Ireland vs England - 5:30pm Saturday

[jngf]

One lesson, having both Lawes and Itoje in same the starting XV is a luxury England can increasingly I’ll afford, I’d move the former to lock and the latter needs to bench or be outside 23 for time being as he looks so off the boil at the moment and bordering on the anonymous.

[16th man]

Willis on 75 mins later than he should have been

Don't worry, I'm sure Soapy Borstal and co. have learned a lot of lessons and have a great list of positives from today's performance

The red cards are narrowing down selection issues. It's a genius policy.

[Mr Mwenda]

Willis on 75 mins later than he should have been

Don't worry, I'm sure Soapy Borstal and co. have learned a lot of lessons and have a great list of positives from today's performance

The red cards are narrowing down selection issues. It's a genius policy.

Another lucky break for Strangely Blue.

[Shiny]

Willis on 75 mins later than he should have been

Don't worry, I'm sure Soapy Borstal and co. have learned a lot of lessons and have a great list of positives from today's performance

The red cards are narrowing down selection issues. It's a genius policy.

I just said to the wife if we can arrange one for Ben Youngs next week we might have got rid of most of the deadwood before the tournament starts.

[pompey-zebra]

We need Mitchell, Smith and Lawrence off the bench now, except that SB has put Care there!!!

Why Smith? Ford's having a good game.

Puja

Ford is doing well.

Ford was a bit better than Farrell. That is all.

[francoisfou]

Tom Willis and Zach Mercer!! Your country needs you!!

[Insouciant]

Is Mercer even on the standby list?... Is there an 8 on it?

[Mush]

Utter dross.
Lack of ambition in attack and poor execution in defence in the first half.
Lack of control in the second.
Utter dross.

[morepork]

Get a new fullback. Lassie can catch frisbees but is so easy to step it's ridiculous.

[Oakboy]

It was more or less what I expected. Vunipola, Tuilagi, Youngs and Care should not be in the squad. Earl and Ribbans are not 1st XV standard. Genge is much better suited to coming on later. That's all pre-conceived opinion confirmed by today's performance.

In a way, it's alright because it can't get any worse. Hopefully, everything is up from here even if that equates to us being weak and becoming slightly less weak. At least, cohesion has to improve . . . . hopefully.

[Insouciant]

It was more or less what I expected. Vunipola, Tuilagi, Youngs and Care should not be in the squad. Earl and Ribbans are not 1st XV standard. Genge is much better suited to coming on later. That's all pre-conceived opinion confirmed by today's performance.

In a way, it's alright because it can't get any worse. Hopefully, everything is up from here even if that equates to us being weak and becoming slightly less weak. At least, cohesion has to improve . . . . hopefully.

I dunno, there's already positive early signs of cohesion and team building. For example, Ben Earl joining Itoje in 'clapping like a twat' after every Ireland mistake.

[pompey-zebra]

It was more or less what I expected. Vunipola, Tuilagi, Youngs and Care should not be in the squad. Earl and Ribbans are not 1st XV standard. Genge is much better suited to coming on later. That's all pre-conceived opinion confirmed by today's performance.

In a way, it's alright because it can't get any worse. Hopefully, everything is up from here even if that equates to us being weak and becoming slightly less weak. At least, cohesion has to improve . . . . hopefully.

I dunno, there's already positive early signs of cohesion and team building. For example, Ben Earl joining Itoje in 'clapping like a twat' after every Ireland mistake.

Who was it who dropped to their knees in celebration at a not straight Ireland throw?

[FKAS]

It was more or less what I expected. Vunipola, Tuilagi, Youngs and Care should not be in the squad. Earl and Ribbans are not 1st XV standard. Genge is much better suited to coming on later. That's all pre-conceived opinion confirmed by today's performance.

In a way, it's alright because it can't get any worse. Hopefully, everything is up from here even if that equates to us being weak and becoming slightly less weak. At least, cohesion has to improve . . . . hopefully.

I dunno, there's already positive early signs of cohesion and team building. For example, Ben Earl joining Itoje in 'clapping like a twat' after every Ireland mistake.

Who was it who dropped to their knees in celebration at a not straight Ireland throw?

Ben Earl. Really has learnt to find happiness in the little wins.

