England vs Argentina

[Oakboy]

think arundell is crocked still? Can't help feeling that Willis should be starting somewhere, but get why not in squad if not starting.

I think it's all a compromise. Lawrence on the bench is odd. He has to be in case Tuilagi breaks again but it makes more sense to me to start them the other way round. I'd swap Smith and Ford too. Why pick Mitchell to inject pace but start with older/slower players at 10/12. It just seems inconsistent. We have to start well, IMO, to have a chance of winning.

I don't get the fan love for Lawrence at 12. He's looked bang average most times he's played there and his ball security in contact is appalling, which is not a feature you want if you're asking someone to run into contact lots. For all of Tuilagi's many flaws and issues, we can at least send him to crash it up and expect relatively quick ball that consistently comes back on our side. Lawrence might be more likely to make a bust nowadays, but he's also much more likely to get stripped or get held up trying to make an extra metre and result in a 10 second ruck.

Puja

That's the crunch bit!

[FKAS]

think arundell is crocked still? Can't help feeling that Willis should be starting somewhere, but get why not in squad if not starting.

I think it's all a compromise. Lawrence on the bench is odd. He has to be in case Tuilagi breaks again but it makes more sense to me to start them the other way round. I'd swap Smith and Ford too. Why pick Mitchell to inject pace but start with older/slower players at 10/12. It just seems inconsistent. We have to start well, IMO, to have a chance of winning.

Because the older 10 is quicker of brain?

And the older centre is slower but more reliably able to crash over the gain line and suck in defenders.

Hopefully we'll actually use that at some point.

[FKAS]

I think it's all a compromise. Lawrence on the bench is odd. He has to be in case Tuilagi breaks again but it makes more sense to me to start them the other way round. I'd swap Smith and Ford too. Why pick Mitchell to inject pace but start with older/slower players at 10/12. It just seems inconsistent. We have to start well, IMO, to have a chance of winning.

Because the older 10 is quicker of brain?

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

He does attack space but he generally attacks it himself and the gets tackled having made only a few metres. He's then out the game and the attack then stumbles through two phases until he's back on his feet.

At this point on time Smith needs to be one of two playmakers at this level but we don't have one that naturally slots into the backline that can combine well with him.

[Mellsblue]

I think it's all a compromise. Lawrence on the bench is odd. He has to be in case Tuilagi breaks again but it makes more sense to me to start them the other way round. I'd swap Smith and Ford too. Why pick Mitchell to inject pace but start with older/slower players at 10/12. It just seems inconsistent. We have to start well, IMO, to have a chance of winning.

Because the older 10 is quicker of brain?

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

You tell me. You’re the one who wants to drop him. I’ll need the context of playing in a dysfunctional team getting murdered at the breakdown, as part of your analysis.

[Oakboy]

Because the older 10 is quicker of brain?

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

You tell me. You’re the one who wants to drop him. I’ll need the context of playing in a dysfunctional team getting murdered at the breakdown, as part of your analysis.

I mainly remember him unsuccessfully trying a grubber kick through a wall of defenders. Apart from that . . . Oh, spiral bombs . . .

[Oakboy]

Because the older 10 is quicker of brain?

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

He does attack space but he generally attacks it himself and the gets tackled having made only a few metres. He's then out the game and the attack then stumbles through two phases until he's back on his feet.

At this point on time Smith needs to be one of two playmakers at this level but we don't have one that naturally slots into the backline that can combine well with him.

Ah, I get it. You want Farrell at 12 with Smith at 10.

[p/d]

Manu, waste of caps now……. However, he is playing alongside his club teammate so that must count for something.

I’d be starting Lawrence.

[Mikey Brown]

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

You tell me. You’re the one who wants to drop him. I’ll need the context of playing in a dysfunctional team getting murdered at the breakdown, as part of your analysis.

I mainly remember him unsuccessfully trying a grubber kick through a wall of defenders. Apart from that . . . Oh, spiral bombs . . .

Well those are our only 2 attacking moves. Smith might manage to dance round someone but I’m going with the consensus on here, even as a huge Smith fan.

I do think Ford has slowed down but he can more reliably get carriers on the front foot in attack, which I think will be more key to us getting back on track. Until we get a handle on the breakdown I don’t think any amount of flair in the backs will make up for it.

