Team for France

[JellyHead]

I can understand the comments against Hughes but it was lucky that he was there to play adequately in the 2nd row as Kruis had already been replaced when Itoje was injured. Unfortunately, the only other bench candidate for that is Shields so I'd much prefer to stick with Hughes.

Good point, although that is a niche situation. If Clifford has been on the bench, who would've gone lock. None of Wilson or Curry have the build, so it would've been bodge o'clock between Clifford and Billy.

Puja

Surely Jonny May would step in.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Clifford has covered lock before

He has? Huh, every day a school day.

Puja

Not for a while, but he's not much shorter than Itoje. Similar to George Robson was, I think.

3 or 4 inches.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I can understand the comments against Hughes but it was lucky that he was there to play adequately in the 2nd row as Kruis had already been replaced when Itoje was injured. Unfortunately, the only other bench candidate for that is Shields so I'd much prefer to stick with Hughes.

Good point, although that is a niche situation. If Clifford has been on the bench, who would've gone lock. None of Wilson or Curry have the build, so it would've been bodge o'clock between Clifford and Billy.

Puja

Surely Jonny May would step in.

He's more of a front row cover now. His scrummaging technique is so good.

[p/d]

Enforced changes only. Could tinker with the back 3 but best leave May at FB, oops, wing, with Nowell on the other and Daly in no mans land.

As for bench. No changes

[Banquo]

One has to hope Daly improves at 15, as other bridges have either been burned or don't exist.

[p/d]

One has to hope Daly improves at 15, as other bridges have either been burned or don't exist.

he has the skills to.
Just not sure if he is reading the game well enough at the moment or simply doesn't fancy the physicality of the aerial 'battle'.

[Freddo]

Hasn't he previously said he wants to play 13 as he feels that is his best position?

[Banquo]

One has to hope Daly improves at 15, as other bridges have either been burned or don't exist.

he has the skills to.
Just not sure if he is reading the game well enough at the moment or simply doesn't fancy the physicality of the aerial 'battle'.

He doesn't as yet have the positional skills needed imo.

[Puja]

Hasn't he previously said he wants to play 13 as he feels that is his best position?

Foden thought his best position was scrum-half. Sometimes players shouldn't get to decide.

Mind, I think he's a wing every day of the week, rather than a full-back, but at least his attacking play and entering the line on Saturday looked like a real 15.

Puja

[Banquo]

Hasn't he previously said he wants to play 13 as he feels that is his best position?

Foden thought his best position was scrum-half. Sometimes players shouldn't get to decide.

Mind, I think he's a wing every day of the week, rather than a full-back, but at least his attacking play and entering the line on Saturday looked like a real 15.

Puja

Top international wing, ropy full back at present.

[p/d]

Hasn't he previously said he wants to play 13 as he feels that is his best position?

Foden thought his best position was scrum-half. Sometimes players shouldn't get to decide.

Mind, I think he's a wing every day of the week, rather than a full-back, but at least his attacking play and entering the line on Saturday looked like a real 15.

Puja

Top international wing, ropy full back at present.

Sums him up.

As an aside thought we saw a really mature, top quality performance from May yesterday. Took a lot of the heat off Daly without sacrificing his own attacking threat.

[Banquo]

Foden thought his best position was scrum-half. Sometimes players shouldn't get to decide.

Mind, I think he's a wing every day of the week, rather than a full-back, but at least his attacking play and entering the line on Saturday looked like a real 15.

Puja

Top international wing, ropy full back at present.

Sums him up.

As an aside thought we saw a really mature, top quality performance from May yesterday. Took a lot of the heat off Daly without sacrificing his own attacking threat.

May has surprised me with his development, somebody has done a remarkable job in stabilising Bambi

[Oakboy]

Hasn't he previously said he wants to play 13 as he feels that is his best position?

Foden thought his best position was scrum-half. Sometimes players shouldn't get to decide.

Mind, I think he's a wing every day of the week, rather than a full-back, but at least his attacking play and entering the line on Saturday looked like a real 15.

Puja

Top international wing, ropy full back at present.

Yes, before Saturday I'd have asked why not just swap Daly and Nowell if you don't want to play Brown. Maybe, though, Jones has something with Nowell's destructive wandering from the wing and he sees it as the best way to get Daly into the XV. I'd still prefer Daly on the wing but that result against Ireland curbs lots of criticism (for now).

[Banquo]

Foden thought his best position was scrum-half. Sometimes players shouldn't get to decide.

Mind, I think he's a wing every day of the week, rather than a full-back, but at least his attacking play and entering the line on Saturday looked like a real 15.

Puja

Top international wing, ropy full back at present.

Yes, before Saturday I'd have asked why not just swap Daly and Nowell if you don't want to play Brown. Maybe, though, Jones has something with Nowell's destructive wandering from the wing and he sees it as the best way to get Daly into the XV. I'd still prefer Daly on the wing but that result against Ireland curbs lots of criticism (for now).

Not sure why anyone would think Nowell any better at 15 than Daly tbh. At least Daly can kick.

[Oakboy]

Top international wing, ropy full back at present.

Yes, before Saturday I'd have asked why not just swap Daly and Nowell if you don't want to play Brown. Maybe, though, Jones has something with Nowell's destructive wandering from the wing and he sees it as the best way to get Daly into the XV. I'd still prefer Daly on the wing but that result against Ireland curbs lots of criticism (for now).

Not sure why anyone would think Nowell any better at 15 than Daly tbh. At least Daly can kick.

It's only Nowell's love of the physical, meaning that he actually appears to enjoy the challenge of the high bomb. Daly looks like it's beneath his dignity.

