Team for France

[Which Tyler]

Cokanasiga in the squad!

[Puja]

Cokanasiga in the squad!

Tempered that it's the 35. The likes of Thorley, Singleton, and Devoto are there too. No Joseph, however.

Itoje is now predicted to be back for the Italy game, which is good if true.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Yes, but he's considered fit enough to be there - which is what I was looking for.
I'd be tempted to start him, for the same reason as a month or two back - let's play him for every minute of rugby we possibly can before the RWC to get him up to speed.
Ridiculously harsh on Nowell to do so though, so I might resist temptation this time (I've no problem throwing Ashton out of the 23).
Otherwise, Launch in for Itoje is the only chance I'd make. The team went well, and every one of them deserves another crack. This time Robson really ought to play some part in the match!

[francoisfou]

Is Fofana still good?

He seemed to appear and be incredible a good few years back, then was in and out of the side for a long time and had lots of injuries I think.

In my opinion, yes! I’m not 100% sure but I believe he’s had more than his fair share of injuries. He’s 31 now and will possibly retire from international rugby after the World Cup.

[Mikey Brown]

Yes, but he's considered fit enough to be there - which is what I was looking for.
I'd be tempted to start him, for the same reason as a month or two back - let's play him for every minute of rugby we possibly can before the RWC to get him up to speed.
Ridiculously harsh on Nowell to do so though, so I might resist temptation this time (I've no problem throwing Ashton out of the 23).
Otherwise, Launch in for Itoje is the only chance I'd make. The team went well, and every one of them deserves another crack. This time Robson really ought to play some part in the match!

I know I sound like a broken record at this point but what is it Nowell did? I’m sure he was busy and feisty and “came looking for work” and stuff, but I can’t remember what any of it amounted to in the end. Won a good turnover I think?

Anyway, I agree. Get Cokanisiga in. Let people be scared of our backs for a change. I’ve never seen Nowell play as well as JC did vs Australia. Is that unfair? I could settle for him on the bench I suppose.

[TheNomad]

Get Cokanasiga in - at give him game time at least

Any thoughts on Ben Curry - I've always been impressed personally and think it's maybe a little harsh that Earl is there and he isn't. I suppose you could argue he's too similar to his brother, but I think long term they could operate fairly effectively as a one two combo or on either side of the scrum.

[Renniks]

Big Joe - I'd love to see him involved - I'd put him on the bench, and get him on at ~50 mins for whoever!

[Oakboy]

Big Joe - I'd love to see him involved - I'd put him on the bench, and get him on at ~50 mins for whoever!

This. It would be especially good if we were winning well and could put JC, Robson and Ford on but leave the centre pairing to play outside a new halfback pairing - just to answer some questions.

[Scrumhead]

Yes, but he's considered fit enough to be there - which is what I was looking for.
I'd be tempted to start him, for the same reason as a month or two back - let's play him for every minute of rugby we possibly can before the RWC to get him up to speed.
Ridiculously harsh on Nowell to do so though, so I might resist temptation this time (I've no problem throwing Ashton out of the 23).
Otherwise, Launch in for Itoje is the only chance I'd make. The team went well, and every one of them deserves another crack. This time Robson really ought to play some part in the match!

I know I sound like a broken record at this point but what is it Nowell did? I’m sure he was busy and feisty and “came looking for work” and stuff, but I can’t remember what any of it amounted to in the end. Won a good turnover I think?

Anyway, I agree. Get Cokanisiga in. Let people be scared of our backs for a change. I’ve never seen Nowell play as well as JC did vs Australia. Is that unfair? I could settle for him on the bench I suppose.

Nowell either takes the ball in traffic and sucks in 1-2 defenders, or is quickly in to support the carrier. He’s good over the ball and helps to secure possession or steal the oppositions’ ball.

He got one good turnover and should have had another one when Garces allowed an Irish player to hang on for about 10 seconds until Nowell was eventually cleared out.

Nowell is very effective for us most of the time he gets a chance. I’m not suggesting Big Joe isn’t but it’s hard to judge off a couple of games. He was very good against Australia but has barely played any rugby since then. I’m open to bringing him off the bench, but Nowell deserves to keep his place.

[fivepointer]

maybe a small thing about Nowell but i love the way he clears people out at rucks and secures possession. I reckon he's better than any other back in the 6N's at this and better than a number of forwards.
Its not a wingers primary function, but he really does this very well. But he does a lot of things very well.

