Team for Italy

[Puja]

Twitter reply concludes that Ford should come in at 10, with Faz going back to 12. Ye gods.

twits.

I mean, that one demonstrably works. If we *have* to have Farrell (and it appears we must), then that option is way less damaging to the team than allowing him to play at 10.

Watched a video on the BBC about the kicking and got to see the grubber for George in the cold light of day. We're 7m out, Faz has just made a really good decision to sweep blind, Steward is outside him and running at the outside shoulder of a centre. With his strength and finishing skill, that is a try 9 times out of 10, if Farrell just makes a simple pass to the player next to him. And yet he kicks for a hooker to chase. What the actual shit.

41 seconds in, if anyone wants to share my pain: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/64620248

Puja

[Oakboy]

Twitter reply concludes that Ford should come in at 10, with Faz going back to 12. Ye gods.

I think it could happen. The opportunity was there yesterday for SB to put Smith on for Farrell but he shunned it. I suppose there was a small smidgeon of justification IF Slade's rustiness ended up with him being knackered. More likely, though, is SB succumbing to the 'Farrell for 80' fetish. We all know that Farrell on the bench with Ford starting at 10 has more potential to please but I doubt it will happen before the RWC.

Of course, when Farrell was injured under the previous regime, Smith did not render himself un-droppable. Instead, he underwhelmed. I hesitate to wish for it but Farrell and Smith both injured is likely to be the only scenario in which Ford gets to run the show (and I've never been his biggest fan).

[p/d]

Twitter reply concludes that Ford should come in at 10, with Faz going back to 12. Ye gods.

twits.

I mean, that one demonstrably works. If we *have* to have Farrell (and it appears we must), then that option is way less damaging to the team than allowing him to play at 10.

Watched a video on the BBC about the kicking and got to see the grubber for George in the cold light of day. We're 7m out, Faz has just made a really good decision to sweep blind, Steward is outside him and running at the outside shoulder of a centre. With his strength and finishing skill, that is a try 9 times out of 10, if Farrell just makes a simple pass to the player next to him. And yet he kicks for a hooker to chase. What the actual shit.

41 seconds in, if anyone wants to share my pain: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/64620248

Puja

Those 3 kicks by Fazball explain exactly why my choice of words could have been misinterpreted as 'go and take the dogs for a walk!'

[Mellsblue]

Twitter reply concludes that Ford should come in at 10, with Faz going back to 12. Ye gods.

twits.

I mean, that one demonstrably works. If we *have* to have Farrell (and it appears we must), then that option is way less damaging to the team than allowing him to play at 10.

Watched a video on the BBC about the kicking and got to see the grubber for George in the cold light of day. We're 7m out, Faz has just made a really good decision to sweep blind, Steward is outside him and running at the outside shoulder of a centre. With his strength and finishing skill, that is a try 9 times out of 10, if Farrell just makes a simple pass to the player next to him. And yet he kicks for a hooker to chase. What the actual shit.

41 seconds in, if anyone wants to share my pain: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/64620248

Puja

[Danno]

Twitter reply concludes that Ford should come in at 10, with Faz going back to 12. Ye gods.

I hope they mean Andy

[p/d]

Twitter reply concludes that Ford should come in at 10, with Faz going back to 12. Ye gods.

I think it could happen. The opportunity was there yesterday for SB to put Smith on for Farrell but he shunned it. I suppose there was a small smidgeon of justification IF Slade's rustiness ended up with him being knackered. More likely, though, is SB succumbing to the 'Farrell for 80' fetish. We all know that Farrell on the bench with Ford starting at 10 has more potential to please but I doubt it will happen before the RWC.

Of course, when Farrell was injured under the previous regime, Smith did not render himself un-droppable. Instead, he underwhelmed. I hesitate to wish for it but Farrell and Smith both injured is likely to be the only scenario in which Ford gets to run the show (and I've never been his biggest fan).

Lawrence, a fit Kelly and the up and coming See Atkinson need to make it impossible for Farrell to slip back into the 12 channel. He fists it out with Ford, Smith x 2 or packs his bags and takes is 'how to look a complete tosser when wearing a head bandage' on tour.

[FKAS]

Twitter reply concludes that Ford should come in at 10, with Faz going back to 12. Ye gods.

