Team for France

[Rich]

Great performance today from England...but there are acres of grounds for improvement.

We have our two New Zealanders to return Hartley and Shields.


I'm guessing that Itoje will be out so a shoo-in for Lawes.

Will Te'o be fit ?
If so, does Jones drop Slade or Manu ?

What's the news on Cokanasiga's injury ?

[Stom]

If big Joe is fit, get him on the bench.

If Launch is fit, get him in the row.

I would also switch Hughes out for Clifford, if fit, or... Well... Most other options.

[Galfon]

As much as Hartley needs to be in the mix as leader, this was the first match Faz has skippered when lack of leadership has not been glaringly apparent, so EJ can be more relaxed about this aspect.Maybe that is Mitchell's influence.
Wilson's unseen work was relentless again, big suprise if he not retained.
Manu/Slade was a major success and can only improve with more game time.
Nowell played well as expected, but appeared to tweak his hammy, so if Joe C is fit he may be on.bench.
May & Daly looked really quick yesterday - if the Algarve training went as well for the other fliers, Eng back 3 will be smokin' if JC gets another start.
I'd like Nowell back for Sco / Wal, Joe for Italy.

[francoisfou]

Shields? What would he bring to the side that they've not already got?
And Hughes, big bugger that he is, never seems to get over the gain line (Nowell impressed me yesterday with the yards he gained in heavy traffic). Did I hear the name Armand mentioned?!

As Stom says, both the Joes must be in the squad next week. Launch in the starting XV and Coka on the bench .

Te'o? No thanks!

[twitchy]

Was their any info on maro? He was properly limping. Hamstring?

[Stom]

Was their any info on maro? He was properly limping. Hamstring?

Knee, I think

[Puja]

I would only make the injury-enforced change of Lawes for Maro and Launch to the bench (maybe big Joe over Ashton at 23). After that game, momentum and continuity are important.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

Honestly, I was genuinely impressed 1-15 and would retain the same starting XV as much as possible.

The only changes I would make are due to injury, apart from bringing Launchbury in for Kruis. I’d potentially switch a few on the bench.

The rumour is that Itoje has a medial ligament. If that’s the case, he’s potentially out for the rest of the tournament

Lawes is the obvious replacement (and was again excellent off the bench). In the past Lawes and Launchbury have been an excellent combination and as much as losing Itoje is a big blow, I have confidence in that pair as a unit.

If Nowell is out, I’m open-minded on Cokanasiga or Ashton. Both have their merits, although looking at the way France defended against Wales, I think I’m leaning towards the latter (rather surprisingly). He could be deadly popping up on the shoulder of Manu or Slade and I can see him targeting mismatches against the heavy mob in the French pack.

Bench-wise, I’d probably bring back Hartley, switch Kruis to the 19 shirt and bring in Clifford or Shields ahead of Hughes. The 23 shirt goes to whoever misses out on replacing Nowell.

[Puja]

Nowell could be out? Why, what's happened to him?

Puja

[Stom]

I really like Lawes coming off the bench. He kills any attempt the opposition has of getting back into the match. Id keep him there and pop Launch in for Itoje.

Clifford for Hughes if fit, and if Nowell isn't fit, big Joe starts, otherwise he's on the bench.

Let's not change things unnecessarily

[fivepointer]

Lawes for Maro, Launchbury to the bench. Thats it.

[Oakboy]

I can understand the comments against Hughes but it was lucky that he was there to play adequately in the 2nd row as Kruis had already been replaced when Itoje was injured. Unfortunately, the only other bench candidate for that is Shields so I'd much prefer to stick with Hughes.

I do not like the thought of Kruis starting with anybody but Itoje. If Itoje is out Lawes and Launchbury should start.

[Mellsblue]

I really like Lawes coming off the bench. He kills any attempt the opposition has of getting back into the match. Id keep him there and pop Launch in for Itoje.

Clifford for Hughes if fit, and if Nowell isn't fit, big Joe starts, otherwise he's on the bench.

