Team for Wales

[Rich]

I suppose Eddie will go with the same team against Wales as started against Italy with the exception that Care will replace the injured Youngs.

I think the Welsh back row will get the better of our make-shift back row though - I'd much rather see three back row players in the back row, so bring in Underhill and move Robshaw to blindside.

Who will Eddie bring in as back up scrum half now that, finally, he has to make a decision ?

Whoever it is, might this be one position that doesn't see a "finisher" used ?

[padprop]

Eddie has backed himself into a corner as he's said that he only wants impact off the bench, but has shown he's not keen on Robson, and will probably likely go for Wigg

Would be really dissapointed for Robson if he picks Vellacott ahead of him as Dan has been knocking on the door for 2 years now.

[WaspInWales]

This is going to be a huge test for us.

Robson should come in on the bench, but Wigglesworth is the safe option.

Back row is one area where the Welsh have us, but that has been the case for a while. Their back line is looking very good too. If our defence has as many holes as against Italy, Wales will exploit them. Those Scarlet backs have been playing outstanding rugby this season. Gats has some decisions to make if he has a full squad to pick from, but I expect he won't make many changes...Sanjay in possibly.

I'd start JJ but wouldn't be surprised if Eddie stuck with Te'o from the off.

Should be a cracker.

[Digby]

Wales are going to spend the week getting ready for Ford and Farrell, so if you wanted to pair Te'o and JJ this would be a good game to do it, though that supposes England do have a system they work on that's plan B

[francoisfou]

I suppose Eddie will go with the same team against Wales as started against Italy with the exception that Care will replace the injured Youngs.

I think the Welsh back row will get the better of our make-shift back row though - I'd much rather see three back row players in the back row, so bring in Underhill and move Robshaw to blindside.

Who will Eddie bring in as back up scrum half now that, finally, he has to make a decision ?

Whoever it is, might this be one position that doesn't see a "finisher" used ?

Agreed.
Lawes - fine player though he is, could be on the bench against Wales instead of Kruis, with Underhill coming into the back row.
Dare I think that Armand could be called to the bench for Kruis?

[Adam_P]

Lawes should be starting ahead of Itoje, who should be on the bench. Itoje averaged 1m per carry, and the main thing he seemed to contribute was penalties for the Italians. Lawes/Launch is the best lock pairing for me.

[Raggs]

Where were they carrying? Which pod? Lawes is also much weaker in the scrum than Itoje.

EDIt -I do think Lawes is a better carrier btw.

[Digby]

Lawes played better than Itoje at the weekend, which isn't to say Lawes would be the best balance for the pack in being selected ahead of Itoje, so it's not that simple. Though if Itoje carries on giving away that many penalties he'll make it an easy decision to drop him for Lawes or Kruis

[Scrumhead]

Whoever comes in at 9 could have a big influence on how we treat this game/our lineup.

If it is Wigglesworth (as we’re all pretty much expecting), it could really change how we approach the game.

Personally, I’d start Care and Underhill (for Itoje with Lawes moving to lock) and try to win the game in the first 40. No easing in to the game, just put the hammer down from the kick off and go for it. That would allow us to bring Wigglesworth on at 60 to see the game out, which suits his game better.

Eddie may think differently though ... If Wales play the same side, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wigglesworth start. Eddie specifically said he is thinking of a kicking 9 which makes me wonder whether he’s planning to target Evans (for height) and Adams (for inexperience) with loads of box kicks for our back three to chase. If that’s the plan, it plays to Wigglesworth’s strengths more than Care’s and also allows for Care to add pace/impact from the bench.

As I say, not my personal preference, but I can see Eddie going for it ...

[Stom]

I would like to see...

Mako
George (not going to happen, so Hartley)
Cole
Itoje
Launch
Robshaw
Underhill
Simmonds
Care
Ford
May
Farrell
Joseph
Nowell
Watson

George, Hepburn, WIlliams, Kruis, Lawes, Robson, Te'o, Brown

I think that would give a bit better balance to the team.

