Australia vs England - First Test

[Mikey Brown]

Hmm

15. Freddie Steward

14. Jack Nowell

13. Joe Marchant

12. Owen Farrell

11. Joe Cokanasiga

10. Marcus Smith

9. Danny Care

1. Ellis Genge

2. Jamie George

3. Will Stuart

4. Maro Itoje

5. Jonny Hill

6. Courtney Lawes (C)

7. Tom Curry

8. Billy Vunipola

Finishers

16. Luke Cowan-Dickie

17. Mako Vunipola

18. Joe Heyes

19. Ollie Chessum

20. Lewis Ludlam

21. Jack van Poortlviet

22. Guy Porter

23. Henry Arundell

Pretty much as expected then 0 caps covering the backs from the bench. Shame for Freeman. I wonder what situation might see any of those backs come on. I like Porter but got to say I hadn't really looked at him as a test player. Pack as expected really and great options off the bench.

Somehow didn't spot Care starting and Randall not making the 23. Didn't expect that either.

[SDHoneymonster]

Dare I say it... I think that looks good?

[ad_tigger]

Dare I say it... I think that looks good?

That was my immediate thought too.

[Mellsblue]

90% as expected and 10% classic Eddie.

[Mellsblue]

Shame for Freeman.

Agreed. One of a small number of bright spots from the Baabaas debacle.

[Mellsblue]

Also, not a complete surprise as it was mentioned as a possibility numerous times but Lawes remains capt.

[SDHoneymonster]

I think Jeffries is actually Aussie by birth so maybe Eddie wanted to give him a trip home? A bit of a leftfield pick, but with the possible exception of Tizard who hasn’t been involved in any England squads, I guess there isn’t really a like-for-like lock to draft in. Jeffries has been in camp so at least has that in his favour. I’d have much preferred Ted Hill though.

Hopefully Ewels’ injury means that Isiekwe or Chessum get more opportunities. I wonder if we’ll see Lawes used as a lock now too?

Interesting Aussie side - Dave Porecki (formerly of London Irish) and Caderyn Neville (a 33yr old lock) on dayboo.

https://www.smh.com.au/sport/rugby-unio ... 5amz2.html

Good article here on Porecki. I could've sworn he was mentioned as a possibility for a training camp or two earlier on in Eddie's tenure; there was a clutch of England-qualified Aussies that flooded the Premiership a while back - McCaffrey, Porecki, Hoskins, Meakes - who all seemed to be on the cusp of call-ups if the papers were to be believed, only for none of them to ever actually come to pass.

[Oakboy]

Surprised LCD is not starting. I thought George looked below his best in play-off final.

[Oakboy]

Also, not a complete surprise as it was mentioned as a possibility numerous times but Lawes remains capt.

A positive, I'd say. It opens up the possibility that Farrell could be replaced at some point in the match.

[Mellsblue]

Also, not a complete surprise as it was mentioned as a possibility numerous times but Lawes remains capt.

A positive, I'd say. It opens up the possibility that Farrell could be replaced at some point in the match.

Dors, I admire you’re optimism.

[Puja]

Also, not a complete surprise as it was mentioned as a possibility numerous times but Lawes remains capt.

A positive, I'd say. It opens up the possibility that Farrell could be replaced at some point in the match.

I'd say a massive positive in terms of not having Farrell being belligerent and offputting to the referee. Lawes is so much better at speakin to them.

The XV is pretty much as expected, but that bench is wild. Arundell being parachuted in despite not playing Barbarians, JVP picked ahead of Randall (who I don't much care for as an England player, but he's a hell of a lot more ready for this level than JVP), Porter in from absolutely nowhere to be on the bench.

I can only conclude that we've had a COVID outbreak that's ruled out the likes of May, Freeman, Furbank, Randall, etc.

Puja

[Puja]

Shifted this into its own thread just for ease of use.

Mod

[FKAS]

Surprised LCD is not starting. I thought George looked below his best in play-off final.

I don't think he played badly, his team lost the tactical battle and so he didn't get chance for any of his trademark rumbles. Lineout was fairly good and scrum went well. The bench looks impact heavy so that may well have had a bearing on the decision as well, LCD will offer more second half impetus.

[fivepointer]

Starting XV is as expected bar Cokanasiga for May (who must still be poorly). Lawes as captain is a definite bonus. Bench bothers me a bit and surprised there's no Randall or Freeman. I would have had Willis and Dingwall in there.

[FKAS]

Also, not a complete surprise as it was mentioned as a possibility numerous times but Lawes remains capt.

A positive, I'd say. It opens up the possibility that Farrell could be replaced at some point in the match.

I'd say a massive positive in terms of not having Farrell being belligerent and offputting to the referee. Lawes is so much better at speakin to them.

The XV is pretty much as expected, but that bench is wild. Arundell being parachuted in despite not playing Barbarians, JVP picked ahead of Randall (who I don't much care for as an England player, but he's a hell of a lot more ready for this level than JVP), Porter in from absolutely nowhere to be on the bench.

I can only conclude that we've had a COVID outbreak that's ruled out the likes of May, Freeman, Furbank, Randall, etc.

Puja

Eddie with the left field bench selection most definitely.

Porter allows the gamble in the 23 shirt, in this case Arundell. If Eddie doesn't have a cover all potential gaps option at 22 then he can't take the risk on having Arundell there. I also suspect we'll see a Farrell to 10 and Porter to crash ball 12 in the second half at some point.

JVP is a shock inclusion, fully expected Randall to start as opposed to being dropped completely. He must be injured. JVP is shaky in certain areas and if the Aussies know anything about him they'll be targeting him with little kicks when he's in the sweeper role. Otherwise his kicking game is the best of the three scrum halfs and his passing game probably as good as Care's. His game management and decision making will certainly be under the microscope, particularly if Care plays as badly as he did Vs the Baabaas and Eddie goes to the bench early.

