England 23

[Hot_Charlie]

Two sixes versus two sevens? Expect England to get turned over a fair bit. Don't get Lawes covering back row at all.

Maybe Lawes isn't the prime back row cover, and EJ thinks Itoje has a big enough gas tank to be the prime back row cover, with Lawes as a less-optimal, but still capable option. (ie, Launchbury will come on for Robshaw or Haskell, with Itoje dropping in at 6).

Still, it would be nice to see a proper 7 wouldn't it. Maybe next year... Or decade... Or century.

[Roly]

Main areas of weakness are the same. Loose Head, Back Row and Centre.

Two sixes versus two sevens? Expect England to get turned over a fair bit. Don't get Lawes covering back row at all.

Burrel never impressed much so far, crash ball but just not up there with distribution and no kicking game to speak of. Joseph goes AWOL in big games.

Would have had Goode on the bench covering FH and FB, Ford so far out of form at the moment.

Well, well, well.....so Marlon wasn't too bad was he.... nor was the incumbent Nowell.

Who'd have thought an international coach could have made such a rational decision with regards to selection.

[trendylfj]

Just to comment on Yarde's speed - this is what his manager says about it

Yarde has blazing natural pace and one of these days London Irish coach Brian Smith is going to make good his threat to organise a head to head with Topsy Ojo at the Exiles training ground: “From try-line to try-line, Topsy might just shade it with that long stride but if it was from 22 to 22, well I haven’t seen anybody to touch Marland,” says Smith. “It’s the difference between a 100m man and a 60m indoor specialist I suppose.”

[G.K]

Main areas of weakness are the same. Loose Head, Back Row and Centre.

Two sixes versus two sevens? Expect England to get turned over a fair bit. Don't get Lawes covering back row at all.

Burrel never impressed much so far, crash ball but just not up there with distribution and no kicking game to speak of. Joseph goes AWOL in big games.

Would have had Goode on the bench covering FH and FB, Ford so far out of form at the moment.

Well, well, well.....so Marlon wasn't too bad was he.... nor was the incumbent Nowell.

Who'd have thought an international coach could have made such a rational decision with regards to selection.

Don't recall mentioning Yaarde or Nowell - What point are you trying to make?

[Skin_and_Muscle]

Main areas of weakness are the same. Loose Head, Back Row and Centre.

Two sixes versus two sevens? Expect England to get turned over a fair bit. Don't get Lawes covering back row at all.

Burrel never impressed much so far, crash ball but just not up there with distribution and no kicking game to speak of. Joseph goes AWOL in big games.

Would have had Goode on the bench covering FH and FB, Ford so far out of form at the moment.

Well, well, well.....so Marlon wasn't too bad was he.... nor was the incumbent Nowell.

Who'd have thought an international coach could have made such a rational decision with regards to selection.

Don't recall mentioning Yaarde or Nowell - What point are you trying to make?

I imagine the Nowell point relates to your Goode/bench comment. Have no idea where Yarde comes into it...

[Roly]

Main areas of weakness are the same. Loose Head, Back Row and Centre.

Two sixes versus two sevens? Expect England to get turned over a fair bit. Don't get Lawes covering back row at all.

Burrel never impressed much so far, crash ball but just not up there with distribution and no kicking game to speak of. Joseph goes AWOL in big games.

Would have had Goode on the bench covering FH and FB, Ford so far out of form at the moment.

Well, well, well.....so Marlon wasn't too bad was he.... nor was the incumbent Nowell.

Who'd have thought an international coach could have made such a rational decision with regards to selection.

Don't recall mentioning Yaarde or Nowell - What point are you trying to make?

It was a general statement made at the expense of your quote, it wasn't aimed at you specifically.

[darganj]

Clifford for Robshaw.

Nowell or Watson at 15 with the other on the wing and we are finally getting there.

I think Te'o will get a go in the 23 this week.

[Roly]

Clifford for Robshaw.

Nowell or Watson at 15 with the other on the wing and we are finally getting there.

I think Te'o will get a go in the 23 this week.

Robshaw was everywhere, his work rate was phenomenal as usual, he was instrumental in turning over play along with Haskell and Itoje, all in his preferred position at 6. Clifford could be the future, but Robshaw nailed his place on on Saturday.

[darganj]

Clifford for Robshaw.

Nowell or Watson at 15 with the other on the wing and we are finally getting there.

I think Te'o will get a go in the 23 this week.

