The England v Italy match thread

[ASMO]

Samaritans link here

https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-h ... -us-phone/

[Gumboot]

Reckon England will do enough to pinch a draw tomorrow.

[youthleth]

I'm not sure we can afford the luxury of resting our best players when playing against Italy any more. But scab-nose must know what he's doing.

[sefton]

I hope you don’t think he is resting Ben Youngs.

[Kawazaki]

I hope to just see a bit of risk taken by England. The default tactic against Scotland when England were in their own half was to hoof the ball as far as possible, and keep repeating until there was a knock-on or the ball went out. Watching what Ireland, France and Italy are trying in attack looks light years ahead of where England are in terms of ambition and confidence.

[Paddington Bear]

This will be the closest game between us in 7/8 years or so, I’d expect Italy to show a tonne of ambition. Interested how our defence plays after last week’s debacle

[Kawazaki]

This will be the closest game between us in 7/8 years or so, I’d expect Italy to show a tonne of ambition. Interested how our defence plays after last week’s debacle

I want Capuozzo to have another great game. He's a 75kg boy and there's still a place for him in test rugby. It's bloody marvelous.

[Paddington Bear]

This will be the closest game between us in 7/8 years or so, I’d expect Italy to show a tonne of ambition. Interested how our defence plays after last week’s debacle

I want Capuozzo to have another great game. He's a 75kg boy and there's still a place for him in test rugby. It's bloody marvelous.

Yeah I really admire the ambition they showed last week, a couple of balls going to hand would have changed a lot. I am as nervous for an Italy game as I have been since Hodgson’s charge down in the snow

[PCPhil]

This will be the closest game between us in 7/8 years or so, I’d expect Italy to show a tonne of ambition. Interested how our defence plays after last week’s debacle

I want Capuozzo to have another great game. He's a 75kg boy and there's still a place for him in test rugby. It's bloody marvelous.

Yeah I really admire the ambition they showed last week, a couple of balls going to hand would have changed a lot. I am as nervous for an Italy game as I have been since Hodgson’s charge down in the snow

I hope it will be interesting. I’m thinking the natural instinct will be for England to keep it in the forwards and kick to grind out a win and say, “there you go, everything tickety-boo”. So hoping they come completely unstuck doing this and this Italy pack might be able to hold its own.

[Paddington Bear]

I want Capuozzo to have another great game. He's a 75kg boy and there's still a place for him in test rugby. It's bloody marvelous.

Yeah I really admire the ambition they showed last week, a couple of balls going to hand would have changed a lot. I am as nervous for an Italy game as I have been since Hodgson’s charge down in the snow

I hope it will be interesting. I’m thinking the natural instinct will be for England to keep it in the forwards and kick to grind out a win and say, “there you go, everything tickety-boo”. So hoping they come completely unstuck doing this and this Italy pack might be able to hold its own.

I imagine we’ll see a similar game plan to last week which had teething problems but was far from turgid. Kicking long and inviting Italy to run it back runs the risk of a wonder try but you’d like to think it will give Willis a chance to get over the ball.

[youthleth]

I hope you don’t think he is resting Ben Youngs.

I was being facetious - and slightly pessimistic.

He will, of course, bring Youngs and Ford back before RWC.

[geordie_6]

Yeah I really admire the ambition they showed last week, a couple of balls going to hand would have changed a lot. I am as nervous for an Italy game as I have been since Hodgson’s charge down in the snow

I hope it will be interesting. I’m thinking the natural instinct will be for England to keep it in the forwards and kick to grind out a win and say, “there you go, everything tickety-boo”. So hoping they come completely unstuck doing this and this Italy pack might be able to hold its own.

I imagine we’ll see a similar game plan to last week which had teething problems but was far from turgid. Kicking long and inviting Italy to run it back runs the risk of a wonder try but you’d like to think it will give Willis a chance to get over the ball.

Only if our first up tackling is better, and kick chase more consistent. Have to hope that after the first runout last week the coaching setup have identified the areas needing the most work.

[SaintK]

I hope it will be interesting. I’m thinking the natural instinct will be for England to keep it in the forwards and kick to grind out a win and say, “there you go, everything tickety-boo”. So hoping they come completely unstuck doing this and this Italy pack might be able to hold its own.