[Mikey Brown]

Get Cokanasiga in - at give him game time at least

Any thoughts on Ben Curry - I've always been impressed personally and think it's maybe a little harsh that Earl is there and he isn't. I suppose you could argue he's too similar to his brother, but I think long term they could operate fairly effectively as a one two combo or on either side of the scrum.

I’ve said this before, but they/Sale/Diamond/whoever really messed up by letting it become public knowledge that there was two of them at all.

[Puja]

Get Cokanasiga in - at give him game time at least

Any thoughts on Ben Curry - I've always been impressed personally and think it's maybe a little harsh that Earl is there and he isn't. I suppose you could argue he's too similar to his brother, but I think long term they could operate fairly effectively as a one two combo or on either side of the scrum.

I don't know I would play them together, but I'd certainly have BCurry in the squad as a potential backup for TCurry. Seems barking to be developing one of them and not the other.

Puja

[fivepointer]

Yep, B Curry is a better player than Earl, but then so is Kvesic.

[Raggs]

I know last time i checked there was a significant difference in their physicality.

[ad_tigger]

I know last time i checked there was a significant difference in their physicality.

That must have been one hell of a Tuesday night.

[p/d]

I know last time i checked there was a significant difference in their physicality.

That must have been one hell of a Tuesday night.

hot & spicy I would imagine

[Mellsblue]

I know last time i checked there was a significant difference in their physicality.

That must have been one hell of a Tuesday night.

hot & spicy I would imagine

Which brother is hot and which is spicy?

[16th man]

Isiekwe is a pretty handy 5th choice lock.

[Puja]

Isiekwe is a pretty handy 5th choice lock.

Anyone know if Ewels is injured or down tbe pecking order?

Puja

[fivepointer]

He's fit but probably short of match sharpness. Was on the bench last night for the Prem Cup game against Glos.

[francoisfou]

This French journalist from Eurosport doesn't seem too confident referring to Twickenham is like a "slaughterhouse for the French XV"!!
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/6-nation ... tory.shtml

I personally think he's way off the mark and as centre/wing Gael Fickou said," nobody expected England to win in Dublin, and they went and did just that. In life and sport, everything can change."
Sunday is going to be closer than we think, although I believe England will win, it'll be far from a walkover.

[Which Tyler]

This French journalist from Eurosport doesn't seem too confident referring to Twickenham is like a "slaughterhouse for the French XV"!!
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/6-nation ... tory.shtml

I personally think he's way off the mark and as centre/wing Gael Fickou said," nobody expected England to win in Dublin, and they went and did just that. In life and sport, everything can change."
Sunday is going to be closer than we think, although I believe England will win, it'll be far from a walkover.

It depends on which France turns up (I have so missed being able to say that).

[twitchy]

This French journalist from Eurosport doesn't seem too confident referring to Twickenham is like a "slaughterhouse for the French XV"!!
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/rugby/6-nation ... tory.shtml

I personally think he's way off the mark and as centre/wing Gael Fickou said," nobody expected England to win in Dublin, and they went and did just that. In life and sport, everything can change."
Sunday is going to be closer than we think, although I believe England will win, it'll be far from a walkover.

I think they looked brilliant in the first half and had wales on toast. Deciding not to throw suicidal huge passes from the second rows should be an easy mistake to cure.

[Scrumhead]

‘Brilliant’ is overly generous. They had some good moments, aided by Wales really not being at the races.

I’m not dismissing their threat. Form aside, France definitely have the ability and the bloody mindedness to be a banana skin for us, but I also think that their heads can drop if they go behind.

If we can make another fast start and put 10-14 points on the board early, I don’t see them coming back.

We’ve shown in several games recently that we can start very well. Saturday’s game, NZ and SA (on tour) are all good examples of that. We just need to do it again.

[francoisfou]

The last time England lost to France at HQ was on February 13th 2005, 17-18, and they shouldn't as they were 17-6 up at half time. Barkley and Hodgson missed 6 penalties between them whilst Yachvili kicked 6 penalties to win. Where was Sir Jonny on that day?

Check out this link. There were some great players in that French 23 including Chabal, Betsen, Pelous, Servat, Yachvili, Traille.
That England team wasn't half bad either.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_u ... 243757.stm