Ireland to finish

[Banquo]

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.

yus. Prob lack of time with squad.

[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.

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

Surprised Doris is starting after watching him limp off last weekend.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Well at least Arundell starts and might get the odd ball. Probably from targeted Irish kicking. But he’ll probably have been told to kick it back anyway.

[TheDasher]

Not enough changes for me to be honest.
From the squad he had this week: If fit Earl should start over Dombrandt I'd have thought, I'd have switched Cole and Sinckler (to be honest probably would've dropped Sinck and gone for Collier, would love to look at him at this level). Hill over Isiekwe, Vunipola is pointless now, would've dropped JVP, and the Farrell call I get, but I'd have stuck with Smith. Arundell and Manu in - great.

[Spiffy]

Sooo - you think Cian Healy can only play 1, 2 and 3 eh....

https://www.independent.ie/videos/leins ... 89723.html

[p/d]

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

I laughed out loud ......

[Serpentine]

For me the luckiest player is Farrell, his kick % v Wales was 33% and total for the 6N so far is 47%. It may explain why Slade is starting (as back up kicker), especially if Farrell's ankle is dodgy. Those in the media and online that regularly sing Farrell's praises have conveniently been quiet about his awful kicking in this 6N. Imagine it was Marcus Smith or George Ford with such poor kicking stats, you'd have heard a lot more about it (indeed Ford has been criticised in the past even with a better kicking % than 47%). It's not as if OF offers much in open play either, just....leadership. Or something.

[jngf]

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.

Feel Dombrandt gets judged a bit harshly and (as with every other test no.8 post Ben Morgan) is somehow expected to play the tight game of peak Billy Vunepoleresque proportions. Despite some setbacks I feel our backrow is a massive progression in skill, balance and pace from the kamikazeekids + Billy that took us up to RWC 2019 and hasn’t worked so well since

[Stom]

Well who thinks we’re going to have a “face saving” tight loss, with Farrell kicking the late penalty to bring us within a score… and then all the blame can be laid at Smith. We ran the grand slam winners close with captain less than 50%, he’s our best bet for the World Cup.

Awful team.

[astralweeks]

Up to Edinburgh for the weekend and have tickets for Scotland v Italy. Was looking forward to seeing a proper No10 player (Russell) and a couple of 2 decent full backs (Hogg and Capuozzo), and of course they are all injured. However I am expecting a better game from the replacements than what will served up at 5.00pm.
I really feel that Syd Barrett has missed the boat with all his selections. He could have assembled his own team and not one we have been more or less been seeing for the last few years, which clearly is not working.
Farrell has over 100 caps. How???

[Banquo]

Syd Barrett ?

Great work

[Puja]

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.

Feel Dombrandt gets judged a bit harshly and (as with every other test no.8 post Ben Morgan) is somehow expected to play the tight game of peak Billy Vunepoleresque proportions. Despite some setbacks I feel our backrow is a massive progression in skill, balance and pace from the kamikazeekids + Billy that took us up to RWC 2019 and hasn’t worked so well since

I don't actually need him to play a BillyV tight game, I just need him to run at arms and shoulders like he means it, rather than just wombling into contact and hoping he gets through.

Puja

[FKAS]

Syd Barrett ?

Great work

He's had a Saucerful of something...

[Tom Moore]

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.

Feel Dombrandt gets judged a bit harshly and (as with every other test no.8 post Ben Morgan) is somehow expected to play the tight game of peak Billy Vunepoleresque proportions. Despite some setbacks I feel our backrow is a massive progression in skill, balance and pace from the kamikazeekids + Billy that took us up to RWC 2019 and hasn’t worked so well since

I don't think criticising him is unfair. He's had one good game, two average at best games and one game in which he was (in common with many of his colleagues) utterly, utterly pitiful.

[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.

m the kamikazeekids + Billy that took us up to RWC 2019 and hasn’t worked so well since

have they actually played together since? not often I'd think. I'd also dispute whether they were slower, less skilled and less physical than last Saturdays murdered back row.....let alone it being a 'massive progression '.

[p/d]

Underhill and Curry were a different level.

[jngf]

Underhill and Curry were a different level.

All the carrying was left to Billy so not sure I agree. Underhill’s defence was though to be fair.

[Spiffy]

Underhill and Curry were a different level.

At present, Pearson of LI, looks the most impressive open side in English rugby. He's big, powerful, fast, great feet, can link and pass, has rugby brains and can play an all round game. The sooner Slob Braindead gets him into the squad the better.
I believe that S.B.'s possible 6N selections are currently curtailed by Uncle Eddie's previous picks, with only a few changes allowed as per regulations. Presumably he will have a free hand after the tournament to select anyone he wants.
Let the cleansing of the Augean Stables commence.

[Banquo]

Underhill and Curry were a different level.

As was old Billy to current Dombrandt.

[Banquo]

Underhill and Curry were a different level.

At present, Pearson of LI, looks the most impressive open side in English rugby. He's big, powerful, fast, great feet, can link and pass, has rugby brains and can play an all round game. The sooner Slob Braindead gets him into the squad the better.
I believe that S.B.'s possible 6N selections are currently curtailed by Uncle Eddie's previous picks, with only a few changes allowed as per regulations. Presumably he will have a free hand after the tournament to select anyone he wants.
Let the cleansing of the Augean Stables commence.