50% is the pass mark, yeah?

I to agree with the first half of that.

[jngf]

Willis, Chessum, Itoje (yaay), Ludlam good. Domnrandt reminds me of le Tissier, looks great at club level then irrelevant at int’l level. Tom Willis just seems a no brainer upgrade to me but hey ho, same situation as Jack so understand why it’s tricky right now. Lawrence was fine but either side of him nowt going on of any significance.

Bench just dragged the whole match down. Negri pick of the Italians.

Ironic that we've finally dropped BillyV when I think he'd be doing a much better job than Dombrandt at what we're now askng our 8 to do.

Puja

Felt Dombrandt had a reasonable game to be fair, got through a lot of tight carrying but take your point that Billy would be best if England were to see that as being the primary way to use the 8 role. I personally like the pace and linkman skills that Dombrandt bring to the party and think as thing stand him together with Ludlum and Willis are our best back row combo.

[Puja]

Lawrence, a fit Kelly and the up and coming See Atkinson need to make it impossible for Farrell to slip back into the 12 channel. He fists it out with Ford, Smith x 2 or packs his bags and takes is 'how to look a complete tosser when wearing a head bandage' on tour.

See Atkinson. See Atkinson Run. Run Atkinson, Run

Ouch. Atkinson has bounced off a solid wall of defenders, because his fly half is crap. Can you spell crap? F-A-R-R-E-L-L

Puja

(Not touching the jokes about him fisting it out with Ford )

[p/d]

Lawrence, a fit Kelly and the up and coming See Atkinson need to make it impossible for Farrell to slip back into the 12 channel. He fists it out with Ford, Smith x 2 or packs his bags and takes is 'how to look a complete tosser when wearing a head bandage' on tour.

See Atkinson. See Atkinson Run. Run Atkinson, Run

Ouch. Atkinson has bounced off a solid wall of defenders, because his fly half is crap. Can you spell crap? F-A-R-R-E-L-L

Puja

(Not touching the jokes about him fisting it out with Ford )

It was the grubber through for George that did for my ability to pen a sentence correctly.......

[Scrumhead]

twits.

I mean, that one demonstrably works. If we *have* to have Farrell (and it appears we must), then that option is way less damaging to the team than allowing him to play at 10.

Watched a video on the BBC about the kicking and got to see the grubber for George in the cold light of day. We're 7m out, Faz has just made a really good decision to sweep blind, Steward is outside him and running at the outside shoulder of a centre. With his strength and finishing skill, that is a try 9 times out of 10, if Farrell just makes a simple pass to the player next to him. And yet he kicks for a hooker to chase. What the actual shit.

41 seconds in, if anyone wants to share my pain: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/64620248

Puja

Barclay is absolutely right. Those clips are just so damning.

[p/d]

Barclay is absolutely right. Those clips are just so damning.

of Davies' expanding waistline?

[Galfon]

Good to see Slade learning from Nowell's forward prowess at Exeter and charge into the driving maul for tries 3 & 4..
Not sure if it made any difference but he had a go.
Even the FH had a nibble for T3 but remembered what his new role in the team was.

[16th man]

Good to see Slade learning from Nowell's forward prowess at Exeter and charge into the driving maul for tries 3 & 4..
Not sure if it made any difference but he had a go.
Even the FH had a nibble for T3 but remembered what his new role in the team was.

Tbf it was pointed out on the coverage that for one of the times he joined he did actually cover up the ball, which had become open as George had been pushed around and had it in his outside arm. Slade going In was able to force away an Italian arm and give time for it to be transferred back into cover.

[Mellsblue]

Even the FH had a nibble for T3 but remembered what his new role in the team was.

He tried to grubber kick the maul?!?!?

[loudnconfident]

Twitter reply concludes that Ford should come in at 10, with Faz going back to 12. Ye gods.

twits.

I mean, that one demonstrably works. If we *have* to have Farrell (and it appears we must), then that option is way less damaging to the team than allowing him to play at 10.

Watched a video on the BBC about the kicking and got to see the grubber for George in the cold light of day. We're 7m out, Faz has just made a really good decision to sweep blind, Steward is outside him and running at the outside shoulder of a centre. With his strength and finishing skill, that is a try 9 times out of 10, if Farrell just makes a simple pass to the player next to him. And yet he kicks for a hooker to chase. What the actual shit.

