westwinds31 wrote: ↑Thu Mar 25, 2021 11:55 am
I'm struggling with the calls for Farrell to be dropped. I can see a case for him passing the arm band over to Itoje perhaps, but why would you drop that level of experience, leadership, grit, determination and skill level ? To bring in a youngster who has done pretty well for a season or two at club level ? Really ? Most of the clips and commentary from former players, current players and most importantly, anyone who has been in and around the Eddie-led squads since he started have high praise about how Farrell leads the standards in the camp, his leadership qualities etc, so maybe that's the problem, it needs a different voice ? After the Scotland and Italy games, where he wasn't at his best, I watched closely how he went against the French, and quite frankly I was shocked at how many key contributions & interventions that he made, in defence and attack. So, removing him from the squad, based on what I've seen and heard, wouldn't be a good move.
I'm pretty certain some people think that if we (for example) drop Vunipola for Simmonds, Smith for Ford/Farrell or Dombrandt for Vunipola etc that England move from an indiscipline/kicking game/errors to an all-out attack/running game/pleasing on the eye-type game. The reality is that Eddie and the coaches, along with (I suspect) a senior player group, set out the game plan. From what I've seen the game plan is to use physicality to dominate teams and play a quick, flowing game, using forwards and backs, off-loading out of the tackle, stressing defences and finding space in the wide channels to get the points on the board (eg: NZ semi-final - most things worked). Clearly that doesn't always work (eg: Scotland 6 Nations), so when you're in that position and can't get over the gain line, the kicking game is an option that can also work, kick to compete and use May etc to challenge and get field position.
I'm not a believer that you can have a Plan B and then flip to it during a game. If your over-arching plan doesn't work then you try other ways of implementing it - which is where England are struggling I think, trying too hard to get back on track - which leads to penalties/errors etc. This goes back to leadership, where somehow the message didn't get across, if indeed it was communicated by Farrell to the players on the pitch, to watch the penalty count.
Assuming Eddie is staying on, you either a) stick to what has worked (sometimes) and bring a few other players in to shake the squad up, including a different coaching perspective and hope they can bring that game back to the table ...or b) make some significant changes, Simmonds, Smith, Dombrandt and others and change your style of play to suit it - tricky and a bold move at this stage, and amazing if it comes off.
Either way, I still think Eddie is one of the best and most innovative coaches in the game (forget about the sound bites and the winding up comments), who leaves no stone unturned. I'm backing him to get us back on track. If he doesn't it wouldn't have been for lack of trying. Comments I've seen calling for Rob Baxter to come in and save the day, in my view are completely barking mad.
I agree with all of this. The challenges of this season covid, undercooked Saracens have already been listed so I won't repeat. However in 2018 EJ dropped eight players from the squad and six playing regulars in Brown, Robshaw, Haskell, Care, Hartley (forced) and Te'o. So he has proven himself perfectly willing to do that. The question is who? There is nothing to be gained in dropping both of George & LCD. Drop George and you just are left with LCD and a.n.Other Sinkler, Itoje, Curry, Underhill (on his return). So five of the forwards would definitely stay. then to the backs Youngs, Ford, Farrell, Daly below - 11. May 14. Watson.
1. Mako is now targeted as a weakness at scrum time. In the absence of Marler (who for me would be first choice) EJ has few options. I know it is sacrilegious to say it, but I doubt Ellis is going to become a starting international LH for England.
2. 2nd Row - We should not be surprised to lose Kruis and find it hard to replace him. In the absence of Launchberry due to injury who was EJ to pick. Launchberry was playing out of his skin pre-injury. Would Ewells or Hill get into the Ireland, Welsh or even Scottish teams. Only possibly.
4. Billy V. For me he has never been the same since his injuries and if he says he's been an imposter of himself, why should the rest of us disagree. Given the choice of Alldritt, Faletou, Stander, Fagerson or Vunipola in my England team based on this 6N performance, he wouldn't make the first four. .
5. Wilson is a stop gap. For a reshuffled back row. Willis was getting a look in. No doubt Barbeary will get a look in with a bit of luck.
6.Youngs - fine - we will need a change eventually. But is he really the problem?
7. Marcus Smith looks like a real talent - but at club level. Not his fault, but George Ford looks like a real talent at international level. I just can't see what is achieved by dropping one (when he is 27) and selecting the other. If one was a Dan Biggar type 10 and the other a Smith / Ford- fine. But they aren't. In many ways Smith and Ford are identikits.
8. Farrell. I have never warmed to the man, but too many more knowledgeable people than me say he is the best thing since sliced bread. Not an on field captain, would mean he was no longer a certainty. But to drop him. Madness.
9. Tualagi - at international level is irreplaceable, and just as his absence at Tigers stunted the development of the team because he is so influential - so it has done for England this 6N.
10. Daly - anyone but Daly. Apart from Furbank (what was that about?)
11. And then to the coaches. Proudfoot, Amor, Mitchell?
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