Team vs Scotland

[SDHoneymonster]

Announced!

Genge
Cowan-Dickie
Sinckler
Itoje
Isiekwe
Ludlam
Curry (c)
Simmonds

Youngs
Smith
Marchant
Slade
Daly
Malins
Steward

BENCH: George, Marler, Stuart, Ewels, Dombrandt, Randall, Ford, Nowell.

[Mikey Brown]

Wow. Simmonds actually gets a start. Can't wait to see how he does.

Pleased for Isiekwe. That's an incredibly mobile pack.

11. Marchant 13. Daly initially feels like a bit of a facepalm, but maybe they want to use Daly's kicking in midfield and Marchant is very good under the high ball. Surprised Nowell doesn't start. Has Malins actually been in good form?

[Puja]

Isiekwe ahead of Ewels is great news. Marchant and Daly wearing the wrong shirts is bizarre, but could be far worse. Very surprised Nowell's not starting, as I'd've thought he was the ideal Eddie player.

Puja


ETA: As an aside, if Jngf comes in and says that the back row are wearing the wrong numbers for optimal performance, let's just agree to disagree, huh? We have plenty of threads where that conversation has been had and is being had, let's not on this one.

[SDHoneymonster]

Definitely not a team picked with the anticipated conditions in mind. No carriers in the backs but plenty of creativity and attacking nous, and a mobile and aggressive pack. Can't see them looking to play 10 man rugby, and Scotland certainly won't. Could be a corker!

[TheNomad]

Definitely not a team picked with the anticipated conditions in mind. No carriers in the backs but plenty of creativity and attacking nous, and a mobile and aggressive pack. Can't see them looking to play 10 man rugby, and Scotland certainly won't. Could be a corker!

This is my reaction - on a hard, dry surface, that team would be really exciting. As it is, you wonder how suited they are

[Puja]

Having had a few minutes to think about that, I'm generally pretty pleased with that side. Probably about the best that we could pick, given the constraints. Simmonds is an excellent pick for a windy and wet day in Scotland, as his ability to make ground in the tight is much better than Dombrandt's, and Marchant/Malins/Steward are all very good under the high ball that'll no doubt be coming.

My major concern is Daly's defence at 13. I've lost track of who Scotland are likely to pick against him - is it going to be Chris Harris? If so, that'll limit the danger. Hutchinson would be very worrying.

Shame that Chessum's not going to get a cap but, for all of the excitement about his frame, he's in his breakout season and hasn't fully established himself as guaranteed starter for Leicester yet. He's got potential, but if he hasn't impressed enough in training to make the XXIII, then I trust the coaches' judgement. And also, that's no shame on him at this stage in his development.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

Yep, I'd be amazed if it is anyone but Harris. It would be a real trade-off in both attack and defence to pick Hutchinson, but Scotland should really look to exploit the unfamiliarity of that centre pairing if possible. Shame there's no Huge Owns in that resepect.

[Danno]

That's.... a really good looking side, and there's even a 5-3 bench!

[Puja]

Yep, I'd be amazed if it is anyone but Harris. It would be a real trade-off in both attack and defence to pick Hutchinson, but Scotland should really look to exploit the unfamiliarity of that centre pairing if possible. Shame there's no Huge Owns in that resepect.

Jones vs Daly would be the battle of the 13s who might provide a score through extraordinary means, for either side, at any time.

Puja

[Blandy]

Isiekwe ahead of Ewels is great news. Marchant and Daly wearing the wrong shirts is bizarre, but could be far worse. Very surprised Nowell's not starting, as I'd've thought he was the ideal Eddie player.

Puja


ETA: As an aside, if Jngf comes in and says that the back row are wearing the wrong numbers for optimal performance, let's just agree to disagree, huh? We have plenty of threads where that conversation has been had and is being had, let's not on this one.

Brings back memories of Daly at 15 and Mike Brown on the wing!

[Banquo]

Its certainly not a side for conditions predicted, but about the most mobile and skilled starting team you could put out from the squad. Expect to see Marchant come off his wing a lot- my only worry would be that Steward again spends too much time on the wing rather than coming from deep (Slade dropping back again). Make a lot more sense imo for Marchant at 13, and Daly in the back three to use his boot and counterattacking. But hey ho.

Back row is 'interesting' and picked with Scotland in mind I'd think. Whether there is enough close quarter carrying in the back five of the scrum is interesting, though the starting props and LCD offer much there too.

[SDHoneymonster]

Yep, I'd be amazed if it is anyone but Harris. It would be a real trade-off in both attack and defence to pick Hutchinson, but Scotland should really look to exploit the unfamiliarity of that centre pairing if possible. Shame there's no Huge Owns in that resepect.

Jones vs Daly would be the battle of the 13s who might provide a score through extraordinary means, for either side, at any time.

Puja

IMO outside centres being competent defenders is one of the quickest ways to ruin a game of rugby. It should be written into the position's contract that they should be 'haphazard' at best.

[Banquo]

Yep, I'd be amazed if it is anyone but Harris. It would be a real trade-off in both attack and defence to pick Hutchinson, but Scotland should really look to exploit the unfamiliarity of that centre pairing if possible. Shame there's no Huge Owns in that resepect.

Jones vs Daly would be the battle of the 13s who might provide a score through extraordinary means, for either side, at any time.

Puja

IMO outside centres being competent defenders is one of the quickest ways to ruin a game of rugby. It should be written into the position's contract that they should be 'haphazard' at best.

