Team's up

[WaspInWales]

The only thing that will save Eddie for me is a massive win....by at least 4 tries.

Saying that, I'll take a drop goal in the 81st minute to seal a 1 point win.

It's a tricky one. If the weather is a shat as Banquo suggests, that is going to influence the game so in that case, I'll take a win. If it's fairly dry, then I'd like to see us open up a bit and run the Italians into the ground and win with ease.

Then there's Farrell and 12 and Brand at 7. Kinda reluctant to see us tear Italy to shreds with mis-matched players as that'll just ensure their continued selection.

I'll go back to the drop goal win...as long as it isn't Farrell slotting the winning kick!

[Epaminondas Pules]

Save Eddie? Is he on the verge of being sacked already?

[Beasties]

I'm not setting my sights high yet, I'd take actually trying to use the ball from the back of the scrum as a positive result. Can't really see how we're gonna tear it up with Fazlet at 12 to "give them a thrashing". Oh and it'd be nice to see Itoje get at least 20 mins.

[Mellsblue]

I'd take actually trying to use the ball from the back of the scrum as a positive result.

Ha, it would be nice.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I'd take actually trying to use the ball from the back of the scrum as a positive result.

Ha, it would be nice.

The NH in general needs to start using the ball rather than just constantly looking for a penalty at scrum time. There's a time and a place to go for the penalty and keep the ball in, but not every fecking scrum!

[fivepointer]

A win, not without a little drama and not without having to work very hard for it.

Some development in our attacking game would be nice.

[Puja]

I would be happy with a comfortable victory, with some evidence of progress in our attacking game - which doesn't have to include our backs. If Eddie's working on the forwards first, I'd be happy with seeing them attacking the ball at pace, supporting each other, clearing out quickly and getting back up to strike again. More of the lead-up to Nowell's try last week basically, only faster and more dynamic. And more of the time as well, obviously.

Puja

[Oakboy]

I think all we can expect is a hard-fought win with EJ answering a few questions about the forwards. I'd guess that the backs from 10-15 will remain unchanged for at least the next game or two. Maybe, there is logic to that in the usual way of thinking - that until the forwards produce a constant supply of decent ball all the backs get to do is defend, catch and kick. It's a grind but it may eventually produce some decent rugby - probably not till after the 6N though.

Defeat might change the process at any stage but who will vote for that?

[Digby]

It isn't easy to add in an attack game, Schmidt is having plenty of problems with Ireland and in theory he was building atop a solid base. But as the best way to improve a team isn't faffing about with tactics but to pick better players there will be grumbling even if the pack do generate a reasonably steady supply of good ball.

[Oakboy]

It isn't easy to add in an attack game, Schmidt is having plenty of problems with Ireland and in theory he was building atop a solid base. But as the best way to improve a team isn't faffing about with tactics but to pick better players there will be grumbling even if the pack do generate a reasonably steady supply of good ball.

Agreed but it seems EJ is taking the view that he can't fully assess the backs till he's got the forwards right. Realistically, until Slade and Tuilagi are fully fit and on form, there is only Daly who might add quality. Devoto may or may not but he represents an element of risk. Most of us would vote for Daly over Goode on the bench, I'd guess, and nobody is really happy with Farrell at 12. I say again, selection for the 3rd match is what counts. Maybe Tuilagi will be ready? I can't see EJ doing anything radical otherwise. Until he finds a decent SH from somewhere I can see him ploughing the same furrow with the game-plan. It conforms with his decision not to appoint an attack coach yet.

[Stom]

I dreamt it ended 24-3, with 3 forwards scoring tries...somehow I doubt it, but I'd settle for that result

I'd love to see minimum 30 minutes each for Itoje and Clifford, that would really help identify a way forward.

Does anyone know if we get to keep the whole squad during the rest week? I think that could make a big difference to the 23. Eddie has only had a handful of days with the squad afterall, hardly enough to thoroughly judge. Perhaps he looked at the way Lancaster started, with all those changes, and thought he needed to take a different direction.

[WaspInWales]

Save Eddie? Is he on the verge of being sacked already?

His P45 is waiting to be sealed in an envelope as I type this.

Tongue firmly in cheek of course.

I dunno why but I just expected more drastic changes and remedies to our existing problems. That said, I'm very pleased Itoje and Clifford have made the squad. I guess I'm just frustrated seeing Farrell at 12, Haskell at 7 and Goode anywhere close to the squad.

I'll be happier if Itoje, Clifford and George get some meaningful time from the bench today.

[Banquo]

The only thing that will save Eddie for me is a massive win....by at least 4 tries.

Saying that, I'll take a drop goal in the 81st minute to seal a 1 point win.

It's a tricky one. If the weather is a shat as Banquo suggests, that is going to influence the game so in that case, I'll take a win. If it's fairly dry, then I'd like to see us open up a bit and run the Italians into the ground and win with ease.

Then there's Farrell and 12 and Brand at 7. Kinda reluctant to see us tear Italy to shreds with mis-matched players as that'll just ensure their continued selection.

I'll go back to the drop goal win...as long as it isn't Farrell slotting the winning kick!

forecast slightly improved...still says it'll rain a bit