England vs Fiji - Sat 3.15pm

[Banquo]

bit worrying not to see Curry at all (unless I missed it).

[Oakboy]

bit worrying not to see Curry at all (unless I missed it).

Agreed. Maybe SB will surprise us with 4 or 5 squad changes including dumping an unfit Curry.

[p/d]

Keep wondering if there is anything but kick a chase in that back line selection. Reckon our territory stats will look pretty impressive after this round ........

anyhoo, I'm putting my money on Manu for the red this week.

[Insouciant]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66608039

BBC reporting Watson out injured.

To me that's quite a big loss, it probably explains the slightly leftfield May and Malins selections. My back three from the squad would have been Daly, Watson and Arundell. It's also disappointing that Murley isn't being called upon, Radwan too.

On the whole team for the weekend. It's a bit weird. Are the sections of Dan, Willis, Mitchell, May, Malins and May (in particular) being made to:
a. protect players with injuries?
b. protect those players seen as stick-on first XV choices?
c. try out new combinations?
d. give game time to those perceived as squad players?
e. unleash the Stupendous Bolero masterplan on an unexpecting Fiji?

At this point, I don't really have a clue but hey ho. Might go ok.

[morepork]

Oooooh. I think the Fiji pack are going to jackal the bijeebus out of your pack. All of them are monsters over the ball.

[Banquo]

. Reckon our territory stats will look pretty impressive after this round ........

[Banquo]

Its all a bit of a shaaaambles. Not all down to Spanish Bullfighter, but some a bit self bashing.

[Mr Mwenda]

I'm pleased that May gets an international swansong, even if this is shaping up to be a car crash tournament.

[Mikey Brown]

I'm not a fan of Earl but I hope he plays a blinder (assuming SB is going to retain Billy V in the 33). IMO, that is the best back row available if Curry is still unfit.

SB has till the 28th to adjust his 33, I believe.

Why would you prefer Lawes to Ludlam as a starting 6?

He's a better player in all aspects, frankly. Additional to standard backrow skills, he has two other assets: lineout prowess and presence (i.e. a feared opponent). Having said that, I don't think he is at the absolute top of his game and I'd pick a fit Curry ahead of him. I think Ludlam is useful but he's not one of the best four back rowers, IMO.

Mmm. I’d come round a bit on Lawes but I think time and injury has caught up with him massively in the last season or so, whereas we’ve seen Ludlam put in some very good performances at 6. I don’t think there’s much in it.

Is there much to fear about this current version of Lawes?

[Oakboy]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/66608039

BBC reporting Watson out injured.

To me that's quite a big loss, it probably explains the slightly leftfield May and Malins selections. My back three from the squad would have been Daly, Watson and Arundell. It's also disappointing that Murley isn't being called upon, Radwan too.

On the whole team for the weekend. It's a bit weird. Are the sections of Dan, Willis, Mitchell, May, Malins and May (in particular) being made to:
a. protect players with injuries?
b. protect those players seen as stick-on first XV choices?
c. try out new combinations?
d. give game time to those perceived as squad players?
e. unleash the Stupendous Bolero masterplan on an unexpecting Fiji?

At this point, I don't really have a clue but hey ho. Might go ok.

Thinking ahead to Argentina and beyond, I suppose SB could say he knows his two looseheads. He's checking to decide who benches behind George and he's trying to decide on the two THs. The three locks are decided. He's deciding who accompanies Lawes in the back row with and without BV. This will be pretty much it for the backs with Farrell to fuck things up at some point.

[Banquo]

bit worrying not to see Curry at all (unless I missed it).

Agreed. Maybe SB will surprise us with 4 or 5 squad changes including dumping an unfit Curry.

not sure about protocol once you've named the squad officially.

[Oakboy]

Why would you prefer Lawes to Ludlam as a starting 6?

He's a better player in all aspects, frankly. Additional to standard backrow skills, he has two other assets: lineout prowess and presence (i.e. a feared opponent). Having said that, I don't think he is at the absolute top of his game and I'd pick a fit Curry ahead of him. I think Ludlam is useful but he's not one of the best four back rowers, IMO.

Mmm. I’d come round a bit on Lawes but I think time and injury has caught up with him massively in the last season or so, whereas we’ve seen Ludlam put in some very good performances at 6. I don’t think there’s much in it.

Is there much to fear about this current version of Lawes?

I see where you are at. Yes, I still think that the opposition would prefer to face Ludlam than Lawes. I also think our team rally round him in adversity. Watching some of the clips on T Willis in France, I'm even more mystified that he's not in the mix. Physically, he seems as tough as Lawes and he carries better than anyone else in the 33. I assume that SB planned to start Lawes, Curry and BV. That was a mistake originally and looks a worse one now, especially if Curry remains unfit. BV was a mistake, IMO, before his suspension. Keeping him on now, after his dismal showings so far just seems mad. What I'm getting around to saying is that Lawes may be the only survivor of the intended back row for Argentina and that solidifies his selection, rightly or wrongly.