There are two things there that may be a problem, though. And chief among them is Brown's decoy running. For Quins and for England in times past, Brown hit a lot of lines off the inside shoulder of the 10. Many of his best games came where he hit wonderful lines off Evans, who could hit him at just the right moment. Anyone who knows anything about Brown knows that this is where he is most effective: going through gaps between big forwards and using his tenacity to set up a ruck where he sucks in a lot of defenders.

And yesterday he hit some of those lines again...as a decoy. They're super effective as that is exactly where you'd expect Brown to be, so it's believable. Without him, who makes those runs? Watson is more natural in the midfield. Nowell could, but again, he's more natural a bit further out...

And that decoy runner is essential to how we're playing.

The second one is the power carrying. Underhill hasn't been famed for it so far, and Robshaw's carrying is more about game reading and possession recycling. Lawes added that. Without the extra carrier (and minus Te'o, too, who was reasonably effective in attack, but has to lose his place for that defense) we're going to rely a lot on Launch. Which isn't the best. Perhaps Itoje should drop to the bench for Lawes...

[Oakboy]

I think Eddie will make changes but not in the areas that lots of us want.

Rather than starting, I think Underhill may be lucky to keep his bench spot. I'd be surprised if the same backrow did not start, though I'd still pick Armand.

It would not surprise me if Nowell starts ahead of May with Brown keeping his 15 shirt, though I'd play Watson at FB.

I'd pick JJ at 13 but will Eddie? It's a waste of time talking about T'eo at 12 because the two Fs will always be in Eddie's starting XV.

As for the bench SH, anybody but Wigglesworth.

[fivepointer]

You could make a case for changes at 6, 13 and 15 but with a short turnaround i'd be surprised if we see any.

Obviously a new SH needs to be brought in, but outside of that, i think we're looking at the same 23.

Think we might see more of a shake up for the Scotland game where Eddie will have 2 weeks to prepare the side.

[Raggs]

With no players returning from injury or bans (when is Hask/Marler available?) I don't see any changes incoming, except the obvious.

[Which Tyler]

I wouldn't want to risk Te'o's defence against Wales whilst wearing the wrong shirt; surely no-one can doubt that JJ shored that up?
I'd certainly bring Mercer onto the bench; and I'd consider (but probably reject) even starting him.

As ever, there are other changes that I would make (Hartley, Brown) but I don't see Eddie doing so.

Whilst I'm here though - Kudos to the Ford Farrell axis - it looked genuinely good yesterday; but just "good, considering" or "about as good as we can field" but genuinely good; with some good attacking vision and execution; and did I imagine it, or did Farrell add a bit more discipline to his defence? he certaily added some threatening running lines; which took a lot of pressure off George.
On this showing, I'm actually happy with the combination, rather than looking to change it if we're to progress; meaning a straight fight between Te'o and JJ for the 13 shirt. JJ still wins for me as he's a genuine 13, a defensive leader and a better communicator - Te'o can get there in time, but he'll need to play OC more. Not bad options for horses-for-courses selection in another 12 months (especially if Manu and Slade come into the reckoning).

If I were Eddie, I'd be asking if Sarries could try Fazlet at 12 a bit (Loz at 10) - he does seem to improve with each match there. I'd also ask him to add half a stone to help him with trucking the ball up once in a while.

[p/d]

Don't see any changes apart from at 13.

Also wouldn't wax too lyrically about the 10/12 axis until after Wales game. Not sure they will allow us such quick ball and an armchair ride.

Expect lots of kicking (hence Wigglesworth to bench) and poor kick chase.

[Puja]

In Te'o defence, that was his first game in god knows how long, so some rustiness in defensive alignment is not exactly unexpected. I'd still have Joseph ten times out of ten, but it's a thought to keep us from diving off the bridge when Te'o is inevitably picked again.

