2024 Six Nations Chat

[Farmboy]

Why do people want to move Freddie to center when it would negate his world class aerial ability, attack & defence, yet also open his largest weakness of slow initial acceleration?

[GB72]

Why do people want to move Freddie to center when it would negate his world class aerial ability, attack & defence, yet also open his largest weakness of slow initial acceleration?

I would not but the reality he may have to face as a player is that if Furbank is seen as the first choice (not saying if that is right or wrong) then it would not be usual to have a dedicated 15 on the bench and so if he wants to have a place in the match day 23 then he may have to develop another string to his bow, perhaps by spending more time on the wing.

Seems so harsh when a top class player cannot get on the pitch but that is sadly the way sometimes.

[Rugbygramps]

Furbank has performed well at 10 for Saints, so have him on the bench covering 10 and 15, start with Smith at 10 and Steward at 15

[GB72]

Furbank has performed well at 10 for Saints, so have him on the bench covering 10 and 15, start with Smith at 10 and Steward at 15

But that would involve changing large chunks of the back line to fit Steward in. SB wants, at the moment, Ford at FH and Furbank at 15 and so it is on Steward to do something to fit into the squad plans and not on the coach to base his selection on the selection of one player.

[Leicestertinytiger]

Furbank has performed well at 10 for Saints, so have him on the bench covering 10 and 15, start with Smith at 10 and Steward at 15

But that would involve changing large chunks of the back line to fit Steward in. SB wants, at the moment, Ford at FH and Furbank at 15 and so it is on Steward to do something to fit into the squad plans and not on the coach to base his selection on the selection of one player.

Before the tournament he wanted Smith at 10 and Furbank at 15. So wouldn’t surprise me if he reverted back to his initial plans for the last game. I’d have Steward on the bench over Daly as Freeman can cover 13.

[Rugbygramps]

Furbank has performed well at 10 for Saints, so have him on the bench covering 10 and 15, start with Smith at 10 and Steward at 15

But that would involve changing large chunks of the back line to fit Steward in. SB wants, at the moment, Ford at FH and Furbank at 15 and so it is on Steward to do something to fit into the squad plans and not on the coach to base his selection on the selection of one player.

Well it would involve changing 2 starting players Smith for Ford Steward for Furbank. I wouldn’t say that was a large chunk

[Rugbygramps]

Bar a couple of changes I think Borthwick will pick pretty much the same 23 as against Ireland, not saying I agree.
Marler to start for Genge to deal with Antonio, as good as Chessum was Root in at 6, with both Genge and Chessum onto the bench. Unless Slade is injured I think he’ll leave the backs, both starting and bench alone

[sam16111986]

looking at his England situation I do wonder if Steve will be speaking to Freddie about a position change, he is too good a player to leave out, I'd still be starting him at 15 personally but with England having a serious lack of midfield options I could see Steve wanting him there, at least as an option if he's in the 23 shirt

Why not move Furbank into the centres? He's a player who has played more in alternative positions than Freddie?

1 tackle made and 2 missed. A 33% completion tackle rate and his tendency to run into forwards and get turned over isn't a good look for a centre. I think 15 or maybe wing is where he needs to remain at international level though he might do an emergency job at 10 if really required.

[sam16111986]

Bar a couple of changes I think Borthwick will pick pretty much the same 23 as against Ireland, not saying I agree.
Marler to start for Genge to deal with Antonio, as good as Chessum was Root in at 6, with both Genge and Chessum onto the bench. Unless Slade is injured I think he’ll leave the backs, both starting and bench alone

The prop pairings are intentional. Cole and Marler are there for the scrums and for hitting rucks. Genge and Stuart are there for their ability in the loose. Whilst Genge was regaining match fitness he and Cole rode the bench. Now Genge is match fit they are both back in. Not sure we'll see those pairings broken up.

I'd keep the side the same bar Roots in for the injured CCS and Steward onto the bench for Daly.

[Robespierre]

Why do people want to move Freddie to center when it would negate his world class aerial ability, attack & defence, yet also open his largest weakness of slow initial acceleration?

If this is the case, one would think that McKellar would arrange for Steward to have specialised sprint coaching?

[Rugbygramps]

Why do people want to move Freddie to center when it would negate his world class aerial ability, attack & defence, yet also open his largest weakness of slow initial acceleration?

If this is the case, one would think that McKellar would arrange for Steward to have specialised sprint coaching?

It may be a case of you can’t do anything about Genetics. Take Usain Bolt, a lot taller than most sprinters and frequently behind at 30 metres, usually in front by the 70 metre mark

[Scott1]

Stuart and ability in the loose

[Jimmy Skitz]

looking at his England situation I do wonder if Steve will be speaking to Freddie about a position change, he is too good a player to leave out, I'd still be starting him at 15 personally but with England having a serious lack of midfield options I could see Steve wanting him there, at least as an option if he's in the 23 shirt

At 6ft 7 he’d make a decent line out option. Are you thinking 2nd row ?

show me the law that says he needs to be in the second row to be in the lineout and maybe stop being so pig headed about players changing positions it happens all the time, otherwise we'd only have the 1 senior fly half at Tigers as the other started at full back just as a quick example

[Jimmy Skitz]

looking at his England situation I do wonder if Steve will be speaking to Freddie about a position change, he is too good a player to leave out, I'd still be starting him at 15 personally but with England having a serious lack of midfield options I could see Steve wanting him there, at least as an option if he's in the 23 shirt

Why not move Furbank into the centres? He's a player who has played more in alternative positions than Freddie?

I'm not against that either, but I just have a gut feeling Steve if going to stick with Furbank at 15

[Wayne Richardson Fan Club]

Freddie does need to work on his kicking & passing to some extent & possibly needs to look at positioning in defence to counter his initial lack of acceleration, my guess is over the length of the pitch there would be little difference between Freddie & the other backs.