Team for Wales

[Insouciant]

Before the flurry of articles above, my memory was/is that Borthwick usually does something fairly minimal/sometimes odd in terms of selection changes. Whilst it looks like it isn't going to happen, to me this seems like the most Borthwick thing to do across the backs:

11. Sleighthome - 12. Dingwall - 13. Daly - 14. Freeman - 15. M Smith

It wouldn't be my choice. I'm quietly concerned about Wales this weekend. In 07 things were similar.. they didn't win a single game until the final round when we went there and they beat us fairly comfortably.

[Puja]

I'm quietly concerned about Wales this weekend. In 07 things were similar.. they didn't win a single game until the final round when we went there and they beat us fairly comfortably.

Same. Wales are looking a different team under Sherratt anyway, but they also have the ability to sometimes unaccountably become world-beaters when facing England in Cardiff, especially when they've got the motivation of having been written off, needing to prove a point, and also bring those arrogant title-chasing English down a peg or two.

Puja

[Doofus]

PRINCIPALITY STADIUM | SAT 15 MAR | 16:45 GMT | LIVE ON BBC ONE
15 MARCUS SMITH
14 TOM ROEBUCK
13 TOMMY FREEMAN
12 FRASER DINGWALL
11 ELLIOT DALY
10 FIN SMITH
09 ALEX MITCHELL
01 ELLIS GENGE (VC)
02. LUKE COWAN-DICKIE
03. WILL STUART
04. MARO ITOJE (C)
05. OLLIE CHESSUM
06 TOM CURRY
07 BEN CURRY
08 BEN EARL
16 JAMIE GEORGE (VC)
17 FIN BAXTER
18 JOE HEYES
19 CHANDLER CUNNINGHAM-SOUTH
20. HENRY POLLOCK
21 TOM WILLIS
22. JACK VAN POORTVLIET
23 GEORGE FORD

caught a break with an embargoed image

[Puja]

PRINCIPALITY STADIUM | SAT 15 MAR | 16:45 GMT | LIVE ON BBC ONE
15 MARCUS SMITH
14 TOM ROEBUCK
13 TOMMY FREEMAN
12 FRASER DINGWALL
11 ELLIOT DALY
10 FIN SMITH
09 ALEX MITCHELL
01 ELLIS GENGE (VC)
02. LUKE COWAN-DICKIE
03. WILL STUART
04. MARO ITOJE (C)
05. OLLIE CHESSUM
06 TOM CURRY
07 BEN CURRY
08 BEN EARL
16 JAMIE GEORGE (VC)
17 FIN BAXTER
18 JOE HEYES
19 CHANDLER CUNNINGHAM-SOUTH
20. HENRY POLLOCK
21 TOM WILLIS
22. JACK VAN POORTVLIET
23 GEORGE FORD

caught a break with an embargoed image

New poster coming in with a very controversial alleged team! That lineup would put the cat among the pigeons if it's not a wind-up!

I'm hoping it's not correct. BCurry has been absolutely mustard, but I'm not thrilled about dropping Willis, and having Ford in the 23 shirt in a 6:2 split is madness, doubly so when there's already two 10s in the starting lineup. Leaves the wings and centres entirely uncovered in case of injury.

Puja

[Doofus]

I have the jpg from the RFU site but the forum won't let me post it (over our board attachment quota?), definitely possible its a draft version before Slightly Baffled changed his mind! Looks handy though - a few surprises in there but happy to see Pollock and Roebuck in and the much discussed 12/13 combo, agree completely with the Ford inclusion TBF

[Danno]

caught a break with an embargoed image

Good work!

[Puja]

I have the jpg from the RFU site but the forum won't let me post it (over our board attachment quota?)! Looks handy - a few surprises in there but happy to see Pollock and Roebuck in and the much discussed 12/13 combo.

Yeah, that's a known issue. Just sent a message to try and get it fixed.

Puja

[p/d]

PRINCIPALITY STADIUM | SAT 15 MAR | 16:45 GMT | LIVE ON BBC ONE
15 MARCUS SMITH
14 TOM ROEBUCK
13 TOMMY FREEMAN
12 FRASER DINGWALL
11 ELLIOT DALY
10 FIN SMITH
09 ALEX MITCHELL
01 ELLIS GENGE (VC)
02. LUKE COWAN-DICKIE
03. WILL STUART
04. MARO ITOJE (C)
05. OLLIE CHESSUM
06 TOM CURRY
07 BEN CURRY
08 BEN EARL
16 JAMIE GEORGE (VC)
17 FIN BAXTER
18 JOE HEYES
19 CHANDLER CUNNINGHAM-SOUTH
20. HENRY POLLOCK
21 TOM WILLIS
22. JACK VAN POORTVLIET
23 GEORGE FORD

caught a break with an embargoed image

New poster coming in with a very controversial alleged team! That lineup would put the cat among the pigeons if it's not a wind-up!

I'm hoping it's not correct. BCurry has been absolutely mustard, but I'm not thrilled about dropping Willis, and having Ford in the 23 shirt in a 6:2 split is madness, doubly so when there's already two 10s in the starting lineup. Leaves the wings and centres entirely uncovered in case of injury.

