England squad

[Hot_Charlie]

George Ford didn't make it then.

I don't think he was ever seriously in contention for a 23 for Wales. Just reintegrating him with the squad I think.

[sam16111986]

George Ford didn't make it then.

I don't think he was ever seriously in contention for a 23 for Wales. Just reintegrating him with the squad I think.

Agreed. One PRC game which he didn't finish and 25 mins off the bench at the weekend is not enough minutes to be match fit yet.

[wormus]

No Ben Earl or Ben Youngs.
Youngs I think either starts or is out of the 23. Mitchell needs the experience if Borthwick is putting the eggs in his basket.

Youngs isn't good enough any more but I'd still take him to the WC. Makes sense about Earl. I guess we will see Lawes and Isiekwe on the bench. Or maybe Ludlam who can cover 6,7,8

So George Ford invented the "Bomb" kick when at Tigers! So on Sunday Ben Youngs ~ not to be out done invented the "V2" kick - vertically, no forward direction and donated to the opposition.. I can see why Steve returned him to Tigers to perfect this inspiration that could be a match losing tactic. But it gets the crowd shouting "Don't kick it!"

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TBF to BY I think Goode invented that kick earlier in the game.

[GB72]

Are they really going to turn down their match fees? Cant see it.

If i read correctly, the meeting tomorrow is for all professional players and not just the current national squad and so I guess any vote for action to be taken will be from a wider pool of players. That said, if I was an in the national squad, I would not be too happy if I faced legal action as a result of such a vote stopping me playing.

But it effects the top players too,there are some horror stories from current internationals. And how can the WRU take legal action against every player? Impossible!

That did happen with the Canadian Women's Football team who were threatened with legal action for a proposed strike and they had to play in the end.

[Scott1]

If i read correctly, the meeting tomorrow is for all professional players and not just the current national squad and so I guess any vote for action to be taken will be from a wider pool of players. That said, if I was an in the national squad, I would not be too happy if I faced legal action as a result of such a vote stopping me playing.

But it effects the top players too,there are some horror stories from current internationals. And how can the WRU take legal action against every player? Impossible!

That did happen with the Canadian Women's Football team who were threatened with legal action for a proposed strike and they had to play in the end.

Thanks,still can't see it though. It would financially bury the WRFU,the players are in a very strong position here.

[GB72]

But it effects the top players too,there are some horror stories from current internationals. And how can the WRU take legal action against every player? Impossible!

That did happen with the Canadian Women's Football team who were threatened with legal action for a proposed strike and they had to play in the end.

Thanks,still can't see it though. It would financially bury the WRFU,the players are in a very strong position here.

Totally agree and much depends on what the end game is and whether effectively taking dow the WRFU to start again is one considered option. At the moment, the players hold all the cards and pretty strong public support. More poor showings in the 6 Nations could weaken the support amongst the fan base (or strengthen it). Also wonder if the RFU have the funding to offer an acceptable deal and would removing the 60 cap rule decimate the regions even further.

A lot riding on the outcome of today certainly.

[Hot_Charlie]

TBF to BY I think Goode invented that kick earlier in the game.

Goode tried the lesser seen "straight banana" into the dead ball area.

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TBF to BY I think Goode invented that kick earlier in the game.

Goode tried the lesser seen "straight banana" into the dead ball area.

[Scott1]

Watson in for OHC apparently and Lawes on bench for Earl. Team announced shortly

[Scott1]

Wales: Halfpenny; Adams, Grady, Hawkins, Rees-Zammit; O Williams, T Williams; G Thomas, Owens (capt), Francis, Beard, AW Jones, Tshiunza, Tipuric, Faletau.

Replacements: Roberts, Carre, Lewis, Jenkins, Reffell, Hardy, Biggar, Tompkins

[Robespierre]

Pleased for Owen Williams - a fine player!

[Scott1]

STARTING XV
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)
14. Max Malins (Saracens, 16 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 53 caps)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
11. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps)
10. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 103 caps) (C)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)

1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 45 caps) (VC)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 74 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 64 caps)
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)
7. Jack Willis (Toulouse, 7 caps)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 11 caps)

REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker (Harlequins, 1 cap)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 76 caps)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 97 caps)
19. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 96 caps) (VC)
20. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 19 caps)
23. Henry Arundell (London Irish, 4 caps)

I would've had Earl over Curry,don't get that call if he is fit.

[TigerFeetSteve]

STARTING XV
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)
14. Max Malins (Saracens, 16 caps)
13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 53 caps)
12. Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 9 caps)
11. Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps)
10. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 103 caps) (C)
9. Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 9 caps)

1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 45 caps) (VC)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 74 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 58 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 64 caps)
5. Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)
6. Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 16 caps)
7. Jack Willis (Toulouse, 7 caps)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 11 caps)

REPLACEMENTS
16. Jack Walker (Harlequins, 1 cap)
17. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 76 caps)
18. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 97 caps)
19. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 96 caps) (VC)
20. Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
21. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
22. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 19 caps)
23. Henry Arundell (London Irish, 4 caps)

I would've had Earl over Curry,don't get that call if he is fit.

Borthwick is trying to test different players like he did with us in the Covid season, he wants a full world cup squad of test match players not just a 23 of them.

[Leicestertinytiger]

Wales are a good team but England need to be winning this one. Would set us up nicely for France at home. Lose and then there’ll be big questions about whether SB is the right man for the job and we’d be staring down the barrel of one win.

Glad Ben Curry gets another chance. Feel he’s a better player than perhaps he showed against Scotland. I rate Earl, you don’t get player of the season for nothing, but he’s hardly smashed it off the bench and both games has given away penalties.