England vs Japan - Sunday

[Banquo]

Steward’s going to be a busy man. He needs to work on his pace, agility, passing, catching, when and how to come in to the line and his mental toughness.
Goodness knows how he’ll do this when his coaches play him every weekend and have him train to capacity on team specific sessions. Poor mite.
On the plus side, Snoop BorthyBorth, in his wisdom, has made us so crap that Steward will have plenty of time from 16th Oct to work on the above. IBWT.

It's normally me being the arch-pessimist! We have won two vital matches with questionable tactics but win them we did no matter how ugly most of it was to watch. Surely, the team can only improve even within SB's planned style of play? Reduce mistakes, exploit openings, keep 15 on the pitch and maybe win the QF?

It could happen.

The first match tactics were perfect once our 7 got curried away to be fair.

[Mellsblue]

Steward’s going to be a busy man. He needs to work on his pace, agility, passing, catching, when and how to come in to the line and his mental toughness.
Goodness knows how he’ll do this when his coaches play him every weekend and have him train to capacity on team specific sessions. Poor mite.
On the plus side, Snoop BorthyBorth, in his wisdom, has made us so crap that Steward will have plenty of time from 16th Oct to work on the above. IBWT.

It's normally me being the arch-pessimist! We have won two vital matches with questionable tactics but win them we did no matter how ugly most of it was to watch. Surely, the team can only improve even within SB's planned style of play? Reduce mistakes, exploit openings, keep 15 on the pitch and maybe win the QF?

It could happen.

The first match tactics were perfect once our 7 got curried away to be fair.

It was certainly a Balti from the blue.

[Banquo]

It's normally me being the arch-pessimist! We have won two vital matches with questionable tactics but win them we did no matter how ugly most of it was to watch. Surely, the team can only improve even within SB's planned style of play? Reduce mistakes, exploit openings, keep 15 on the pitch and maybe win the QF?

It could happen.

The first match tactics were perfect once our 7 got curried away to be fair.

It was certainly a Balti from the blue.

Certainly pleased the sports raithas.

[Puja]

The first match tactics were perfect once our 7 got curried away to be fair.

It was certainly a Balti from the blue.

Certainly pleased the sports raithas.

Nice for them to have an easy takeaway from the match.

Puja

[Banquo]

It was certainly a Balti from the blue.

Certainly pleased the sports raithas.

Nice for them to have an easy takeaway from the match.

Puja

certainly able to biryani bad news

[Oakboy]

The first match tactics were perfect once our 7 got curried away to be fair.

It was certainly a Balti from the blue.

Certainly pleased the sports raithas.

Naan other than Owen to come back to sort everything shortly, of course.

[Banquo]

It was certainly a Balti from the blue.

Certainly pleased the sports raithas.

Naan other than Owen to come back to sort everything shortly, of course.

Sheesh.

[Puja]

It was certainly a Balti from the blue.

Certainly pleased the sports raithas.

Naan other than Owen to come back to sort everything shortly, of course.

I'm sure he'll provide the creativity to sort out our rather dhal style of play.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

Certainly pleased the sports raithas.

Naan other than Owen to come back to sort everything shortly, of course.

I'm sure he'll provide the creativity to sort out our rather dhal style of play.

Puja

Agreed. He’s more likely to make us all kormatosed.

[Banquo]

Naan other than Owen to come back to sort everything shortly, of course.

I'm sure he'll provide the creativity to sort out our rather dhal style of play.

Puja

Agreed. He’s more likely to make us all kormatosed.

You're phal of it today.

[Mellsblue]

https://x.com/willgkelleher/status/1704 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

Probable England XV to face Chile M Smith; M Malins, E Daly, O Lawrence, H Arundell; O Farrell, D Care; B Rodd, T Dan, K Sinckler, D Ribbans, G Martin, L Ludlam, J Willis, B Vunipola.

[Insouciant]

I'm sure he'll provide the creativity to sort out our rather dhal style of play.

Puja

Agreed. He’s more likely to make us all kormatosed.

You're phal of it today.

With regard to Saag Bhaji's England, we should review the results and overall performances once the RWC is over, dansak him if he hasn't done enough.

[Insouciant]

https://x.com/willgkelleher/status/1704 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

Given the rumours are true -

That's fair enough to rest Ford. The Smith 15 experiment is interesting but who's gambling on that against a top side (no disrespect to Chile of course)? Good to see Arundel and Willis given a chance. Not sure why Willis isn't above Billy V in the pecking order but hey ho.

[Mikey Brown]

Well that’s certainly an odd looking team in ways. I wonder how many of them have a realistic chance of earning a spot in the XV/23 based on this game?

