France v England

[Oakboy]

It won't be interesting, it'll be Roots

Probably, though that could mean Dombrandt still on the bench when logic suggests a lock.

What logic? Coles and Roots and no number 8 cover?

Chessum packed down at 8 last week so maybe he's considered adequate cover. Roots would probably do the job efficiently too.

[p/d]

.

Although, knowing him, he'll probably pick someone left-field like Pepper.

Puja

Now you are talking!!!
That’s the intent I want to see from this squad. No ‘ooh they are big’ more ‘stop us if ya can’ attitude

…… it will be reliable Roots

[FKAS]

Probably, though that could mean Dombrandt still on the bench when logic suggests a lock.

What logic? Coles and Roots and no number 8 cover?

Chessum packed down at 8 last week so maybe he's considered adequate cover. Roots would probably do the job efficiently too.

Roots has played 8 before iirc.

I liked the Chessum at 8 idea on the defensive scrums. Allowed Earl and Underhill to be breaking off the flanks quickly to stop Irish strike moves.

[Oakboy]

What logic? Coles and Roots and no number 8 cover?

Chessum packed down at 8 last week so maybe he's considered adequate cover. Roots would probably do the job efficiently too.

Roots has played 8 before iirc.

I liked the Chessum at 8 idea on the defensive scrums. Allowed Earl and Underhill to be breaking off the flanks quickly to stop Irish strike moves.

I just don't see what Domrandt offers for this match. If he punched his weight, perhaps, but against those French forwards? Let's face it, barring serious injury, Earl will do the 80 anyway. I suppose you could make a case for Dombrandt at about 65 if we were well ahead but as serious 'whole game' cover, I think it's risky.

[Mikey Brown]

eh? I remember him playing a lot on the right for Saints, and earlier this season for England. Was he on the left in Oz, in which case its a long time ago for an old chap. (to be clear, I wasn't claiming he'd never played on the left).

I believe he was indeed on the left on the Australia tour.

Puja

memory fail then. I'll revise my point- iirc (which has to now be questioned) he's played nearly all his wing rugby on the right, esp since then.

I wasn’t meaning to make a particularly serious point of any of it, other than that he seems to be fine at 11,13, 14, 15, which is great.

He seems to switch wings quite comfortably, presumably just at the preference of the other wingers. I can’t remember which NH wing it is that seems to prefer 14. Seems like Sleightholme has transferred fully to being a left wing though.

[FKAS]

Chessum packed down at 8 last week so maybe he's considered adequate cover. Roots would probably do the job efficiently too.

Roots has played 8 before iirc.

I liked the Chessum at 8 idea on the defensive scrums. Allowed Earl and Underhill to be breaking off the flanks quickly to stop Irish strike moves.

I just don't see what Domrandt offers for this match. If he punched his weight, perhaps, but against those French forwards? Let's face it, barring serious injury, Earl will do the 80 anyway. I suppose you could make a case for Dombrandt at about 65 if we were well ahead but as serious 'whole game' cover, I think it's risky.

Yeah, Dombrant feels a luxury option at the minute. It's probable that Itoje, Chessum and Martin will join Earl in playing most of the 80 bar injury so an injury cover option like Coles makes sense alongside Roots. Does lack a bit of impact but do we have anyone else in the squad that'll add impact as a forward?

[Puja]

Roots has played 8 before iirc.

I liked the Chessum at 8 idea on the defensive scrums. Allowed Earl and Underhill to be breaking off the flanks quickly to stop Irish strike moves.

I just don't see what Domrandt offers for this match. If he punched his weight, perhaps, but against those French forwards? Let's face it, barring serious injury, Earl will do the 80 anyway. I suppose you could make a case for Dombrandt at about 65 if we were well ahead but as serious 'whole game' cover, I think it's risky.

Yeah, Dombrant feels a luxury option at the minute. It's probable that Itoje, Chessum and Martin will join Earl in playing most of the 80 bar injury so an injury cover option like Coles makes sense alongside Roots. Does lack a bit of impact but do we have anyone else in the squad that'll add impact as a forward?

I'd say Chessum is the one likely guaranteed player to be substituted, if he's playing on the flank and doing a lot more running. He's the one we need to plan around.

Puja

[francoisfou]

As expected, there are no changes to the French 23, but worthy of note is the selection of Posolo Tuilagi in the U20 team in tomorrow evening’s fixture in Pau against England. You’ll remember that he made his senior début earlier in the tournament. Le XV de départ : 15. Barré ; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Depoortere, 11. Bielle-Biarrey ; 10. Ramos ; 9. Le Garrec ; 7.Ollivon, 8. Alldritt (cap), 6. Cros ; 5.Meafou, 4. Flament ; 3. Atonio, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille.