[Puja]

Yes, before Saturday I'd have asked why not just swap Daly and Nowell if you don't want to play Brown. Maybe, though, Jones has something with Nowell's destructive wandering from the wing and he sees it as the best way to get Daly into the XV. I'd still prefer Daly on the wing but that result against Ireland curbs lots of criticism (for now).

Not sure why anyone would think Nowell any better at 15 than Daly tbh. At least Daly can kick.

It's only Nowell's love of the physical, meaning that he actually appears to enjoy the challenge of the high bomb. Daly looks like it's beneath his dignity.

Actually, I think Daly goes for the high ball like he's forgotten he's playing 15 and remembers just in time to scramble in for his cue. "Oh shit, that should be mine, shouldn't it!"

Puja

[Stom]

He has? Huh, every day a school day.

Puja

Not for a while, but he's not much shorter than Itoje. Similar to George Robson was, I think.

3 or 4 inches.

Really? I thought Itoje was quite short for a lock, around 6'5". Is he bigger?

[Banquo]

Yes, before Saturday I'd have asked why not just swap Daly and Nowell if you don't want to play Brown. Maybe, though, Jones has something with Nowell's destructive wandering from the wing and he sees it as the best way to get Daly into the XV. I'd still prefer Daly on the wing but that result against Ireland curbs lots of criticism (for now).

Not sure why anyone would think Nowell any better at 15 than Daly tbh. At least Daly can kick.

It's only Nowell's love of the physical, meaning that he actually appears to enjoy the challenge of the high bomb. Daly looks like it's beneath his dignity.

Must confess I've no memory of Nowell going up to contest a high bomb, but that could be me. I'm less bothered about the aerial contest though, more about positioning- something Goode is superb at (I'm not suggesting him!). It comes with experience.

[Spiffy]

Not sure why anyone would think Nowell any better at 15 than Daly tbh. At least Daly can kick.

It's only Nowell's love of the physical, meaning that he actually appears to enjoy the challenge of the high bomb. Daly looks like it's beneath his dignity.

Must confess I've no memory of Nowell going up to contest a high bomb, but that could be me. I'm less bothered about the aerial contest though, more about positioning- something Goode is superb at (I'm not suggesting him!). It comes with experience.

Banquo, that humping of Ireland seems to have brought you prematurely out of hibernation. Cheers.

[Banquo]

It's only Nowell's love of the physical, meaning that he actually appears to enjoy the challenge of the high bomb. Daly looks like it's beneath his dignity.

Must confess I've no memory of Nowell going up to contest a high bomb, but that could be me. I'm less bothered about the aerial contest though, more about positioning- something Goode is superb at (I'm not suggesting him!). It comes with experience.

Banquo, that humping of Ireland seems to have brought you prematurely out of hibernation. Cheers.

I'd appeared just beforehand, a bit gloomy. Sprightlier now . Surprised at result and more at performance- think we surprised you with the physicality.

[Scrumhead]

I’ve never seen it. Can’t picture it. But we really can’t pick a squad based on whether we can cover 2 injuries at lock. What if Curry then goes down?

I’d love to see Launch alongside Kruis. Kruis can focus on the set piece Lawes can do the same job off the bench that he does so well.

I can see the thought process and it could/should work well, but then Lawes and Launchbury is a tried and tested combination that we already know works well.

TBH, I’m reasonably happy either way.

[Spiffy]

Must confess I've no memory of Nowell going up to contest a high bomb, but that could be me. I'm less bothered about the aerial contest though, more about positioning- something Goode is superb at (I'm not suggesting him!). It comes with experience.

Banquo, that humping of Ireland seems to have brought you prematurely out of hibernation. Cheers.

I'd appeared just beforehand, a bit gloomy. Sprightlier now . Surprised at result and more at performance- think we surprised you with the physicality.

Yes. It's a long time since an Ireland team has been bullied like that and they looked incapable of doing anything about it. Fair play to the Nigels - a simple game plan, well executed with power and spirit, and a great away win in Dublin.

[Banquo]

Banquo, that humping of Ireland seems to have brought you prematurely out of hibernation. Cheers.

I'd appeared just beforehand, a bit gloomy. Sprightlier now . Surprised at result and more at performance- think we surprised you with the physicality.

Yes. It's a long time since an Ireland team has been bullied like that and they looked incapable of doing anything about it. Fair play to the Nigels - a simple game plan, well executed with power and spirit, and a great away win in Dublin.

will give Schmidt some pause for thought.

[Spiffy]

I'd appeared just beforehand, a bit gloomy. Sprightlier now . Surprised at result and more at performance- think we surprised you with the physicality.

Yes. It's a long time since an Ireland team has been bullied like that and they looked incapable of doing anything about it. Fair play to the Nigels - a simple game plan, well executed with power and spirit, and a great away win in Dublin.

will give Schmidt some pause for thought.

The problem is that Schmidt does not seem to have too many options beyond the current squad, several of whom looked tired and well off the pace yesterday. The loss of locks Henderson and Beirne and the absence of Leavy is a big blow. Now Toner and Stander my be out too (Stander apparently fractured cheek/eye socket).

[p/d]

Yes. It's a long time since an Ireland team has been bullied like that and they looked incapable of doing anything about it. Fair play to the Nigels - a simple game plan, well executed with power and spirit, and a great away win in Dublin.

will give Schmidt some pause for thought.

The problem is that Schmidt does not seem to have too many options beyond the current squad, several of whom looked tired and well off the pace yesterday. The loss of locks Henderson and Beirne and the absence of Leavy is a big blow. Now Toner and Stander my be out too (Stander apparently fractured cheek/eye socket).

You just didn't adapt to the pressure England put on. A couple of senior players could have changed tact but stuck rigidly to the game plan, compounding the unforced errors and poor decision making at key times.

Do not see that happening again.