Italy vs England and 6N permutations

[Puja]

Given that we need to win with a BP and rack up a high points margin, I’d like to see us go with:

1. M. Vunipola
2. J. George
3. K. Sinckler
4. M. Itoje
5. C. Ewels*
6. J. Willis
7. T. Curry
8. B. Vunipola
9. B. Youngs
10. O. Farrell
11. J. May
12. O. Lawrence
13. H. Slade
14. A. Watson
15. M. Malins

16. T. Dunn 17. E. Genge 18. W. Stuart 19. J. Hill 20. B. Earl 21. D. Robson 22. J. Marchant 23. J. Cokanasiga

*I know picking Ewels to start might look an odd choice, but given Hill and Launchbury will only be joining the camp with a few days to prepare, I’d just want to set the most solid platform.

Seeing how badly Italy protected the ball against Ireland, I’d pick Willis for maximum disruption. Underhill’s good over the ball, but Willis is unreal.

Our bench could be massive. Italy often fall off in the last quarter and that’s exactly what happened last weekend against the Irish. Genge, Stuart, Earl, Robson and Cokanasiga in particular would all add plenty of impact.

Absolutely agree with that team and your reasoning, although I would prefer to have Umaga on the bench - I wouldn't want to shift around our backline if Farrell went down injured and Umaga's hardly a defensive option off the bench. Plus I'd like to see him get some time with Faz at 12 to see if he can be a Ford backup.

I'd have Marchant over Cokanasiga in the 23 shirt - he's in terrific form and can play both 13 and wing so provides good cover.

Puja

[Digby]

Surely Umaga over Simmonds is because Jones will always select someone from outside the "traditional England player from the South" and that someone with such clear links to the SH is a shoe in...

He could only be better placed if he'd grown up playing league.

Born in Halifax, and without doubt they play funny rugby in Halifax.

[Digby]

I'd pick Launchbury, he was just brilliant in the final and was well clear of Hill besides

[Epaminondas Pules]

Given that we need to win with a BP and rack up a high points margin, I’d like to see us go with:

1. M. Vunipola
2. J. George
3. K. Sinckler
4. M. Itoje
5. C. Ewels*
6. J. Willis
7. T. Curry
8. B. Vunipola
9. B. Youngs
10. O. Farrell
11. J. May
12. O. Lawrence
13. H. Slade
14. A. Watson
15. M. Malins

16. T. Dunn 17. E. Genge 18. W. Stuart 19. J. Hill 20. B. Earl 21. D. Robson 22. J. Marchant 23. J. Cokanasiga

*I know picking Ewels to start might look an odd choice, but given Hill and Launchbury will only be joining the camp with a few days to prepare, I’d just want to set the most solid platform.

Seeing how badly Italy protected the ball against Ireland, I’d pick Willis for maximum disruption. Underhill’s good over the ball, but Willis is unreal.

Our bench could be massive. Italy often fall off in the last quarter and that’s exactly what happened last weekend against the Irish. Genge, Stuart, Earl, Robson and Cokanasiga in particular would all add plenty of impact.

That's a nice side. I'd be tempted to start Launchbury and alter the bench a smidge in the backs. The centres are the right way round for me. Lawrence's style is more fitting to being able to naturally switch in one than Slade.

[Mikey Brown]

Coka is an odd one. Feels like after so long out he needs to prove himself all over again, often that would mean wait for club rugby but maybe Eddie thinks thinks this is the best way to get a look?

I'd be very happy with Scrumhead's side too, or with Oakboy/EJ's switch of 7. Underhill 20. Willis. I think whatever goes on in the backrow will work itself out as long as everyone gets a fair crack.

I'd like to know the conversation Dombrandt has with Robshaw about not getting the chance to show Eddie what he can do in the Barbarians game. I know he was incredible last time and Eddie still wasn't interested but whatever.

[Tom Moore]

Surely Umaga over Simmonds is because Jones will always select someone from outside the "traditional England player from the South" and that someone with such clear links to the SH is a shoe in...

He could only be better placed if he'd grown up playing league.

Born in Halifax, and without doubt they play funny rugby in Halifax.

His dad was playing League there at the time. Good player.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Coka is an odd one. Feels like after so long out he needs to prove himself all over again, often that would mean wait for club rugby but maybe Eddie thinks thinks this is the best way to get a look?

