Marcus Smith

[Roly]

kruis isn't a huge loss and is slipping down the pecking order anyway with the form of Itoje, Lawes and Launchbury.

On form, I think I'd take Kruis over Launchbury and possibly Lawes, he was immense for England last year.

[BFG]

kruis isn't a huge loss and is slipping down the pecking order anyway with the form of Itoje, Lawes and Launchbury.

On form, I think I'd take Kruis over Launchbury and possibly Lawes, he was immense for England last year.

I agree Roly, I think Kruis with Lawes and Itoje at 6 is the combination that'll give England the best chance in 2019.
Importantly that combo also keeps the line out link with Hartley and George.

[drc_007]

kruis isn't a huge loss and is slipping down the pecking order anyway with the form of Itoje, Lawes and Launchbury.

On form, I think I'd take Kruis over Launchbury and possibly Lawes, he was immense for England last year.

I agree Roly, I think Kruis with Lawes and Itoje at 6 is the combination that'll give England the best chance in 2019.
Importantly that combo also keeps the line out link with Hartley and George.

Kruis did not play in any of the last 6N where Launchbury was outstanding winning 2(?) MOTM awards. On international form would not that make him the front runner?

[Roly]

On form, I think I'd take Kruis over Launchbury and possibly Lawes, he was immense for England last year.

I agree Roly, I think Kruis with Lawes and Itoje at 6 is the combination that'll give England the best chance in 2019.
Importantly that combo also keeps the line out link with Hartley and George.

Kruis did not play in any of the last 6N where Launchbury was outstanding winning 2(?) MOTM awards. On international form would not that make him the front runner?

Kruis didn't play because he was injured, not because he wasn't selected.

On form, Kruis with Itoje is the lock partnership of choice.

[JP14]

Kruis was rubbish on Lions tour so I would have Itjoe and Lawes in second row

[Roly]

Kruis was rubbish on Lions tour so I would have Itjoe and Lawes in second row

But this isn't about the Lions is it?

Even if it were, isn't it only (supposedly) the best players in that position that get selected for the Lions?

[Tiglon]

For what (little) it's worth, I would go with Itoje and Kruis or Launchbury, depending on fitness and form at the time, and Lawes on the bench for a second half impact.

Also, completely off topic, but I think Marcus Smith looks very talented and it's a good call for him to be exposed to the England setup.

[ourla]

Also, completely off topic, but I think Marcus Smith looks very talented and it's a good call for him to be exposed to the England setup.

Yeah, way off topic for a thread entitled "Marcus Smith"

[JP14]

Danny Cipriani was being hyped as the next big thing in 2008 and look what’s happened to him. EJ needs to guide Smith so he doesn’t get too far of himself