Ireland vs England - Sat 4.45pm

[p/d]

If you are going with 6:2 then I would swap out Smith for Daly

[Scrumhead]

Well that's not what I expected. Are we doubling down on line speed and going with maximum blitz for the first half, looking to be a niggly menace at the breakdown and then playing at tempo in attack or probably more likely with a big kick chase game. As the game breaks up we presumably unload the bench for ball carrying physicality and look to attack.

Not sure about Murley in this one, he might be targeted but his tache is fantastic and will surely mesmerise the Irish. It also means we now have a rapid back three...

Not a lot of weight in the back three, not sure that helps us take advantage of Ireland missing Furlong. Some weight to try and take advantage at scrum time was what I was expecting.

You can’t be serious.

Also do you mean the back three of the scrum re: weight advantage? I don’t honestly know how Furlong’s backups compare in that area.

Is Furlong still the scrummaging force he was? His loose play is still very good.

Hard to say. He rarely plays these days and as a case in point, he’s unavailable this weekend.

Bealham is no more than OK. The type of player Genge should be looking to dominate IMO.

Baxter will be up against Ireland’s 4th choice tighthead (probably Clarkson) as the usual 3rd choice, Tom O’Toole is banned.

[Which Tyler]

Does anybody know why the team has been named so early?

Let the fear us!

Never let evidence spoil a good theory

[Mellsblue]

Does anybody know why the team has been named so early?

They probably just got so pissed off reading the discussion on here ans thought they'd put an end to.

Little do they know...

I see you’ve taken the rage bait.

[Banquo]

You can’t be serious.

Also do you mean the back three of the scrum re: weight advantage? I don’t honestly know how Furlong’s backups compare in that area.

Is Furlong still the scrummaging force he was? His loose play is still very good.

Hard to say. He rarely plays these days and as a case in point, he’s unavailable this weekend.

Bealham is no more than OK. The type of player Genge should be looking to dominate IMO.

Baxter will be up against Ireland’s 4th choice tighthead (probably Clarkson) as the usual 3rd choice, Tom O’Toole is banned.

I was asking because I know he's not available this weekend, but then how much would he actually be missed come scrum time and thus how that might affect selection.

[FKAS]

Well that's not what I expected. Are we doubling down on line speed and going with maximum blitz for the first half, looking to be a niggly menace at the breakdown and then playing at tempo in attack or probably more likely with a big kick chase game. As the game breaks up we presumably unload the bench for ball carrying physicality and look to attack.

Not sure about Murley in this one, he might be targeted but his tache is fantastic and will surely mesmerise the Irish. It also means we now have a rapid back three...

Not a lot of weight in the back three, not sure that helps us take advantage of Ireland missing Furlong. Some weight to try and take advantage at scrum time was what I was expecting.

You can’t be serious.

Also do you mean the back three of the scrum re: weight advantage? I don’t honestly know how Furlong’s backups compare in that area.

Yeah the back three of the scrum.

Bealham has tended to be the go to back up for Furlong but it looked like O'Toole was starting to take that mantle. O'Toole is suspended though so experienced and generally solid Bealham is likely to start. Not a bad player but nothing to write home about and not sure he'd make our squad if he was suddenly English and available.

Clarkson, Furlong's back up at Leinster is probably on the bench then. Currently third choice for Leinster and only has a couple of caps. Leinster had so much confidence in him that they brought in Slimani to be experienced back up this season. At 24 he could kick on and be decent still but Fin Baxter at two years younger has more club games and international caps so you'd hope we could target that area.

[Mikey Brown]

It completely passed me by that Baxter is in ahead of Rodd. I thought Rodd might have been due a return. It will be great to see Baxter get some 6 nations time, but I hope his selection remains justified by form rather than just being there as the promising young thing.

[Banquo]

Well that's not what I expected. Are we doubling down on line speed and going with maximum blitz for the first half, looking to be a niggly menace at the breakdown and then playing at tempo in attack or probably more likely with a big kick chase game. As the game breaks up we presumably unload the bench for ball carrying physicality and look to attack.

Not sure about Murley in this one, he might be targeted but his tache is fantastic and will surely mesmerise the Irish. It also means we now have a rapid back three...

Not a lot of weight in the back three, not sure that helps us take advantage of Ireland missing Furlong. Some weight to try and take advantage at scrum time was what I was expecting.

You can’t be serious.

Also do you mean the back three of the scrum re: weight advantage? I don’t honestly know how Furlong’s backups compare in that area.

Yeah the back three of the scrum.

Bealham has tended to be the go to back up for Furlong but it looked like O'Toole was starting to take that mantle. O'Toole is suspended though so experienced and generally solid Bealham is likely to start. Not a bad player but nothing to write home about and not sure he'd make our squad if he was suddenly English and available.

Clarkson, Furlong's back up at Leinster is probably on the bench then. Currently third choice for Leinster and only has a couple of caps. Leinster had so much confidence in him that they brought in Slimani to be experienced back up this season. At 24 he could kick on and be decent still but Fin Baxter at two years younger has more club games and international caps so you'd hope we could target that area.

Not sure you would call the Curry's rapid; but then you did say Roebuck and Freeman were

[paddy no 11]

Well that's not what I expected. Are we doubling down on line speed and going with maximum blitz for the first half, looking to be a niggly menace at the breakdown and then playing at tempo in attack or probably more likely with a big kick chase game. As the game breaks up we presumably unload the bench for ball carrying physicality and look to attack.

Not sure about Murley in this one, he might be targeted but his tache is fantastic and will surely mesmerise the Irish. It also means we now have a rapid back three...