41 seconds in, if anyone wants to share my pain: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/av/rugby-union/64620248

Puja

In fairness OF is improving. Your clip is depressing of course, but its better than previous years against Scotland:

farrell2.jpg

[Which Tyler]

In fairness OF is improving. Your clip is depressing of course, but its better than previous years against Scotland:farrell2.jpg

Why?

Why would you have to re-open that wound?

It had barely healed.

Like Borthwick's nose.

[Mr Mwenda]

It had barely healed.

Like Borthwick's nose.

Chatting with mum, she reckoned it'll be at risk since he must be banging his head against the wall.

[Spiffy]

The bottom line of all of these endless discussions on chips, grubbers, box kicks, handling, running, game plan etc....... Will Borthwick EVER have the balls to drop Farrell from the 23. If ever a single person were holding back an entire team from reaching its potential, he's yer man.
Everyone can see it except the coach.
It actually does not matter that much at present who would replace him. It's the more urgent process of just trimming off the bad bits.

[FKAS]

The bottom line of all of these endless discussions on chips, grubbers, box kicks, handling, running, game plan etc....... Will Borthwick EVER have the balls to drop Farrell from the 23. If ever a single person were holding back an entire team from reaching its potential, he's yer man.
Everyone can see it except the coach.
It actually does not matter that much at present who would replace him. It's the more urgent process of just trimming off the bad bits.

He is the old handbrake for the attack but I've little faith in Smith either after his 20 appearances so far. The options outside of those two are either younger than Marcus or just players repeatedly overlooked for international selection previously for obvious reasons.

England haven't exactly produced a glut of flyhalfs previously. Basically we're stuck with the two we have unless Ford demonstrates he's full fit at the weekend.

[p/d]

10. Smith (F)
12. Atkinson
13. Lawrence

That would be better than Smith, Farrell, some poor sod

[Mikey Brown]

10. Smith (F)
12. Atkinson
13. Lawrence

That would be better than Smith, Farrell, some poor sod

It certainly has some nice balance, in theory. How do you think each of those will cope with constant change of tactics, coaches and players alongside?

[Spiffy]

The bottom line of all of these endless discussions on chips, grubbers, box kicks, handling, running, game plan etc....... Will Borthwick EVER have the balls to drop Farrell from the 23. If ever a single person were holding back an entire team from reaching its potential, he's yer man.
Everyone can see it except the coach.
It actually does not matter that much at present who would replace him. It's the more urgent process of just trimming off the bad bits.

He is the old handbrake for the attack but I've little faith in Smith either after his 20 appearances so far. The options outside of those two are either younger than Marcus or just players repeatedly overlooked for international selection previously for obvious reasons.

England haven't exactly produced a glut of flyhalfs previously. Basically we're stuck with the two we have unless Ford demonstrates he's full fit at the weekend.

I think that is a bit hard on Smith since practically all his caps have been beside Farrell, the inhibitory senior partner. And he has frequently been forced into playing a game that is not his natural one. I think it would be fair enough to give Smith a run at 10 with, say, Lawrence and Slade in midfield, to see what he can do in the absence of Farrell. The England /Italy game was crying out for the obvious substitution of Farrell by Smith. But what does Borthwick do - move Farrell to 12!
With regard to other contenders, Ford is the obvious one and the best but is chronically short of match time. But in the short term, players like Furbank, Atkinson, Simmons, Bailey, even Max Malins could probably do a holding job. I'm quite impressed by Malins' rugby intelligence and he has good ball skills and adequate gas. Quite surprised that no clubs have gone after him as a FH, he has experience in the slot.
I know it's probably a bit churlish to say so, but I'd prefer to see almost anyone who can pass and kick a ball, and who has a modicum of attacking intent, play ahead of Farrell. This guy is holding the team back.

[fivepointer]

Farrell isnt going to be dropped.
As much as we may not like it SB has made him captain and will stick with him.
Right now he's going to limit the number of moving parts in this team in order to try and nail down some basics.
As much as it pains me to say this again but Farrell has been selected by every coach he's worked with and is obviously valued for what he brings to the team.

[Banquo]

Twitter reply concludes that Ford should come in at 10, with Faz going back to 12. Ye gods.

twits.

indeed