Puja]

Malins officially out with ligament damage and Kenningham has sadly had to pull out because of a COVID close contact outside of camp (no positive tests in camp though). Our selection should be largely irrelevant, as Canada are a good step down from the USA generally and are missing all of their France-based players and a few of the US-based ones - I don't see us learning much from the game. As such, I'd be in favour of using it to tie down a few players and give some partnerships time together.

I'd have:

1. Rodd
2. Langdon
3. Heyes
4. Wells
5. THill
6. Underhill (c)
7. BCurry
8. Ludlam Dombrandt (I was confused and thought he wasn't in the squad)

9. Randall
10. Smith
11. Radwan
12. Lawrence (Kelly if not passed return to play)
13. Marchant
14. Cokanasiga
15. Steward

Genge, Capon, Hill, Munga, Ludlowlam, Mitchell, Umaga, Kelly (Slade if Lawrence isn't fit)


Puja

[fivepointer]

Genge, Blamire, Heyes, Ewels, Wells, Hill, Curry, Dombrandt, Randall, Smith, Radwan, Lawrence, Marchant, Cokanasiga, Steward

Rodd, Langdon, Hill, Munga, Ludlam, Mitchell, Umaga, Kelly

[Puja]

No Dombrandt in the squad, I'm afraid.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Oh why?

[Puja]

Oh why?

Eddie gonna Eddie.

ETA. I'm an idiot. I thought he had been left out of the original squad, but he patently hasn't. Apologies all.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Really he's just been ditched. I havent seen a revised squad so did anyone else get left out?

[Puja]

Really he's just been ditched. I havent seen a revised squad so did anyone else get left out?

Nope, my mistake entirely, just me existing on my usual 2 braincells. Sorry to've worried you - I thought he'd been left out of the original squad, but I was obviously getting confused with the uproar about him being left out of the USA game.

Puja

[jngf]

Malins officially out with ligament damage and Kenningham has sadly had to pull out because of a COVID close contact outside of camp (no positive tests in camp though). Our selection should be largely irrelevant, as Canada are a good step down from the USA generally and are missing all of their France-based players and a few of the US-based ones - I don't see us learning much from the game. As such, I'd be in favour of using it to tie down a few players and give some partnerships time together.

I'd have:

1. Rodd
2. Langdon
3. Heyes
4. Wells
5. THill
6. Underhill (c)
7. BCurry
8. Ludlam Dombrandt (I was confused and thought he wasn't in the squad)

9. Randall
10. Smith
11. Radwan
12. Lawrence (Kelly if not passed return to play)
13. Marchant
14. Cokanasiga
15. Steward

Genge, Capon, Hill, Munga, Ludlowlam, Mitchell, Umaga, Kelly (Slade if Lawrence isn't fit)


Puja

Puja - I think you’re spot on with that backrow - Underhill’s got the carrying game for 6 and allows Ben Curry to bring his specialist openside game. If Dombrandt can add a lineout jumping option at the tail - it looks nicely balanced Indeed - Ludlam can cover all three roles well from bench.

[jngf]

Malins officially out with ligament damage and Kenningham has sadly had to pull out because of a COVID close contact outside of camp (no positive tests in camp though). Our selection should be largely irrelevant, as Canada are a good step down from the USA generally and are missing all of their France-based players and a few of the US-based ones - I don't see us learning much from the game. As such, I'd be in favour of using it to tie down a few players and give some partnerships time together.

I'd have:

1. Rodd
2. Langdon
3. Heyes
4. Wells
5. THill
6. Underhill (c)
7. BCurry
8. Ludlam Dombrandt (I was confused and thought he wasn't in the squad)

9. Randall
10. Smith
11. Radwan
12. Lawrence (Kelly if not passed return to play)
13. Marchant
14. Cokanasiga
15. Steward

Genge, Capon, Hill, Munga, Ludlowlam, Mitchell, Umaga, Kelly (Slade if Lawrence isn't fit)


Puja

Puja - I think you’re spot on with that backrow - Underhill’s got the carrying game for 6 and allows Ben Curry to bring his specialist openside game. If Dombrandt can add a lineout jumping option at the tail - it looks nicely balanced Indeed - Ludlam can cover all three roles well from bench.

In that case for me:
6 Underhill
7 B Curry
8 Ludlam

[Magic_sponge]

Probably ridiculous I don't know this but remind me why Simmonds (Joe!) Isn't in the squad? Was just going to say I personally wouldn't even bother with umaga on the bench but didn't look like we've got any FH cover otherwise.