[Spiffy]

Ireland haven't kicked the ball to Stewart with the regularity of Wales which makes him fairly superfluous since he doesn't offer much else. Billy roly poly should never have been on the pitch and now he's not.

Poor old Freddie did seem a tad cumbersome and was easily stepped on the inside for two soft Irish tries. Yes - He is looking rather one-dimensional. Still can't understand why Sad Bloke has not used any of the warmup games to look at a backup FB.

[pompey-zebra]

. Still can't understand why Sad Bloke has not used any of the warmup games to look at a backup FB.

Probably because he named his world cup squad about a fortnight ago.

[Spiffy]

. Still can't understand why Sad Bloke has not used any of the warmup games to look at a backup FB.

Probably because he named his world cup squad about a fortnight ago.

Yes. But there must be a backup FB in the squad who needs game time.

[Insouciant]

There isn't a backup 8. I'm thinking maybe Malins or Watson is the backup 15 - not sure what Sugary Byzantium is planning though. I'd try Watson 15 with Arundell on the wing. Maybe he'll get to find out what the ball looks like this time.

[FKAS]

Ireland haven't kicked the ball to Stewart with the regularity of Wales which makes him fairly superfluous since he doesn't offer much else. Billy roly poly should never have been on the pitch and now he's not.

Poor old Freddie did seem a tad cumbersome and was easily stepped on the inside for two soft Irish tries. Yes - He is looking rather one-dimensional. Still can't understand why Sad Bloke has not used any of the warmup games to look at a backup FB.

Steward's defenders beaten stat of four wasn't beaten by anyone else from either team. To call him one dimensional is pretty silly. He's got a weakness and Ireland targeted it. He's a big bloke and he's not that agile. Isolate him in 15m of space up against a good finisher worked twice. Mind Ireland/Leinster have used a similar tactic to score plenty of times before now. It's tough to defend in that much space when you're already running across to cover.

[FKAS]

There isn't a backup 8. I'm thinking maybe Malins or Watson is the backup 15 - not sure what Sugary Byzantium is planning though. I'd try Watson 15 with Arundell on the wing. Maybe he'll get to find out what the ball looks like this time.

Earl is the backup 8. Whether Borthwick opts to replace Billy will be interesting.

Hopefully Arundell gets a go at 15 Vs Fiji to mix it up a bit.

[fivepointer]

There were some bright moments, some continuity, the odd passage when we didnt look completely all at sea, there was even some stout defence but really that is straw clutching stuff. Fact is, we are also rans right now, We simply cannot compete against the better teams.
Think the signs of progress have been minimal. Too many players are showing next to nothing. Some of our better players are pretty anonymous, while those we suspected of being past it are simply proving us right.
A dismal game topped off with another red card and suspension.

[astralweeks]

I've not seen the official stats but I reckon Smith made the most metres of any English player. Daly made the most going laterally.

[Insouciant]

Theo Dan looked alright when he came on. Made some yards. Showed some pace.

[Danno]

Watching France v Fiji, and the Fijians are going to have our breakdown as a light snack, 5 turnovers in the first half and France aren't exactly shy about protecting their ball.

[Banquo]

Ireland made more mistakes in that game than they have in two years, yet still reamed us. We were utterly shyte in long periods. Our defence was splintered too easily for tries, our tackling (esp backs) was shockingly weak/poor, we continue to ship ludicrous penalties, pathetic at the breakdown, and ball in hand clumsy with a bizarre tactic of kicking to a very good back three after no more than 3 good phases.

Poor fare with the turd topping of Billys fazalike red (sadly he'd been dire as well- bye), and Dalys missed touch from a pen (much as I wanted him at 11, he was shocking in defence today- so weak in the tackle). Improving from desperate to rubbish isnt much consolation.

Lineout was mostly fine. Chessum and Dan looked lively. All of Steward, Daly, Youngs, Stuart and Billy were pants. Earl was anonymous bar a couple of carries and his ridiculous shouting. Cant be bothered with the rest tbh. Dunno what happens next, bar a stout defence of Steward

[FKAS]

I've not seen the official stats but I reckon Smith made the most metres of any English player. Daly made the most going laterally.

Third most behind Steward and somewhat surprisingly Ford. 61 metres off 2 carries for Smith is very impressive. Really liked the use of him off the bench as an impact player given free reign to play what he sees from the backfield.