Team for Italy

[Timbo]

Genge
Mako
George
Walker
Dunn
Sinckler
Cole
Itoje
Chessum
Ribbans
Isiekwe
Ludlam
Willis
Earl
Dombrandt

Puja

Dan Cole at open side is pretty punchy.

[Puja]

Genge
Mako
George
Walker
Dunn
Sinckler
Cole
Itoje
Chessum
Ribbans
Isiekwe
Ludlam
Willis
Earl
Dombrandt

Puja

Dan Cole at open side is pretty punchy.

Itoje at 8?! Gods that brings back memories.

Puja

[Peej]

Will Willis go straight into the team or will Earl be promoted from the bench? Unless of course Dommers is on the bench and Earl plays 8

[Tom Moore]

Freeman at 12 eventually? Saw some online commentary on the idea. Size, handling; runs a good line and a good inside defender.

Was that the one which said that, if Earl and Simmonds had been from countries that teach forwards to handle, they'd potentially both be 12s?

So backline full of fullbacks still a goer then? I think Jones suggested Freeman could play 13 and SCW that Steward was the long term answer at 12.

10. Furbank
11. Arundell
12. Steward
13. Freeman
14. Watson
15. Malins

Couple of playmakers, both centres can carry hard and on good lines. We'd be great under the high ball and the crossfield would always be on.

Serious pace on the wings too. We've probably had worse back lines.

[FKAS]

Was that the one which said that, if Earl and Simmonds had been from countries that teach forwards to handle, they'd potentially both be 12s?

So backline full of fullbacks still a goer then? I think Jones suggested Freeman could play 13 and SCW that Steward was the long term answer at 12.

10. Furbank
11. Arundell
12. Steward
13. Freeman
14. Watson
15. Malins

Couple of playmakers, both centres can carry hard and on good lines. We'd be great under the high ball and the crossfield would always be on.

Move Malins to 14 and put Carpenter at 15 and then you'd have a full backline of players who have actually played 15.

Actually, JVP's gone to fullback for Leicester before, so we've got a 9 as well.

Puja

It's not a position he normally plays but Watson has played there this season and that way the entire backline is also already capped by England though it probably won't be that much longer for Carpenter.

[ckeyn]

"Henry Slade is primed to come into the starting midfield, most likely in the place of Joe Marchant at centre, barring a late change of heart from the England coaches. Slade and Henry Arundell – the 20-year-old back-three starlet from London Irish – have been kept in camp, while Anthony Watson has been left out. Arundell is likely to replace Watson on the substitutes’ bench.

In the forwards, The Times understands that Jack Willis, the Toulouse flanker, is in line to start against the Italians to help England turnover the ball at rucks. Willis was retained in the 29-man squad on Wednesday as Ben Curry, the Sale Sharks back row who started at open-side flanker in the 29-23 defeat to Scotland, was left out."

So Smith - Farrell - Slade...

[Mikey Brown]

"Henry Slade is primed to come into the starting midfield, most likely in the place of Joe Marchant at centre, barring a late change of heart from the England coaches. Slade and Henry Arundell – the 20-year-old back-three starlet from London Irish – have been kept in camp, while Anthony Watson has been left out. Arundell is likely to replace Watson on the substitutes’ bench.

In the forwards, The Times understands that Jack Willis, the Toulouse flanker, is in line to start against the Italians to help England turnover the ball at rucks. Willis was retained in the 29-man squad on Wednesday as Ben Curry, the Sale Sharks back row who started at open-side flanker in the 29-23 defeat to Scotland, was left out."

So Smith - Farrell - Slade...

You feeling that won’t fix all the issues with the midfield?

Something about Dombrandt’s performance reminded me a bit of Slade’s first dozen caps or so. Remember when he was that promising club player with the unbelievable skills and then played for England all he could do was knock it on? Strange how that happens.

Don’t mistake this for me making any kind of point. Just an observation really.

He’s a good player now. I just can’t see how sticking him outside Smith/Farrell is the answer to anything.

[Puja]

"Henry Slade is primed to come into the starting midfield, most likely in the place of Joe Marchant at centre, barring a late change of heart from the England coaches. Slade and Henry Arundell – the 20-year-old back-three starlet from London Irish – have been kept in camp, while Anthony Watson has been left out. Arundell is likely to replace Watson on the substitutes’ bench.

In the forwards, The Times understands that Jack Willis, the Toulouse flanker, is in line to start against the Italians to help England turnover the ball at rucks. Willis was retained in the 29-man squad on Wednesday as Ben Curry, the Sale Sharks back row who started at open-side flanker in the 29-23 defeat to Scotland, was left out."

So Smith - Farrell - Slade...

Oh, dear gods no.

I'm hoping this is Smith or Farrell to the bench and Slade getting partnered with a centre. That'd work.

Puja

[p/d]

I can only assume that Willis and Slade were first choice from the outset. Both absent last week for different reasons. I think Slade has shown he is perfect for slipping back into fb when Steward goes forward - and Steward free to do this is the Steward who is top drawer.