Shhhh...towards the end of my playing career I pretty much could only defend and pass at 13 (with a bit of kicking) as my hamstrings had buggered off. When I say defend, I mean talk a lot at the inside guys and the backrow, whilst standing as wide as I dared and drifting early

[Which Tyler]

11. Marchant 13. Daly initially feels like a bit of a facepalm

That's my initial reaction too - but then, I suspect Marchant has far more game time on the wing than Daly has. It's just that Daly's best performances at international level are on the wing, whilst Marchant really feels like an OC who can "do a job" further out. That's not how their club coaches see it, at any club.

Beyond that, I doubt the backline will be particularyl bothered about shape - Smith is the only out and out specialist in only 1 position, the rest can, and I'm sure will, float about, as they see things on the pitch.
Hope the communication is up to it!

Further forward, loving Isiekwe getting his chance in the row.

[fivepointer]

I really, really dont like Daly at 13. Marchant's defence is far more trustworthy and i'm struggling to see why they have been named that way around.
Surprised there's no Nowell in the starting XV and that Isiekwe comes in after not being in the original squad. I have my doubts about him as a starting lock but Ewels has hardly made himself indispensible.
Simmonds ahead of Dombrandt i didnt see coming but i'm happy enough with it.
I like Curry as the skipper.
Lots of good ball players throughout, plenty of mobility up front and some good bench options to either consolidate or chase the game.
Can the front 5 deliver?

[Puja]

Isiekwe ahead of Ewels is great news. Marchant and Daly wearing the wrong shirts is bizarre, but could be far worse. Very surprised Nowell's not starting, as I'd've thought he was the ideal Eddie player.

Puja


ETA: As an aside, if Jngf comes in and says that the back row are wearing the wrong numbers for optimal performance, let's just agree to disagree, huh? We have plenty of threads where that conversation has been had and is being had, let's not on this one.

Brings back memories of Daly at 15 and Mike Brown on the wing!

I had exactly the same thought! Memories of the board going, "He's just screwing around with the shirt numebrs, right? They're not actually gonna line up that way, right? Right??"

I really, really dont like Daly at 13. Marchant's defence is far more trustworthy and i'm struggling to see why they have been named that way around.

Would you prefer Daly to be under the high balls that Scotland will put up in the wind and rain?

Puja

[Banquo]

11. Marchant 13. Daly initially feels like a bit of a facepalm

That's my initial reaction too - but then, I suspect Marchant has far more game time on the wing than Daly has. It's just that Daly's best performances at international level are on the wing, whilst Marchant really feels like an OC who can "doo a job" further out. That's not how their club coaches see it, at any club.

He's doing the blindside wing as third centre thing.....but Daly can also do that. I suspect they will mix and match quite a bit, with Daly in the backfield a fair bit. Still a tad odd, tho Marchant has been on the wing for Quins a fair bit.

[p/d]

In all honesty is there actually a point for juggernaut Atkinson being named in the wider squad?

[Oakboy]

I really, really dont like Daly at 13. Marchant's defence is far more trustworthy and i'm struggling to see why they have been named that way around.
Surprised there's no Nowell in the starting XV and that Isiekwe comes in after not being in the original squad. I have my doubts about him as a starting lock but Ewels has hardly made himself indispensible.
Simmonds ahead of Dombrandt i didnt see coming but i'm happy enough with it.
I like Curry as the skipper.
Lots of good ball players throughout, plenty of mobility up front and some good bench options to either consolidate or chase the game.
Can the front 5 deliver?

Agreed. As regards your last question, if he's fit and available I'd always start Marler. Scrum solidity just seems to matter with setting the tone from the off. Genge coming on after 60, fresh and charged up, looks more of a threat if the game breaks up a bit later.

[Oakboy]

Isiekwe ahead of Ewels is great news. Marchant and Daly wearing the wrong shirts is bizarre, but could be far worse. Very surprised Nowell's not starting, as I'd've thought he was the ideal Eddie player.

Puja


ETA: As an aside, if Jngf comes in and says that the back row are wearing the wrong numbers for optimal performance, let's just agree to disagree, huh? We have plenty of threads where that conversation has been had and is being had, let's not on this one.

Brings back memories of Daly at 15 and Mike Brown on the wing!

I had exactly the same thought! Memories of the board going, "He's just screwing around with the shirt numebrs, right? They're not actually gonna line up that way, right? Right??"

I really, really dont like Daly at 13. Marchant's defence is far more trustworthy and i'm struggling to see why they have been named that way around.

Would you prefer Daly to be under the high balls that Scotland will put up in the wind and rain?

Puja

I'd rather have Nowell with Marchant at 13.

[fivepointer]

Would you prefer Daly to be under the high balls that Scotland will put up in the wind and rain?

Puja

I'd prefer Daly to be occupied with Saracens at the weekend.

[Oakboy]

In all honesty is there actually a point for juggernaut Atkinson being named in the wider squad?

The simple answer is 'no'. Maybe, he was a genuine starting option until performances in training (his v others) ruled him out.

[Mikey Brown]

Where has he been playing? Whenever I've seen their team sheets he seems to be at 11/15.

[Oakboy]

Where has he been playing? Whenever I've seen their team sheets he seems to be at 11/15.

IMO, Daly has only looked a top notch international as a winger.

[p/d]

Slade’s defence at 12 not being questioned? I think the 10/12 channel will be targeted.