Squad named

[fivepointer]

Just got to put who and what number on the back burner and concentrate on the performance. I am far more interested in what happens on the pitch than sweating over who gets handed which shirt ............. at this stage of SB's tenure.

(better not be Faz and 12)

Yeah i agree with this. Injuries may force SB's hand, or it may be that those who he was going to pick are going to be available. I didnt see Kelly as an automatic choice, much as i would have liked to have seen him selected.
Farrell is earmarked for 10 and having selected Tuilagi it would surely be quite a surprise if he wasnt picked. Likewise Youngs, who i have a feeling will start.
I'm not going to get too hung up on most selections without seeing how the coaching team can get the best out of them..

[p/d]

Just got to put who and what number on the back burner and concentrate on the performance. I am far more interested in what happens on the pitch than sweating over who gets handed which shirt ............. at this stage of SB's tenure.

(better not be Faz and 12)

On one hand I get what you’re saying, it’s important we have the right attitude, direction, clarity etc. but surely you can’t separate that from the 15 players who are picked?

Maybe the fact we’re all so unable to find a consensus on any (or all but a handful of) the shirts means they’re all close enough in quality that it doesn’t matter?

There is still potential for horribly imbalanced selections though, even when picking good individuals. That’s more of what concerns me. A backrow or midfield with the wrong balance could easily tip this game in the wrong direction.

Agree. That said it will take a monumental F...up to get an unbalanced pack. I think, realistically, the one concern is the same old same old hence my 'disappointment' regards Kelly.

Back 3 generally looks good, even if you pulled names out of a hat.

[Which Tyler]

Back 3 generally looks good, even if you pulled names out of a hat.

Marchant, Tuilagi and Lawrence have all been capped on the wing before...

[p/d]

Back 3 generally looks good, even if you pulled names out of a hat.

Marchant, Tuilagi and Lawrence have all been capped on the wing before...

... you just had to ................(wasn't Youngs as well?)

[Spiffy]

Just got to put who and what number on the back burner and concentrate on the performance. I am far more interested in what happens on the pitch than sweating over who gets handed which shirt ............. at this stage of SB's tenure.

(better not be Faz and 12)

Yeah i agree with this. Injuries may force SB's hand, or it may be that those who he was going to pick are going to be available. I didnt see Kelly as an automatic choice, much as i would have liked to have seen him selected.
Farrell is earmarked for 10 and having selected Tuilagi it would surely be quite a surprise if he wasnt picked. Likewise Youngs, who i have a feeling will start.
I'm not going to get too hung up on most selections without seeing how the coaching team can get the best out of them..

Faz/Manu/Youngs --- hope England takes all three to Dublin at the end of the tournament

[Oakboy]

Just got to put who and what number on the back burner and concentrate on the performance. I am far more interested in what happens on the pitch than sweating over who gets handed which shirt ............. at this stage of SB's tenure.

(better not be Faz and 12)

That's a fair point but the biggest fear is that multiple injuries leave no room for change/improvement/performance. SB forced to pick the same individuals just might end up with the same crap rugby and a similar set of results. I don't think there can be change without change!!

[Banquo]

squad trimmed- notable absentee is .....Jack Willis.

FFS

dunn,mitchell, murley, rodd and Heyes also gone

[Mikey Brown]

Dunn is still there (?) and Hill is gone (!).

I wonder how much the Willis decision was access or injury?

Shame for Murley…

[Mikey Brown]

[FKAS]

squad trimmed- notable absentee is .....Jack Willis.

FFS

dunn,mitchell, murley, rodd and Heyes also gone

So what we thinking then?

Genge, George, Cole
Ribbans, Itoje
Isiekwe, Ludlam (at 8), B Curry
Youngs, Farrell
Manu, Lawrence
Marchant, Steward - on the wings
Malins

Walker, Vunipola, Sinckler, Earl, Chessum, Dombrandt, JVP, Smith.

Three locks, openside at 8, Y/F halfback combo, centre and Steward on the wings and 6/2 bench split. I think that covers everyone's favourite combinations from recent years.

[francoisfou]

squad trimmed- notable absentee is .....Jack Willis.

FFS x1

dunn,mitchell, murley, rodd and Heyes also gone

[p/d]

Really pleased to se Ribbans and Lawrence still there. Would have been in my initial squad.