If Mercer's fit, then I'd be interested in a Robshaw, Simmonds, Mercer back row. Anything but Robshaw/Lawes on the flanks again.

Puja

[Scrumhead]

We also need to consider the strengths and weaknesses of the Wales side we’re likely to be facing.

The midfield of Patchell, Parkes and Williams is likely to be retained and presents an entirely different set of risks and opportunities than if we’d been up against Biggar and Davies.

As I see it, unpredictability is their biggest weapon, but we’re now in a situation where we’re likely to be significantly more experienced across our back line which we need to use to our advantage.

The back row is a problem for us. Navidi in particular is a pain at the breakdown and we need a way to combat that more effectively.

I think we’ll see:

1. M. Vunipola
2. Hartley (c)
3. Cole
4. Itoje
5. Launchbury
6. Lawes
7. Robshaw
8. Simmonds
9. Wigglesworth
10. Ford
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Joseph
14. Watson
15. Brown

That’s not necessarily what I’d pick but I can see Eddie going for that.

Personally, I’d prefer the mobility/breakdown presence of Underhill, which then creates a shoot-out between Lawes and Itoje for the 4 shirt with Care starting at 9.

[Mikey Brown]

I wouldn't want to risk Te'o's defence against Wales whilst wearing the wrong shirt; surely no-one can doubt that JJ shored that up?
I'd certainly bring Mercer onto the bench; and I'd consider (but probably reject) even starting him.

As ever, there are other changes that I would make (Hartley, Brown) but I don't see Eddie doing so.

Whilst I'm here though - Kudos to the Ford Farrell axis - it looked genuinely good yesterday; but just "good, considering" or "about as good as we can field" but genuinely good; with some good attacking vision and execution; and did I imagine it, or did Farrell add a bit more discipline to his defence? he certaily added some threatening running lines; which took a lot of pressure off George.
On this showing, I'm actually happy with the combination, rather than looking to change it if we're to progress; meaning a straight fight between Te'o and JJ for the 13 shirt. JJ still wins for me as he's a genuine 13, a defensive leader and a better communicator - Te'o can get there in time, but he'll need to play OC more. Not bad options for horses-for-courses selection in another 12 months (especially if Manu and Slade come into the reckoning).

If I were Eddie, I'd be asking if Sarries could try Fazlet at 12 a bit (Loz at 10) - he does seem to improve with each match there. I'd also ask him to add half a stone to help him with trucking the ball up once in a while.

Cautiously agree with a lot of what you say about Ford/Farrell there. Farrell did seem to be aware of where his men either side were standing in defence and not just flying about all over the place. A tactic or just Farrell being slightly more switched on? Either way I'd say it's a good thing.

Farrell at 12 for Saracens will never happen, surely. Particularly as Lozowski is currently stepping in at 12 quite well when Barritt is out.

[normanski]

How do you boys see your pack performing against the Wales eight on Saturday?

We were supposed to have dominated the Scots in the scrum and earn loads of penalties but that hardly worked out; while they would dominate the lines-out and again that didn’t work out for them.

I think the backs will cancel themselves out and so it could come down to kicking with Halfpenny looking imperious again and Farrell looking vulnerable after Sunday’s display of five out of eight.

I suppose it will come down to the old adage: forwards win games, but it’s the backs who decide by how much.

I look forward to a great game.

[Banquo]

Don't see any changes apart from at 13.

Also wouldn't wax too lyrically about the 10/12 axis until after Wales game. Not sure they will allow us such quick ball and an armchair ride.

Expect lots of kicking (hence Wigglesworth to bench) and poor kick chase.

I think our kick chase has actually improved, though still not to the Irish chess grandmaster status; it was the length and type of kick that was the issue a fair few times, and it was clearly a deliberate exit tactic especially- and imo, one that better sides than Italy would crucify us with. Ford needs to tell Eddie he's not doing it any more, unless he was calling it, in which case, tell himself.

[Oakboy]

Don't see any changes apart from at 13.

