England v SA- same larger squad

[Banquo]

[Which Tyler]

I would like to register my objection that anyone from Newcastle has been called up.
Doesn't Eddie know that Newcastle is quite a long way away from Pennyhill, and that Radwan will have a fair bit of driving (or a small bit of flying) to do, just for a 2 day camp to keep in touch with the coaches, calls, play-book etc and feel some love from the England camp.

Bloody Aussies, just don't appreciate how far 300 miles is!

[FKAS]

Well Falcons are playing Chiefs on Friday night anyway so Robinson and Radwan most of the way there already.

[fivepointer]

Newcastle are at home on Friday night....

At least Radwan and Robinson are being included in the squad. The travelling will be a pain and the club will be irritated to lose out on them starting on Friday.

[Peej]

South Africa team:

15 Willie le Roux, 14 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Damian Willemse, 9 Faf de Klerk, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Franco Mostert, 6 Siya Kolisi (c) 5 Marvin Orie, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Bongi Mbonambi, 1 Ox Nche

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Canan Moodie

[Scrumhead]

Surprised they’ve kept Willemse at 10 after Libbok impressed last week.

[Puja]

Early naming of the team is a bold choice. Explicitly giving no fucks about keeping secrets or planning around England - here's what we're bringing; good luck trying to stop it.

Replacements: 16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Thomas du Toit, 19 Marco van Staden, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Jaden Hendrikse, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Canan Moodie

Bench is a bit of a change to what we're used to. Going from 2 additional locks in a 6:2 split, to a 5:3 and no sub locks at all. They do have Mostert playing flank that they could move forward, but that's still a change of tack from the usual Bomb Squad.

Puja

[Mikey Brown]

I've seen Orie's name around the squad for a while but don't remember ever actually watching the guy. Is he any good? Will be interesting to see what sort of impact Roos can make as well.

[p/d]

Yep. Looking forward to seeing Roos start against us. Could make quite the impact.

[Mellsblue]

Anyone got any thoughts on the centre partnership, particularly Kriel?

[p/d]

De Allende should be at 13

That sort of thing?

[FKAS]

Surprised they’ve kept Willemse at 10 after Libbok impressed last week.

But of a surprise but they do like their bench impact.

It's a confident SA team isn't it. They are big and nasty and fancy taking us on up front.

[Banquo]

Anyone got any thoughts on the centre partnership, particularly Kriel?

Have I said I think Kriel is a decent runner but a bit flaky enough times yet

[Banquo]

Willis canned FFS .....going large I'd think. IMO daft. I'd hope Nowell or Porter get the shepherd's crook, but it'll be Freeman.

[Mellsblue]

Anyone got any thoughts on the centre partnership, particularly Kriel?

Have I said I think Kriel is a decent runner but a bit flaky enough times yet

Must’ve missed that.

[Mellsblue]

Willis canned FFS .....going large I'd think. IMO daft. I'd hope Nowell or Porter get the shepherd's crook, but it'll be Freeman.

Ffs

[fivepointer]

Radwan & Robinson sharing the driving duties back to Newcastle. Maybe next time lads...

So Itoje back at 6, a 6:2 bench and Freeman, Tizard and Porter to miss out?

[Banquo]

Radwan & Robinson sharing the driving duties back to Newcastle. Maybe next time lads...

So Itoje back at 6, a 6:2 bench and Freeman, Tizard and Porter to miss out?

not sure you'd have 5 props??

[Mellsblue]

Radwan & Robinson sharing the driving duties back to Newcastle. Maybe next time lads...

So Itoje back at 6, a 6:2 bench and Freeman, Tizard and Porter to miss out?

not sure you'd have 5 props??

When they bring on the bomb squad we’ll bring on the atomic bomb squad by putting Mako at blindside.

[Mikey Brown]

So we really have no interest in seeing if Willis can have a similar impact to what he does at club level? It’s fucking mad. Why do that when you can pick someone out of position because they were playing well a few years back?

[FKAS]

So something like;

1. Genge
2. LCD
3. Sinckler
4. Hill
5. Ribbans
6. Itoje
7. Curry
8. Vunipola
9. JVP
10. Smith
11. May
12. Farrell
13. Manu
14. Nowell (I'm hoping Freeman but can't see it)
15. Steward

16. George, 17. Vunipola, 18. Stuart, 19. Tizard, 20. Coles, 21. Youngs, 22. Slade, 23. Porter

This is about the only game I wouldn't mind the lock at 6 though I'd prefer that lock to be Coles and Maro in the engine room with Ribbans but I suspect Eddie will go something more like the above.

[Danno]

:vom:

No Willis is becoming embarrassing.

[badback]

This sort of game is made for Marler.

[Mikey Brown]

:vom:

No Willis is becoming embarrassing.

There’s talk over whether he’s contractually required in France, but he has as brought back in to the squad earlier this week, right?

Hard to fathom it, otherwise. A potential once-in-a-generation talent and it feels like we’ve missed out on several years already.

[FKAS]

This sort of game is made for Marler.

Especially as there's doubts over Mako's fitness. Rodd about Heald it together last year in the AIs so hopefully can do again if required.

Not sure why Marler is suddenly on the outside again. Obviously Mako offers a lot more in attack but we've named three looseheads in the squad and Marler isn't one of them which is not how 99% of people would see the expected pecking order.