England v. Ireland

[FKAS]

Considering how scathing the pundits were when we had locks at 6 Lawes seems to have won them all over and they are all going for it. Stuart Barnes selection is equally as mad as Jones.

[FKAS]

Big George alongside Itoje will add a lot as well. Just don’t ask him to catch

After only one dropped catch? Outlook is bleak for the backline then.

[p/d]

Big George alongside Itoje will add a lot as well. Just don’t ask him to catch

After only one dropped catch? Outlook is bleak for the backline then.

Sometimes FKAS I do wonder if the tongue in cheek bit just sails on by

[Oakboy]

The pundits are picking players from outside the squad which makes their opinions worthless at this point.

[fivepointer]

Has a truly left field selection ever worked? Cant think of any that have. Pundits should know enough about the game to understand that dropping someone into the side in the hope that they can magically improve things is almost certainly not going to happen.
Problem we've got is that you could easily justify about half a dozen changes but would that make us any better, or would largely sticking with who has been picked so far bear greater fruit.
Maybe a change in the back row and at centre. Smith in the 23 if fit.
Definitely no to Billy V.

[Banquo]

Big George alongside Itoje will add a lot as well. Just don’t ask him to catch

After only one dropped catch? Outlook is bleak for the backline then.

Sometimes FKAS I do wonder if the tongue in cheek bit just sails on by

tongue in cheek only works in green red and white....

[Mikey Brown]

Has a truly left field selection ever worked? Cant think of any that have. Pundits should know enough about the game to understand that dropping someone into the side in the hope that they can magically improve things is almost certainly not going to happen.
Problem we've got is that you could easily justify about half a dozen changes but would that make us any better, or would largely sticking with who has been picked so far bear greater fruit.
Maybe a change in the back row and at centre. Smith in the 23 if fit.
Definitely no to Billy V.

I’m fairly resigned to a final two games with very few changes, regardless of form or individual performances, and don’t entirely blame Borthwick for that approach I guess.

What I’d hope is that he’ll do a serious clear-out of the old boys that don’t put the performances in. Underhill, Care, Ford, Daly etc need to show they’re worth sticking with in the medium term, not just the next couple of games.

I can’t remember what our summer fixtures look like, but surely there’s a big opportunity for some experimentation there.

I don’t want the only conversation points to be about training time and statistics and “oh I guess they’ve been super great in training because I can’t remember when I last saw them play consistently well”.

As for Ireland I have a weird feeling Fin Smith will lose out to Furbank as a 10/15 replacement on the bench, with either Tuilagi or Lawrence in the 23 shirt.

[FKAS]

Big George alongside Itoje will add a lot as well. Just don’t ask him to catch

After only one dropped catch? Outlook is bleak for the backline then.

Sometimes FKAS I do wonder if the tongue in cheek bit just sails on by

I'll start adding smilies for you so you know when I'm being serious and not.

[fivepointer]

[Banquo]

hope mitchell is fit enough

[FKAS]

hope mitchell is fit enough

I'm sure the coaches are praying nightly. Our lack of quality at 9 was painful last weekend.

[Puja]

hope mitchell is fit enough

Hell of a recovery considering reports were originally that he might just make it back for the Prem playoffs. Not surprised they're trying to rush him though - our most valuable player rn.

Puja

[Mellsblue]

hope mitchell is fit enough

Hell of a recovery considering reports were originally that he might just make it back for the Prem playoffs. Not surprised they're trying to rush him though - our most valuable player rn.

Puja

A second opinion downgraded the severity of the injury.

[FKAS]

hope mitchell is fit enough

Hell of a recovery considering reports were originally that he might just make it back for the Prem playoffs. Not surprised they're trying to rush him though - our most valuable player rn.

Puja

A second opinion downgraded the severity of the injury.

Was the second opinion Borthwick's once he saw the state of the alternatives?

[Banquo]

hope mitchell is fit enough

Hell of a recovery considering reports were originally that he might just make it back for the Prem playoffs. Not surprised they're trying to rush him though - our most valuable player rn.

