England vs Japan - Sunday

[Danno]

I’d be tempted to bench/ drop George. I fear if he gets injured any hope of a decent run is over. Problem is that Walker/ Dan arent the most reliable back ups.

I like the theory, and I also like the idea of getting match-time into Dan and it'd probably be fine... However, I think it might be a bit cocky to rest our most valuable player for a game that we weren't confident about winning a week ago.

Puja

Cocky, maybe, but pragmatic, definitely, if we have any designs on the knockout matches whatsoever. We've been flippant about Arundell, but slightly overlooked Walker who has something like 7 minutes of international rugby so far.

If George gets any sort of injury then we're down to a 21 year old that's second choice at best at his club and then someone that Snickers Bachelor feels forced to pick to make up numbers and clearly doesn't trust (on the most charitable reading).

Japan *should* be the only real test left in the group, so start Dan/Walker and bench George to come on if the set piece falls apart. We risked George for far far too long in the Arg game as it was, it was done by about 62mins but he stayed another 10.

[Lizard]

From Japan’s perspective, they will presumably be aiming to break out of the pool, rather than merely qualifying for 2027. They will therefore be targeting two out of Samoa, Arg, and England. Samoa will definitely be on the hit list, and I think that despite some recent form fluctuations Argentina are the obvious other choice. There is a fair chance that Japan’s analysis, planning and selections will be treating England as a dress rehearsal for Argentina.

[Scrumhead]

Japan didn't look that good against Chile, hopefully that bodes well.

I have a horrible suspicion that they were testing out moves for us and treating large parts as opposed training. Lots of funky lineout moves that only make sense if you're looking to avoid tangling with a big dull pack.

Puja

Very possibly. I’ve been saying for weeks that I hoped a win against Argentina could be the catalyst for playing to our potential. I truly hope that proves to be the case. However, the realist in me says that we’ll be in for a tough night on Sunday. I’m cautiously optimistic of a win, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a close game where a lot of the pre tournament woes are still very evident.

Japan’s style of play makes them a very different threat and as Puja said, a ‘big dull pack’ could be given the run around. The only caveat I’d note is that we’ve all been saying that our players are dull but aren’t really that big. Being asked to play like SA hasn’t worked because that isn’t what this group of forwards is good at. Wishful thinking, but I’d like to hope that we recognise we can play a bit differently against Japan and try to use our pack a bit more intelligently.

[Stom]

Japan didn't look that good against Chile, hopefully that bodes well.

I have a horrible suspicion that they were testing out moves for us and treating large parts as opposed training. Lots of funky lineout moves that only make sense if you're looking to avoid tangling with a big dull pack.

Puja

Very possibly. I’ve been saying for weeks that I hoped a win against Argentina could be the catalyst for playing to our potential. I truly hope that proves to be the case. However, the realist in me says that we’ll be in for a tough night on Sunday. I’m cautiously optimistic of a win, but I wouldn’t be surprised if it’s a close game where a lot of the pre tournament woes are still very evident.

Japan’s style of play makes them a very different threat and as Puja said, a ‘big dull pack’ could be given the run around. The only caveat I’d note is that we’ve all been saying that our players are dull but aren’t really that big. Being asked to play like SA hasn’t worked because that isn’t what this group of forwards is good at. Wishful thinking, but I’d like to hope that we recognise we can play a bit differently against Japan and try to use our pack a bit more intelligently.

'In Telly Gents? In telly, gents. That's what he wants, for us to smash into them like that time Owensy smashed that TV.'

'Courtney Go Smash?'

[Oakboy]

Just how important, at this stage, is 'game time'?

Might the lack of it lead to more disciplinary risk than is worth taking, for example? (An arguable factor with Curry.)

George could turn an ankle in training easily enough so would he prefer to just keep playing with marginally more risk of injury? Let's face it a training injury to George puts the other two hookers in the 23 anyway.

I've never been an Earl fan but his contributions improve game on game to the extent that it would be daft not to start him no matter who else needs game time. Maybe, he's not the only one.

IF we were playing superbly as a unit, there would be more scope for intoducing back-up guys but we are not. I think the gain to be had from keeping the best team together out-weighs game time gains for others. I'd rather see SB stick with his best unit till form/injury/suspension force changes.