Not a lot of weight in the back three, not sure that helps us take advantage of Ireland missing Furlong. Some weight to try and take advantage at scrum time was what I was expecting.

You can’t be serious.

Also do you mean the back three of the scrum re: weight advantage? I don’t honestly know how Furlong’s backups compare in that area.

Yeah the back three of the scrum.

Bealham has tended to be the go to back up for Furlong but it looked like O'Toole was starting to take that mantle. O'Toole is suspended though so experienced and generally solid Bealham is likely to start. Not a bad player but nothing to write home about and not sure he'd make our squad if he was suddenly English and available.

Clarkson, Furlong's back up at Leinster is probably on the bench then. Currently third choice for Leinster and only has a couple of caps. Leinster had so much confidence in him that they brought in Slimani to be experienced back up this season. At 24 he could kick on and be decent still but Fin Baxter at two years younger has more club games and international caps so you'd hope we could target that area.

Bealham is on a downward trajectory I think or it might just be connacht being poor. I would not be surprised if clarkson ends up no 1 tighthead. Genge definitely should be looking to dominate

[Mellsblue]

This back three debate is turning even more farcical. Another RR highlight.

[Captainhaircut]

From Morgan in the Telegraph.

“It is also understood that Raffi Quirke, the Sale scrum-half, was in contention for a place on the bench. However, he is thought to have picked up a hamstring injury in training.”

I really wish Quirke could stay fit. Could be such a weapon off the bench with his speed and physicality.

[FKAS]

You can’t be serious.

Also do you mean the back three of the scrum re: weight advantage? I don’t honestly know how Furlong’s backups compare in that area.

Yeah the back three of the scrum.

Bealham has tended to be the go to back up for Furlong but it looked like O'Toole was starting to take that mantle. O'Toole is suspended though so experienced and generally solid Bealham is likely to start. Not a bad player but nothing to write home about and not sure he'd make our squad if he was suddenly English and available.

Clarkson, Furlong's back up at Leinster is probably on the bench then. Currently third choice for Leinster and only has a couple of caps. Leinster had so much confidence in him that they brought in Slimani to be experienced back up this season. At 24 he could kick on and be decent still but Fin Baxter at two years younger has more club games and international caps so you'd hope we could target that area.

Not sure you would call the Curry's rapid; but then you did say Roebuck and Freeman were

[FKAS]

From Morgan in the Telegraph.

“It is also understood that Raffi Quirke, the Sale scrum-half, was in contention for a place on the bench. However, he is thought to have picked up a hamstring injury in training.”

I really wish Quirke could stay fit. Could be such a weapon off the bench with his speed and physicality.

If he could stay fit he'd be a regular international by now.

[Mikey Brown]

I feel like coaches love to boast about surprisingly quick their forwards are, but I’m sure Sanderson said the Curry bros do their sprint training with the backs instead of forwards.

I guess it’s only Roebuck they’ve got to keep up with, but still.

[Puja]

I feel like coaches love to boast about surprisingly quick their forwards are, but I’m sure Sanderson said the Curry bros do their sprint training with the backs instead of forwards.

I guess it’s only Roebuck they’ve got to keep up with, but still.

I do remember BCurry outpacing a winger the other month (against Bristol? Maybe?) when chasing back to defend a kick through, so I don't think he's particularly slow.

Puja

[TheDasher]

Have we learnt nothing from this morning’s dispute.

Would you be so kind as to give me a summary?

It’s a flippant, throwaway comment re the latest in a long line of pointless RR EMB arguments. I couldn’t give you a summary even if tried as I’m not entirely sure what happened.

Thank you. I'm better informed but none the wiser.

[Which Tyler]

Thank you. I'm better informed but none the wiser.

That pretty much sums up my 20 years as a contributor to RR

[TheDasher]

Thank you. I'm better informed but none the wiser.

That pretty much sums up my 20 years as a contributor to RR

Gosh 20 years... Can't remember if I was 2006 or 2007... Amazing really.

[fivepointer]

Very good rundown from Ben Youngs here.

[Stom]

Honestly, considering the fact Shouty McShoutFace and the centres from Hell are undroppable, that’s not bad.

Obviously it’d be a lot better with Willis at 8 and 2 of the 63 year old coaches at center, but hey ho

[Oakboy]

Very good rundown from Ben Youngs here.

Unintentionally, he makes a huge case for Jack Willis.

[Mikey Brown]

Oh my god. Please no more Jack Willis talk.

[Banquo]

I feel like coaches love to boast about surprisingly quick their forwards are, but I’m sure Sanderson said the Curry bros do their sprint training with the backs instead of forwards.

I guess it’s only Roebuck they’ve got to keep up with, but still.

I do remember BCurry outpacing a winger the other month (against Bristol? Maybe?) when chasing back to defend a kick through, so I don't think he's particularly slow.

Puja

Who said he was . But ok, the Curry's are RAPID!

[FKAS]

I feel like coaches love to boast about surprisingly quick their forwards are, but I’m sure Sanderson said the Curry bros do their sprint training with the backs instead of forwards.

I guess it’s only Roebuck they’ve got to keep up with, but still.

I do remember BCurry outpacing a winger the other month (against Bristol? Maybe?) when chasing back to defend a kick through, so I don't think he's particularly slow.

Puja

Who said he was . But ok, the Curry's are RAPID!

Same sprint coach Ant Watson was using for his several comebacks at Tigers.

[Danno]

Oh my god. Please no more Jack Willis talk.

Seconded