Team for Italy

[Peej]

Am I the only one expecting Eddie to NOT make any changes? To his mind, the only way to cure the rust of the Sarries players is for them to play. And the only way they can be match sharp for bigger tests is to play against Italy. Likewise the others who put in such a rank performance "need a chance to put things right"

Maybe a couple tweaks on the bench, but not sure anything above two or three across the the 23. Especially because so many people are calling for changes. Since when has Eddie ever done what the media ask for? He just digs in harder.

[Raggs]

I'm expecting the same team exactly.

[Digby]

I'm expecting the same team exactly.

We did lose those lineouts, so not even Lawes back in at 6?

[Raggs]

I'm expecting the same team exactly.

We did lose those lineouts, so not even Lawes back in at 6?

Don't make me cut you.

[fivepointer]

Am I the only one expecting Eddie to NOT make any changes? To his mind, the only way to cure the rust of the Sarries players is for them to play. And the only way they can be match sharp for bigger tests is to play against Italy. Likewise the others who put in such a rank performance "need a chance to put things right"

Maybe a couple tweaks on the bench, but not sure anything above two or three across the the 23. Especially because so many people are calling for changes. Since when has Eddie ever done what the media ask for? He just digs in harder.

Think that is entirely possible. Jones has never been one to make wholesale changes and he wont be starting now.

[Oakboy]

Press reports are that both Mako and Sinckler will be available (possibly leading to two current props dropping out of the 28). I'd be amazed if both did not start. Jones simply has to get par+ in the set-pieces.

I think Itoje and Hill will start at lock and that Lawes will come in at 6.

The bigger decisions will be who starts at 2 and 8. Normally, for line-out accuracy and consistency, George would be the automatic pick but LCD is match-fit and sharp. George is clearly not. IMO, Billy V should not be in the 23.

[Raggs]

Happy for Mako and Sink to come in and start, genge and stuart to bench.

[TheNomad]

I would really like some change, otherwise we're not learning anything at all

Genge/Obano
LCD
Stuart
Itoje
Hill
Curry
Two of: Earl/Wilson/Willis

Randall
Ford
May
Lawrence
Slade/Odogwu
Watson
Malins

We will never learn anything new, or develop, unless we try some new options.

Sadly, I would bet my bottom dollar that NOTHING will change, and we'll see something almost identical to before

[Digby]

I'm expecting the same team exactly.

We did lose those lineouts, so not even Lawes back in at 6?

Don't make me cut you.

I think one could take the view that Lawes added some direction and our lineout had come under too much pressure. Whilst myself I'd only accept our lineout was sub par you could argue both those ideas, and adjust selection accordingly

Judging on yesterday's game the Italy match is for the Wooden Spoon so it might not be the time to take a few risks in some eyes

[Digby]

One more, whilst I thought Eddie spoke well after the match noting there wasn't a single area of the game we did well in and Scotland totally deserved the win and for all the gut wrench within the squad they've got to get the players back up (unlike us lot who can wallow in our frustration) I was taken, if not surprised, with his take on what they'd work on, namely set piece and gainline. Nothing about working on attack and support

[Raggs]

Lawes did run well against a tiring defence, and I guess if we're determined not to actually run more than 2 phases and ignore 7v2 overlaps, then we don't actually need decent ability in the breakdown.

[Digby]

Apart from the times he didn't run well he ran well

[Raggs]

Apart from the times he didn't run well he ran well

Well yes, but I tend to view it that you're never going to be good every time, but some players seem to never be good at any time.

[Digby]

Apart from the times he didn't run well he ran well

Well yes, but I tend to view it that you're never going to be good every time, but some players seem to never be good at any time.

Doesn't help us much with the problem that when we did play a little, and looked like we actually did have some ability at rugby, our support play was woeful. But yes, if we're going to solve that problem by trying to play less it does add to the claim Lawes could come in

[Mikey Brown]

I feel like Italy is the only game Jones will view as a chance to get some of these guys back up to speed without so much pressure, so would be surprised to see too much change.

On paper the team is very good. Does he hope that he can play them out of their rustiness or bring in fresher guys for Italy knowing that some of the others will very likely still be undercooked come round 3?

Haven’t watched the game back yet, and I was a nervous wreck, but I’m also still a bit confused about the approach around seemingly not attacking the breakdown for turnovers that much.

We must kick because it’s bad to have the ball. It’s bad to have the ball because it’s so easy to get turned over under current regulations. Don’t we want to force teams to kick to us by attacking their breakdown?

[Oakboy]

I think the saddest reflection moment was the overlap/Farrell grubber - not so much because he kicked but because all the men outside him knew he would. They positioned themselves for a kick NOT a basic try-scoring run-in. I know nothing about England's training routines but if that was the fundamental mind-set there is no hope.

[Shiny]

My money is on same team. In Eddies brain it was his preparation that was bad, the players were the same ones that won the Autumn cup so nothing needs changing there.

[jngf]

Is a win against Italy really going to persuade anybody that Eddie’s taken need to change on board? - yes Eddie can pick same team and they could play just as badly and probably Still scrape a win next weekend but I won’t buy any of this nonsense that the Saturday performance was simply a one off aberration/bad day at the office.

[Stom]

My money is on same team. In Eddies brain it was his preparation that was bad, the players were the same ones that won the Autumn cup so nothing needs changing there.

Well he's right then, isn't he. It's his prep work and tactics that are an utter shambles at this point.

[fivepointer]

Wasnt this 6N all about developing our attacking game?

[Raggs]

Wasnt this 6N all about developing our attacking game?

He said after lions, and the fact our attack coach chose not to leave Aus for lockdown Britain won't have helped.

[stevedog1980]

You have a couple of difficult decisions with Billy V and Jamie George. If they don't play against Italy, they can't get match sharp for the tougher games. If they do play and fail to deliver then you've got a different problem.

When Lawes was coming on I had thought Billy V would be coming off, he was visibly knackered by that point and it would have made much more sense to shift Wilson to 8 and take Billy off.

I'm delighted we beat you and got a near 40 year old monkey off our back. Although England didn't play well, the weight of history is a difficult pressure to play against and I'm very relieved we saw the game out. I don't think we would have if it hadn't been the first game of the tournament and I'm sure you guys will offer much more in the coming weeks.

I don't hold much stock in the "anyone but England" mentality and if Scotland aren't playing I just want to watch good rugby and for the better team to win. Good luck in the rest of the tournament

[Mellsblue]

Good luck in the rest of the tournament

Thank you. We’re going to need it.

[Digby]

I just want to watch good rugby

Probably best to pick a different tournament, the 6N rarely delivers good rugby

[TheNomad]

You have a couple of difficult decisions with Billy V and Jamie George. If they don't play against Italy, they can't get match sharp for the tougher games. If they do play and fail to deliver then you've got a different problem.

When Lawes was coming on I had thought Billy V would be coming off, he was visibly knackered by that point and it would have made much more sense to shift Wilson to 8 and take Billy off.

I'm delighted we beat you and got a near 40 year old monkey off our back. Although England didn't play well, the weight of history is a difficult pressure to play against and I'm very relieved we saw the game out. I don't think we would have if it hadn't been the first game of the tournament and I'm sure you guys will offer much more in the coming weeks.

I don't hold much stock in the "anyone but England" mentality and if Scotland aren't playing I just want to watch good rugby and for the better team to win. Good luck in the rest of the tournament

Very magnanimous! You were clearly the better side and I think a 20/25 point margin would have been much more reflective

Likewise, good luck for the rest of the tournament