His best unit must be the 23 that faced Argentina or very close to it (apart from Curry obviously).

[Scrumhead]

I tend to agree. The only one I might change is Cole. As others have said, he might not be the one we want against a faster, more mobile team.

[Mellsblue]

I have some bad news, gents. Japan had the highest territory % of the opening round at 66%. Should England forfeit now and start prepping for Chile?

[Mikey Brown]

I have some bad news, gents. Japan had the highest territory % of the opening round at 66%. Should England forfeit now and start prepping for Chile?

Don’t worry. Elliot Daly is leading the tournament for dominant tackles, so they’ll have to get through him first if they want to win.

[Oakboy]

I reckon SB will move Earl to 7 and bring Vunipola in at 8 - a mistake, IMO.

[morepork]

I have some bad news, gents. Japan had the highest territory % of the opening round at 66%. Should England forfeit now and start prepping for Chile?

What about penalties conceded by Japan? No, I can't be arsed.

[Banquo]

I reckon SB will move Earl to 7 and bring Vunipola in at 8 - a mistake, IMO.

only the same as playing with 14 in fairness

[Sandydragon]

Japan didn't look that good against Chile, hopefully that bodes well.

I have a horrible suspicion that they were testing out moves for us and treating large parts as opposed training. Lots of funky lineout moves that only make sense if you're looking to avoid tangling with a big dull pack.

Puja

They don’t look like the slick outfit they were four years ago. I think England will win comfortably, although I’m sure Japan will get a couple of tries and the neutrals will love them. England to basically take control, keep the ball, and use route one.

[Lizard]

I have some bad news, gents. Japan had the highest territory % of the opening round at 66%. Should England forfeit now and start prepping for Chile?

What about penalties conceded by Japan? No, I can't be arsed.

Japan conceded 6 (Chile 9), which is at least partly down to their strategy of simply not competing (or even entering) the breakdown, and kicking the leather off it. They had only 44% possession in each half, relying on their defence (151/178 tackles), Chilean errors, and more skillful finishing. Chile actually led in possession, metres run, defenders beaten, offloads, and rucks won. Chile had the same number of line breaks as Japan and very similar gain line carries, passes and turnovers. Japan only had clear advantages in territory (66%), kicks from hand, and of course tries scored.

They will need a very, very different game plan against England.

[Mellsblue]

The Times are reporting the only changes being Ludlam at 8 with Earl shifting to 7 and the possibility of Sinckler for Cole.

[Which Tyler]

I'd be happy with that backrow.
Playing horses for courses at THP make sense as well; and we could do with Sinckler finding some confidence and form from somewhere; so playing flat-track bully for a day might, just might, let him do that.
Same goes for some attacking shape in the backs.

Last night showed the risks involved with taking a tier 2 side too lightly, and whilst in decline, Japan are still upper echelons of tier 2

[Oakboy]

The Times are reporting the only changes being Ludlam at 8 with Earl shifting to 7 and the possibility of Sinckler for Cole.

That sounds sensible though Ludlam at 7 would be simpler. It is certainly better than Vunipola returning.

[Mellsblue]

I don’t know why they see J Willy as fourth choice flanker.

[Beasties]

I don’t know why they see J Willy as fourth choice flanker.

Indeed, speaking as his long time biggest fan, he’s been strangely subdued in his recent Eng minutes. Is he on the bench?

[Banquo]

The Times are reporting the only changes being Ludlam at 8 with Earl shifting to 7 and the possibility of Sinckler for Cole.

That sounds sensible though Ludlam at 7 would be simpler. It is certainly better than Vunipola returning.

Ludlam has 5 starts at 8 in his senior career. I suppose if the scrum isn't going to be under pressure, it may not matter, but then, what does it prove as to his overall ability to do the job at test level.

On Willis, the minutes he has spent recently has been in struggling pack, and he's not been able to deploy his pick and choose a turnover USP. He's a very different style to the other guys.

[Oakboy]

The Times are reporting the only changes being Ludlam at 8 with Earl shifting to 7 and the possibility of Sinckler for Cole.

