vs Georgia

[francoisfou]

I mean, what do we learn from playing Ewels and Itoje? If Itoje is so essential, then play him at lock and bring in THill.

This! Eddie’s evidently got the post Courtney blues.

[JellyHead]

I've just had a look and cannot find any channel showing this. Not even a highlights show. Please tell me I'm being blind and point me at it. I can't see the point of a tournament with no crowds and no tv coverage.

[Mikey Brown]

Amazon Prime or whatever they're calling their sports package.

[Raggs]

Amazon Prime or whatever they're calling their sports package.

Amazon prime gives you access to all the amazon tv I believe. There's a message going round at the moment about a link you can sign up through your local rugby club, for the usual 30 day trial (enough for the games I think), but I guess if you then signup, the club gets some cash.

[jngf]

Never seen Itoje have a convincing test at 6 to date - despite all the rhetoric Eddy used of introducing Willis as a ‘classic 6’ he gets a run out at 7 - though Willis’ turnover skills are well suited to the openside role and think he’s one of those flankers (like Ludlum) who can play openside or blindside equally well.

[JellyHead]

Ah cheers all. Never thought to check that. Now if only I had a device that would receive it other than my phone. Ho hum.

[jimKRFC]

Amazon Prime gives you all the t.v (through an app or fire stick/box) as well as the free delivery and amazon music. For the price it's good value, the free delivery pays for it over the year (Christmas and 24 neices/nephews, 13 in-laws (and spouses)). I no longer use spotify because of Amazon music so save a bit there as well. I've also logged my parents into the t.v so they get it free as well.

Jelly, if you have a SmartTV then you could stream it onto the telly from your phone or see if there's an app on the telly. Otherwise the Fire Stick lite is pretty good.

Interesting to see how the coverage goes!

[JellyHead]

Amazon Prime gives you all the t.v (through an app or fire stick/box) as well as the free delivery and amazon music. For the price it's good value, the free delivery pays for it over the year (Christmas and 24 neices/nephews, 13 in-laws (and spouses)). I no longer use spotify because of Amazon music so save a bit there as well. I've also logged my parents into the t.v so they get it free as well.

Jelly, if you have a SmartTV then you could stream it onto the telly from your phone or see if there's an app on the telly. Otherwise the Fire Stick lite is pretty good.

Interesting to see how the coverage goes!

Sadly my TV isn't a smart one, I just can't bring myself to replace a perfectly good 1080p tv. I'd normally do it through my PS3 which also doubles as my dvd player. It broke last weekend so my stock pile of DVDs to get me through this current fun times remains un watched. I had a fire stick but gave it to someone for some reason. Can't remember who.

I'll just watch the game in my head. Ball to youngs. Ball to floor. Recycle. Ball to farrell. Ball to sky. Recycle. Repeat. There we go, just saved someone having to do the minute by minute break down.

[twitchy]

Usually amazon do a prime trial which gives you a month free (but make sure you cancel it).

[Raggs]

Start your prime trial, order a firestick and hopefully get delivered in time. Or watch on phoneor computer.

Maybe hook computer to tv too.

[twitchy]

After fun, games and mischievous soundbites all week, Eddie Jones has picked his team to face Georgia and begin the Autumn Nations Cup.

A third meeting with the Lelos, following Rugby World Cup matches in 2003 and 2011, is a first at Twickenham. And the hosts will be eager for a comprehensive, convincing performance.
Set-piece priorities

Eight forwards should be plenty for England to assert superiority in the tight exchanges, especially given the intriguing selections that Jones has made.

Even though Joe Marler was fit and available, Ellis Genge is unleashed for a rare start – just his seventh in what will be a 20th Test appearance. You can be sure that scrum coach Matt Proudfoot will have been geeing up the Leicester Tigers loosehead all week.

Tighthead prop Will Stuart and lock Charlie Ewels bring cohesion from Bath. Joe Launchbury is one of the best disruptors of opposition mauls in the world.

After a week off in the wake of a gut-wrenching Premiership final defeat, and having watched Jonny Hill’s Test introduction in Rome, the Wasp will be mightily motivated. You have to go back to September 2019, and the Rugby World Cup pool match against the USA, for his last England start.




Maro Itoje’s presence in the back row gives England an attacking lineout capable of setting a pristine platform. In him and age-group colleague Ewels, there are two intelligent callers.

Conversely, England’s defensive operation should suffocate Georgia.

The plan looks straightforward: soften up the underdogs and hurt their pride by nullifying their best assets before rolling out Mako Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler and Tom Dunn.

Chucking both Ben Earl and Tom Curry on the bench provides the possibility of reconfiguring the back – and maybe even the backline – later on.
An inviting introduction for Jack Willis

Merab Sharikadze, Georgia’s captain, has vowed that his team will have improved markedly from their outing against Scotland last month. That said, their ponderous phase-play in that game at Murrayfield will have had John Mitchell licking his lips.

Stuart, Lauchbury and Itoje are particularly destructive defenders. They are also intuitive when it comes to tackle-choice. Chopping carriers and rolling away quickly should allow Willis to shine on debut.

