Eng U20s 2023

[Puja]

I thought Fisilau was one of our best players v Scotland.

He was but he's really an 8. We looked better balanced when Woodman came on.

Good to have an unchanged XV. Doesnt happen that often at this level.

Helped by the reshuffling of fixtures after the W&W demise leaving these two weekends free of club games.

Puja

[FKAS]

I thought Fisilau was one of our best players v Scotland.

Yeah we're crowbaring our best three backrows onto the pitch but the backrow lacks balance, I agree with Puja we looked better when Woodman came on. Real shame Pepper is injured.

[FKAS]

Josh Manz has been called on to the bench as a late replacement. He's 18 and a 6ft6 blindside.

[Puja]

Josh Manz has been called on to the bench as a late replacement. He's 18 and a 6ft6 blindside.

Is that for Woodman? I mean, I do like Manz, but that's not increasing the dynamism of our back row options!

Puja

[FKAS]

Yep he's in for Woodman. My concerns over backrow balance aren't being elevated any.

[Puja]

#bosh

[Puja]

Also, what is happening in that picture? Feels like he's trying to pretend to be a DJ (for... some reason?), but it looks like there's a sideboard off to the right that he's very camply leaning on, while stroking an invisible cat.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Also, what is happening in that picture? Feels like he's trying to pretend to be a DJ (for... some reason?), but it looks like there's a sideboard off to the right that he's very camply leaning on, while stroking an invisible cat.

Puja

The Hask is his hero both on and off the field.

[Mellsblue]

Josh Manz has been called on to the bench as a late replacement. He's 18 and a 6ft6 blindside.

Is that for Woodman? I mean, I do like Manz, but that's not increasing the dynamism of our back row options!

Puja

There’s a Woodman named at 7 for Sale this weekend. Guessing it’s the same bloke?

[TheNomad]

Also, what is happening in that picture? Feels like he's trying to pretend to be a DJ (for... some reason?), but it looks like there's a sideboard off to the right that he's very camply leaning on, while stroking an invisible cat.

Puja

Whatever it is, it’s atrocious. I don’t want to be the ‘old guy’ just criticising, but the ‘pretend decks and headphone’ stance is either a relatively good dare, that he’s seen through, or unacceptably lame

[fivepointer]

Josh Manz has been called on to the bench as a late replacement. He's 18 and a 6ft6 blindside.

Is that for Woodman? I mean, I do like Manz, but that's not increasing the dynamism of our back row options!

Puja

There’s a Woodman named at 7 for Sale this weekend. Guessing it’s the same bloke?

it is. Looked good last week, i thought.

[FKAS]

Also, what is happening in that picture? Feels like he's trying to pretend to be a DJ (for... some reason?), but it looks like there's a sideboard off to the right that he's very camply leaning on, while stroking an invisible cat.

Puja

Whatever it is, it’s atrocious. I don’t want to be the ‘old guy’ just criticising, but the ‘pretend decks and headphone’ stance is either a relatively good dare, that he’s seen through, or unacceptably lame

He's also let his mum cut his hair with the old bowl method so presumably style isn't his thing, hopefully being good at rugby is.

[Margin_Walker]

Also, what is happening in that picture? Feels like he's trying to pretend to be a DJ (for... some reason?), but it looks like there's a sideboard off to the right that he's very camply leaning on, while stroking an invisible cat.

Puja

Whatever it is, it’s atrocious. I don’t want to be the ‘old guy’ just criticising, but the ‘pretend decks and headphone’ stance is either a relatively good dare, that he’s seen through, or unacceptably lame

He's also let his mum cut his hair with the old bowl method so presumably style isn't his thing, hopefully being good at rugby is.

He is Welsh to be fair.

He was dealt a bad hand

[ilovelamp]

Is this on TV at all?

[fivepointer]

BBC iplayer at 7pm

[Yorkie]

Sky Channel 981 (BBC Red Button 1) has whole match on at 2115. It has Scotland v Wales U20 live before that.

[stepsider]

Money coming in for Italy U20, now 5/1 from 15/2. Last year Italy took advantage of England's errors, maybe punters expect a repeat this time round.

[FKAS]

Tough start for the England props. That's two scrum pens against each so far. A let off with a miscontrolled scrum by the Italian 8 5m out.

[FKAS]

Ref looks a bit green mind so might be a case of managing him to get the desired results.

[FKAS]

I know we said it last weekend but Ma'asi White looked like a future Championship player last season but future international this season. The step for a big man and those hands are looking pretty special.

Scrum is a mess though.

[Oakboy]

Did we start with the right front row? The replacement trio looked somewhat stronger.

[Oakboy]

I know we said it last weekend but Ma'asi White looked like a future Championship player last season but future international this season. The step for a big man and those hands are looking pretty special.

He deserved MoM but Fisilau ran him close.

[stepsider]

Scrum was dismantled by the Italians until the replacements filtered on. But we still won 32-25, looking so much sharper than the opposition when we did get clean possession (which wasn't too often thanks to aforesaid forward mangling).

[Tom Moore]

I know we said it last weekend but Ma'asi White looked like a future Championship player last season but future international this season. The step for a big man and those hands are looking pretty special.

Scrum is a mess though.

Looks fitter and sharper this year. Great feet in a confined space for Elliott's try

[Puja]

Did we start with the right front row? The replacement trio looked somewhat stronger.

In fairness, the replacements got to deal with knackered Italian starters and then the Italian subs who looked much weaker. Fasogbon does look like he might turn into something special though - only 18 and he's so good already.

Though Italy had another good crop of youngsters - the props and the big number 7 especially. They really have got their production line in order over the past 5 years. This RWC they're doomed by their group, but I wouldn't be surprised if they're not quarter finalists at 2027.

Puja