2024 Six Nations Chat

[Rugbygramps]

Are we sure Freddie isn't injured? He had been carrying an arm/shoulder injury in the run up to the 6N?

Furbank is a capable full back, it's the continued selection of Daly on the wing that worries me. They will just send Van De Merve down his channel and be waved by or a feeble attempt at a tackle when he's gone past.

The official story is he’s fit. I agree though what post game photos I’ve seen of Freddie sans shirt he’s is heavily strapped shoulder upper arm area

It could be one of those, he'd play if it he needed to, but can struggle on...

Was that the shoulder he injured right at the beginning of a game? Was it Saracens?

Quite possibly by the time the French game comes round he’ll have had a months break from games so should help

[Not a jock]

Gobsmacked after Freddie's performance vs Wales. Mind you, Furbank did crunch Quin's giant 12 in a recent club match so may have beefed up and toughened up relative to his first cap vs France.

[Rugbygramps]

Gobsmacked after Freddie's performance vs Wales. Mind you, Furbank did crunch Quin's giant 12 in a recent club match so may have beefed up and toughened up relative to his first cap vs France.

It has often been mentioned on the telly that a lot of the Saints backs have put on a few Kilos making them more physical

[ay2oh]

According to Wikipedia Furbank is 14 st 7 lbs compared to Steward at 16 st 12 lbs so even if Furbank has put on 7 lbs he’s still nearly 2 stone lighter than Steward so physicality is not the reason. They probably just see Furbank as quicker.

[Tiglon]

Interesting article somewhere today, can't remember where, pointing out that we haven't scored more than 20 away to Scotland since Mr Woodward was in charge. Plus the forecast looks good.

Borthwick gets so much flak for being conservative and risk averse, surely he deserves at least a little praise for showing some attacking intent?

Apparently the plan for the 6N was Smith at 10, Lawrence at 12 and Furbank at 15, but had to be adapted with the first two unavailable.

[Rugbygramps]

Borthwick knows all he needs to about Steward but needs to know sooner rather than later if Furbank can make the step up

[Pellsey]

Borthwick knows all he needs to about Steward but needs to know sooner rather than later if Furbank can make the step up

I think this is exactly the point. However, unfortunately for England fans, Scotland are certainly not going to be an easy test, and it is maybe not the game to do this. If at all, it should have been done against Italy or Wales.

[GB72]

Interesting couple of reports that the original plan in the build up to the tournament was Smith at 10, Lawrence at 12 and Furbank and 15 but injuries meant changes were necessary and Steward came back in at 15.

[fortysix]

When I suggested Steward wasnt a shoe in due to his total lack of outright pace, I was told he was too solid to be removed.

Well, Borthwick has just dropped him.

It must be in the equation that Tigers change him to Centre, where his bullocking attributes can be best utilised

What does everyone think?

[Rugbygramps]

That you need to take more water with it and stop trying to turn Steward into something he will never be

[TigerFeetSteve]

When I suggested Steward wasnt a shoe in due to his total lack of outright pace, I was told he was too solid to be removed.

Well, Borthwick has just dropped him.

It must be in the equation that Tigers change him to Centre, where his bullocking attributes can be best utilised

What does everyone think?

No because his biggest strength - the high ball - is neutralised....

I don't think this is Steward dropped, this is Borthwick looking at Furbank to have options in future plus resting Steward

[Offside]

Freddie made some good ground after catching 99% of ball including after contact. We will see if Furbank can do the same. I remember when the aim was to win the 6 Nations and the Autumn series were friendlies to try new things. Now World Cup seems to be the only thing weaker teams, including England now, focus on.

[aslongaswebeatsaints]

Personally, unless there is an injury niggle, I think dropping Freddie is absolute bonkers. The weather of light showers and winds is going to result in plenty of kicking from Russell, especially now England has taken out one of their strongest assets.

Compare this to Furbank who to date has been inconsistent in an England shirt.

But I guess England fans like a new "chosen one" don't they?

[Offside]

Once Saints and Quins win something again imaging how load the media noise will be

[sam16111986]

Furbank is in because Borthwick wants to use a secondary playmaker at the back like he did at times in the world cup with Marcus Smith or he did with Tigers when he used Burns at 15.

Furbank has a good kicking game which could be very useful against the Russell/Kinghorn combination from Scotland. Last year we kept Scotland pinned back well for good portions of the game but our defence couldn't contain them. If the defence can do the job this time the Scottish pack is going to have to work very hard and there's a drop off from the starters to the bench for them whilst England have some good options.