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#Post#: 150567--------------------------------------------------
Re: England team confirmed
DIR By: JammyGit
Date: March 8, 2026, 5:12 am
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--- Quote from: Quinky link ---
>
> For me, part of the problem is that he takes the ball into
contact every single time. He makes yards, arguably more than he
should, and he does it well. But it's 100% predictable.
>
> Maybe it's because England don't have enough heavy ball
carriers? Or maybe it's the limited, one dimensional game plan.
Truck up, two or three phases, box kick, defend the return,
eventually get the ball back, rinse and repeat.
>
> England have some very good backs. They don't always pick
them, and when they do they don't get anywhere near enough ball.
>
--- End Quote ---
What does it matter if Earl is predictable if it still works?
You need players who can provide go-forward and he did it
magnificently well, on top of being one of our only breakdown
threats and having a good game in defence. His carrying was a
huge benefit to our attacking game and our few bright points
usually came as a result of one of his big carries. His carrying
usually kick-starts an attack rather than ending it.
I'm surprised you're so negative about such an effective number
8, because his approach and output is almost identical to Jasper
Wiese, which given Borthwick's total lack of originality is
probably not a coincidence.
#Post#: 150568--------------------------------------------------
Re: England team confirmed
DIR By: Rugbycat
Date: March 8, 2026, 5:26 am
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Its more about the balance of the back row than Earl, he would
be better at 7 than 8, and then have a ball carrying 8.
But the playing style/tactics are the problem, and the lack of a
plan B, if there is even is a plan A, is the frustration.
The selection for next week will be interesting.
#Post#: 150569--------------------------------------------------
Re: England team confirmed
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: March 8, 2026, 7:26 am
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--- Quote from: Banstead Quin link ---
>
> Sorry for the above, didn't realise I had a handshake error
and when refreshed, it posted.
>
> T'was to be expected I suppose, if you don't change the game
plan, it doesn't matter who you pick to play, same outcome.
>
> Thicko blaming the yellows is classic failing to see the fact
that Italy just grew back in and also lost a player. Kicking the
ball away between 10mtr and 22 still costing us opportunities,
players still running into contact when we have overlaps and why
do we only ever pass the ball to one wing?
>
--- End Quote ---
Imagine never passing the ball to your left winger in space in
80 minutes.
#Post#: 150571--------------------------------------------------
Re: England team confirmed
DIR By: Quinky
Date: March 8, 2026, 8:07 am
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: JammyGit link ---
>
> What does it matter if Earl is predictable if it still works?
You need players who can provide go-forward and he did it
magnificently well, on top of being one of our only breakdown
threats and having a good game in defence. His carrying was a
huge benefit to our attacking game and our few bright points
usually came as a result of one of his big carries. His carrying
usually kick-starts an attack rather than ending it.
>
> I'm surprised you're so negative about such an effective
number 8, because his approach and output is almost identical to
Jasper Wiese, which given Borthwick's total lack of originality
is probably not a coincidence.
>
--- End Quote ---
The difference is that when playing for SA, Wiese is surrounded
by very good players, I a team that has more than one plan.
I've said Earl is good at what he does. Why does it matter if
that's all he does? Because of the over-reliance on it. And
because opponents only have one thing to consider when he has
the ball. When he pops up in the centres, then outside players
can simply close in and gang tackle him. Anything that
simplifies how your opponent defends against you is bad - surely
even you can see that?
#Post#: 150579--------------------------------------------------
Re: England team confirmed
DIR By: The Kid
Date: March 8, 2026, 1:03 pm
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That is a decent Italy team. One we should beat, yes, but they
were good value for that and also did Scotland there who are
playing a lot better than we are.
Thought Cadan did everything asked of him. It's him or IF-W for
one shirt ongoing and roebuck / freeman for the other. It's
clear the current coaching staff don't have a plan B and cannot
adjust on the fly when they need one. Suspect they'll be given
the rest of the year to show that they can find and execute one.
Side note - the Quins teams with the following backline from 3-4
years ago really underachieved after winning the prem:
Care
M Smith
Murley
Esterhuizen
Huw Jones
Lynagh
Green
With Marchant, Allan, Northmore in reserve. We really were
spoiled...
#Post#: 150584--------------------------------------------------
Re: England team confirmed
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: March 8, 2026, 2:06 pm
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We played some incredible rugby in 21/22, even better then the
run in for the title.
#Post#: 150585--------------------------------------------------
Re: England team confirmed
DIR By: FrostAndFire
Date: March 8, 2026, 2:06 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: The Kid link ---
>
> That is a decent Italy team. One we should beat, yes, but they
were good value for that and also did Scotland there who are
playing a lot better than we are.
>
> Thought Cadan did everything asked of him. It's him or IF-W
for one shirt ongoing and roebuck / freeman for the other. It's
clear the current coaching staff don't have a plan B and cannot
adjust on the fly when they need one. Suspect they'll be given
the rest of the year to show that they can find and execute one.
>
--- End Quote ---
They really need to stop putting Freeman in at 13. I know he
wants to play there, but he's shown that he does not (yet) have
it in that position. Atkinson and Freeman looked so poor
compared to Brex and Menoncello. Admittedly the Italian pair are
among the best centres, but we should be aspiring for more than
we have.
#Post#: 150587--------------------------------------------------
Re: England team confirmed
DIR By: RodneyRegis
Date: March 8, 2026, 2:12 pm
---------------------------------------------------------
--- Quote from: RodneyRegis link ---
>
> We played some incredible rugby in 21/22, even better then the
run in for the title.
>
--- End Quote ---
Would give a limb for rugby like this at the stoop these days...
HTML https://youtu.be/q7WXMEUoh2Q?si=qixy1SmmPNv2kJ2a
#Post#: 150594--------------------------------------------------
Re: England team confirmed
DIR By: deadlyfrom5yardsout
Date: March 9, 2026, 2:58 am
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Itoje was yellow carded but if he had knocked the ball backwards
it would have been legal? Saint or Sinner and nothing in
between.
#Post#: 150595--------------------------------------------------
Re: England team confirmed
DIR By: MaidstoneQuin
Date: March 9, 2026, 3:00 am
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Borthwick makes a plain bowl of rice look exciting so really
it's not a surprise this England team is struggling. I don't
think Borthwick is capable of getting us to play any decent
winning rugby, which considering the players at his disposal
compared to other nations is unforgivable.
Maybe Scott Robertson is keeping his phone on? Although knowing
the RFU we will give it to Graham Rowntree
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