In fact, the balance of the back row is set up perfectly for the 23-year-old underline his best attributes. Jones has stressed that Willis will need more than jackalling prowess to hold down a place in England’s back row. That is just as well.




He is an opportunistic carrier who was good enough to score nine Premiership tries last season. Lineout jumping is also in his inventory. But alongside Itoje and bruising Billy Vunipola, Willis will be charged primarily with covering his favourite base as a specialist ruck spoiler.

Unless there are injuries, two of the three locks in the pack will need to last 80 minutes. That way, Jones can have a play around with back-row combinations – how about a Willis, Earl, Curry triumvirate? – in the second half.

Sam Underhill, consistently excellent for England since his debut in 2017 when his body has allowed, might be a nervous spectator.
Far more attacking proactivity

Jonathan Joseph’s shift to the right wing, where he started against Ireland before lockdown and spent much of the Italy game, is a nice way of looking after Ollie Lawrence at outside centre. Joseph is a relentless talker on the field, something that the lack of spectators helps you appreciate.

Lawrence will be carving on to the shoulder of first-receivers, with either Owen Farrell or Henry Slade fading behind him to feed speedy runners flooding into the 15-metre channel. Jonny May will be frustrated if he ends the weekend on 29 Test tries.

Farrell clearly enjoys an existing playmaking relationship with Elliot Daly. Think of the times they have swung behind breakdowns as a duo.

Max Malins’ promotion to the bench is probably a result of that as well. He and Farrell were cooking up some lovely attacks as dual distributors for Saracens before his loan move to Bristol Bears.

In fact, Dan Robson and Joe Marchant – covering wing and the midfield – complete a sprightly set of replacements. If, as planned, Itoje, Willis and co provide a stream of turnovers, broken-field opportunities will arise in transition.

There will be some kicking. Showers are forecast and Georgia floundered under Scotland’s aerial examination. They could creep narrow too, opening up the possibility of chips and kick-passes towards the touchlines. May and Joseph are alert, aware and often wave their arms for thread-throughs.

That said, after returning 44 kicks and 91 runs from the Italian job that secured the Six Nations title, England will be eager for a ratio that is less boot-heavy.

[Raggs]

Going to put it here.

Link describing how local rugby clubs can register with amazon: https://www.englandrugby.com/news/artic ... e_UY4EAQD4

Basically everyone who then uses the link earns £3 for their club, whether they cancel after the 30 days free or not.

Help your local club out in this time.

[Peej]

After fun, games and mischievous soundbites all week, Eddie Jones has picked his team to face Georgia and begin the Autumn Nations Cup.

A third meeting with the Lelos, following Rugby World Cup matches in 2003 and 2011, is a first at Twickenham. And the hosts will be eager for a comprehensive, convincing performance.
Set-piece priorities

Eight forwards should be plenty for England to assert superiority in the tight exchanges, especially given the intriguing selections that Jones has made.

Even though Joe Marler was fit and available, Ellis Genge is unleashed for a rare start – just his seventh in what will be a 20th Test appearance. You can be sure that scrum coach Matt Proudfoot will have been geeing up the Leicester Tigers loosehead all week.

Tighthead prop Will Stuart and lock Charlie Ewels bring cohesion from Bath. Joe Launchbury is one of the best disruptors of opposition mauls in the world.

After a week off in the wake of a gut-wrenching Premiership final defeat, and having watched Jonny Hill’s Test introduction in Rome, the Wasp will be mightily motivated. You have to go back to September 2019, and the Rugby World Cup pool match against the USA, for his last England start.




Maro Itoje’s presence in the back row gives England an attacking lineout capable of setting a pristine platform. In him and age-group colleague Ewels, there are two intelligent callers.

Conversely, England’s defensive operation should suffocate Georgia.

The plan looks straightforward: soften up the underdogs and hurt their pride by nullifying their best assets before rolling out Mako Vunipola, Kyle Sinckler and Tom Dunn.

Chucking both Ben Earl and Tom Curry on the bench provides the possibility of reconfiguring the back – and maybe even the backline – later on.
An inviting introduction for Jack Willis

Merab Sharikadze, Georgia’s captain, has vowed that his team will have improved markedly from their outing against Scotland last month. That said, their ponderous phase-play in that game at Murrayfield will have had John Mitchell licking his lips.

Stuart, Lauchbury and Itoje are particularly destructive defenders. They are also intuitive when it comes to tackle-choice. Chopping carriers and rolling away quickly should allow Willis to shine on debut.

In fact, the balance of the back row is set up perfectly for the 23-year-old underline his best attributes. Jones has stressed that Willis will need more than jackalling prowess to hold down a place in England’s back row. That is just as well.




He is an opportunistic carrier who was good enough to score nine Premiership tries last season. Lineout jumping is also in his inventory. But alongside Itoje and bruising Billy Vunipola, Willis will be charged primarily with covering his favourite base as a specialist ruck spoiler.

Unless there are injuries, two of the three locks in the pack will need to last 80 minutes. That way, Jones can have a play around with back-row combinations – how about a Willis, Earl, Curry triumvirate? – in the second half.