Slade has also become more vocal and in his last few appearances appeared to be orchestrating the backs. Having retained Lawrence, Manu and Marchant I am starting to believe we will have a change at 12

[Puja]

So backline full of fullbacks still a goer then? I think Jones suggested Freeman could play 13 and SCW that Steward was the long term answer at 12.

10. Furbank
11. Arundell
12. Steward
13. Freeman
14. Watson
15. Malins

Couple of playmakers, both centres can carry hard and on good lines. We'd be great under the high ball and the crossfield would always be on.

Move Malins to 14 and put Carpenter at 15 and then you'd have a full backline of players who have actually played 15.

Actually, JVP's gone to fullback for Leicester before, so we've got a 9 as well.

Puja

It's not a position he normally plays but Watson has played there this season and that way the entire backline is also already capped by England though it probably won't be that much longer for Carpenter.

Ancient running board joke about people touting other players who'd never played full-back at 15 ahead of Watson back when he was nothing but a full-back for Bath.

Puja

[FKAS]

Move Malins to 14 and put Carpenter at 15 and then you'd have a full backline of players who have actually played 15.

Actually, JVP's gone to fullback for Leicester before, so we've got a 9 as well.

Puja

It's not a position he normally plays but Watson has played there this season and that way the entire backline is also already capped by England though it probably won't be that much longer for Carpenter.

Ancient running board joke about people touting other players who'd never played full-back at 15 ahead of Watson back when he was nothing but a full-back for Bath.

Puja

Sorry I was trying to allude to that in the "it's not a position he normally plays" bit.

[Mikey Brown]

Yeah should we formally end the Watson thing?

[Beasties]

I can only assume that Willis and Slade were first choice from the outset. Both absent last week for different reasons. I think Slade has shown he is perfect for slipping back into fb when Steward goes forward - and Steward free to do this is the Steward who is top drawer.

Slade has also become more vocal and in his last few appearances appeared to be orchestrating the backs. Having retained Lawrence, Manu and Marchant I am starting to believe we will have a change at 12

It’s the hope that kills ya.

Nah, I’m being waaaay too negative. SB is a breath of fresh air compared to virtually everything I’ve seen since the 6Ns in 2019. One game aside obvs.

[Mellsblue]

Yeah should we formally end the Watson thing?

Never!
Which, coincidentally, is the correct answer to the question: Has Anthony Watson ever played fullback?

[Banquo]

Yeah should we formally end the Watson thing?

Wick daddy is doing it for us

[Stom]

I would settle for a Manu-Slade midfield for sure.

[Banquo]

I would settle for a Manu-Slade midfield for sure.

aye. But SFS ...FFS.

[Stom]

That can feck right off. 3 playmakers does not work, even if only one of them is actually a playmaker…

Honestly, every England team I can think of looks better without Farrell in it…

[Mellsblue]

I would settle for a Manu-Slade midfield for sure.

Have you seen Manu play this season?

[Puja]

I would settle for a Manu-Slade midfield for sure.

Have you seen Manu play this season?

Yes, but he has played at number 12, which is more than any of the other centres in our squad have done this season.

Puja

[FKAS]

That can feck right off. 3 playmakers does not work, even if only one of them is actually a playmaker…

Honestly, every England team I can think of looks better without Farrell in it…

I'd agree if Ford was fit but Smith has yet to convince with or without Farrell.

9. JVP
10. Farrell
11. OHC
12. Manu
13. Slade
14. Malins
15. Steward

Mitchell, Smith, Arundell?

I bet Steve's got a left wing selection up his sleeve though.

[Mellsblue]

I would settle for a Manu-Slade midfield for sure.

Have you seen Manu play this season?

Yes, but he has played at number 12, which is more than any of the other centres in our squad have done this season.

Puja

Farrell played there last weekend as did Smith
I think we just have to stick with Farrell but curb his, erm, enthusiasm in d and stop the rotation with Smith at first receiver.
I’d also ditch Malins, and have Freeman and Steward running the hard lines in midfield.

[Puja]

I bet Steve's got a left wing selection up his sleeve though.

Probably OHC. It'd be a bit harsh to drop him after one game.



Puja

[Oakboy]

Per DT:

"The England head coach seems likely to split up the midfield axis of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell by teaming together Henry Slade and Ollie Lawrence in the centres, the former having missed the Scotland loss due to a hip injury. The latter pair started four Tests together between 2020 and 2021, three outside Farrell and another outside Smith.

Scrum-half Alex Mitchell, utility back Henry Arundell and flanker Jack Willis have all been recalled, with the former duo set to join Smith in a lively set of replacements that will again feature Ben Earl. Willis, the former Wasps openside, is set to start at the expense of Curry after missing the Calcutta Cup defeat due to a lack of training time caused by travelling between England and his new club, Toulouse."

[Mellsblue]

Ah, well. All I want is for England to pick the cavalier over the roundhead at 10 at some point during my lifetime. I can wait.
I can live with Earl, Mitchell, Smith & Arundell coming on with 20/25/30 mins, albeit with Mr Undroppable No Matter How Crap He Plays (MUNMHCHP) at 12. Finishers in all but name…
Does any other test team use the plan of bringing their best attacking players on in the last quarter?