6 Nations 2023

[ay2oh]

Farrell didn’t play badly but would like to have seen smith (or Ford)start with that midfield.

[Scott1]

Farrell didn’t play badly but would like to have seen smith (or Ford)start with that midfield.

A couple of us said earlier that if that's our gameplan from now on there's no better 10 in world rugby than Ford for it. Have a feeling that Smith could soon be out the 23

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Smith isn't a Borthwick type of player, I would actually like to see him or Ford have a go without Farrell involved, picking him as captain was a ridiculous decision.

Nice to see Jack Walker get on.

[Big Dai]

Boring Boring England!

[Scott1]

Dombrandt carried 12 times for 54 metres with 3 defenders beaten. Next best carrier in the pack was Chessum with 7 carries for 16 metres. Alex also made 11 tackles with 2 missed. That’s a decent return for 66 minutes.
https://www.espn.com/rugby/playerstats? ... gue=180659

[Leicestertinytiger]

Dombrandt carried 12 times for 54 metres with 3 defenders beaten. Next best carrier in the pack was Chessum with 7 carries for 16 metres. Alex also made 11 tackles with 2 missed. That’s a decent return for 66 minutes.
https://www.espn.com/rugby/playerstats? ... gue=180659

Much better than last week. Just needs to show a bit more control for England. No dropped passes and be better at the back of the scrum. If he tightens up the basics then he could be quality for England.

Want to see more of OHC, although hope SB sticks with him for the six nations. Didn’t really get the ball much, neither winger did as Eng looked to kick behind too much.

[Scott1]

Dombrandt carried 12 times for 54 metres with 3 defenders beaten. Next best carrier in the pack was Chessum with 7 carries for 16 metres. Alex also made 11 tackles with 2 missed. That’s a decent return for 66 minutes.
https://www.espn.com/rugby/playerstats? ... gue=180659

Much better than last week. Just needs to show a bit more control for England. No dropped passes and be better at the back of the scrum. If he tightens up the basics then he could be quality for England.

Want to see more of OHC, although hope SB sticks with him for the six nations. Didn’t really get the ball much, neither winger did as Eng looked to kick behind too much.

He looked quicker than last week,and more energetic. He tailed off in the second half but he was very good defensively in the first half. He was off the line and off the floor quickly. Aled could get another gear out of him. But where does this leave Mercer?

[ancientmariner]

Steward looked better in the second half when he came into MF and joined the line late

Steward always looks best when he's against a side that kicks a lot, with his well-known expertise under the high ball.
Teams like Italy prefer to keep the ball in hand, so his expertise doesn't get much of a showing.

[Scott1]

Steward looked better in the second half when he came into MF and joined the line late

Steward always looks best when he's against a side that kicks a lot, with his well-known expertise under the high ball.
Teams like Italy prefer to keep the ball in hand, so his expertise doesn't get much of a showing.

Good point! I remarked earlier that the Wales game will suit him more

[TigerCam]

Boring Boring England!

If they carry on like that they will get stuffed by France and Ireland and probably Wales.

[sam16111986]

Dombrandt carried 12 times for 54 metres with 3 defenders beaten. Next best carrier in the pack was Chessum with 7 carries for 16 metres. Alex also made 11 tackles with 2 missed. That’s a decent return for 66 minutes.
https://www.espn.com/rugby/playerstats? ... gue=180659

I thought Dombrandt was solid, couple of stupid errors but good work rate. It's a bit workman like from him though and ok that's the bit we thought he'd struggle with but where's the bursting runs or the clever angles gone? When he gets chance he either overruns or drops it. He also needs to be able to do the full 80.

Re your earlier point about VRR I agree but I think Borthwick is limited in EPS changes and had already he used his 5 before he could include a better loosehead.

[Scott1]

Dombrandt carried 12 times for 54 metres with 3 defenders beaten. Next best carrier in the pack was Chessum with 7 carries for 16 metres. Alex also made 11 tackles with 2 missed. That’s a decent return for 66 minutes.
https://www.espn.com/rugby/playerstats? ... gue=180659

I thought Dombrandt was solid, couple of stupid errors but good work rate. It's a bit workman like from him though and ok that's the bit we thought he'd struggle with but where's the bursting runs or the clever angles gone? When he gets chance he either overruns or drops it. He also needs to be able to do the full 80.

Re your earlier point about VRR I agree but I think Borthwick is limited in EPS changes and had already he used his 5 before he could include a better loosehead.

I did say pregame that I thought he would be benched if England started with Farrell. A big part of his game is his almost telepathic connection with Smith and bar Esterhuizen the vast majority of Quins game comes off 8,9,10. It will take a while to strike up that partnership with Farrell but another option would be to bring Smith and Alex on together.

[Big Dai]

Boring Boring England!

If they carry on like that they will get stuffed by France and Ireland and probably Wales.

Posh Richard and I said exactly this post match.

[tigerburnie]

France have reverted to flaky, England are getting better and Wales are not, we shall see how they go, Sinkler was dire again.

[DeadlyDunc]

Steward looked better in the second half when he came into MF and joined the line late

Steward always looks best when he's against a side that kicks a lot, with his well-known expertise under the high ball.
Teams like Italy prefer to keep the ball in hand, so his expertise doesn't get much of a showing.

But teams don’t kick as much precisely because Steward is there.

He almost single handedly affects the opposition and forces them into playing a certain way that perhaps they wouldn’t without FS at full back.

What England haven’t done is get their systems well oiled to smother the running game of Scotland and now Italy, particularly as players tire and gaps start appearing.

Expect Aled to sort that fitness issue out and for Sir Kev to finetune the defence in the next few months before the RWC