England V NZ

[Banquo]

I'm hoping for something like this from Eddie;

Genge, George, Sinckler
Hill, Itoje
Willis, Vunipola, Curry
JVP, Smith
Farrell, Manu
May, Steward, Freeman

LCD, Mako, Stuart, Coles, Simmonds, Youngs, Slade, Porter

That would of course require Eddie to acknowledge we don't need a lock sized blindside for every game. Coles offers good lines in attack, ditto Simmonds. I don't think this will be a game decided before the final quarter and having that impact will help and obviously Two Try Guy is there as well. Some pace on both wings with both good under the high ball is going to be key for this one as well.

Guardian reckons Itoje will go back to lock, but only to make room for Simmonds and BillyV to play in the same back row. Not entirely sure how Eddie looks at JWillis and doesn't see him as one of the first names on the teamsheet.

Puja

Me neither. If Lawes was fit, I could understand him being in at 6 and captain. Since he’s not, the obvious option was to play Curry and Willis in tandem (doesn’t matter who wears 6 or 7).

With NZ struggling at the breakdown vs. Scotland, I’d like to think Willis is at least in contention to start. I doubt he will though.

It would be harsh to drop Simmonds after last weekend, but if we’re looking at ‘horses for courses’, I’m really not sure playing him as a flanker is the way to go.

Yes, love to see Willis and Curry together. With Billy, assuming he can get some glue on his hands.

[Banquo]

I'm hoping for something like this from Eddie;

Genge, George, Sinckler
Hill, Itoje
Willis, Vunipola, Curry
JVP, Smith
Farrell, Manu
May, Steward, Freeman

LCD, Mako, Stuart, Coles, Simmonds, Youngs, Slade, Porter

That would of course require Eddie to acknowledge we don't need a lock sized blindside for every game. Coles offers good lines in attack, ditto Simmonds. I don't think this will be a game decided before the final quarter and having that impact will help and obviously Two Try Guy is there as well. Some pace on both wings with both good under the high ball is going to be key for this one as well.

Definitely the pack and pack replacements I'd like to see. I'd like to give Faz, Slade, Manu a go in midfield- and believe me it hurt to write Faz down there- Slade and Manu can mix it up in midfield. It won't happen.

[Scrumhead]

Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

[Oakboy]

Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

Agreed. I don't think Coka has quite lived up to expectation but that does not mean that he can't improve. He looks functional and effective rather than a major threat - based on his two games in the AIs. Maybe it was wrong to expect him to trample over opposing defenders but if he was stopped comfortably by his first tackler from Argentina and Japan, how much of a threat would he be against NZ in current form?

I'd pick May, Watson, Daly and Freeman ahead of him without a second thought. Also, I maintain that Nowell and Coka is not a balanced pairing. Selecting Nowell at all is another debate (I would have him ahead of Coka but not the other four).

[Banquo]

Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

See earlier comments about Coka…not from you.

And as I said, in the mix with others. No other option has his power though.

[Banquo]

Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

Agreed. I don't think Coka has quite lived up to expectation but that does not mean that he can't improve. He looks functional and effective rather than a major threat - based on his two games in the AIs. Maybe it was wrong to expect him to trample over opposing defenders but if he was stopped comfortably by his first tackler from Argentina and Japan, how much of a threat would he be against NZ in current form?

I'd pick May, Watson, Daly and Freeman ahead of him without a second thought. Also, I maintain that Nowell and Coka is not a balanced pairing. Selecting Nowell at all is another debate (I would have him ahead of Coka but not the other four).

Don’t think he was stopped comfortably v Argentina based on yards made and defenders beaten. Nowell I agree shouldn’t be in the mix if he is. I don’t think he should be at all.

[TheNomad]

I think we should move on from Nowell

We should be testing/selecting from some mixture of (in no particular order) Radwan, Freeman, Arundell, Loader, OHC, Murley, and Sleighthome (possibly, but probably not).

And I don't know why Daly is out of the picture of the squad more generally, whether at wing or 13.

[morepork]

Centres are one of our major weaknesses, and the coach, and I hope to fork you keep Farrell at 12 to counter our comedy handling there with some angry bad decision making and pissing off the ref.

[Oakboy]

Centres are one of our major weaknesses, and the coach, and I hope to fork you keep Farrell at 12 to counter our comedy handling there with some angry bad decision making and pissing off the ref.

I'm sure Jones will oblige!

[p/d]

Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

That’s probably the more balanced view.

I just don’t think as highly of Coka as others seem to. Certainly don’t peg him as first choice

[Banquo]

Not sure saying that Freeman is a better all round player is really ‘flak’ against Cokanasiga?

I think Cokanasiga is a good player. I just happen to think Freeman (and a few others) offer more.

That’s probably the more balanced view.