Willis is a strange one, but maybe SB wants continuity at training ...... who knows. Back 3 still set to be tickety

B Curry to blitz Twickenham

[Banquo]

Dunn is still there (?) and Hill is gone (!).

I wonder how much the Willis decision was access or injury?

Shame for Murley…

blimey, missed Hill. big call.

[Banquo]

squad trimmed- notable absentee is .....Jack Willis.

FFS

dunn,mitchell, murley, rodd and Heyes also gone

So what we thinking then?

Genge, George, Cole
Ribbans, Itoje
Isiekwe, Ludlam (at 8), B Curry
Youngs, Farrell
Manu, Lawrence
Marchant, Steward - on the wings
Malins

Walker, Vunipola, Sinckler, Earl, Chessum, Dombrandt, JVP, Smith.

Three locks, openside at 8, Y/F halfback combo, centre and Steward on the wings and 6/2 bench split. I think that covers everyone's favourite combinations from recent years.

good work

which Smith

[fivepointer]

Presumably Dunn retained in case George isnt fit. Surprised Hill has been omitted and Isiekwe retained. Still think there's a chance we'll see Chessum at 6.
Tough on Willis and Murley.
We know the props at least and i'd be surprised if Genge and Cole dont start. Back row could go a number of ways, as could the wingers. Cant see Fin Smith being involved but the experience will do him no harm.

[p/d]

Presumably Dunn retained in case George isnt fit. Surprised Hill has been omitted and Isiekwe retained. Still think there's a chance we'll see Chessum at 6.
Tough on Willis and Murley.
We know the props at least and i'd be surprised if Genge and Cole dont start. Back row could go a number of ways, as could the wingers. Cant see Fin Smith being involved but the experience will do him no harm.

Noooooooo!!!!

[Banquo]

Presumably Dunn retained in case George isnt fit. Surprised Hill has been omitted and Isiekwe retained. Still think there's a chance we'll see Chessum at 6.
Tough on Willis and Murley.
We know the props at least and i'd be surprised if Genge and Cole dont start. Back row could go a number of ways, as could the wingers. Cant see Fin Smith being involved but the experience will do him no harm.

Noooooooo!!!!

apparently it doesn't matter who gets what shirt

[p/d]

Presumably Dunn retained in case George isnt fit. Surprised Hill has been omitted and Isiekwe retained. Still think there's a chance we'll see Chessum at 6.
Tough on Willis and Murley.
We know the props at least and i'd be surprised if Genge and Cole dont start. Back row could go a number of ways, as could the wingers. Cant see Fin Smith being involved but the experience will do him no harm.

Noooooooo!!!!

apparently it doesn't matter who gets what shirt

I don't know what you mean

[FKAS]

squad trimmed- notable absentee is .....Jack Willis.

FFS

dunn,mitchell, murley, rodd and Heyes also gone

So what we thinking then?

Genge, George, Cole
Ribbans, Itoje
Isiekwe, Ludlam (at 8), B Curry
Youngs, Farrell
Manu, Lawrence
Marchant, Steward - on the wings
Malins

Walker, Vunipola, Sinckler, Earl, Chessum, Dombrandt, JVP, Smith.

Three locks, openside at 8, Y/F halfback combo, centre and Steward on the wings and 6/2 bench split. I think that covers everyone's favourite combinations from recent years.

good work

which Smith

Hmm Fin would provide more shit housery with the ability to cap him against the team that tried to convince him to plat for them, then drop him the following weekend obviously. Marcus being the more logical option though to see deployed in the back three after the inevitable injury there following a 6/2 split. I'm torn.

[Mellsblue]

Supposedly, Isiekwe has been running at 6 in training…

[Danno]

Another tournament of watching Mako get his head shoved up his arse then.

The potential backrow doesn't spark joy.

[Margin_Walker]

Times reckon B Curry and OHC are starting

[Peej]

Starting B Curry over Willis, or even Earl, is just bizarre

[FKAS]

Starting B Curry over Willis, or even Earl, is just bizarre

Ben Curry's form recently, particularly in the Prem, has been outstanding. Overshadowing his brother.

Willis had to be released back to Toulouse last weekend. Perhaps missing the time on camp for that has ended up counting against him with Curry in such good form.

[p/d]

Supposedly, Isiekwe has been running at 6 in training…

Doesn’t matter who gets what shirt



As long as a 6 plays at 6 and a 12 at 12