RugbyRebels

With Marcus Smith apparently available for Quins' Sunday game, SB may have a selection problem.

No problem though for Nick Evans...

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/nick-eva ... land-axis/

I'm still expecting 10. Farrell 12. Tuilagi 13. Slade 22. Smith (if fit) and I'm not sure I have a massive problem with it at this stage. To be honest I'd just be happy to see whether we can move away from Farrell doing a guaranteed 80 regardless of performance. Tuilagi's fitness is a big hurdle in that respect though.

I think this part answered my earlier question about whether he is deemed a repeat offender. It's clear to anybody that he is, but I guess it undermines their own system to acknowledge there are a whole bunch of dodgy tackles he's gotten away with in the past.

“The player has one previous matter on record from September 2020, for which he served a five-match ban for dangerous tackling, and another old matter which occurred in 2016. Given the date of the first matter, the panel concluded the player is not a repeat offender whose status warrants an increase in sanction for this reason.”

Oakboy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 10:06 am

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 9:36 am Huzza but am hoping Dombrandt will be given first crack.

Either might have more impact than Billy V - given a decent team playing style. Both, arguably, could provide a secondary line-out option which might mean that Borthwick had alternatives to Lawes at 6.

I was fascinated to see Exeter use Sam Simmonds in the line-out at the weekend when the 2nd row/hooker connection went awry. It suggests that a beanpole is unnecessary as the 3rd jumper.

I'd rank the number 8 candidates: Willis T, Simmonds, Dombrandt, Billy V, Earl. It will be interesting to see what Borthwick's order is.

Given T Curry’s injured for first two matches I’d go with something like (8) Dombrandt (6) J Willis (7) S Simmonds with Willis focussed on the fetching role Richard Hill style

Also does Borthers retain the “accentuate the positive” approach to press conferences and media in general?

Borthwick's first squad and 23 are going to be interesting for several reasons: more than 5 changes?, balls-out for 6N?, what changes for the RWC (by implication)?

I'd be happy, for example, if he discarded Youngs, Tuilagi and both Vs but I don't think he will. He may have to conclude that the older players tainted by past failure have to stay for now in which case I hope his short-term plans don't shake his credibility in the eyes of the dressing room.

Evans saying he can make 10. Smith 12. Farrell work and the issue was that the combo were over burdened with info, pre-scripted moves etc etc.

jngf wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 12:28 pm

Oakboy wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 10:06 am

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Tue Jan 10, 2023 9:36 am Huzza but am hoping Dombrandt will be given first crack.

Either might have more impact than Billy V - given a decent team playing style. Both, arguably, could provide a secondary line-out option which might mean that Borthwick had alternatives to Lawes at 6.

I was fascinated to see Exeter use Sam Simmonds in the line-out at the weekend when the 2nd row/hooker connection went awry. It suggests that a beanpole is unnecessary as the 3rd jumper.

I'd rank the number 8 candidates: Willis T, Simmonds, Dombrandt, Billy V, Earl. It will be interesting to see what Borthwick's order is.

Given T Curry’s injured for first two matches I’d go with something like (8) Dombrandt (6) J Willis (7) S Simmonds with Willis focussed on the fetching role Richard Hill style

Neither Willis nor Simmonds play in those positions for their clubs (tho Willis maybe doing so in France? not sure what system his club have there), and I'd dispute that Hill was really a 'fetcher' (depending on your meaning tbf)...when he played 7, his job at the ruck as first there was to smash the oppo off the ball. How are you using the phrase?

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:08 pm Evans saying he can make 10. Smith 12. Farrell work and the issue was that the combo were over burdened with info, pre-scripted moves etc etc.

good luck with that. Farrell seeming to remain undroppable- we are all wrong continually it seems.

Banquo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:12 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:08 pm Evans saying he can make 10. Smith 12. Farrell work and the issue was that the combo were over burdened with info, pre-scripted moves etc etc.

good luck with that. Farrell seeming to remain undroppable- we are all wrong continually it seems.

Plus very smug from Evans.

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:42 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:12 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:08 pm Evans saying he can make 10. Smith 12. Farrell work and the issue was that the combo were over burdened with info, pre-scripted moves etc etc.

good luck with that. Farrell seeming to remain undroppable- we are all wrong continually it seems.

Plus very smug from Evans.

Ffs! And here we were thinking that we're on the verge of a new era.

francoisfou wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:11 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:42 pm

Banquo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:12 pm

good luck with that. Farrell seeming to remain undroppable- we are all wrong continually it seems.

Plus very smug from Evans.

Ffs! And here we were thinking that we're on the verge of a new era.