Let's not change things unnecessarily

This.

[Scrumhead]

Nowell could be out? Why, what's happened to him?

Puja

He went off with a hamstring injury. Not sure whether it’s serious or not?

[Banquo]

Was their any info on maro? He was properly limping. Hamstring?

8 weeks, knee ligaments

[Banquo]

Just hope Eddie doesnt go large to match the gargantuan French team, which will likely also have Bastareaud to add in

[Puja]

I can understand the comments against Hughes but it was lucky that he was there to play adequately in the 2nd row as Kruis had already been replaced when Itoje was injured. Unfortunately, the only other bench candidate for that is Shields so I'd much prefer to stick with Hughes.

Good point, although that is a niche situation. If Clifford has been on the bench, who would've gone lock. None of Wilson or Curry have the build, so it would've been bodge o'clock between Clifford and Billy.

Puja

[twitchy]

Was their any info on maro? He was properly limping. Hamstring?

8 weeks, knee ligaments

Damn it. He was immense yesterday though.

[Stom]

I can understand the comments against Hughes but it was lucky that he was there to play adequately in the 2nd row as Kruis had already been replaced when Itoje was injured. Unfortunately, the only other bench candidate for that is Shields so I'd much prefer to stick with Hughes.

Good point, although that is a niche situation. If Clifford has been on the bench, who would've gone lock. None of Wilson or Curry have the build, so it would've been bodge o'clock between Clifford and Billy.

Puja

Clifford has covered lock before

[Puja]

I can understand the comments against Hughes but it was lucky that he was there to play adequately in the 2nd row as Kruis had already been replaced when Itoje was injured. Unfortunately, the only other bench candidate for that is Shields so I'd much prefer to stick with Hughes.

Good point, although that is a niche situation. If Clifford has been on the bench, who would've gone lock. None of Wilson or Curry have the build, so it would've been bodge o'clock between Clifford and Billy.

Puja

Clifford has covered lock before

He has? Huh, every day a school day.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I’ve never seen it. Can’t picture it. But we really can’t pick a squad based on whether we can cover 2 injuries at lock. What if Curry then goes down?

I’d love to see Launch alongside Kruis. Kruis can focus on the set piece Lawes can do the same job off the bench that he does so well.

[Mellsblue]

I’ve never seen it. Can’t picture it. But we really can’t pick a squad based on whether we can cover 2 injuries at lock. What if Curry then goes down?

I’d love to see Launch alongside Kruis. Kruis can focus on the set piece Lawes can do the same job off the bench that he does so well.

This.

[Stom]

Good point, although that is a niche situation. If Clifford has been on the bench, who would've gone lock. None of Wilson or Curry have the build, so it would've been bodge o'clock between Clifford and Billy.

Puja

Clifford has covered lock before

He has? Huh, every day a school day.

Puja

Not for a while, but he's not much shorter than Itoje. Similar to George Robson was, I think.

[Stom]

I’ve never seen it. Can’t picture it. But we really can’t pick a squad based on whether we can cover 2 injuries at lock. What if Curry then goes down?

I’d love to see Launch alongside Kruis. Kruis can focus on the set piece Lawes can do the same job off the bench that he does so well.

This.

Thirded.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I can understand the comments against Hughes but it was lucky that he was there to play adequately in the 2nd row as Kruis had already been replaced when Itoje was injured. Unfortunately, the only other bench candidate for that is Shields so I'd much prefer to stick with Hughes.

Good point, although that is a niche situation. If Clifford has been on the bench, who would've gone lock. None of Wilson or Curry have the build, so it would've been bodge o'clock between Clifford and Billy.

Puja

Clifford has covered lock before

I don't think he has. Regardless if you sub a lock and then lose another to injury you just have to make do with what you've got.

Overall to the France game then just Maro to change. I'd start Lawes and Launchbury to the bench. I'd like Lawes and Launchbury, but Kruis had a really good game.