I just don’t think as highly of Coka as others seem to. Certainly don’t peg him as first choice

Don't think I did. Just said he should be in the mix, and he has played well in the AI's, especially given the correct stick being handed out to our midfield and tactics. He certainly deserves more praise than no chase sick note Jack

[Mellsblue]

Starters
15. Freddie Steward
14. Jack Nowell (VC)
13. Manu Tuilagi
12. Owen Farrell (C)
11. Jonny May
10. Marcus Smith
9. Jack van Poortvliet
1. Ellis Genge (VC)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Maro Itoje
5. Jonny Hill
6. Sam Simmonds
7. Tom Curry
8. Billy Vunipola

Finishers
16. Jamie George
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Will Stuart
19. David Ribbans
20. Jack Willis
21. Ben Youngs
22. Guy Porter
23. Henry Slade

[Peej]

I don't get picking Simmonds as a flanker, particularly over Willis. And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

Not sure what more Coles could have done. Hill has been decidedly average.

[francoisfou]

I don't get picking Simmonds as a flanker, particularly over Willis. And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

Not sure what more Coles could have done. Hill has been decidedly average.

+1 Is there a serious line-out option in this back row?

[Banquo]

Pfft. Predictably mundane backline. Feel sorry for Coles a bit, but pleased for Willis. I think Hill/Ribbans are there because they are tight head locks.

Backrow is a mystery. Be interesting to see if Simmonds can make any impact against a top team, but playing him at 6 seems odd, given how he plays for club. George should start- NZ will be looking to attack the lineout given our back row- mind, not sure they'll have three jumpers either.

Slade and Porter on the bench (though the latter is obviously in case Manu sick notes again) seems a missed opportunity- why not Freeman there.

All a little off for me.

[Mellsblue]

I don't get picking Simmonds as a flanker, particularly over Willis. And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

Not sure what more Coles could have done. Hill has been decidedly average.

+1 Is there a serious line-out option in this back row?

+2
Nowell’s continual selection mystifies me. Beyond being very lazy and therefore setting a bad example as vc, I’m not sure what he’s achieved in the last two matches. I also wonder how long a leash the Smith-Ford partnership will be given. I could understand if there have been flashes of it working but, imo, there hasn’t even been that. As for my usual bugbear, it’s all a bit plodding in the backline, especially if May gets injured.

[Puja]

Seems wild to have two 13s on the bench. Would surely have made more sense to have Freeman to inject a bit of pace if needed.

Nice to see JVP trusted though. Might be the beginning of the end for BYoungs with England if he plays well.

Puja

[Banquo]

Seems wild to have two 13s on the bench. Would surely have made more sense to have Freeman to inject a bit of pace if needed.

Nice to see JVP trusted though. Might be the beginning of the end for BYoungs with England if he plays well.

Puja

Porter is like for like v sicknote Manu, and Slade is a decent 15....but yes, Slade and Freeman looks a better bet. Or even Porter and Freeman.

But ending up with say Youngs, Smith, Steward, Faz, Porter, Nowell, Slade doesn't fill one with glee.

[Mellsblue]

Nice to see JVP trusted though. Might be the beginning of the end for BYoungs with England if he plays well.

Puja

I had a worry that Youngs would be back now we are playing the big boys again but I happily surprised.
‘If he plays well’ is wholly dependent on the length of the leash. Youngs’ is measured in miles but his replacements’ in mm. The mixing up of measurement systems/units is done on purpose to convey my deep frustration and annoyance with the situation.

[Beasties]

Struggling to get my head round Stuart all of a sudden being fit enough for international rugby after how many minutes back? Has even played for Bath yet?

Hoping for JVP over Youngs seemed a fool’s wish but I’m delighted with that selection as a result. Small yay for Ribbans still being in the frame. Even smaller yay for Willis not having been sent home, Simmonds at 6 is utterly mystifying though. And then no yay at all for Nowell still being picked in spite of not being up to international rugby despite relevance at club level. Nothing against the lad but time to move on please.

[francoisfou]

I’m surprised that Mako V’s name is still there. For a while I’ve thought that his scrummaging isn’t of Test level, and against the ABs and maybe the Boks, he may get found out.

[twitchy]

I don't get picking Simmonds as a flanker, particularly over Willis. And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

Not sure what more Coles could have done. Hill has been decidedly average.

CM speculating that he will rotate with billy at the base of the scrum.

[p/d]

And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

Yep. Two more games go by fiddling with the backrow. And now we try something else different. Come on Jones, we should be close to a Holy Trinity by now!!!

[p/d]

I don't get picking Simmonds as a flanker, particularly over Willis. And Itoje reverting to lock for our most important game shows what a balls that whole idea was, it's not like the same players weren't available.

Not sure what more Coles could have done. Hill has been decidedly average.

CM speculating that he will rotate with billy at the base of the scrum.

Phew!! and there was me worrying we might have missed a trick not starting Willis and Curry

[p/d]

I’m surprised that Mako V’s name is still there.

As is Mako