Covid outbreak is a good shout but I'd hope we wouldn't need that to not select Furbank.

[Puja]

A positive, I'd say. It opens up the possibility that Farrell could be replaced at some point in the match.

I'd say a massive positive in terms of not having Farrell being belligerent and offputting to the referee. Lawes is so much better at speakin to them.

The XV is pretty much as expected, but that bench is wild. Arundell being parachuted in despite not playing Barbarians, JVP picked ahead of Randall (who I don't much care for as an England player, but he's a hell of a lot more ready for this level than JVP), Porter in from absolutely nowhere to be on the bench.

I can only conclude that we've had a COVID outbreak that's ruled out the likes of May, Freeman, Furbank, Randall, etc.

Puja

Eddie with the left field bench selection most definitely.

Porter allows the gamble in the 23 shirt, in this case Arundell. If Eddie doesn't have a cover all potential gaps option at 22 then he can't take the risk on having Arundell there. I also suspect we'll see a Farrell to 10 and Porter to crash ball 12 in the second half at some point.

JVP is a shock inclusion, fully expected Randall to start as opposed to being dropped completely. He must be injured. JVP is shaky in certain areas and if the Aussies know anything about him they'll be targeting him with little kicks when he's in the sweeper role. Otherwise his kicking game is the best of the three scrum halfs and his passing game probably as good as Care's. His game management and decision making will certainly be under the microscope, particularly if Care plays as badly as he did Vs the Baabaas and Eddie goes to the bench early.

Covid outbreak is a good shout but I'd hope we wouldn't need that to not select Furbank.

I quite like Furbank as a player - not enough that I'd select him ahead of Steward (or to move Steward out of position), but I'd certainly select him ahead of Arundell as things stand. I just don't see how Arundell can be picked here when not against the Barbarians - if he's selected on merit, then surely the more game time we could get into him, the better.

I mean, I sincerely hope Arundell thrives, and just steps up to the higher level and becomes a superstar. However, chucking him in at the deep end and hoping he's got enough experience to stay afloat seems a very cavalier way to treat what might be one of the most promising talents we've ever had. I do hope it doesn't break him.

Puja

[Banquo]

Starting XV is as expected bar Cokanasiga for May (who must still be poorly). Lawes as captain is a definite bonus. Bench bothers me a bit and surprised there's no Randall or Freeman. I would have had Willis and Dingwall in there.

Freeman Dingwall and Willis would have been my bench options as well as being a 70's shopping chain.

Pleasing yet concerning to see Arundell and JVP benching tho.

Two sick notes on the wing too. Bit lacking in pace all round in the backs- in fact a lot lacking.

[Peej]

90% as expected and 10% classic Eddie.

Even the as expected is a bit depressing. We look weak at tighthead, the backrow is meh, and the backs replacements are just odd.

[Banquo]

90% as expected and 10% classic Eddie.

Even the as expected is a bit depressing. We look weak at tighthead, the backrow is meh, and the backs replacements are just odd.

Not to mention the midfield isn't worrying anyone, except me . Bit harsh on the backrow- Lawes has become a pretty decent 6, Curry is a proven operator and Billy on form is a very good 8.

[FKAS]

90% as expected and 10% classic Eddie.

Even the as expected is a bit depressing. We look weak at tighthead, the backrow is meh, and the backs replacements are just odd.

Both of ours would walk into the Aussie 23. Allatatoa isn't a bad prop but I'll be disappointed if he gains an upper hand on Genge. Slipper on the bench really should be in his slippers these days. He wasn't the greatest in his day.

Tighthead is a position where we've got lots of potential but are light on international experience. Unless the Polar Bear is allowed back into the fold. This tour is a great opportunity for Stuart and Heyes to bank some meaningful game time. Stuart ended the 6N well and Heyes is solid with a big work rate. I'm pretty pleased Sinckler isn't touring this summer as experience here will help us long term and the Aussie scrum shouldn't be able to target us here (fingers crossed).

[Oakboy]

Care/JVP with Randall nowhere, Youngs not in the squad and Quirke unfit! As a progressive process towards a 9/21 selection for the RWC, it seems a bit scattergun. I suppose it further condemns Robson and Spencer.

[Oakboy]

I have only read that Ewels is out with a knee injury - no details. Does that mean that both he and Dombrandt have been broken in training with similar issues?

[Banquo]

I have only read that Ewels is out with a knee injury - no details. Does that mean that both he and Dombrandt have been broken in training with similar issues?

long season

[Stom]

90% as expected and 10% classic Eddie.

Even the as expected is a bit depressing. We look weak at tighthead, the backrow is meh, and the backs replacements are just odd.

Not to mention the midfield isn't worrying anyone, except me . Bit harsh on the backrow- Lawes has become a pretty decent 6, Curry is a proven operator and Billy on form is a very good 8.

Maybe the backs selection is because that backrow is not getting around to support any fliers…

A real interesting team. No pace, plenty of “flair” and a lot more threats than we’ve become used to.

I like it, in general.

[Mikey Brown]

No reason that midfield couldn’t be very effective to be honest.

Somehow completely missed that Farrell isn’t captain anymore. Now leaves us wedded to Lawes at 6 somewhat but definitely a positive move I think.

I hope with this backrow we can see a bit more of what Curry used to do than just him slamming in to brick walls.

Really interested to see how Cokanisiga goes and how (well) we use him. He’s had an odd reintroduction to the game after such a long time out. Not actually seen him do a lot with the ball but is obviously a different kind of physical threat and keeps scoring tries, even if they do mostly look like walk-ins.