I'd be very happy with Scrumhead's side too, or with Oakboy/EJ's switch of 7. Underhill 20. Willis. I think whatever goes on in the backrow will work itself out as long as everyone gets a fair crack.

I'd like to know the conversation Dombrandt has with Robshaw about not getting the chance to show Eddie what he can do in the Barbarians game. I know he was incredible last time and Eddie still wasn't interested but whatever.

Probably sent him a picture of all his caps and told him it'd be the closest he'd ever come to one.

[Puja]

Coka is an odd one. Feels like after so long out he needs to prove himself all over again, often that would mean wait for club rugby but maybe Eddie thinks thinks this is the best way to get a look?

I'd be very happy with Scrumhead's side too, or with Oakboy/EJ's switch of 7. Underhill 20. Willis. I think whatever goes on in the backrow will work itself out as long as everyone gets a fair crack.

I'd like to know the conversation Dombrandt has with Robshaw about not getting the chance to show Eddie what he can do in the Barbarians game. I know he was incredible last time and Eddie still wasn't interested but whatever.

See, I wouldn't have any issue with Coka's inclusion normally - he's such a unique player that I am behind him getting the nod without club form - but I would find it far less weird if he'd been consistently in the EPS. He was actively ignored for the first two weeks (I'd suspect injury or fitness, but he wasn't one of the players name-checked for either of those) and now has suddenly been parachuted in five days before a game? What's changed?

The backrow is a case of pick any two and you'll probably be fine, but when someone mentioned the idea of Willis against that Italian side and their inability to protect their own ball, it made me uncomfortably aroused and I am now very much in favour.

Don't think the Barbarians game would've made any difference to Eddie. It was such a weak opposition that it would've proven nothing anyway.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I think you're really doing something wrong as a coach if you intentionally select and manage a side that allows you to learn nothing about anything.

[Stom]

Surely Umaga over Simmonds is because Jones will always select someone from outside the "traditional England player from the South" and that someone with such clear links to the SH is a shoe in...

He could only be better placed if he'd grown up playing league.

Born in Halifax, and without doubt they play funny rugby in Halifax.

His dad was playing League there at the time. Good player.

Lol, I wasn’t being serious but Jesus, it’s all true, isn’t it...

[FKAS]

I'd pick Launchbury, he was just brilliant in the final and was well clear of Hill besides

Hill might need a week without a game. The Champions Cup final was a big game and he put one hell of a shift in and then the Prem final a week later was a bit of an arm wrestle. Launchbury looks to be finally getting some form back having been mediocre for the 18 months pre lockdown. Wouldn't be a bad thing to pop him in against Italy and then give Hill a go the game after.

Based on form alone Hill has been the English standout since the resumption.

[Digby]

Born in Halifax, and without doubt they play funny rugby in Halifax.

His dad was playing League there at the time. Good player.

Lol, I wasn’t being serious but Jesus, it’s all true, isn’t it...

It's not as bad as it was under Burt

[twitchy]

I think keeping the exe players as backup is sensible. Two finals in a row for the last 2 weeks. The sarries players will be chomping at the bit.

That being said I imagine the wasps players are fine. I hope willis gets a start.

[Raggs]

His dad was playing League there at the time. Good player.

Lol, I wasn’t being serious but Jesus, it’s all true, isn’t it...

It's not as bad as it was under Burt

Umagas mum was a title winning league player too i believe. International i think.

[Spiffy]

Whatever England team is picked, they will hump the hapless Italy, who were dire dross against Ireland. Everything will look rosy but the coach will really have learned nothing new.
Jones is a strange coach. All kinds of names pop up on his squad but the extended good form of Marcus Smith and the Simmonds brothers continues to be ignored.

[Banquo]

Just realised Thorley dropped out as well. Shame for him as he’s had a great season and as good as Cokanasiga can be, we can’t even remotely suggest he’s there on form.

Has he?

[Banquo]

There'll be plenty of changes over the autumn but that article someone shared made the point that continuity is key. Sounds like it's harsh on Simmonds but parachuting someone in cold is a recipe for disaster. England need a big win next week after all.

So a no matches Faz and Umaga are a better bet?

[Banquo]

There'll be plenty of changes over the autumn but that article someone shared made the point that continuity is key. Sounds like it's harsh on Simmonds but parachuting someone in cold is a recipe for disaster. England need a big win next week after all.