Robshaw was everywhere, his work rate was phenomenal as usual, he was instrumental in turning over play along with Haskell and Itoje, all in his preferred position at 6. Clifford could be the future, but Robshaw nailed his place on on Saturday.

Robshaw played well but he is too slow and unathletic vs Clifford. Clifford would have made that covering tackle on Hooper for his second try. Robshaw just didnt have the legs.

Clifford will be a world beater and I think with Haskell next to him, its time to give him a start on the flank. He is ready

[Roly]

Clifford for Robshaw.

Nowell or Watson at 15 with the other on the wing and we are finally getting there.

I think Te'o will get a go in the 23 this week.

Robshaw was everywhere, his work rate was phenomenal as usual, he was instrumental in turning over play along with Haskell and Itoje, all in his preferred position at 6. Clifford could be the future, but Robshaw nailed his place on on Saturday.

Robshaw played well but he is too slow and unathletic vs Clifford. Clifford would have made that covering tackle on Hooper for his second try. Robshaw just didnt have the legs.

Clifford will be a world beater and I think with Haskell next to him, its time to give him a start on the flank. He is ready

But according to some (including Haskell) every match Haskell plays is his last chance saloon, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the back three's athleticism and speed on Saturday, when they humbled what is supposedly, the best back three in world rugby - Robshaw did very well in the eyes of the experts? I thought if anyone struggled, it was Bill V (uncharacteristically) who would have been a little exposed had it not been for the work rate of Robshaw and Itoje.

Anyone who questions what Robshaw brings to England should watch how he set up the position which ultimately led to Yarde's try.

He was the only man to follow up the penalty which Farrell missed (no shortage of pace there), and so he was able to tackle Pocock almost as soon as he collected the ball. Eventually, the Wallabies had to kick it out to their water carrier, which gave us field position for the maul which led to Haskell's break.

[tigercaspian]

Would Clifford have had the nouse that Robshaw did to go after the Farrell's kick that came back off the post, thus leading to Yarde's try ?

[darganj]

[/quote] Robshaw was everywhere, his work rate was phenomenal as usual, he was instrumental in turning over play along with Haskell and Itoje, all in his preferred position at 6. Clifford could be the future, but Robshaw nailed his place on on Saturday.[/quote]

Robshaw played well but he is too slow and unathletic vs Clifford. Clifford would have made that covering tackle on Hooper for his second try. Robshaw just didnt have the legs.

Clifford will be a world beater and I think with Haskell next to him, its time to give him a start on the flank. He is ready[/quote]

But according to some (including Haskell) every match Haskell plays is his last chance saloon, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the back three's athleticism and speed on Saturday, when they humbled what is supposedly, the best back three in world rugby - Robshaw did very well in the eyes of the experts? I thought if anyone struggled, it was Bill V (uncharacteristically) who would have been a little exposed had it not been for the work rate of Robshaw and Itoje.

Anyone who questions what Robshaw brings to England should watch how he set up the position which ultimately led to Yarde's try.

He was the only man to follow up the penalty which Farrell missed (no shortage of pace there), and so he was able to tackle Pocock almost as soon as he collected the ball. Eventually, the Wallabies had to kick it out to their water carrier, which gave us field position for the maul which led to Haskell's break.[/quote]

Im not saying Robshaw was poor, I said he played well.

But Clifford has that extra capacity that Robshaw can never reach. Always good to drop new blood into a winning side.

Its going to happen at some point in next 12-18 months, I just think now is the right time.

[Roly]

Robshaw was everywhere, his work rate was phenomenal as usual, he was instrumental in turning over play along with Haskell and Itoje, all in his preferred position at 6. Clifford could be the future, but Robshaw nailed his place on on Saturday.[/quote]

Robshaw played well but he is too slow and unathletic vs Clifford. Clifford would have made that covering tackle on Hooper for his second try. Robshaw just didnt have the legs.

Clifford will be a world beater and I think with Haskell next to him, its time to give him a start on the flank. He is ready[/quote]

But according to some (including Haskell) every match Haskell plays is his last chance saloon, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the back three's athleticism and speed on Saturday, when they humbled what is supposedly, the best back three in world rugby - Robshaw did very well in the eyes of the experts? I thought if anyone struggled, it was Bill V (uncharacteristically) who would have been a little exposed had it not been for the work rate of Robshaw and Itoje.

Anyone who questions what Robshaw brings to England should watch how he set up the position which ultimately led to Yarde's try.