Obviously Faz marshalling this bunch of misfits to a win would see his return, but I’m not quite sure about anybody else.

[p/d]

https://x.com/willgkelleher/status/1704 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

Probable England XV to face Chile M Smith; M Malins, E Daly, O Lawrence, H Arundell; O Farrell, D Care; B Rodd, T Dan, K Sinckler, D Ribbans, G Martin, L Ludlam, J Willis, B Vunipola.

Am I reading that as Daly 13? If so, about time!!! El & Ol could be excellent.................. even if OF is servicing them. Throw in young Arundel and the backs will sparkle!!

[Banquo]

https://x.com/willgkelleher/status/1704 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

Probable England XV to face Chile M Smith; M Malins, E Daly, O Lawrence, H Arundell; O Farrell, D Care; B Rodd, T Dan, K Sinckler, D Ribbans, G Martin, L Ludlam, J Willis, B Vunipola.

Am I reading that as Daly 13? If so, about time!!! El & Ol could be excellent.................. even if OF is servicing them. Throw in young Arundel and the backs will sparkle!!

All well and good v Chile. El has had a few goes at 13 intly to be fair.....none have ended well.

[p/d]

https://x.com/willgkelleher/status/1704 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

Probable England XV to face Chile M Smith; M Malins, E Daly, O Lawrence, H Arundell; O Farrell, D Care; B Rodd, T Dan, K Sinckler, D Ribbans, G Martin, L Ludlam, J Willis, B Vunipola.

Am I reading that as Daly 13? If so, about time!!! El & Ol could be excellent.................. even if OF is servicing them. Throw in young Arundel and the backs will sparkle!!

All well and good v Chile. El has had a few goes at 13 intly to be fair.....none have ended well.

I think you under estimate the amount of time he has found during his busy day/week to work on his weaknesses. Great tackle technique, soft hands and has now added the Smithy Shuffle. Chile or not, we will stand and applaud.

[Banquo]

Am I reading that as Daly 13? If so, about time!!! El & Ol could be excellent.................. even if OF is servicing them. Throw in young Arundel and the backs will sparkle!!

All well and good v Chile. El has had a few goes at 13 intly to be fair.....none have ended well.

I think you under estimate the amount of time he has found during his busy day/week to work on his weaknesses. Great tackle technique, soft hands and has now added the Smithy Shuffle. Chile or not, we will stand and applaud.

[FKAS]

Dunno why but seeing that team makes me think "shock first world cup win for Chile".

[Oakboy]

https://x.com/willgkelleher/status/1704 ... MV3j-SK8yQ

Probable England XV to face Chile M Smith; M Malins, E Daly, O Lawrence, H Arundell; O Farrell, D Care; B Rodd, T Dan, K Sinckler, D Ribbans, G Martin, L Ludlam, J Willis, B Vunipola.

What happens if Chile don't drop the ball that's kicked to them? That back line, apart from Farrell, has rugby-playing potential theoretically.

[morepork]

A tenner says Farrell gets at least a yellow.

I really hope your wingers are able to touch the ball at least a few times.

[Puja]

A tenner says Farrell gets at least a yellow.

No bet

I really hope your wingers are able to touch the ball at least a few times.

Of course they will, don't be unfair! They're young, fast, talented, and gifted enough that they'll be able to get their hands to at least a few box-kicks each.

Puja

[FKAS]

A tenner says Farrell gets at least a yellow.

No bet

I really hope your wingers are able to touch the ball at least a few times.

Of course they will, don't be unfair! They're young, fast, talented, and gifted enough that they'll be able to get their hands to at least a few box-kicks each.

Puja

The wingers will also get to field some kicks and perhaps return one or two their own.

[Stom]

A tenner says Farrell gets at least a yellow.

I really hope your wingers are able to touch the ball at least a few times.

If he gets a red and there is no injury to the poor Chilean who cops the headshot, I will be so happy.

[Oakboy]

A tenner says Farrell gets at least a yellow.

I really hope your wingers are able to touch the ball at least a few times.

If he gets a red and there is no injury to the poor Chilean who cops the headshot, I will be so happy.

Do other countries have core players that attract the same degree of rancour that we direct at Farrell? And, do we reflect the general view among English fans?

On that latter point, last night at a post- racketball match meal, I listened to an opposition player with a good rugby background. He expressed the view that he was embarrassed at how lucky we were to end up with a bonus point win over Japan.

I find it rather amusing that other countries' fans still make suggestions of arrogance. In contrast to that perception, we seem to be largely self-denigrating these days. Last night, on one issue, there was consensus. Never before had we so much wanted Wales to win a game of rugby.