Team for Italy

[Which Tyler]

I’m hoping for fewer aerial shots at key moments. Certainly no close ups of someone chucking up and hopefully an astute cameraman (sorry, person) will pick out a number of floral frocks

And at least three shots of a pretty young woman in the crowd; and two of people in fancy dress

Preferably when a lineout is being taken. The pretty young woman that is

Oh yes, it's vitaly important that we miss rugby being played, in favour of pretty young women in the stands, also - pitch side interviews, where it's more important to see the coach's face whilst talking, than the rugby that they're talking about

[francoisfou]

And at least three shots of a pretty young woman in the crowd; and two of people in fancy dress

Preferably when a lineout is being taken. The pretty young woman that is

Oh yes, it's vitaly I oortant that we miss rugby being played, in favour of pretty young women in the stands, also - pitch side interviews, where it's more important to see the coach's face whilst talking, than the rugby that they're talking about

Feel really sorry for you lot having to put up with ITV coverage. I watched the Scotland game in Leicestershire a couple of weeks ago and thought the coverage was dire.
Loads better over here in France 2. Excellent match commentary with Matthieu Lartot and former Biarritz and France scrum half Dimitri Yachvili, who’ll be at Twickers this afternoon!

[p/d]

DuPont:

The heart hurts even more than the knee when you have to leave your friends before the last step," Dupont posted on Instagram.
"I am proud of what we accomplished yesterday and with all my strength with you, you will do it.
"Rupture of the cruciate ligaments. This is the beginning of a new challenge, I'll see you in a few months on the field."

[Oakboy]

So what are people’s hopes/expectations for this game in terms of England really moving forwards? It’s always difficult when a close game is viewed as a failure and a comfortable win is viewed as a walkover.

I suppose I just want to see a performance that actually looks like it would trouble top teams, rather than just being able to beat up Italy. No clue what sort of Italy team are going to turn up though, to be honest.

It’s strange to end the tournament on these two games. I imagine Wales will look drastically different from yesterday, or at least the first half, and have their home crowd behind them. Let’s hope that is a real test.

Good question. I want to see the team have a real go. (Symptomatic of that will be each winger getting 4 or 5 passes in the first half an hour.)

[Danno]

So what are people’s hopes/expectations for this game in terms of England really moving forwards? It’s always difficult when a close game is viewed as a failure and a comfortable win is viewed as a walkover.

I suppose I just want to see a performance that actually looks like it would trouble top teams, rather than just being able to beat up Italy. No clue what sort of Italy team are going to turn up though, to be honest.

It’s strange to end the tournament on these two games. I imagine Wales will look drastically different from yesterday, or at least the first half, and have their home crowd behind them. Let’s hope that is a real test.

Good question. I want to see the team have a real go. (Symptomatic of that will be each winger getting 4 or 5 passes in the first half an hour.)

Not kicking every third phase would be nice

[Charlatan]

A genuinely enjoyable game to watch, both teams playing some good rugby with England pulling away in the final quarter inspired by Marcus smashing it from the bench (I say this only partly biased by my fantasy team picks).

[Galfon]

I hope Eng play at pace, with purpose...err
Great support play by Curry. 7-0.

[Mikey Brown]

Well I guess Tom Willis has found his groove.

[Mikey Brown]

Oh. Horrible for Lawrence, but Freeman or Daly at 13 is interesting. Surely Freeman?

[Mr Mwenda]

Poor Lawrence, how weird. He'd had a good start.

(Turns out Slade was keeping Lawrence upright)

[Which Tyler]

Bollocks!

At least we've a simple substitution with Marcus to FB, Daly to OC

[Which Tyler]

Oh. Horrible for Lawrence, but Freeman or Daly at 13 is interesting. Surely Freeman?

I still don't know why people bang on about it, whilst complaining about playing people out of position.
Daly has played OC 120-odd times
Freeman has played OC 10-ish times

[Captainhaircut]

Going to have to adjust quick here as this Lawrence injury has them a mess in attack and defence now.

[FKAS]

Going to have to adjust quick here as this Lawrence injury has them a mess in attack and defence now.

Spot on. We seem to have lost our attacking structure and that chip over the top saw nobody in the backfield come forth and claim it, Italy profit.

[Galfon]

Slick & accurate by Ita.
7 - 7 after 14 min.
At least it should give Eng a spur.

[Galfon]

Pen. count hurting, the ref. not averse to his whistle thus far.

[FKAS]

Marcus with a couple of nice phases ball in hand, hopefully that settles him down a bit. He's looked lost at fullback so far, losing the ball in contact twice and then just letting the Italian chaser out jump him under a high ball. Not normal fare from him.

[FKAS]

I think only the ref and TMO don't think that's not a penalty try and yellow card.

[Galfon]

Karma for Freeman
Class finish 14 - 7 after 28m.

[Which Tyler]

TMO agreed with the rest of us
Looked like the TJs did as well

[Captainhaircut]

Dingwall just gets run over too much at test level.

[Which Tyler]

Well ****
Can't take your eyes of Ange

[Mr Mwenda]

What a try. Lovely stuff. Come on England.

[Mikey Brown]

Oh. Horrible for Lawrence, but Freeman or Daly at 13 is interesting. Surely Freeman?

I still don't know why people bang on about it, whilst complaining about playing people out of position.
Daly has played OC 120-odd times
Freeman has played OC 10-ish times

Because Freeman has actually been playing and training there for England recently, including in this tournament? I don’t think he plays there enough either, for what it’s worth.

Seems they went with Daly, but I don’t know why that’s a blindingly obvious call beyond making one less positional switch.

[FKAS]

How does Genge get closer to chasing down Vincent than Marcus the fullback does to making the tackle?