I imagine we’ll see a similar game plan to last week which had teething problems but was far from turgid. Kicking long and inviting Italy to run it back runs the risk of a wonder try but you’d like to think it will give Willis a chance to get over the ball.

Only if our first up tackling is better, and kick chase more consistent. Have to hope that after the first runout last week the coaching setup have identified the areas needing the most work.

You'd bloody well hope so!!!

[Paddington Bear]

I imagine we’ll see a similar game plan to last week which had teething problems but was far from turgid. Kicking long and inviting Italy to run it back runs the risk of a wonder try but you’d like to think it will give Willis a chance to get over the ball.

Only if our first up tackling is better, and kick chase more consistent. Have to hope that after the first runout last week the coaching setup have identified the areas needing the most work.

You'd bloody well hope so!!!

Yes the reason I’m pretty bullish about England is that our issues are blindingly obvious, albeit ‘sort out the defence, line out and pick a 12’ are somewhat major issues.
Evans found a quick fix in attack of one of Smith or Faz basically sitting out a snap whilst the other ran the show, and suddenly we scored three tries, would like to think as this squad spends more time with coherent coaches there will be continued improvements. Still bricking it today

[Ovals]

I imagine we’ll see a similar game plan to last week which had teething problems but was far from turgid. Kicking long and inviting Italy to run it back runs the risk of a wonder try but you’d like to think it will give Willis a chance to get over the ball.

Only if our first up tackling is better, and kick chase more consistent. Have to hope that after the first runout last week the coaching setup have identified the areas needing the most work.

You'd bloody well hope so!!!

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

[sockwithaticket]

Only if our first up tackling is better, and kick chase more consistent. Have to hope that after the first runout last week the coaching setup have identified the areas needing the most work.

You'd bloody well hope so!!!

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

I'll be interested to see how others fare against this Welsh team, because I think they might be even worse than last year.

Today the win is, of course, paramount. Surrendering our unbeaten record against even this hugely improved Italian side would set us on course for the wooden spoon with only beating Wales in Cardiff as our get out of jail card and be hugely embarassing. The noise from those who thought sacking Eddie was a bad idea would start to rise and the media will start spinning unhelpful narratives...

Aside from that, I just want to see some progress in the areas of deficieny. Signs that with more time together the team improves and that given time they'll be capable of mixing it with sides who are currently deeper into their progression.

[spike]

You'd bloody well hope so!!!

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

I'll be interested to see how others fare against this Welsh team, because I think they might be even worse than last year.

Today the win is, of course, paramount. Surrendering our unbeaten record against even this hugely improved Italian side would set us on course for the wooden spoon with only beating Wales in Cardiff as our get out of jail card and be hugely embarassing. The noise from those who thought sacking Eddie was a bad idea would start to rise and the media will start spinning unhelpful narratives...

Aside from that, I just want to see some progress in the areas of deficieny. Signs that with more time together the team improves and that given time they'll be capable of mixing it with sides who are currently deeper into their progression.

I just want some on field clarity in the way they play. Identify where we have an advantages early, and push that ruthlessly, efficiently and with patience. I want Farrell to show some tactical flexibility as well. Here's hoping...

[Ovals]

You'd bloody well hope so!!!

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

I'll be interested to see how others fare against this Welsh team, because I think they might be even worse than last year.

Today the win is, of course, paramount. Surrendering our unbeaten record against even this hugely improved Italian side would set us on course for the wooden spoon with only beating Wales in Cardiff as our get out of jail card and be hugely embarassing. The noise from those who thought sacking Eddie was a bad idea would start to rise and the media will start spinning unhelpful narratives...

Aside from that, I just want to see some progress in the areas of deficieny. Signs that with more time together the team improves and that given time they'll be capable of mixing it with sides who are currently deeper into their progression.

Whereas losing to Italy would actually demonstrate just how badly EJ had let things get, and would be even more evidence that we were right to get shot of him.

[PCPhil]

Only if our first up tackling is better, and kick chase more consistent. Have to hope that after the first runout last week the coaching setup have identified the areas needing the most work.

You'd bloody well hope so!!!

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

Err, they were playing Wales, 2013 vintage, at home.

[Ovals]

You'd bloody well hope so!!!