Remplaçants : 16. Mauvaka, 17. S. Taofifenua, 18. Colombe, 19. R. Taofifenua, 20. Roumat, 21. Boudehent, 22. Lucu, 23. Moefana.

[Mikey Brown]

Anything you can say about Barre? I missed the Wales game and don't think I've ever seen him play.

Is Depoortere not an out and out 13? I'd assumed they would have moved Fickou in one, but maybe it's not worth messing with his defensive role.

[Banquo]

I believe he was indeed on the left on the Australia tour.

Puja

memory fail then. I'll revise my point- iirc (which has to now be questioned) he's played nearly all his wing rugby on the right, esp since then.

I wasn’t meaning to make a particularly serious point of any of it, other than that he seems to be fine at 11,13, 14, 15, which is great.

He seems to switch wings quite comfortably, presumably just at the preference of the other wingers. I can’t remember which NH wing it is that seems to prefer 14. Seems like Sleightholme has transferred fully to being a left wing though.

yep, I fkd up too

[Banquo]

Probably, though that could mean Dombrandt still on the bench when logic suggests a lock.

What logic? Coles and Roots and no number 8 cover?

Chessum packed down at 8 last week so maybe he's considered adequate cover.

only in defence. Big difference.

[Banquo]

Anything you can say about Barre? I missed the Wales game and don't think I've ever seen him play.

He struck a chord with me..

[Puja]

As expected, there are no changes to the French 23, but worthy of note is the selection of Posolo Tuilagi in the U20 team in tomorrow evening’s fixture in Pau against England. You’ll remember that he made his senior début earlier in the tournament. Le XV de départ : 15. Barré ; 14. Penaud, 13. Fickou, 12. Depoortere, 11. Bielle-Biarrey ; 10. Ramos ; 9. Le Garrec ; 7.Ollivon, 8. Alldritt (cap), 6. Cros ; 5.Meafou, 4. Flament ; 3. Atonio, 2. Marchand, 1. Baille.

Remplaçants : 16. Mauvaka, 17. S. Taofifenua, 18. Colombe, 19. R. Taofifenua, 20. Roumat, 21. Boudehent, 22. Lucu, 23. Moefana.

Strikes me as somewhat mean to put Posolo into the U20s! Still, it'll be a good challenge for our lot to learn to deal with someone of that size.

Puja

[FKAS]

I just don't see what Domrandt offers for this match. If he punched his weight, perhaps, but against those French forwards? Let's face it, barring serious injury, Earl will do the 80 anyway. I suppose you could make a case for Dombrandt at about 65 if we were well ahead but as serious 'whole game' cover, I think it's risky.

Yeah, Dombrant feels a luxury option at the minute. It's probable that Itoje, Chessum and Martin will join Earl in playing most of the 80 bar injury so an injury cover option like Coles makes sense alongside Roots. Does lack a bit of impact but do we have anyone else in the squad that'll add impact as a forward?

I'd say Chessum is the one likely guaranteed player to be substituted, if he's playing on the flank and doing a lot more running. He's the one we need to plan around.

Puja

Underhill has been subbed around the same time as the props each game hasn't he? I'd assume he's the planned sub first.

[p/d]

Anything you can say about Barre? I missed the Wales game and don't think I've ever seen him play.

He struck a chord with me..

But not as good as Pilates

[Galfon]

Could be Tuilagi's swansong in advance of a possible move to club in Fra, (off the bench one would imagine) - another reason for the group to make it a special one

[Banquo]

Anything you can say about Barre? I missed the Wales game and don't think I've ever seen him play.

He struck a chord with me..

But not as good as Pilates

I've washed my hands of that

[Mikey Brown]

Slade out. Steward in with Furbank at 12! Did not see that one coming.

[Banquo]

Slade out. Steward in with Furbank at 12! Did not see that one coming.

wtaf

Dingwall has a back spasm I think tho. That's a huge configuration change tho, utterly different style needed. Ballsy Stupidity

[Mikey Brown]

Sorry. Just joining in with the comedy.

[Mikey Brown]

That's for the barre chord joke.

[Banquo]

bastard, dangling from a hook me

[Mikey Brown]

Maybe the real team will be a pleasant surprise now. Anyone actually know when it's announced?

[p/d]

Slade out. Steward in with Furbank at 12! Did not see that one coming.

wtaf

Dingwall has a back spasm I think tho. That's a huge configuration change tho, utterly different style needed. Ballsy Stupidity

[p/d]

Maybe the real team will be a pleasant surprise now. Anyone actually know when it's announced?

knowing Dingwall has a back spasm certainly adds to the pleasantry of surprise