[Puja]

I think it's all a compromise. Lawrence on the bench is odd. He has to be in case Tuilagi breaks again but it makes more sense to me to start them the other way round. I'd swap Smith and Ford too. Why pick Mitchell to inject pace but start with older/slower players at 10/12. It just seems inconsistent. We have to start well, IMO, to have a chance of winning.

I don't get the fan love for Lawrence at 12. He's looked bang average most times he's played there and his ball security in contact is appalling, which is not a feature you want if you're asking someone to run into contact lots. For all of Tuilagi's many flaws and issues, we can at least send him to crash it up and expect relatively quick ball that consistently comes back on our side. Lawrence might be more likely to make a bust nowadays, but he's also much more likely to get stripped or get held up trying to make an extra metre and result in a 10 second ruck.

Puja

That's the crunch bit!

I don't think it is. I didn't watch the Fiji game (was away, thank gods), but the Wales and Ireland games weren't notable for England failing to make initial breaks, but for us then fucking it up and losing possession before we even threatened to score.

Puja

[FKAS]

That's always been the contention. How many attacking moves has Ford initiated in recent games, though? I think the sharpness of thought has largely been absent with the type of game we are playing. It's just too safety-first. I don't rate Smith that highly but he does at least attack space occasionally.

He does attack space but he generally attacks it himself and the gets tackled having made only a few metres. He's then out the game and the attack then stumbles through two phases until he's back on his feet.

At this point on time Smith needs to be one of two playmakers at this level but we don't have one that naturally slots into the backline that can combine well with him.

Ah, I get it. You want Farrell at 12 with Smith at 10.

Got to have the Iceman in the team, natural leader etc etc

[p/d]

Really pleased with the side. I believe SB has nailed this. After 4 games testing out options and different game plans he has settled on a starting XV that will bring together the pluses from the one win and 3 defeats.

Strong front row, supported by the most athletic lock pairing to grace this WC. Back row just packs a punch. The mobility and awesome work rate of Lawes compliments the physical 'don't lie down' approach that the too hot to handle Curry brings. An electric 9, maestro 10 and a 12 & 13 combo that can dance or ram their way through a wall of defence whilst keeping the ball alive. It's hard to find a weakness. Should that not be enough we have out wide the 'speedsters', both willing and more than able to run sideways across the pitch to make those game changing 5 metres.

Too much talent? Perhaps. But at 15 we have safety with a capital 'S' and then, to wrap it up, a vocal clappy happy Chappy at 8 to frustrate the opposition and officials.

...... Yes, we can begin to dream.

[Oakboy]

Really pleased with the side. I believe SB has nailed this. After 4 games testing out options and different game plans he has settled on a starting XV that will bring together the pluses from the one win and 3 defeats.

Strong front row, supported by the most athletic lock pairing to grace this WC. Back row just packs a punch. The mobility and awesome work rate of Lawes compliments the physical 'don't lie down' approach that the too hot to handle Curry brings. An electric 9, maestro 10 and a 12 & 13 combo that can dance or ram their way through a wall of defence whilst keeping the ball alive. It's hard to find a weakness. Should that not be enough we have out wide the 'speedsters', both willing and more than able to run sideways across the pitch to make those game changing 5 metres.

Too much talent? Perhaps. But at 15 we have safety with a capital 'S' and then, to wrap it up, a vocal clappy happy Chappy at 8 to frustrate the opposition and officials.

...... Yes, we can begin to dream.

Have you been on the laughing gas?

[Mellsblue]

Really pleased with the side. I believe SB has nailed this. After 4 games testing out options and different game plans he has settled on a starting XV that will bring together the pluses from the one win and 3 defeats.

Strong front row, supported by the most athletic lock pairing to grace this WC. Back row just packs a punch. The mobility and awesome work rate of Lawes compliments the physical 'don't lie down' approach that the too hot to handle Curry brings. An electric 9, maestro 10 and a 12 & 13 combo that can dance or ram their way through a wall of defence whilst keeping the ball alive. It's hard to find a weakness. Should that not be enough we have out wide the 'speedsters', both willing and more than able to run sideways across the pitch to make those game changing 5 metres.