[Banquo]

Dombrandt playing, but omitted from the first version here (now edited by the RFU )
Umaga chopped as is Curry.
https://www.englandrugby.com/news/artic ... ace-canada

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
14. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 39 caps)
12. Dan Kelly (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
11. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 1 cap)
9. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 1 cap)

1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 29 caps)
2. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
4. Harry Wells (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlow (C) (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 23 caps)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, uncapped)

FINISHERS
16. Curtis Langdon (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
17. Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
18. Paul Hill (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
19. Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)
20. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
21. Dan Robson (Wasps, 13 caps)
22. George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
23. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 5 caps)

[Tom Moore]

Lawrence injured?

Glad that Dombrandt and Radwan are in, feel a bit sorry for Curry.

[Gloskarlos]

5:3 bench split far more sensible, there must be more behind the Curry omission.

[Banquo]

Does look like Furbank being seen inceasingly as a utility back. He's been ok at 10 for Saints.

Is Ted Hill crocked? I assume Chick can play second row, or will Dombrandt move forward?

[TheNomad]

What's Curry done wrong? Silly IMO

Lawrence injured I'd guess

Disappointed Marchant isn't there too - Slade hasn't done enough for a while IMO

And I still don't get Charlie Ewels

Please for DOmbrandt

[Banquo]

What's Curry done wrong? Silly IMO

Lawrence injured I'd guess

Disappointed Marchant isn't there too - Slade hasn't done enough for a while IMO

And I still don't get Charlie Ewels

Please for DOmbrandt

Marchant is on the bench.

[francoisfou]

Rather surprised that Slade is selected when Marchant is screaming for the opportunity to be in the starting XV

[Banquo]

Rather surprised that Slade is selected when Marchant is screaming for the opportunity to be in the starting XV

without him, you'd have 13 caps in total in the backline, 10 of which are with Cokasinga....though Marchant would add 5 back .

Might just be experience gets him the nod.

[Scrumhead]

Somewhat perplexing as usual. My happiness at seeing Dombrandt and Kelly is tempered by seeing more of Ludlow and Slade.

I really don’t get why Marchant is not starting. Yes, Slade has experience, but so what? We’re playing Canada FFS.

[fivepointer]

Mostly good. I'd have picked the majority of those selected. Good to see Kelly, Radwan and Dombrandt starting. Blamire and Wells getting starts is fair enough and the reversion to a proper bench (albeit minus 2nd row cover) is a relief.
Sorry not to see Ted Hill and Curry get a game, and I would have preferred Marchant to Slade.
Lets hope for a much sharper all round performance.

[Banquo]

Somewhat perplexing as usual. My happiness at seeing Dombrandt and Kelly is tempered by seeing more of Ludlow and Slade.

I really don’t get why Marchant is not starting. Yes, Slade has experience, but so what? We’re playing Canada FFS.

It might help the ones who don't have experience to perform at their best. Just a thought. Plus Slade and Marchant are pretty dissimilar in style. I don't agree, but I do see the rationale rather than getting angsty.

[Mr Mwenda]

Marchant is no doubt already in Jones' plans. Given the pointlessness of the run out perhaps Jones is more interested in seeing if Slade can function as a leader.

[Banquo]

Marchant is no doubt already in Jones' plans. Given the pointlessness of the run out perhaps Jones is more interested in seeing if Slade can function as a leader.

or just function.

[Mikey Brown]

Marchant is no doubt already in Jones' plans. Given the pointlessness of the run out perhaps Jones is more interested in seeing if Slade can function as a leader.

That's a hopeful interpretation I suppose. It feels like Slade should be at a stage where he is really organising things in the England backline. It's hard to tell from watching on TV but doesn't seem to feel that way.

Feels very strange we'll have completed a second string tour and not managed to give Ted Hill or Ben Curry a start, but I suppose strange is the new normal. At least looking forward to Dombrandt getting a bit of a run before randomly being asked to play 2nd row so that Ludlam can come on and bounce around.

I guess Furbank being able to play 10/15 is useful for a tour like this, but hard to picture him ever being trusted to do so at any higher level. Hasn't he basically lost his starting club spot at fullback to Freeman?

[Banquo]

Marchant is no doubt already in Jones' plans. Given the pointlessness of the run out perhaps Jones is more interested in seeing if Slade can function as a leader.

That's a hopeful interpretation I suppose. It feels like Slade should be at a stage where he is really organising things in the England backline. It's hard to tell from watching on TV but doesn't seem to feel that way.

Feels very strange we'll have completed a second string tour and not managed to give Ted Hill or Ben Curry a start, but I suppose strange is the new normal. At least looking forward to Dombrandt getting a bit of a run before randomly being asked to play 2nd row so that Ludlam can come on and bounce around.

I guess Furbank being able to play 10/15 is useful for a tour like this, but hard to picture him ever being trusted to do so at any higher level. Hasn't he basically lost his starting club spot at fullback to Freeman?[/quote]

Freeman played the last few games on the wing with Furbank at 15, so an open question I'd say.