Jones does, arguably, or it will be three successive competitions that he has failed to win.

Lol.

[Banquo]

I'd pick Launchbury, he was just brilliant in the final and was well clear of Hill besides

Well apart from his captaincy and lineout, I agree. Didn’t watch the restarts closely tho.

[Mellsblue]

Didn’t watch the restarts closely tho.

Neither does Launch......

[Banquo]

Given that we need to win with a BP and rack up a high points margin, I’d like to see us go with:

1. M. Vunipola
2. J. George
3. K. Sinckler
4. M. Itoje
5. C. Ewels*
6. J. Willis
7. T. Curry
8. B. Vunipola
9. B. Youngs
10. O. Farrell
11. J. May
12. O. Lawrence
13. H. Slade
14. A. Watson
15. M. Malins

16. T. Dunn 17. E. Genge 18. W. Stuart 19. J. Hill 20. B. Earl 21. D. Robson 22. J. Marchant 23. J. Cokanasiga

*I know picking Ewels to start might look an odd choice, but given Hill and Launchbury will only be joining the camp with a few days to prepare, I’d just want to set the most solid platform.

Seeing how badly Italy protected the ball against Ireland, I’d pick Willis for maximum disruption. Underhill’s good over the ball, but Willis is unreal.

Our bench could be massive. Italy often fall off in the last quarter and that’s exactly what happened last weekend against the Irish. Genge, Stuart, Earl, Robson and Cokanasiga in particular would all add plenty of impact.

That's a nice side. I'd be tempted to start Launchbury and alter the bench a smidge in the backs. The centres are the right way round for me. Lawrence's style is more fitting to being able to naturally switch in one than Slade.

Imo too many changes if Faz goes off.

[Banquo]

Didn’t watch the restarts closely tho.

Neither does Launch......

Indeed, well volleyed away

[Epaminondas Pules]

Given that we need to win with a BP and rack up a high points margin, I’d like to see us go with:

1. M. Vunipola
2. J. George
3. K. Sinckler
4. M. Itoje
5. C. Ewels*
6. J. Willis
7. T. Curry
8. B. Vunipola
9. B. Youngs
10. O. Farrell
11. J. May
12. O. Lawrence
13. H. Slade
14. A. Watson
15. M. Malins

16. T. Dunn 17. E. Genge 18. W. Stuart 19. J. Hill 20. B. Earl 21. D. Robson 22. J. Marchant 23. J. Cokanasiga

*I know picking Ewels to start might look an odd choice, but given Hill and Launchbury will only be joining the camp with a few days to prepare, I’d just want to set the most solid platform.

Seeing how badly Italy protected the ball against Ireland, I’d pick Willis for maximum disruption. Underhill’s good over the ball, but Willis is unreal.

Our bench could be massive. Italy often fall off in the last quarter and that’s exactly what happened last weekend against the Irish. Genge, Stuart, Earl, Robson and Cokanasiga in particular would all add plenty of impact.

That's a nice side. I'd be tempted to start Launchbury and alter the bench a smidge in the backs. The centres are the right way round for me. Lawrence's style is more fitting to being able to naturally switch in one than Slade.

Imo too many changes if Faz goes off.

Not if the bench backs were altered i.e. to pick Umaga on there. Otherwise Slade to 10, Marchant to 13 in more extremis.

[Digby]

I'd pick Launchbury, he was just brilliant in the final and was well clear of Hill besides

Well apart from his captaincy and lineout, I agree. Didn’t watch the restarts closely tho.

Is the captaincy issue the failure to kick for 3? I didn't mind that call in those conditions. He's not brilliant at the lineout (or restart) but that failed lineout must have had multiple things go wrong not to just hit Gaskell at the front, that was so bad I wonder if the call was to the front but with the marking some gave a non verbal signal to go long and.... actually I don't know, that was just a car crash moment

But he was miles clear of Hill in the game over all, and I put Hill in my team of the season, so QED Launch is amazing

[Digby]

That's a nice side. I'd be tempted to start Launchbury and alter the bench a smidge in the backs. The centres are the right way round for me. Lawrence's style is more fitting to being able to naturally switch in one than Slade.

Imo too many changes if Faz goes off.

Not if the bench backs were altered i.e. to pick Umaga on there. Otherwise Slade to 10, Marchant to 13 in more extremis.

Justice 4 Malins to 10!