England vs Japan - Sunday
Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2023 10:56 am
So, what do we reckon? Same team again if Curry and the lawyer manage to get him downgraded to a yellow?
Puja
Puja
Good call - Cole did pretty well on Saturday, but I don't think he's the correct horse for the course of playing the fast-moving Japanese side.fivepointer wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:15 am Minimal changes. If fit, i'd bring Sinckler back in. If Curry is banned, Willis to start.
Yep, my initial thought was put Ludlam in at 6 (Curry with Willis at 7 if the former isn’t banned) but then realised Lawes will still be captain and he was pretty immense on Sat, albeit against very different oppo to what we’ll face this weekend.16th man wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:20 am Lawes being captain does impose a bit of rigidity on what we can do, so I reckon it will be a straight swap in of Willis to start at 7, or Earl moving up there for Ludlum to come in at 8, with Willis on the bench.
No point mucking about too much outside that, so we can try to get a bit of cohesion going in the backline ahead of the inevitable spanner (in all senses) being chucked into the works when Farrell comes back available.
On your last sentence, I suspect circumstances will prevail. Luck has put Ford in the driving seat that he would not have expected to occupy. SB reacted well to Farrell's absence by selecting Mitchell/Care thus removing Youngs's influence too.p/d wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 12:46 pm I am going out on a limb to assume SB will select the starting XV he feels best to beat Japan. I imagine he will find it hard to tinker too much with the back row, as he will be looking to build on Earls kicking game and Lawes' work rate. Just bringing Willis in for Curry would be the 'sensible' option.
Still cannot see where our attacking threat is coming from outside of Ford. But I would be starting Arundel.
Depends what we're planning on doing. If we're kick-chasing, then May is one of the best at that (and very good underneath the return bombardment) and Daly's not too shabby. Don't see the point in Arundell if we're not planning on using him with ball in hand, and especially not on the wing which isn't his best position. I'd rather put Steward and May on the wings to chase box-kicks and then have Arundell given leave to counter-attack with loosely returned kicks.p/d wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 12:46 pm I am going out on a limb to assume SB will select the starting XV he feels best to beat Japan. I imagine he will find it hard to tinker too much with the back row, as he will be looking to build on Earls kicking game and Lawes' work rate. Just bringing Willis in for Curry would be the 'sensible' option.
Still cannot see where our attacking threat is coming from outside of Ford. But I would be starting Arundel.
I know that is probably right. And yet I would still pick young Henry over any of the back 3Puja wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:10 pm
Depends what we're planning on doing. If we're kick-chasing, then May is one of the best at that (and very good underneath the return bombardment) and Daly's not too shabby. Don't see the point in Arundell if we're not planning on using him with ball in hand, and especially not on the wing which isn't his best position. I'd rather put Steward and May on the wings to chase box-kicks and then have Arundell given leave to counter-attack with loosely returned kicks.
Puja
What's the point of him being in the squad then?Puja wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:10 pmDepends what we're planning on doing. If we're kick-chasing, then May is one of the best at that (and very good underneath the return bombardment) and Daly's not too shabby. Don't see the point in Arundell if we're not planning on using him with ball in hand, and especially not on the wing which isn't his best position. I'd rather put Steward and May on the wings to chase box-kicks and then have Arundell given leave to counter-attack with loosely returned kicks.p/d wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 12:46 pm I am going out on a limb to assume SB will select the starting XV he feels best to beat Japan. I imagine he will find it hard to tinker too much with the back row, as he will be looking to build on Earls kicking game and Lawes' work rate. Just bringing Willis in for Curry would be the 'sensible' option.
Still cannot see where our attacking threat is coming from outside of Ford. But I would be starting Arundel.
Puja
good question- suspect he's also woefully rusty.rjjb wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:31 pmWhat's the point of him being in the squad then?Puja wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 1:10 pmDepends what we're planning on doing. If we're kick-chasing, then May is one of the best at that (and very good underneath the return bombardment) and Daly's not too shabby. Don't see the point in Arundell if we're not planning on using him with ball in hand, and especially not on the wing which isn't his best position. I'd rather put Steward and May on the wings to chase box-kicks and then have Arundell given leave to counter-attack with loosely returned kicks.p/d wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 12:46 pm I am going out on a limb to assume SB will select the starting XV he feels best to beat Japan. I imagine he will find it hard to tinker too much with the back row, as he will be looking to build on Earls kicking game and Lawes' work rate. Just bringing Willis in for Curry would be the 'sensible' option.
Still cannot see where our attacking threat is coming from outside of Ford. But I would be starting Arundel.
Puja
In fairness, Tuilagi showed he can still get over the gainline...and, um....p/d wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 12:46 pm I am going out on a limb to assume SB will select the starting XV he feels best to beat Japan. I imagine he will find it hard to tinker too much with the back row, as he will be looking to build on Earls kicking game and Lawes' work rate. Just bringing Willis in for Curry would be the 'sensible' option.
Still cannot see where our attacking threat is coming from outside of Ford. But I would be starting Arundel.
This was my immediate thought … I’d stick with the same starting XV and if Curry is banned, swap in Willis or Ludlam. Sadly, I’m almost certain Billy comes straight back in.Puja wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:18 amGood call - Cole did pretty well on Saturday, but I don't think he's the correct horse for the course of playing the fast-moving Japanese side.fivepointer wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:15 am Minimal changes. If fit, i'd bring Sinckler back in. If Curry is banned, Willis to start.
Any feelings on BillyV coming back into the XXIII? I hope to all the gods that he's not straight in at 8 - I just don't see him and Lawes functioning together in the same back row.
Puja
I have a horrible suspicion that they were testing out moves for us and treating large parts as opposed training. Lots of funky lineout moves that only make sense if you're looking to avoid tangling with a big dull pack.
Think you might be right.Scrumhead wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 9:05 pmThis was my immediate thought … I’d stick with the same starting XV and if Curry is banned, swap in Willis or Ludlam. Sadly, I’m almost certain Billy comes straight back in.Puja wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:18 amGood call - Cole did pretty well on Saturday, but I don't think he's the correct horse for the course of playing the fast-moving Japanese side.fivepointer wrote: ↑Mon Sep 11, 2023 11:15 am Minimal changes. If fit, i'd bring Sinckler back in. If Curry is banned, Willis to start.
Any feelings on BillyV coming back into the XXIII? I hope to all the gods that he's not straight in at 8 - I just don't see him and Lawes functioning together in the same back row.
Puja
They haven't been good for a couple of years (yes, yes, I know). If Ford is still allowed to pull the strings and we actually try to boss the breakdown and lineout a bit, I remain hopeful.
I like the theory, and I also like the idea of getting match-time into Dan and it'd probably be fine... However, I think it might be a bit cocky to rest our most valuable player for a game that we weren't confident about winning a week ago.