Ireland to finish

[p/d]

Well, that’s the slaughter. Just over an hour until we find out who the lambs are.

I didn't think it was being announced until Friday

[Spiffy]

Ireland: Keenan; Hansen, Henshaw, Aki, Lowe; Sexton (capt), Gibson-Park; Porter, Sheehan, Furlong; Baird, Ryan; O'Mahony, van der Flier, Doris.

Replacements: Herring, Healy, O'Toole, Treadwell, Conan, Murray, R Byrne, O'Brien.

Twelve starters from Leinster, with four more on the bench.
The club has won the last 20 or so games in the League/Europe on the trot, many of them with a complete team of reserves.
Close to Ireland's strongest team, with only Beirne and Ringrose missing. (Baird is probably as good as Henderson now and more mobile.)

[FKAS]

Ribbans in for the injured Chessum, Isiekwe on the bench.

Backs - Farrell, Arundell, Manu, Slade, Watson Steward

With Mitchell, Smith and Marchant on the bench.

Otherwise as was from last weekend.

[Oakboy]

That's a few who are lucky to remain and must be close to the last-chance saloon. Let's hope they repay the faith.

[Mellsblue]

So Smith was the problem last weekend. Silly me.

[Banquo]

https://www.englandrugby.com/news/artic ... inal-round

Starting
15. Freddie Steward

14. Anthony Watson

13. Henry Slade

12. Manu Tuilagi

11. Henry Arundell

10. Owen Farrell (C)

9. Jack van Poortvliet

1. Ellis Genge (VC)

2. Jamie George

3. Kyle Sinckler

4. Maro Itoje

5. David Ribbans

6. Lewis Ludlam (VC)

7. Jack Willis

8. Alex Dombrandt

Replacements
16. Jack Walker

17. Mako Vunipola

18. Dan Cole

19. Nick Isiekwe

20. Ben Curry

21. Alex Mitchell

22. Marcus Smith

23. Joe Marchant

[Banquo]

So Smith was the problem last weekend. Silly me.

and Malins. Not that I'm displeased about that one.

[Oakboy]

Interesting that Watson has swapped wings. Is that to face Lowe?

[Banquo]

why would you want Isiekwe backing up second row, even Jonny Hill or Martin would be better imo.

[Mellsblue]

Interesting that Watson has swapped wings. Is that to face Lowe?

Just going back to his preferred wing.

[Banquo]

Interesting that Watson has swapped wings. Is that to face Lowe?

He's pretty much always played right wing for england iirc. Arundell's appearances seem to have been on the left, until last weekend again iirc.

[p/d]

why would you want Isiekwe backing up second row, even Jonny Hill or Martin would be better imo.

Exactly!!!

Bloody hell Dombrandt is a lucky lad.

[Oakboy]

why would you want Isiekwe backing up second row, even Jonny Hill or Martin would be better imo.

No good me guessing. I'd have picked Hill ahead of Ribbans, never mind Isiekwe.

[fivepointer]

Another roll of the dice.

Smith can consider himself a bit unlucky as he was no worse than several others who have kept their places. But the iceman is the right pick for this kind of game.....isnt he?

Marchant on bench and i bet thats to cover for Tuilagi who wont last 80.

Pleased for Arundell. Lets hope he gets the odd pass.

[Oakboy]

why would you want Isiekwe backing up second row, even Jonny Hill or Martin would be better imo.

Exactly!!!

Bloody hell Dombrandt is a lucky lad.

Agreed, as are Sinckler, George, Ludlam, JVP and Slade. Hopefully. they have all reacted so well in training that a second chance was demanded of the Head Coach. Mind you, when the likes of Tuilagi comes in, one could suggest the cupboard must be bare.

[Oakboy]

Another roll of the dice.

Smith can consider himself a bit unlucky as he was no worse than several others who have kept their places. But the iceman is the right pick for this kind of game.....isnt he?

Marchant on bench and i bet thats to cover for Tuilagi who wont last 80.

Pleased for Arundell. Lets hope he gets the odd pass.

Making Tuilagi's selection a somewhat bizarre one!

[stepsider]

Another roll of the dice.

Smith can consider himself a bit unlucky as he was no worse than several others who have kept their places. But the iceman is the right pick for this kind of game.....isnt he?

Marchant on bench and i bet thats to cover for Tuilagi who wont last 80.

Pleased for Arundell. Lets hope he gets the odd pass.

Probably will be a odd pass. Just the one. Fired at his feet/a metre behind by OF. Then he'll be dropped.

Meanwhile Farrell will continue unchallenged for RWC.

Sebastian Bach hits the wrong notes again.

[ckeyn]

why would you want Isiekwe backing up second row, even Jonny Hill or Martin would be better imo.

Line-out calls?

[francoisfou]

why would you want Isiekwe backing up second row, even Jonny Hill or Martin would be better imo.

Exactly!!!

Bloody hell Dombrandt is a lucky lad.

What exactly does Isiekwe bring to the side?

[Banquo]

Pleased for Arundell. Lets hope he gets the odd pass.

direct from Faz then?

[Banquo]

why would you want Isiekwe backing up second row, even Jonny Hill or Martin would be better imo.

Line-out calls?

well he does have an unusual surname. I thought Itoje did em.

[Banquo]

why would you want Isiekwe backing up second row, even Jonny Hill or Martin would be better imo.

Exactly!!!

Bloody hell Dombrandt is a lucky lad.

What exactly does Isiekwe bring to the side?

he's a good prem utility back 5 of the pack guy, but has no intl presence.

[Spiffy]

why would you want Isiekwe backing up second row, even Jonny Hill or Martin would be better imo.

Exactly!!!

Bloody hell Dombrandt is a lucky lad.

Lucky? He's going head to head with Doris.

[Banquo]

why would you want Isiekwe backing up second row, even Jonny Hill or Martin would be better imo.

Exactly!!!

Bloody hell Dombrandt is a lucky lad.

Lucky? He's going head to head with Doris.

Normally I'd have a little snigger at that. But too serious in this case

[francoisfou]

Exactly!!!

Bloody hell Dombrandt is a lucky lad.

What exactly does Isiekwe bring to the side?

he's a good prem utility back 5 of the pack guy, but has no intl presence.

I’d much rather have seen George Martin on the bench, as he seems to have a big impact in the Tigers’ pack.