England v Australia, Sat 13 Nov KO 5.30pm

[Danno]

The last 20 could see our scrum v. underpowered now you mention it. Rodd, Blamire, Stuart, Itoje, Ewels, Curry, Simmonds? Dombrandt would not strike fear into many packs.

[Oakboy]

Jaco Peyper, ref. What's his record with scrums and rucks lately? I can't think I've seen him officiate with the current law applications.

[16th man]

The last 20 could see our scrum v. underpowered now you mention it. Rodd, Blamire, Stuart, Itoje, Ewels, Curry, Simmonds? Dombrandt would not strike fear into many packs.

I'd be worried against the Bokke but not something of real concern against this Aussie line up. In fact we're much more likely to be wanting the mobility.

[Puja]

The last 20 could see our scrum v. underpowered now you mention it. Rodd, Blamire, Stuart, Itoje, Ewels, Curry, Simmonds? Dombrandt would not strike fear into many packs.

I'd be worried against the Bokke but not something of real concern against this Aussie line up. In fact we're much more likely to be wanting the mobility.

My only concern is Skelton. He has such an impact behind a tighthead that I'd be worried about losing scrums in the last 20 with that pack. I don't imagine Eddie will give Rodd too much of a run-out anyway - I suspect he'll probably get the full Tom Dunn experience of either 80 minutes on the bench or a 30 second cameo to phone home about.

Puja

[morepork]

The crazy part of it all is that it just APPEARS to be based on shoe-horning Farrell into the starting line-up. Why not just put him in the 22 shirt? Would that be so radical? That single change with Malins in the 14 shirt gives the team balance. Should it then go tits-up bring our Lord and Saviour off the bench.

Totally agree. I thought exactly the same thing.

IMO, the best way of using Farrell now is as the experienced game manager to close out tight test matches. He’s just simply not effective enough to take Smith (or Ford) or a centre’s place in the side.

Angry water boy. His class is such he could get yellow carded even from there.

[Tom Moore]

Just realised that we are injuries to May and Farrell away to fielding a back three comprised of 2 full backs and a centre, and a flanker in the centres. Exciting times.

[Puja]

Just realised that we are injuries to May and Farrell away to fielding a back three comprised of 2 full backs and a centre, and a flanker in the centres. Exciting times.

You're not thinking big enough. Injuries to May and Malins. Then you have a back three of two centres and a full-back, with a flanker in the centre.

Puja

[Danno]

Always the way with the stupid 6:2 bench and EJs peculiar fixation with "versatility"*

* aka crow barring some poor bastard into a spot he has no experience, interest or inclination for playing in

[Danno]

Just realised that we are injuries to May and Farrell away to fielding a back three comprised of 2 full backs and a centre, and a flanker in the centres. Exciting times.

You're not thinking big enough. Injuries to May and Malins. Then you have a back three of two centres and a full-back, with a flanker and a test match animal in the centres.

Puja

[Tom Moore]

Just realised that we are injuries to May and Farrell away to fielding a back three comprised of 2 full backs and a centre, and a flanker in the centres. Exciting times.

You're not thinking big enough. Injuries to May and Malins. Then you have a back three of two centres and a full-back, with a flanker in the centre.

Puja

I bow to your superior creativity. And I'm going to have a gin.

[Puja]

Just realised that we are injuries to May and Farrell away to fielding a back three comprised of 2 full backs and a centre, and a flanker in the centres. Exciting times.

You're not thinking big enough. Injuries to May and Malins. Then you have a back three of two centres and a full-back, with a flanker and a test match animal in the centres.

Perfect

[Danno]

You're not thinking big enough. Injuries to May and Malins. Then you have a back three of two centres and a full-back, with a flanker and a test match animal in the centres.

Perfect

I'm available for a consultancy role as and when EJ calls you up for coaching

[p/d]

So even SCW has come around to the belief Farrell and Smith should be fighting over the 10 shirt so we can build on Manu and Slade. That said never quite sure he rated Ford as highly as some of us.

Or, as he puts it: ‘time to stop messing about and play your best players in their best position or not all’

[Mikey Brown]

Isn’t “play Farrell at 10” basically the only things he’s said as a pundit (that isn’t related to 2003) for the last few years?

He’s simply limited in different ways at 12 instead of 10, and I think in a preferable way for the team.

[p/d]

Isn’t “play Farrell at 10” basically the only things he’s said as a pundit (that isn’t related to 2003) for the last few years?

He’s simply limited in different ways at 12 instead of 10, and I think in a preferable way for the team.

Yes, you are probably right. My mind has been clouded over the last few years by hi constant penning on how Farrell is the backbone of England and the Lions as he journeys down memory lane

[fivepointer]

Woodward once described Farrell as being four players in one.

I think he also needs to cop some of the blame for the "test match animal" tag.

[Mellsblue]

Does anyone know if Opta or similar produce player heat maps for England tests? It would interesting to see where 12, 13 & 14 spend their time.

[Oakboy]

With the length of time that Farrell takes with place kicks, he is guaranteed first place in any list of time in possession. I'd love to see the time allotted cut in half.

[whatisthejava]

I can’t cal this, on paper England should dominate the ozzies in the right and win

But farrell at 12 means constantly kicking the ball away, manu on the wing will be targeted , and the ozzies will be desperate to show last week was a blip.

England by 3-10

[FKAS]

I can’t cal this, on paper England should dominate the ozzies in the right and win

But farrell at 12 means constantly kicking the ball away, manu on the wing will be targeted , and the ozzies will be desperate to show last week was a blip.

England by 3-10

I suspect that Manu will defend mainly as a centre with Smith in the backfield. The only issue would be in turnover ball quickly moved out wide and Manu caught in a foot race though the Aussie winger would have to be confident of definitely winning that otherwise he'll get a side on smash from a top speed Manu which is probably a similar feeling to being hit by a bus.

[p/d]

10mins in sin bin for ‘late hit’

[Raggs]

Genge out with a positive covid test.

That's a blow.

[Puja]

Genge out with a positive covid test.

That's a blow.

Shit.

Well, that's put a major damper on my pre-match predictions. Slipper'll be breathing a huge sigh of relief.

Surely Mako's got to be called up from here, possibly straight into the starting XV? Not like Rodd's really had time in camp to learn the calls and get primacy and Mako knows the ropes well enough, no matter how much has changed. We can't possibly put Davidson in, can we?

Puja

[Danno]

Nah, won't know until 45mins before KO

[p/d]

Genge out with a positive covid test.

That's a blow.

Noooo!! Such a shame. This was a perfect game for him