The Six Nations Thread

[JP14]

When all fit, this is the squad I'd pick with the World Cup in mind.

1. Mako Vunipola. Ellis Genge. Ross Harrison.
2. Jamie George. Luke Cowan-Dickie. Jack Yeandle.
3. Dan Cole. Kyle Sinckler. Harry Williams.
4. Joe Launchbury. Courtney Lawes.
5. Maro Itoje. George Kruis.
6. Chris Robshaw. Tom Savage.
7. Don Armand. Sam Underhill. Will Welch.
8. Billy Vunipola. Sam Simmonds.

9. Ben Youngs. Dan Robson.
10. George Ford. Alex Lozowski.
11. Jonny May. Olly Woodburn.
12. Henry Slade. Ben Teo.
13. Elliot Daly. Manu Tuilagi.
14. Jack Nowell. Denny Solomana.
15. Anthony Watson. Mike Haley.

Harrison, Yeandle, Savage? You’re having a laugh they are nowhere near international level

[JP14]

My team for SA
Genge
LCD
Williams
Launchbury
Iseikwe
Armand
Simmonds
Billy
BY
Ford
May
Slade
Manu
Solomona
Daly

Hepburn,Taylor,Sinckler,Ewels,Mercer,Care,Smith,Brown

I’m unconvinced of Isiekwe, hyped up too much in my opinion. Also I don’t know if Taylor is fit or will be fit

[Cardiff Tig]

Am I the only one who watched the six nations? For almost every try England scored Farrell was involved in the build-up. Yes, his form has dropped since the Lions in the summer, but he's still better than all the alternatives mentioned on here.

Suggesting Twelvetrees as a better alternative to Farrell?!

[ellis9]

When all fit, this is the squad I'd pick with the World Cup in mind.

1. Mako Vunipola. Ellis Genge. Ross Harrison.
2. Jamie George. Luke Cowan-Dickie. Jack Yeandle.
3. Dan Cole. Kyle Sinckler. Harry Williams.
4. Joe Launchbury. Courtney Lawes.
5. Maro Itoje. George Kruis.
6. Chris Robshaw. Tom Savage.
7. Don Armand. Sam Underhill. Will Welch.
8. Billy Vunipola. Sam Simmonds.

9. Ben Youngs. Dan Robson.
10. George Ford. Alex Lozowski.
11. Jonny May. Olly Woodburn.
12. Henry Slade. Ben Teo.
13. Elliot Daly. Manu Tuilagi.
14. Jack Nowell. Denny Solomana.
15. Anthony Watson. Mike Haley.

Harrison, Yeandle, Savage? You’re having a laugh they are nowhere near international level

No, I'm not having a laugh. They're in excellent form this season and deserve the chance to show what they can do at international level. If you don't give people chances, then they'll never get anywhere or improve their career.

[Leicestertinytiger]

I’m all for picking on form but some players will never make the grade like Yeandle. Quality club player though.

Also think Haley is going Munster next season to try and play for Ireland. Has an Irish relative of some sort.

Form players I would pick would be Willis, Robson, Woodbury and Woodward.

[ellis9]

Yeah, I missed that news about Haley and someone else pointed out so I think I'd put Woodward into the squad instead of him.

[BFG]

Am I the only one who watched the six nations? For almost every try England scored Farrell was involved in the build-up. Yes, his form has dropped since the Lions in the summer, but he's still better than all the alternatives mentioned on here.

Suggesting Twelvetrees as a better alternative to Farrell?!

I know, even made myself giggle with that!
I would seriously out Farrell for 12T though, or anyone really, and burst that overinflated ego!

[biffer]

Speaking as a Scot, Farrell is the only player you had who looked capable or interested at Murrayfield, and probably for the next two games as well.

[Hot_Charlie]

Greg Bateman needed by England

He'd be more reliable (less banned) than the idiot Marler.

[G.K]

Greg Bateman needed by England

He'd be more reliable (less banned) than the idiot Marler.

And a better scummager and better in the loose than Fatty Vuniploa!

[JP14]

Greg Bateman needed by England

He'd be more reliable (less banned) than the idiot Marler.

And a better scummager and better in the loose than Fatty Vuniploa!

Careful G.K, your not the queen

[JP14]

I made a highlights video on Ireland during the Six Nations and will be doing a What Went Wrong? for England in the near future

https://youtu.be/2RMsudPGauE

[Chobbsy]

I made a highlights video on Ireland during the Six Nations and will be doing a What Went Wrong? for England in the near future

https://youtu.be/2RMsudPGauE

I am sure EJ will appreciate your efforts.

[mol2]

Not sure he will take heed as he has made some remarkably stubborn selections in spite of form and age not to mention playing them out of position to shoehorn his chosen few into the side.

Another issue is his assertion that English players are not fit enough. Really? Players playing in a professional league not fit? Or is flagging when playing better sides just a reflection of physical effort being used as a means of compensation for inferior tactics and skill. Exhausting training sessions in competition just leaves players jaded. Athletes taper for competition. Quite how smaller nations churn out so many super fit, skilled giants is a moot point.

Also the beating of Australia is not a good benchmark to compare England against. New Zealand may be significantly ahead of other nations but the persistent drivel spouted about Southern Hemisphere sides being so far ahead of the 6N sides is tosh. South Africa are way off the 6N and Australia certainly would not have won too many games had they been part of the 6N. As an Australian he may struggle with this concept.

[jgriffin]

I would agree with the issue about fitness vs tactics - this was the problem in Wales in the 90s with Ron Waldron's largely Neath side. They were staggeringly fit, had a terrific forwards-oriented game, but were flat as a pancake on match day (glad to say ). This had set the template for a while and Alan Davies inherited a side going in quite the wrong direction, so a quiet bloke like him had no chance of turning things round.
This is quite an issue, as it is clear that England need fresh blood on and off the pitch to rejuvenate them in the Autumn; the talent is there.