2024 Six Nations Chat

[GB72]

My hope is that the performance of Fayi-Waboso last week has shown Borthwick that he can trust the next generation in big matches. That said, he will pick Daily.

[Rugbygramps]

My hope is that the performance of Fayi-Waboso last week has shown Borthwick that he can trust the next generation in big matches. That said, he will pick Daily.

Roebuck hasn’t featured at all has he and would be a big ask to chuck him straight in. From what I can see it’s a straight choice between Steward and Daly

[GB72]

My hope is that the performance of Fayi-Waboso last week has shown Borthwick that he can trust the next generation in big matches. That said, he will pick Daily.

Roebuck hasn’t featured at all has he and would be a big ask to chuck him straight in. From what I can see it’s a straight choice between Steward and Daly

With the rumour that Manu is on the bench, that would alleviate the need for the reserve back to cover center and so that may give Steward a chance.

[Leicestertinytiger]

Manu on the bench makes sense. I always liked Te’o off the bench in the last 20 which gave us great punch in attack.

[Rugbygramps]

Manu on the bench makes sense. I always liked Te’o off the bench in the last 20 which gave us great punch in attack.

Got to justify his presence in the squad somehow. With a rumoured move to France could be his last game for England

[GB72]

Another great bit of media savvy from the RFU announcing the squad a the same time as the England football squad announcement.

[Rugbygramps]

Another great bit of media savvy from the RFU announcing the squad a the same time as the England football squad announcement.

Probably won’t affect coverage that much as there tend to be specialist journalists for each sport, plus all the social media coverage.
Does show how out of the touch the RFU are though and how Rugby is definitely a minority sport

[GB72]

Another great bit of media savvy from the RFU announcing the squad a the same time as the England football squad announcement.

Probably won’t affect coverage that much as there tend to be specialist journalists for each sport, plus all the social media coverage.
Does show how out of the touch the RFU are though and how Rugby is definitely a minority sport

Yesterday it would have been the banner headline on sports websites and have some social media traction, today it will not. All part of the England fascination with naming their team last and I am still not sure why we still do that.

[Rugbygramps]

At least Air Steward will be fresh for Gloucester a week tomorrow

[GB72]

I guess it was obvious that Daly would be back in as he was holding the shirt before last week but still a bit disappointing when you saw what another option looked like in that position last week.

Not sure about Manu as a bench option as he really only covers one position and does not really give the option to change things up. Daly is a better bench option or even Steward.

[GB72]

And just to show the impact of announcing the team and the same time as the football team, the football team are getting live updates and commentary, the rugby team is not even on the BBC web site yet.

[Pellsey]

No guesses what France's gameplan will now be... lots of kicking! Some France will win in the air... some they will target Furbank for the turnover.

IMHO SB has chosen players which lots of us think are past it or just not good enough. As long as no Tigers players get injured, I am happy. As RG said, at least Steward will be fresh for Gloucester.

Allez les Bleus

[GB72]

I guess we can hope that fired up Manu possibly playing his last game for England may produce some of the old magic but, then again, he is just as likely to walk on the pitch, get crocked and walk off again 10 minutes later.

Crafty and probably illegal I know but if Ireland had the title sown up before kick off I would have a couple of late injuries and give some youth a chance.

[Jimmy Skitz]

France: Barre; Penaud, Fickou, Depoortere, Bielle-Biarrey; Ramos, Le Garrec; Baille, Marchand, Atonio, Flament, Meafou, Cros, Ollivon, Alldritt (capt).

Replacements: Mauvaka, S Taofifenua, Colombe, R Taofifenua, Roumat, Boudehent, Lucu, Moefana.

England: Furbank; Freeman, Slade, Lawrence, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George (capt), Cole, Itoje, Martin, Chessum, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Marler, Stuart, Roots, Dombrandt, Care, M Smith, Tuilagi.

[Rugbygramps]

Manu on the bench makes no sense. The only players he can realistically replace is Lawrence or Slade, if Lawrence moves to 13, as he’s not quick enough for wing any longer.

Have no proof for this but it does make me wonder if Steward is carrying an underlying injury, for him not to even make the bench. Guess we’ll know on the 22nd