Puja

they thought it was a pretty bad acl strain, but was much less serious when swelling went down

[p/d]

Hell of a recovery considering reports were originally that he might just make it back for the Prem playoffs. Not surprised they're trying to rush him though - our most valuable player rn.

Puja

A second opinion downgraded the severity of the injury.

Was the second opinion Borthwick's once he saw the state of the alternatives?

Smiley face?

[Spiffy]

hope mitchell is fit enough

Hell of a recovery considering reports were originally that he might just make it back for the Prem playoffs. Not surprised they're trying to rush him though - our most valuable player rn.

Puja

they thought it was a pretty bad acl strain, but was much less serious when swelling went down

Wonder if he's got his top gas back - it's pretty crucial to his breaking game. Still, I suppose a unipedal Mitchell is an improvement on old Danny.

[Mush]

hope mitchell is fit enough

Even so, why release Randell. He is a far better prospect than Care or Spencer.

[FKAS]

hope mitchell is fit enough

Even so, why release Randell. He is a far better prospect than Care or Spencer.

Sadly not. Brilliant when there's half a gap to go through as he's rapid but passing is average and his kicking game is dire.

[Mikey Brown]

Are ‘prospects’ even what Borthwick is looking for. Though? Until a few weeks back people were talking about Spencer being bang in form and Randall being miles off it.

[Mush]

Both Care and Spencer may have a better kicking game than Randall, but the evidence of the last few weeks suggests that Mitchell's pace (and kicking) was giving us an improved attack. It's gone backwards with the two 'kickers'. Randall will at least give a chance of quicker, wider, distribution.

I know it's only a piece of the wider problems but if Mitchell isn't fit enough for next weekend, we know what to expect if we maintain the status quo.

[FKAS]

Both Care and Spencer may have a better kicking game than Randall, but the evidence of the last few weeks suggests that Mitchell's pace (and kicking) was giving us an improved attack. It's gone backwards with the two 'kickers'. Randall will at least give a chance of quicker, wider, distribution.

I know it's only a piece of the wider problems but if Mitchell isn't fit enough for next weekend, we know what to expect if we maintain the status quo.

You can't get away with playing 9 and having an average kicking game at international level though. The modern game is to tactical for that. You look at any of the top teams and their 9s are all excellent kickers irrespective of how the side plays. Kicking from the base is a go to for all sides and will be until world rugby do something about the caterpillar set ups (I advocate encouraging the ref to call use it early and then banning any additional players from entering the ruck after he's done so).

[fivepointer]

Randall loses out due to his kicking game not being at the level of the other SHs. His passing has improved noticeably this season and is very accurate and consistent.

[Spiffy]

Randall loses out due to his kicking game not being at the level of the other SHs. His passing has improved noticeably this season and is very accurate and consistent.

Somewhat ironic since the kicking game through 9 is way overdone by England (and other teams too). England needs a SH who will pass instead of kick, seek to retain possession, and try to prod his mates in the backs to score some tries. But this does not fit Silly Bugger's grand plan (or lack of).
OK - I do realize there is a place for tactical box kicking in the game but there's too much. Constantly handing the ball back to the opposition is plain stupid.
(It seems a long time since the days of Peter Stringer - 98 caps for Ireland and kicked the ball about five times. Mind,he only made about five breaks too.)

[Beasties]

Randall loses out due to his kicking game not being at the level of the other SHs. His passing has improved noticeably this season and is very accurate and consistent.

Somewhat ironic since the kicking game through 9 is way overdone by England (and other teams too). England needs a SH who will pass instead of kick, seek to retain possession, and try to prod his mates in the backs to score some tries. But this does not fit Silly Bugger's grand plan (or lack of).
OK - I do realize there is a place for tactical box kicking in the game but there's too much. Constantly handing the ball back to the opposition is plain stupid.
(It seems a long time since the days of Peter Stringer - 98 caps for Ireland and kicked the ball about five times. Mind,he only made about five breaks too.)

Is that the Englefield train I hear?