Also wouldn't wax too lyrically about the 10/12 axis until after Wales game. Not sure they will allow us such quick ball and an armchair ride.

Expect lots of kicking (hence Wigglesworth to bench) and poor kick chase.

I think our kick chase has actually improved, though still not to the Irish chess grandmaster status; it was the length and type of kick that was the issue a fair few times, and it was clearly a deliberate exit tactic especially- and imo, one that better sides than Italy would crucify us with. Ford needs to tell Eddie he's not doing it any more, unless he was calling it, in which case, tell himself.

Maybe testing a new, young, small FB had merit early on but what's the point if he fields well? If regaining possession from mistakes doesn't happen kicks have to find grass, touch or a team-mate, surely?

[p/d]

Don't see any changes apart from at 13.

Also wouldn't wax too lyrically about the 10/12 axis until after Wales game. Not sure they will allow us such quick ball and an armchair ride.

Expect lots of kicking (hence Wigglesworth to bench) and poor kick chase.

I think our kick chase has actually improved, though still not to the Irish chess grandmaster status; it was the length and type of kick that was the issue a fair few times, and it was clearly a deliberate exit tactic especially- and imo, one that better sides than Italy would crucify us with. Ford needs to tell Eddie he's not doing it any more, unless he was calling it, in which case, tell himself.

Maybe testing a new, young, small FB had merit early on but what's the point if he fields well? If regaining possession from mistakes doesn't happen kicks have to find grass, touch or a team-mate, surely?

when we do challenge then we invariably knock on. Teams like Wales and Ireland seem far more able in this department.

[Puja]

How do you boys see your pack performing against the Wales eight on Saturday?

We were supposed to have dominated the Scots in the scrum and earn loads of penalties but that hardly worked out; while they would dominate the lines-out and again that didn’t work out for them.

I think the backs will cancel themselves out and so it could come down to kicking with Halfpenny looking imperious again and Farrell looking vulnerable after Sunday’s display of five out of eight.

I suppose it will come down to the old adage: forwards win games, but it’s the backs who decide by how much.

I look forward to a great game.

I'd actually rate our scrum quite highly - the one thing about us playing far too many locks is that we've got a very good scrummaging base. Itoje and Launch is probably our most powerful scrummaging second row and Lawes and Robshaw both put their shoulder in.

Puja

[Banquo]

I think our kick chase has actually improved, though still not to the Irish chess grandmaster status; it was the length and type of kick that was the issue a fair few times, and it was clearly a deliberate exit tactic especially- and imo, one that better sides than Italy would crucify us with. Ford needs to tell Eddie he's not doing it any more, unless he was calling it, in which case, tell himself.

Maybe testing a new, young, small FB had merit early on but what's the point if he fields well? If regaining possession from mistakes doesn't happen kicks have to find grass, touch or a team-mate, surely?

when we do challenge then we invariably knock on. Teams like Wales and Ireland seem far more able in this department.

as I said, not up to your Irish chess standards.

[Banquo]

Don't see any changes apart from at 13.

Also wouldn't wax too lyrically about the 10/12 axis until after Wales game. Not sure they will allow us such quick ball and an armchair ride.

Expect lots of kicking (hence Wigglesworth to bench) and poor kick chase.

I think our kick chase has actually improved, though still not to the Irish chess grandmaster status; it was the length and type of kick that was the issue a fair few times, and it was clearly a deliberate exit tactic especially- and imo, one that better sides than Italy would crucify us with. Ford needs to tell Eddie he's not doing it any more, unless he was calling it, in which case, tell himself.

Maybe testing a new, young, small FB had merit early on but what's the point if he fields well? If regaining possession from mistakes doesn't happen kicks have to find grass, touch or a team-mate, surely?

Not necessarily- the tactic is designed to gain territory as well....assuming you can then contain/turnover the oppos. I think its iffy, but suspect the stats bear it out as a percentage play.