England vs USA on Patriotism Day!

[Puja]

Since the Scots have ruined our entertainment today, I thought I'd start the thread for our victory over the Yanks.

I'm hoping to see:

Genge
Langdon
Heyes
Wells
Ewels
Martin
BCurry
Dombrandt

Randall
Smith
Radwan
Lawrence
Marchant
Malins
Steward

Finishers Replacements: Rodd, Capon, Hill, Hill, Ludlow, Mitchell, Kelly, Lynagh

Mixture between wanting to get a decent side out, giving as many chances as possible to those who missed out due to today's cancellation and trying to tie down as much talent from Celtic/Aussie poaching as possible.

Puja

[Which Tyler]

Now that's a mouthwatering selection.
Not sure I like Hill at lock though - leave him on the flank where he belongs IMO - or are you moving Martin forwards to allow him on the pitch?

[Puja]

Now that's a mouthwatering selection.
Not sure I like Hill at lock though - leave him on the flank where he belongs IMO - or are you moving Martin forwards to allow him on the pitch?

It's as much a lack of other locks, tbh. I don't really see the value in capping McNally and it's very early for Munga (although I do like him as a prospect). Martin hasn't actually played any senior rugby at lock as far as I'm aware, while Hill has quite recently.

At some point, I want an England side with:
3. Hill
4. Hill
5. Hill
6. Underhill
12. Hill

just to screw up the commentators

[fivepointer]

I'd keep the same starting XV from the A game with the only change being Smith at FH.

Dombrandt and Marchant to the bench along with Umaga. So no place for Furbank, Coka and Ludlam. Sentiment says keep Davison on the bench but P Hill should really come in.

That way we keep disruption to a minimum, reward those in camp from the outset and build on the work done so far, give those denied a chance today an opportunity and bring in the 2 players most of us want to see capped.

[Mikey Brown]

I'd keep the same starting XV from the A game with the only change being Smith at FH.

Dombrandt and Marchant to the bench along with Umaga. So no place for Furbank, Coka and Ludlam. Sentiment says keep Davison on the bench but P Hill should really come in.

That way we keep disruption to a minimum, reward those in camp from the outset and build on the work done so far, give those denied a chance today an opportunity and bring in the 2 players most of us want to see capped.

Hmm. That does sound sensible. Really like the look of Puja's team though.

[Puja]

USA team named:



For those not familiar, it's a bit of a weird team. The back row is 3 x no 8s and Te'o on the right wing is a full-back by trade. Plus they've left their best player, Joe Taufete'e on the bench, probably to help their significantly weaker sub front row not get blown away.

Players to look out for - Ainu'u is very useful (plays for Toulouse) and Kruse is a very promising young wing with a good bit of power. They'll miss McGinty at 10 - Carty has potential, but is young and inexperienced.

Puja

[FKAS]

Te'o could be dangerous if they give him a free role off the wing. He's got good footwork and a low centre of gravity. Ideal for popping up off the shoulder like we've seen players like Murimurivalu do.

[Scrumhead]

England team named at 11.00.

I really hope Eddie doesn’t troll Marcus (and us) by starting Umaga.

[Raggs]

England team named at 11.00.

I really hope Eddie doesn’t troll Marcus (and us) by starting Umaga.

To be fair to him though, Marcus has probably only really been training with England since Tuesday (I presume pissed to the gills on Sunday, hungover like a dog on Monday). Even without that, it would have been Monday at best. Throwing him in as starter with less than a full weeks training with the squad, would seem pretty tough to me.

[Scrumhead]

If Marcus could only train for an hour I’d still pick him ahead of Umaga who IMO is lucky to even be there. He’s just not a test 10 in my estimation.

[Puja]

Te'o could be dangerous if they give him a free role off the wing. He's got good footwork and a low centre of gravity. Ideal for popping up off the shoulder like we've seen players like Murimurivalu do.

Aha! Fellow MLR fan? Join us on the North America board and save me from talking to Mellsblue!

Te'o always confuses the sh*t out of me watching him play because he's not built like a winger - he's short and squat, like a portly Jason Robinson. I never expect him to be able to move fast and then he does.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

England team named at 11.00.

I really hope Eddie doesn’t troll Marcus (and us) by starting Umaga.

To be fair to him though, Marcus has probably only really been training with England since Tuesday (I presume pissed to the gills on Sunday, hungover like a dog on Monday). Even without that, it would have been Monday at best. Throwing him in as starter with less than a full weeks training with the squad, would seem pretty tough to me.

That’s a good point. The celebrations appear to have gone the full weekend. I wonder which of the players getting called up would have been able to abstain.

[Banquo]

If Marcus could only train for an hour I’d still pick him ahead of Umaga who IMO is lucky to even be there. He’s just not a test 10 in my estimation.

agreed. Joe Simmonds should be in the squad.

[Scrumhead]

Agreed. Simmonds didn’t have an amazing season, but is still comfortably better than Umaga IMO.

[FKAS]

Te'o could be dangerous if they give him a free role off the wing. He's got good footwork and a low centre of gravity. Ideal for popping up off the shoulder like we've seen players like Murimurivalu do.

Aha! Fellow MLR fan? Join us on the North America board and save me from talking to Mellsblue!

Te'o always confuses the sh*t out of me watching him play because he's not built like a winger - he's short and squat, like a portly Jason Robinson. I never expect him to be able to move fast and then he does.

Puja

Sorry not watched any of the MLR, saw him at the World Cup and thought he was a stand out, surprised he didn't come over to Europe but have since heard he's doing well in the MLR.

[Mellsblue]

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
14. Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 38 caps)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 6 caps)
11. Max Malins (Saracens, 7 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, uncapped)
9. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 28 caps)
2. Curtis Langdon (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
3. Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
4. Josh McNally (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 21 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlow (C) (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 22 caps)
8. Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)

FINISHERS
16. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
17. Beno Obano (Bath Rugby, 1 cap)
18. Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
19. Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 1 cap)
20. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
21. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 8 caps)
22. Dan Robson (Wasps, 12 caps)
23. Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncapped)

[Mikey Brown]

Pfft. Alright I guess.

[Mellsblue]

9/10 axis excites me.

[Gloskarlos]

Not a lot wrong with that, its a decent mix.

[Mr Mwenda]

This US Te'o a relative of Ben?

[Epaminondas Pules]

A 6/2 split against the US makes literally no sense to me. Still I like the squad. Nice mix.

[Gloskarlos]

Who knew. A Glos player is current England captain...

[Digby]

Not much out and out pace. Surely the systems will prove beyond the USA come what may, but they're somewhat starting with a view that finishers belong on the bench not on the pitch.

[Which Tyler]

6 backrowers.
None of them called "Dombrandt"
None of them even a #8


How very Eddie

[Digby]

. Plus they've left their best player, Joe Taufete'e on the bench, probably to help their significantly weaker sub front row not get blown away.

The rise of the idea that the best front row should be on the bench continues