I mean, in context, Evans was asked the direct question of whether they could play together, rather than him volunteering that he saw that as our first choice pairing.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:12 pm

francoisfou wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:11 pm

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 2:42 pm

Plus very smug from Evans.

Ffs! And here we were thinking that we're on the verge of a new era.

I mean, in context, Evans was asked the direct question of whether they could play together, rather than him volunteering that he saw that as our first choice pairing.

Puja

ok, supersillyus then....

Banquo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:13 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:12 pm

francoisfou wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:11 pm
Ffs! And here we were thinking that we're on the verge of a new era.

I mean, in context, Evans was asked the direct question of whether they could play together, rather than him volunteering that he saw that as our first choice pairing.

Puja

ok, supersillyus then....

The press are assuming Kelly will be in. If Borthwick and co. see him as a realistic option for the 12 shirt, where will that leave the other two options, Tuilagi and Farrell?

Can all three be squeezed into the 23?

I suspect if Kelly's in then Slade is the likely man to miss out and probably has the 22/23 shirt?

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:35 pm The press are assuming Kelly will be in. If Borthwick and co. see him as a realistic option for the 12 shirt, where will that leave the other two options, Tuilagi and Farrell?

Can all three be squeezed into the 23?

No doubt he will be in the squad. Farrell I'd hope would be 10 or bench for now.

Oakboy wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 3:35 pm The press are assuming Kelly will be in. If Borthwick and co. see him as a realistic option for the 12 shirt, where will that leave the other two options, Tuilagi and Farrell?

Can all three be squeezed into the 23?

10. Farrell
12. Kelly
13. Manu

Easy. Smith and Lawrence on the bench presumably.

FKAS wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 6:06 pm 10. Farrell
12. Kelly
13. Manu

Easy. Smith and Lawrence on the bench presumably.

An entire midfield, all in their specialist positions?
It'll never work.

Kelly, Slade, Manu, Lawrence & Marchant would seem a decent group of centres to be working with. Although I imagine Borthwick is also quite a fan of Porter, so he may get in.

Anyone seen any mention of Daly possibly being picked?

Timbo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 6:21 pm Kelly, Slade, Manu, Lawrence & Marchant would seem a decent group of centres to be working with. Although I imagine Borthwick is also quite a fan of Porter, so he may get in.

Anyone seen any mention of Daly possibly being picked?

Porter was more of a weird Eddie pick though. While Borthwick may've been a fan of Porter for Leicester's XV, it remains to be seen whether he'll have him as an international when he's got a load of other options.

Puja

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 6:40 pm

Timbo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 6:21 pm Kelly, Slade, Manu, Lawrence & Marchant would seem a decent group of centres to be working with. Although I imagine Borthwick is also quite a fan of Porter, so he may get in.

Anyone seen any mention of Daly possibly being picked?

Porter was more of a weird Eddie pick though. While Borthwick may've been a fan of Porter for Leicester's XV, it remains to be seen whether he'll have him as an international when he's got a load of other options.

Puja

You also need to factor in Evans…

Mellsblue wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 7:02 pm

Puja wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 6:40 pm

Timbo wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 6:21 pm Kelly, Slade, Manu, Lawrence & Marchant would seem a decent group of centres to be working with. Although I imagine Borthwick is also quite a fan of Porter, so he may get in.

Anyone seen any mention of Daly possibly being picked?

Porter was more of a weird Eddie pick though. While Borthwick may've been a fan of Porter for Leicester's XV, it remains to be seen whether he'll have him as an international when he's got a load of other options.

Puja

You also need to factor in Evans…

I'll settle for that - an assistant coach having a proportionate, intelligent say in selection!

Is Tuilagi really a specialist 13 anymore? He plays almost entirely at 12 for Sale and I’m unconvinced he’s the same physical/athletic force that he was.

Not that that means he gets ‘demoted’ to 12 necessarily.

I feel like Marchant has probably put himself out of the picture but feel like he could work really well outside Manu,

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Thu Jan 12, 2023 10:29 pm Is Tuilagi really a specialist 13 anymore? He plays almost entirely at 12 for Sale and I’m unconvinced he’s the same physical/athletic force that he was.

Not that that means he gets ‘demoted’ to 12 necessarily.

I feel like Marchant has probably put himself out of the picture but feel like he could work really well outside Manu,

I'd argue that any selector just basing his choices on watching this season's club or country performances would not have Tuilagi in the squad. IMO, he is only in the mix on reputation and the misguided hope that he will re-discover his impactful presence.

I've not seen anything from Tuilagi since 2019 that makes me think he's the force he once was. I think he's done as a top level performer.