He may be somewhat constrained in theory but Sinking Battleship in practice hasn’t much else to play with. So far we have …Pearson, and VRR.

[fivepointer]

Underhill and Curry were a different level.

At present, Pearson of LI, looks the most impressive open side in English rugby. He's big, powerful, fast, great feet, can link and pass, has rugby brains and can play an all round game. The sooner Slob Braindead gets him into the squad the better.
I believe that S.B.'s possible 6N selections are currently curtailed by Uncle Eddie's previous picks, with only a few changes allowed as per regulations. Presumably he will have a free hand after the tournament to select anyone he wants.
Let the cleansing of the Augean Stables commence.

He may be somewhat constrained in theory but Sinking Battleship in practice hasn’t much else to play with. So far we have …Pearson, and VRR.

Yep. He isnt spolit for choice. He has to fashion a side together with what he has. In some positions the cupboard is pretty bare, in others he does have options but that doesnt mean he has better options.
I didnt envy him this last selection. He had to make changes in midfield and at lock and has come up with picks that i think at least you can understand. We all want to see the back of Farrell and i'm uneasy about Tuilagi starting but something had to happen and this is probably no worse a selection than others you could make.
I dont get Isiekwe either and would have liked to see Rodd in place of Vunipola.
On the plus side Ribbans starting is long overdue and Arundell is a genuinely exciting talent.

[Oakboy]

At present, Pearson of LI, looks the most impressive open side in English rugby. He's big, powerful, fast, great feet, can link and pass, has rugby brains and can play an all round game. The sooner Slob Braindead gets him into the squad the better.
I believe that S.B.'s possible 6N selections are currently curtailed by Uncle Eddie's previous picks, with only a few changes allowed as per regulations. Presumably he will have a free hand after the tournament to select anyone he wants.
Let the cleansing of the Augean Stables commence.

He may be somewhat constrained in theory but Sinking Battleship in practice hasn’t much else to play with. So far we have …Pearson, and VRR.

Yep. He isnt spolit for choice. He has to fashion a side together with what he has. In some positions the cupboard is pretty bare, in others he does have options but that doesnt mean he has better options.
I didnt envy him this last selection. He had to make changes in midfield and at lock and has come up with picks that i think at least you can understand. We all want to see the back of Farrell and i'm uneasy about Tuilagi starting but something had to happen and this is probably no worse a selection than others you could make.
I dont get Isiekwe either and would have liked to see Rodd in place of Vunipola.
On the plus side Ribbans starting is long overdue and Arundell is a genuinely exciting talent.

As ever, we only have part of the information for selection. We don't see players' attitude and aptitude in training camps and we don't get to have close conversations with club coaches or the players themselves. Sometimes, it is down to giving A or B a chance and then having the balls to back him with a run of games. SB DID have an excellent group to choose from for the 8 shirt, for example. I did not agree with his choice but I totally back him gor giving Dombrandt a good run of games. Of course, doing that can come back to bite. There are only so many games and SB could not have a worse scenario. If Dombrandt ultimately fails, his presence has robbed T Willis or whoever of having those games under his belt.

[TheDasher]

At present, Pearson of LI, looks the most impressive open side in English rugby. He's big, powerful, fast, great feet, can link and pass, has rugby brains and can play an all round game. The sooner Slob Braindead gets him into the squad the better.
I believe that S.B.'s possible 6N selections are currently curtailed by Uncle Eddie's previous picks, with only a few changes allowed as per regulations. Presumably he will have a free hand after the tournament to select anyone he wants.
Let the cleansing of the Augean Stables commence.

He may be somewhat constrained in theory but Sinking Battleship in practice hasn’t much else to play with. So far we have …Pearson, and VRR.

Yep. He isnt spolit for choice. He has to fashion a side together with what he has. In some positions the cupboard is pretty bare, in others he does have options but that doesnt mean he has better options.
I didnt envy him this last selection. He had to make changes in midfield and at lock and has come up with picks that i think at least you can understand. We all want to see the back of Farrell and i'm uneasy about Tuilagi starting but something had to happen and this is probably no worse a selection than others you could make.
I dont get Isiekwe either and would have liked to see Rodd in place of Vunipola.
On the plus side Ribbans starting is long overdue and Arundell is a genuinely exciting talent.

I've been extremely negative about the whole picture since the France game but on reflection, I think there are more options in the cupboard outside of the 6ns squad that are still exciting.

As Banquo said, VVR and Pearson (who I really rate, he's some player), but also Marler, Collier, Will Stuart, Tom Willis, Zach Mercer, Underhill, Billy V, Raffi Quirke, Dan Kelly, Cokanasiga, OHC, etc etc. We're struggling at hooker, need to look at more of our props, need another dominant lock or two and to decide on our centre combo/plans but we're well stocked with wingers, have a great full back, good options at 10 etc. He has I think enough options going forward after the Ireland game to improve things dramatically... not become no1 in the world over night, but to get this sinking ship stable again.

[p/d]

Underhill and Curry were a different level.

As was old Billy to current Dombrandt.

I thought that was a given

[Mellsblue]

We know it’s desperate times when the likes of T Willy, D Kelly, T Pearsy and Z Mercy are all definite, indisputable, surefire improvements on what we have.
I’d like Salmon Bouillabaisse to make a few selectoral tweaks but the idea that were just picking the wrong players and a phalanx of better players are waiting in the wings is for the birds, imo.