He was the only man to follow up the penalty which Farrell missed (no shortage of pace there), and so he was able to tackle Pocock almost as soon as he collected the ball. Eventually, the Wallabies had to kick it out to their water carrier, which gave us field position for the maul which led to Haskell's break.[/quote]

Im not saying Robshaw was poor, I said he played well.

But Clifford has that extra capacity that Robshaw can never reach. Always good to drop new blood into a winning side.

Its going to happen at some point in next 12-18 months, I just think now is the right time.[/quote]

Are you sure?

It looks like Clifford will increasingly feature, it's whether having got one win V Australia, Jones keeps continuity in certain positions - I suspect he wont change much.

[The Boy Dave]

But according to some (including Haskell) every match Haskell plays is his last chance saloon, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the back three's athleticism and speed on Saturday, when they humbled what is supposedly, the best back three in world rugby - Robshaw did very well in the eyes of the experts? I thought if anyone struggled, it was Bill V (uncharacteristically) who would have been a little exposed had it not been for the work rate of Robshaw and Itoje.

Anyone who questions what Robshaw brings to England should watch how he set up the position which ultimately led to Yarde's try.

He was the only man to follow up the penalty which Farrell missed (no shortage of pace there), and so he was able to tackle Pocock almost as soon as he collected the ball. Eventually, the Wallabies had to kick it out to their water carrier, which gave us field position for the maul which led to Haskell's break.

I agree with you on Billy V's performance on the day but I'll put things into perspective, Billy V has 27 caps and most of those caps have been very good performances, he has been the standout back row for a while and fully deserves his place.
One bad game doesn't make a bad player.
Haskell and Robshaw have 69 and 49 caps respectively and have been average for most of them and very poor for some.
It only took Haskell 69 games to have a very good one, he's a changed man under Jones I've read in the media, thanks for telling us that James, it gives me great confidence.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... skell.html
Robshaw worked hard, he always does, but he wasn't anything that couldn't be improved upon in time.
I expect the door has now been opened for Ben Te'o in the centres after Burrell's exposure, confounded by his treatment on the day as a scapegoat for others mistakes.
Australia learned more from the game IMO, their second string backs can open England up and they need to improve their front five, feels a little like deja vu.
I'm very much reminded of the great win against New Zealand in 2012 and how that worked out.

[Roly]

But according to some (including Haskell) every match Haskell plays is his last chance saloon, and there was absolutely nothing wrong with the back three's athleticism and speed on Saturday, when they humbled what is supposedly, the best back three in world rugby - Robshaw did very well in the eyes of the experts? I thought if anyone struggled, it was Bill V (uncharacteristically) who would have been a little exposed had it not been for the work rate of Robshaw and Itoje.

Anyone who questions what Robshaw brings to England should watch how he set up the position which ultimately led to Yarde's try.

He was the only man to follow up the penalty which Farrell missed (no shortage of pace there), and so he was able to tackle Pocock almost as soon as he collected the ball. Eventually, the Wallabies had to kick it out to their water carrier, which gave us field position for the maul which led to Haskell's break.

I agree with you on Billy V's performance on the day but I'll put things into perspective, Billy V has 27 caps and most of those caps have been very good performances, he has been the standout back row for a while and fully deserves his place.
One bad game doesn't make a bad player.
Haskell and Robshaw have 69 and 49 caps respectively and have been average for most of them and very poor for some.
It only took Haskell 69 games to have a very good one, he's a changed man under Jones I've read in the media, thanks for telling us that James, it gives me great confidence.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... skell.html
Robshaw worked hard, he always does, but he wasn't anything that couldn't be improved upon in time.
I expect the door has now been opened for Ben Te'o in the centres after Burrell's exposure, confounded by his treatment on the day as a scapegoat for others mistakes.
Australia learned more from the game IMO, their second string backs can open England up and they need to improve their front five, feels a little like deja vu.
I'm very much reminded of the great win against New Zealand in 2012 and how that worked out.

Australia's second string backs were only able to open England up because Farrell didn't trust, I think it was Burrell, to nail his man and was then caught between the 13 and 11, thus leaving the winger free to run in for one. For one other, the England defence was too narrow initially, EJ recognised this and promised to 'adjust' this for the next match.

You have to assume that EJ will start with Ford and Farrell: it works. I can't imagine he will change too much given the performances people put in, unless he wants to mess with Aussie heads. The interesting question is whether it's Te'o or Slade on the bench. With Ford and Farrell in the starting line up I'd have thought it makes more sense to have Teo rather than Slade on the bench (this of course would not be popular with many).