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

Err, they were playing Wales, 2013 vintage, at home.

There is that ! However, it was still a fine performance and a record win. Always hard to to assess how good a team is when the other is poor but they did put them away well.

[C69]

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

Err, they were playing Wales, 2013 vintage, at home.

There is that ! However, it was still a fine performance and a record win. Always hard to to assess how good a team is when the other is poor but they did put them away well.

I personally don't elieve the hype of the Scotand team. They seem average and played a disorganised new Wales team yesterday who were rudderless and devoid of any attacking or defensive structure.
A few Wales players are living off reputation and others should be nowhere near our squad.
The biggest issues for me are the front row and the lack of attacking ability behing.
That said for the RWC I think Ball and Hill will be available from Japan. Rowlands and Lake will be back from injury and LRZ will be fit again.
I see us getting the wooden spoon with no wins this year and possibly make it out of the RWC group.
Gats is using the 6N as a trial to strip out the dead wood.
Unfortunately the green shoots are not coming through yet.

[Raggs]

You'd bloody well hope so!!!

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

Err, they were playing Wales, 2013 vintage, at home.

Yeah, but the Irish didn't manage to make the Welsh look any worse than the Scots did, which is encouraging.

[Hal Jordan]

Only if our first up tackling is better, and kick chase more consistent. Have to hope that after the first runout last week the coaching setup have identified the areas needing the most work.

You'd bloody well hope so!!!

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

Mako and Cole offer an impact?

[Raggs]

No less than last week, whereas Mitchell, Smith, earl and Arundel is a bit special.

[ASMO]

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

I'll be interested to see how others fare against this Welsh team, because I think they might be even worse than last year.

Today the win is, of course, paramount. Surrendering our unbeaten record against even this hugely improved Italian side would set us on course for the wooden spoon with only beating Wales in Cardiff as our get out of jail card and be hugely embarassing. The noise from those who thought sacking Eddie was a bad idea would start to rise and the media will start spinning unhelpful narratives...

Aside from that, I just want to see some progress in the areas of deficieny. Signs that with more time together the team improves and that given time they'll be capable of mixing it with sides who are currently deeper into their progression.

I just want some on field clarity in the way they play. Identify where we have an advantages early, and push that ruthlessly, efficiently and with patience. I want Farrell to show some tactical flexibility as well. Here's hoping...

I can see Farrell trying to prove to the world that he offers the same attacking threat as Smith and throwing a couple of intercepts.

[RodneyRegis]

Hopefully the 'new look' midfield can channel this performance.

[RodneyRegis]

Should think this is dombrandt last chance, unless he has a blinder well see Ludlam, Willis, Earl.

[frodder]

Really looking forward to this game. I'm going with England by 15

[tcc_dc]

I think Italy spent too much against France...I just cannot see that same level again...

But will praying and hoping I am wrong :)

Forza Italia!!!!

[geordie_6]

No less than last week, whereas Mitchell, Smith, earl and Arundel is a bit special.

Tbf Mako is absolutely capable of less than last week, sadly.

[PCPhil]

I think we saw, yesterday, that the Scots are actually a pretty good side - and, despite our woeful defence, we weren't far away from beating them. We had the best of the game for 70 mins. With a midfield that looks, defensively, a bit more robust - and Willis in at 7, I think we'll go much better this weekend. We also have a bench that offers more impact.

Err, they were playing Wales, 2013 vintage, at home.

Yeah, but the Irish didn't manage to make the Welsh look any worse than the Scots did, which is encouraging.

That is the nicest thing someone has said to me all day. Sniff

[Torquemada 1420]

Is Varney planning on attending a ruck this game?

[Hal Jordan]

Counter rucking!

[RodneyRegis]

We are passing the ball beyond the first man. What's going on. Is this a horses for courses tactic?

[tc27]

Enjoyed the counter rucks.

England looking sharper despite the knock ons

[Kawazaki]

Varney is standing level with his loosehead's hips and is angled towards his own number.8 before he puts the ball in. It's ridiculous.

[Torquemada 1420]

Italy damaging Eng in the scrum as they did to Fra.

[TheFrog]

Italy are crippled by this pair of half backs.

[Winnie]

Ref riding Italy

[RodneyRegis]

Yeah, got a bit lucky