Sam Underhill, consistently excellent for England since his debut in 2017 when his body has allowed, might be a nervous spectator.
Far more attacking proactivity

Jonathan Joseph’s shift to the right wing, where he started against Ireland before lockdown and spent much of the Italy game, is a nice way of looking after Ollie Lawrence at outside centre. Joseph is a relentless talker on the field, something that the lack of spectators helps you appreciate.

Lawrence will be carving on to the shoulder of first-receivers, with either Owen Farrell or Henry Slade fading behind him to feed speedy runners flooding into the 15-metre channel. Jonny May will be frustrated if he ends the weekend on 29 Test tries.

Farrell clearly enjoys an existing playmaking relationship with Elliot Daly. Think of the times they have swung behind breakdowns as a duo.

Max Malins’ promotion to the bench is probably a result of that as well. He and Farrell were cooking up some lovely attacks as dual distributors for Saracens before his loan move to Bristol Bears.

In fact, Dan Robson and Joe Marchant – covering wing and the midfield – complete a sprightly set of replacements. If, as planned, Itoje, Willis and co provide a stream of turnovers, broken-field opportunities will arise in transition.

There will be some kicking. Showers are forecast and Georgia floundered under Scotland’s aerial examination. They could creep narrow too, opening up the possibility of chips and kick-passes towards the touchlines. May and Joseph are alert, aware and often wave their arms for thread-throughs.

That said, after returning 44 kicks and 91 runs from the Italian job that secured the Six Nations title, England will be eager for a ratio that is less boot-heavy.

There's some odd sounding stuff in there. How many times did Farrell and Malins actually play together for Sarries?

[jimKRFC]

What is "swung behind a ruck" supposed to mean? And what effect is it supposed to have?

[Puja]

What is "swung behind a ruck" supposed to mean? And what effect is it supposed to have?

The idea is that the two main playmakers (Ford/Faz or Faz/Slade) of England split, with one on each side. When one of the playmakers sees an opportunity, the 15 and the other will swing to that side and overload it.

Puja

[Danno]

Nice idea. Except boot meet leather.

[jimKRFC]

What is "swung behind a ruck" supposed to mean? And what effect is it supposed to have?

The idea is that the two main playmakers (Ford/Faz or Faz/Slade) of England split, with one on each side. When one of the playmakers sees an opportunity, the 15 and the other will swing to that side and overload it.

Puja

Oh... thought mabe it was something that only Sarries did from the write up. Pretty sure most/all sides do that.

[Puja]

Article talking about how Amazon aren't likely to be in the market for rugby rights long-term, but will provide a boost to the whole market just by the threat of being there: https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2020/ ... idding-war

Getting them to shell out £20m for one tournament is pretty good work by the nations involved. Even split between 8 nations (and hands up who thinks Fiji and Georgia are going to be getting an even split rather than some kind of "invitational team fee"), that's still a hefty wad of cash in these cash-strapped times.

I've seen plenty of ads for it on facebook and t'interwebs in general - I think it could get some half-decent viewing figures if the plague holds off for long enough.

Puja

[Stom]

Amazon's business model is very clear. They're happy to spend £35m on this as a means to get 1m Prime subs.

£35/signup is pretty good. They'd probably be happy with 1/3rd of that, around £100 each.

[Puja]

Amazon's business model is very clear. They're happy to spend £35m on this as a means to get 1m Prime subs.

£35/signup is pretty good. They'd probably be happy with 1/3rd of that, around £100 each.

Especially with it being in the leadup to Christmas (with a lockdown going). Get people in with a free trial for the rugby and then they'll keep it going with the idea that it'll pay for itself with Christmas shopping, also tying them into using Amazon for all that spending.

I mean, Bezos is clearly awful, but it is a very adroit money-making scheme. The timing of it may mean that Amazon, while not being hugely interested in anything else rugby-related, could be a regular bidder for Autumn International rights.

Puja

[Stom]

Amazon's business model is very clear. They're happy to spend £35m on this as a means to get 1m Prime subs.

£35/signup is pretty good. They'd probably be happy with 1/3rd of that, around £100 each.

Especially with it being in the leadup to Christmas (with a lockdown going). Get people in with a free trial for the rugby and then they'll keep it going with the idea that it'll pay for itself with Christmas shopping, also tying them into using Amazon for all that spending.

I mean, Bezos is clearly awful, but it is a very adroit money-making scheme. The timing of it may mean that Amazon, while not being hugely interested in anything else rugby-related, could be a regular bidder for Autumn International rights.

Puja

They'll see this as a "trial run". Worst case scenario, they lose 5-10m, which is small change for them. They'll just offset it against their taxes so they only have to pay 17p anyway.

[Peej]

I notice Radradra has tested positive for COVID - does this mean the France Fiji game will be going ahead?

[Scrumhead]

Rugby Pass says it’s under threat. Fiji have named a side though.

[Scrumhead]

Formally cancelled now

[Mellsblue]

Formally cancelled now

Please tell me you’re talking about 2020 as a whole?