[Banquo]

Got a bad vibe about this game- I hope Sarina Bogman has it all in hand.

[Oakboy]

bit worrying not to see Curry at all (unless I missed it).

Agreed. Maybe SB will surprise us with 4 or 5 squad changes including dumping an unfit Curry.

not sure about protocol once you've named the squad officially.

Aaaah, I just lost all hope if you are suggesting he can't make changes. Surely, injuries and suspensions qualify as replacements permitted? He changed JVP for Mitchell. Can't he dump Watson, Daly and Curry on similar grounds if necessary? Farrell and BV might count as wishful thinking.

[Oakboy]

Got a bad vibe about this game- I hope Sarina Bogman has it all in hand.

You are suggesting he's polishing the handrail, that he's a ***ker? Really!!!

[francoisfou]

According to the Telegraph, Earl has only started one match at 8 for Saracens in two years and here he is waltzing off to the World Cup with outstanding 8s like Mercer and Willis at home picking their noses. Starkraving Bonkers may « have the matter in hand », as alluded to by a previous poster, but I reckon he needs his head read!

[Danno]

Oooooh. I think the Fiji pack are going to jackal the bijeebus out of your pack. All of them are monsters over the ball.

They will absolutely shame us, they were doing a decent number on France at the breakdown last week.

[Danno]

Oooooh. I think the Fiji pack are going to jackal the bijeebus out of your pack. All of them are monsters over the ball.

They will absolutely shame us, they were doing a decent number on France at the breakdown last week.

[Oakboy]

bit worrying not to see Curry at all (unless I missed it).

Agreed. Maybe SB will surprise us with 4 or 5 squad changes including dumping an unfit Curry.

not sure about protocol once you've named the squad officially.

According to the BBC: 'Borthwick has until 28 August to name his final squad.' If that is right the 33 named is only for English consumption with the RWC deadline yet to come.

[morepork]

Oooooh. I think the Fiji pack are going to jackal the bijeebus out of your pack. All of them are monsters over the ball.

They will absolutely shame us, they were doing a decent number on France at the breakdown last week.

They were pretty well drilled during this years Pacific Nations Cup. They can ruck, maul, counter, and launch from first phase. You are going to have to win by aiming to score tries against them, not rely on them making mistakes. The relative penalty counts at rucks will be interesting.

I actually feel sorry for (most) England players this World Cup. They've had the fun and skill squeezed out of them by a bafflingly limited coaching and selection methodology. They are now playing like haunted robots. I hope there is some leadership in the group that can pick them up a bit.

[Oakboy]

Oooooh. I think the Fiji pack are going to jackal the bijeebus out of your pack. All of them are monsters over the ball.

They will absolutely shame us, they were doing a decent number on France at the breakdown last week.

They were pretty well drilled during this years Pacific Nations Cup. They can ruck, maul, counter, and launch from first phase. You are going to have to win by aiming to score tries against them, not rely on them making mistakes. The relative penalty counts at rucks will be interesting.

I actually feel sorry for (most) England players this World Cup. They've had the fun and skill squeezed out of them by a bafflingly limited coaching and selection methodology. They are now playing like haunted robots. I hope there is some leadership in the group that can pick them up a bit.

Sums it up well, that sentence.

[Carter1989]

Rumoured that Curry is crocked too.

Utter car crash. Everyone at the RFU should be sacked, everyone in English rugby should be sacked.

[Mikey Brown]

They will absolutely shame us, they were doing a decent number on France at the breakdown last week.

They were pretty well drilled during this years Pacific Nations Cup. They can ruck, maul, counter, and launch from first phase. You are going to have to win by aiming to score tries against them, not rely on them making mistakes. The relative penalty counts at rucks will be interesting.

I actually feel sorry for (most) England players this World Cup. They've had the fun and skill squeezed out of them by a bafflingly limited coaching and selection methodology. They are now playing like haunted robots. I hope there is some leadership in the group that can pick them up a bit.

Sums it up well, that sentence.

Yeah that really got me. What a perfect description.

There are still a few human-like animations programmed in there but they never seem to appear at the right moments.

[Banquo]

Agreed. Maybe SB will surprise us with 4 or 5 squad changes including dumping an unfit Curry.

not sure about protocol once you've named the squad officially.

Aaaah, I just lost all hope if you are suggesting he can't make changes. Surely, injuries and suspensions qualify as replacements permitted? He changed JVP for Mitchell. Can't he dump Watson, Daly and Curry on similar grounds if necessary? Farrell and BV might count as wishful thinking.

...I'm not sure, but you can probably dump in the event of new injuries that rule out of whole tournament; no idea on suspensions tbh. As I said, I don't know!

[Epaminondas Pules]

Rumoured that Curry is crocked too.

Utter car crash. Everyone at the RFU should be sacked, everyone in English rugby should be sacked.

Watson definitely out

The following are all worries:

Daly (knee); Martin (knee); Arundell (back); Curry