Puja

I’ve seen a flaw. No VC after Ford

[Doofus]

confirmed https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/new ... inal-round

[p/d]

And we worried about lock before

[fivepointer]

Team confirmed on RFU site.

I'm gobsmacked.

[FKAS]

Well, erm you can't say the bench forwards don't bring some impact.

Not sure about the starting backrow. Tom Willis has been fantastic I wouldn't have dropped him. Must be a tactical plan going on.

Wingers maybe suggesting we're expecting an aerial contest.

[Banquo]

Mooted would certainly be the correct response.

Muted would be better

I’m not sure what was happening to my brain when I wrote that, but yeah that’s the sentiment.

What did you make of Daly’s defence at 13?

I didn't notice it, so probably a good thing! Don't think he missed a tackle, which he normally does!

[FKAS]

And we worried about lock before

Just shoehorning a different backrow in there if either of the starters get injured.

[Oakboy]

I'm delighted with some of it: Pollock, Freeman, Roebuck. I'm appalled with some too: Earl at 8, Willis dropped, Ford in, Hill dumped.

CCS now covers lock, presumably. If Dingwall gets injured is it Ford or Fin at 12?

[Banquo]

Italy hung 2 or 3 high balls up specifically to his wing and I don't think he cleanly retained any of them. Scotland did the same - clearly there's been video analysis showing it's better to target him than Freeman (highly paid analysts to pick that one!) and he's currently not coping. I'd say it's unfair to criticise, on the basis that some of the kicks and the chases have been superb and practically no-one could defend them (against Scotland especially), but it would've been the only explanation for Roebuck replacing Sleightholme that I could see.

As it turns out, moot point as the Telegraph retracted their rumour.

Puja

I'm getting really confused over alleged weaknesses under hoisted box kicks, when its been said that the dupont rule makes it much much harder for the receiver to take it cleanly given a good chaser. I'm not sure I remember him making any howlers tbf. I'm not sure 'its clearly some video analysis' either, but I'd need to think about why/if a left wing would be more targeted than a right wing. Similar to Captain Haircut's comment about a left wing getting less passes....that's pretty illogical if true (as most players pass much better right to left, and historically left wings tend to score more tries-- possibly an urban myth though ). It may simply be how play has flowed.

If I were thinking about dropping Sleightholme, it would be more about his defence and communication in defence....tho imo that's more about the centres talking to the wing....ie don't bite in, you numpty, I have him covered.....and his occasional lack of composure eg the kick that defnitely didn't lead to a Scotland try.

I think you're arguing against a point that I'm not making here. I'm not saying he's making howlers or that I would drop him for high ball deficiences, but that, when presented with the news story that he was being dropped for Roebuck, high ball deficiencies seemed the most likely reason, considering he's struggled this 6N and, if MSmith was to come back into 15 who has also struggled under high balls, it might make sense to have 2 strong catching wingers to ameliorate that. As it turns out, the Telegraph was wrong, so I was speculating about the justification of a decision that turned out to be entirely fictional.

I wasn't making some attack on Sleightholme - I even specifically said the same thing that you opened with, that criticism would be unfair as the chasers have been excellent. On the video analysis comment, of course people are going to plan to kick to the wing that doesn't have Freeman on it, because catching is one of his strengths!

Puja

I'm not really arguing with you, just making a point about the subjectivity of apparent weakness of not just Sleightholme under heavily contested high balls.

Turns out you might have been right, very harsh and quite a turnabout/roll of dice from surprisingly bold

[p/d]

I'm delighted with some of it: Pollock, Freeman, Roebuck. I'm appalled with some too: Earl at 8, Willis dropped, Ford in, Hill dumped.

CCS now covers lock, presumably. If Dingwall gets injured is it Ford or Fin at 12?

This, 100% this!!!

[p/d]

Somebody is shit scared of Jack Morgan.

3 10’s in the squad is living the dream!!! Ffs

[Oakboy]

Are we to conclude, then, that George starting v Italy was just a sentimental gesture to reward his 100th cap?

[Which Tyler]

Is Borthwick on the WUM?

[Banquo]

Looks like horses for courses back row and back three- Reffel and Morgan are a threat, and Anscombe if selected will kick quite a bit. But .....no lock cover is mad, Ford back seems a waste with two 10's on the park.

Like Pollock getting a go, like Dingwall and Freeman being given a go. But its a very new back 3, brand new midfield, brand new backrow (tho obviously between them they've played a lot together)....and dropping Willis isn't great, but as above, its three opensides to combat 2!

[Mikey Brown]

Freeman starts at 13!

[Mikey Brown]

https://www.reddit.com/r/rugbyunion/s/ikz5k6lmAv

[Oakboy]

I think Borthwick must be on a backhander from that Rugby Analyst chap. There's a prize for somebody getting the selection right. No bugger will have guessed this.

[Mikey Brown]

Whoops. Missed a whole page of discussion. Some exciting and some just strange.

I really hope Willis is able to get some full games under his belt soon. He’s looked fantastic. As he did off the bench before the World Cup.