That sounds sensible though Ludlam at 7 would be simpler. It is certainly better than Vunipola returning.

Ludlam has 5 starts at 8 in his senior career. I suppose if the scrum isn't going to be under pressure, it may not matter, but then, what does it prove as to his overall ability to do the job at test level.

On Willis, the minutes he has spent recently has been in struggling pack, and he's not been able to deploy his pick and choose a turnover USP. He's a very different style to the other guys.

Oh, I'd have Willis as the first name on the team-sheet but SB has decided to pick and trust Earl. Ludlam was flavour-of-the-month for the 6N, then out of favour and now back in. Overall, I just think it is more important to build on continuity and cohesion with the three red card players left out of it rather than disturb the potential for improvement.

I still think our best back-row potentially is Curry, Willis and Willis and I have not changed my opinion that it was a mistake to have Youngs, Care, Billy V and Tuilagi in the squad. However, none of that matters at this point. If SB backs his first choice XV and keeps picking it, that is our best chance from here of doing well.

Ironically, I think captaincy selection may get in the way of positive thinking at some point. For example, in a horses-for-courses selection (should continuity not matter more) the Japan game might have been the one to leave Lawes out with a back-row of Ludlam, Willis and Earl starting to supply/counter pure pace. It could have been worth giving Ford the captaincy in that scenario to boost his game-management presence. The argument for that would simply be building Ford's self-belief to get the best out of him and therefore keep Farrell out.

A further irony could be Tuilagi getting injured in this game of all f-cking games. Farrell back at 12 would then loom, perish the thought!!

[canta_brian]

I am going out on a limb to assume SB will select the starting XV he feels best to beat Japan. I imagine he will find it hard to tinker too much with the back row, as he will be looking to build on Earls kicking game and Lawes' work rate. Just bringing Willis in for Curry would be the 'sensible' option.

Still cannot see where our attacking threat is coming from outside of Ford. But I would be starting Arundel.

Depends what we're planning on doing. If we're kick-chasing, then May is one of the best at that (and very good underneath the return bombardment) and Daly's not too shabby. Don't see the point in Arundell if we're not planning on using him with ball in hand, and especially not on the wing which isn't his best position. I'd rather put Steward and May on the wings to chase box-kicks and then have Arundell given leave to counter-attack with loosely returned kicks.

Puja

Not sure I’d want to do too much kick chasing in this cup. Seems a quick way to see players off the park.

[FKAS]

I don’t know why they see J Willy as fourth choice flanker.

Because he's not played that well so far? Hasn't had many minutes to be fair to him but he's the least rounded of the four openside style flankers in the squad. He's a tackle machine that is good over the breakdown, though not at international level, his carrying game is behind the others. Unpopular opinion but I'd have him down the pecking order as well, there's been no stand out performances in either the 6N or summer series that makes him undroppable and post world cup he's unavailable to England so there's not a lot of point trying to play him into form with a view to being good for his development ahead of the 6N.

Similar with Ribbans. He's either in incredible form and therefore selected or he sits behind the other guys as developing them will benefit England moving forwards.

[Danno]

I think the Japan side is all first choice, looks like they're targetting this one

https://x.com/rugbyworldcup/status/1702 ... 57532?s=20

[Mr Mwenda]

I don’t know why they see J Willy as fourth choice flanker.

Because he's not played that well so far? Hasn't had many minutes to be fair to him but he's the least rounded of the four openside style flankers in the squad. He's a tackle machine that is good over the breakdown, though not at international level, his carrying game is behind the others. Unpopular opinion but I'd have him down the pecking order as well, there's been no stand out performances in either the 6N or summer series that makes him undroppable and post world cup he's unavailable to England so there's not a lot of point trying to play him into form with a view to being good for his development ahead of the 6N.

Similar with Ribbans. He's either in incredible form and therefore selected or he sits behind the other guys as developing them will benefit England moving forwards.

This, Willis and Willis seem to another example of "bring X in to solve problems" without much basis. Hopefully J Willis grows into international level but he clearly isn't someone who is immediately dominant. Few are.

[p/d]

I think the chatter should be about T Willis. To me he looks every bit the class act. How he missed out when Billy saw red still grates.