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#Post#: 103877--------------------------------------------------
OT: Your England XV vs Italy?
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: February 6, 2023, 3:17 am
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Whilst Saturday saw an improved England performance from ones in
2022, it was still the same result we have come to expect.
With changes almost certain (if SB has any sense) to be made,
what would your team be for Italy, who will be a very tough
game. If we even approach this as we might have a few years ago
as some game to "rest" players or try things out, we are in for
another familiar outcome considering how well they played
yesterday.
1. Genge (c)
2. George
3. Sinkler
4. Chessum
5. Ribbans
6. Ludlam
7. Earl
8. Dombrandt
9. Mitchell
10. Smith
11. Murley
12. Tuilagi
13. Marchant
14. Malins
15. Steward
16. Rodd
17. Walker
18. Cole
19. Itoje
20. Willis
21. JVP
22. Farrell
23. Watson
Hard to call with dropping Lawrence, who I would be happy at 12,
however I'm not 100% how much he has played there.
I think this selection gives us better ruck speed, which will be
important. Scotland dominated us there, and I feel Mitchell
would be a better pick as JVP in my view was fairly slow at the
base. I'd be happy to swap Earl for Willis but Willis can cover
back row/8 from bench.
#Post#: 103878--------------------------------------------------
Re: OT: Your England XV vs Italy?
DIR By: SunburyQuin
Date: February 6, 2023, 3:24 am
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I agree with this team wholeheartedly, with the possible
exception of 12 - I would have Lawrence there instead of
Tuilagi. An Andre-like runner at 12 inside Marchant who doesn't
make cheap-shots & draws penalties is preferable.
#Post#: 103879--------------------------------------------------
Re: OT: Your England XV vs Italy?
DIR By: Yareet
Date: February 6, 2023, 3:36 am
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Not a game to try things out..
Just 5 changes to the 15
And another 4 on the bench
Drop the captain
Completely new 2nd row combo
Completely new back row combo [I'm happy to be corrected on
these two points as I'm working from memory]
Start a 9 who wasn't in the last 23
Two uncapped players
In isolation, each of those changes has merit. Aggregated, they
have a hint of trying things out
#Post#: 103880--------------------------------------------------
Re: OT: Your England XV vs Italy?
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: February 6, 2023, 3:40 am
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--- Quote from: Yareet link ---
>
> Not a game to try things out..
>
> Just 5 changes to the 15
> And another 4 on the bench
> Drop the captain
> Completely new 2nd row combo
> Completely new back row combo [I'm happy to be corrected on
these two points as I'm working from memory]
> Start a 9 who wasn't in the last 23
> Two uncapped players
>
> In isolation, each of those changes has merit. Aggregated,
they have a hint of trying things out
>
--- End Quote ---
I could of made a few more but it probably wouldn't help, but
the core of the team is there. I don't think OHC will get
dropped after one game though and will get another chance. The
others coming in, bar maybe Earl and Mitchell have all been in
the setup fairly recently so I don't think it would be as big of
change as chucking in someone brand new, such as trying Kelly
and Lawrence together (If that makes sense). Personally I would
see the team I have picked as a solid team for the tournament,
rather than a "see how it goes" type thing, as if SB is all
about picking on form, then really the players I've dropped
shouldn't be there.
If I was to pick changes more realistic, I would say the two
most important ones would be Ribbans for Itoje and
Tuilagi/Lawrence for Farrell, with the 2 sarries on the bench.
#Post#: 103881--------------------------------------------------
Re: OT: Your England XV vs Italy?
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: February 6, 2023, 3:57 am
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Itoje will get a rocket rather than be dropped. He's the best
available lock, so that makes sense. Farrell is captain, he's
not getting dropped. I think we'll see Smith-Farrell again -
Smith played pretty well - or at worst Farrell with Lawrence at
12.
Curry and Earl might swap around. Youngs might get dropped from
the bench.
#Post#: 103882--------------------------------------------------
Re: OT: Your England XV vs Italy?
DIR By: never sleep
Date: February 6, 2023, 4:03 am
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I'm not sure much needs to be done with the starting 15.
Basically, they just needed to play better than they did on
Saturday.
E.g. Itoje needs to give away fewer penalties.
JVP needs to serve up quicker ball from the ruck (as he is
capable of doing).
Farrell needs to make more tackles.
I do agree with you about Earl though. I would bring him into
the starting 15 at #7.
It was really our defence that lost us the game. But, another
week of training should help to sort that out.
I think that we need some stability.
But, I would make changes to the bench.
E.g. Mako looked off the pace (putting it politely).
#Post#: 103883--------------------------------------------------
Re: OT: Your England XV vs Italy?
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: February 6, 2023, 4:51 am
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I don't think Borthwick will make any changes, unless due to
injuries. I think he should, but can't see it happening. Not
sure any coach would make significant changes after one game in
charge. The "optics" (hate that expression) wouldn't be great.
Youngs and Mako just shouldn't be anywhere near the squad
anymore, and he should choose a 10 and then play a proper centre
at 12, but not going to happen vs Italy.
Quite a few players need to put in a much better performance.
Steward, OHC, Marchant, Farrell, JVP, Dombrandt, Curry, Itoje.
And Walker too - he did nothing!
#Post#: 103885--------------------------------------------------
Re: OT: Your England XV vs Italy?
DIR By: Yareet
Date: February 6, 2023, 7:18 am
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--- Quote from: MaidstoneQuin link ---
>
> Personally I would see the team I have picked as a solid team
for the tournament, rather than a "see how it goes" type thing,
as if SB is all about picking on form, then really the players
I've dropped shouldn't be there.
>
> If I was to pick changes more realistic, I would say the two
most important ones would be Ribbans for Itoje and
Tuilagi/Lawrence for Farrell, with the 2 sarries on the bench.
>
--- End Quote ---
Again, I'm afraid I disagree. Changing 1/3 from the 23 is fine
... if it works.
Whilst it may have been your intention to have a core of the
team for the tournament, there are no guarantees your 23 would
have done any better on Saturday. I'm pretty sure SB was picking
the team he thought was best suited to do the job he wanted them
to do.
And many of that 23 were picked on league form. One game and
they're dropped?
On Itoje, I don't personally see him and Ribbans as comparable.
IMO Ribbans is cover for Chessum in the big lump mould. Somebody
like Isiekwe would replace Itoje.
I wouldn't be surprised to see Smith-Farrell-Manu/Lawrence. When
Farrell has worked at 12 (outside with Ford for England or
Sexton for the Lions) it's been with a lump at 13.
#Post#: 103897--------------------------------------------------
Re: OT: Your England XV vs Italy?
DIR By: Mandator
Date: February 6, 2023, 10:28 am
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When is Ford expected back playing for Sale?
#Post#: 103898--------------------------------------------------
Re: OT: Your England XV vs Italy?
DIR By: T-Bone
Date: February 6, 2023, 10:37 am
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--- Quote from: Mandator link ---
>
> When is Ford expected back playing for Sale?
>
--- End Quote ---
He played for them in a prem cup game at the weekend. no idea
how he did
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