RugbyRebels

This might have some bearing on next Saturday.
Forwards

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 100 caps), Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 45 caps), Theo Dan (Saracens, 1 cap), Ben Earl (Saracens, 15 caps), Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 49 caps), Jamie George (Saracens, 77 caps), Maro Itoje (Saracens, 67 caps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 97 caps), Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 20 caps), Joe Marler (Harlequins, 79 caps), George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps), David Ribbans (Toulon, 6 caps), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 3 caps), Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 62 caps), Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 26 caps), Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 68 caps) , Jack Walker (Harlequins, 3 caps), Jack Willis (Toulouse, 10 caps)

Backs

Henry Arundell (Racing 92, 7 caps), Danny Care (Harlequins, 88 caps), Elliot Daly (Saracens, 57 caps), Owen Farrell (Saracens, 106 caps), George Ford (Sale Sharks, 82 caps), Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 11 caps), Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 19 caps), Joe Marchant (Stade Francais, 16 caps), Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 22 caps), Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps), Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 51 caps), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps), Anthony Watson (unattached, 55 caps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 122 caps)

I have a feeling that Borthwick will go full bore next weekend. Losing both games will set the media on him in a huge way.

Sandydragon wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:55 am I have a feeling that Borthwick will go full bore next weekend. Losing both games will set the media on him in a huge way.

I'm sure he will, and Gatland needs to take account of this in his selection - I'm not saying first XV, but a bit less experimental.

Having said that, losing this week would have the advantage that England would write off last week's loss as a fluke and down to all those players who didn't make the grade anyway. And not playing Farrell. Whereas if we beat them again they'll have all the usual complacency knocked out of them by the time we (maybe) meet them in the quarters.





Nah, fuck it, let's beat them again.

Sandydragon wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 10:55 am Borthwick will go full bore

He is quite dull.

A lot of experience in that squad but if the veterans are as fit as their counterparts on Saturday then it could be an interesting weekend for Wales.

Gatland will still be experimenting but I think he has a shrewd idea of what most of our starting XV now is. It will be good to see if Lake gets the hooker and captaincy nod and I’d expect a battle royale with George.

Inexpect Farrell at 10 with a sizeable midfield to smash the ball up. Noting that Vunipola and Tuilagi are injury prone I’m curious if they have a plan b for when those injuries happen.

Sandydragon wrote: ↑Mon Aug 07, 2023 4:01 pm Inexpect Farrell at 10 with a sizeable midfield to smash the ball up. Noting that Vunipola and Tuilagi are injury prone I’m curious if they have a plan b for when those injuries happen.

Vunipola seems to be a one trick pony and he’s been found out by the opposition. Tuilagi has difficulty rising to the big occasions and has a tendency to drop the ball when he seems in a good position to score. The England fans are very worried, much as we were during the 6N.

If results are unimportant in these warm-up games, then England at Twickenham, when we've already beaten them in Cardiff, is surely the most unimportant of all? Whereas they really have to win now; and as mentioned above, I'm not sure it's a bad idea to let them. I'm not suggesting actually throwing the game, but... I'd not be surprised to see a fully-loaded England against a similarly "experimental" (albeit with different personnel) Wales side. If we can see a few more combinations start to work, and avoid injuries, I'd guess Gats would happily settle for a 20-point defeat. Only a real hammering would do any serious damage to morale IMO; and I'm not sure England are capable of hammering anyone right now.
[Checks under the floorboards for Nick Easter...]