Too much talent? Perhaps. But at 15 we have safety with a capital 'S' and then, to wrap it up, a vocal clappy happy Chappy at 8 to frustrate the opposition and officials.

...... Yes, we can begin to dream.

Have you been on the laughing gas?

Might be the only way to get through it.
I’m watching the matches vs Chile & Samoa and the group were joking today that we might at least get to see one victory.

[Mr Mwenda]

Really pleased with the side. I believe SB has nailed this. After 4 games testing out options and different game plans he has settled on a starting XV that will bring together the pluses from the one win and 3 defeats.

Strong front row, supported by the most athletic lock pairing to grace this WC. Back row just packs a punch. The mobility and awesome work rate of Lawes compliments the physical 'don't lie down' approach that the too hot to handle Curry brings. An electric 9, maestro 10 and a 12 & 13 combo that can dance or ram their way through a wall of defence whilst keeping the ball alive. It's hard to find a weakness. Should that not be enough we have out wide the 'speedsters', both willing and more than able to run sideways across the pitch to make those game changing 5 metres.

Too much talent? Perhaps. But at 15 we have safety with a capital 'S' and then, to wrap it up, a vocal clappy happy Chappy at 8 to frustrate the opposition and officials.

...... Yes, we can begin to dream.

Have you been on the laughing gas?

I assumed it was the gripe water.

[p/d]

The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

[Puja]

The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

Right on! Gotta keep the delusion faith. I still believe that it's all because Aled's been beasting them in fitness and we're going to peak right when we need to. It's all the long game.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

Right on! Gotta keep the delusion faith. I still believe that it's all because Aled's been beasting them in fitness and we're going to peak right when we need to. It's all the long game.

Puja

Who is this Aled chap?

[Puja]

The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

Right on! Gotta keep the delusion faith. I still believe that it's all because Aled's been beasting them in fitness and we're going to peak right when we need to. It's all the long game.

Puja

Who is this Aled chap?

Oh, you haven't heard? Let me tell you the good news about former Springboks fitness coach Aled Walters...

Puja

[Danno]

The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

All you need is another shirt. Mine is blue with a little red cockerell on it because I am a filthy heathen.

[Cameo]

I realise I have a habbit of coming on here to say this, but you lot need to be a bit more optimistic. Yeah, you have been rubbish and you have Dan Cole starting about 10 years past his sell by date but Argentina aren't great. They have the odd good performance but are inconsistent and are struggling to move from awkward opponents to being a really top team...

and even if you lose what I view as a 50/50 game, you will still probably get through.

[Puja]

I realise I have a habbtbof coming on here to say this, but you lot need to be a bit more optimistic. Yeah, you have been rubbish and you have Dan Cole starting about 10 years past his sell by date but Argentina aren't great. They have the odd good performance but are inconsistent and are struggling to move from awkward opponents to being a really top team...

and even if you lose what I view as a 50/50 game, you will still probably get through.

Oh gods. We're so terrible that we're getting pity from the Scots!

Puja

[Lizard]

I realise I have a habbtbof coming on here to say this, but you lot need to be a bit more optimistic. Yeah, you have been rubbish and you have Dan Cole starting about 10 years past his sell by date but Argentina aren't great. They have the odd good performance but are inconsistent and are struggling to move from awkward opponents to being a really top team...

and even if you lose what I view as a 50/50 game, you will still probably get through.

Not to mention a paste and tape Manu Tuilagi coming on to play crash at the age of 32...

[jngf]

The mocking is over, the time has come to spin it whichever way to fill me with hope and expectation

There will be power, cohesion and stunning tries…… but we will match them and take the spoils. Amongst friends I will cheer, curse and question much. But at the end I will believe and celebrate the view as we again look down, without fear,on those who stand in our way!

Right on! Gotta keep the delusion faith. I still believe that it's all because Aled's been beasting them in fitness and we're going to peak right when we need to. It's all the long game.

Puja

Who is this Aled chap?

Jones?

[p/d]

Did he get his watch back?

[Beasties]

Right on! Gotta keep the delusion faith. I still believe that it's all because Aled's been beasting them in fitness and we're going to peak right when we need to. It's all the long game.

Puja

Who is this Aled chap?

Jones?

The mere sight of that word gave me the shivers.