Official Italy v England thread

[SaintK]

What is it about England coaches and blow in Kiwi back rowers. They can't resist it.

Truly baffling. I fail to see what he offers that Pearson doesn't.

I've watched Chiefs quite a few times this season - never even noticed him playing

Bit of a cheap shot merchant
Nothing outstanding.

[geordie_6]

What is it about England coaches and blow in Kiwi back rowers. They can't resist it.

Truly baffling. I fail to see what he offers that Pearson doesn't.

I've watched Chiefs quite a few times this season - never even noticed him playing

Something something Richard Hill.

[inactionman]

Guardian are going with Smith (F) and Feyi-Waboso on the bench, with replacement 9 dependent upon antibiotics

[petej]

I guess Mitchell is injured. With Ford and Care you can definitely be a bit more adventurous out wide and only select 1 of daly or slade. So 11 feyi-waboso 12 Dingwall, 13 slade 14 Freeman 15 Steward.

I think the backrow I was hoping for was pearson, curry and earl

[pjm1]

Daley Slade midfield, possibly the worst combination he could have chosen....this is not a good side compared to what he could have done.

Dingwall Slade, if I'm reading the quoted tweet correctly -or are you taking that from elsewhere?

Daly on wing, because we're lacking any high-quality young tyros out there.

Yep, realised my error....am depressed at this choice if its true.

I'd be absolutely ok with Dingwall Slade, if we were also playing Mitchell Smith (F) at halfback. 9/10/12 from Saints, with Slade for experience and a good rugby brain. The wings are disappointing, as they're neither here nor there for me. Also sad to see Furbank not get the 15 jersey, given his form and second playmaker option. Unlike our third lock, who isn't.

[Hal Jordan]

I'm pleased to say Ben Youngs will not be available as the RFU has sent me an email saying hospitality package are still available for the Wales match and, well...

The Guinness Men's Six Nations is back and we have extremely limited spaces in hospitality.

If you're looking for indulgence, The East Wing offers luxury in the style of a sophisticated members club. What's more, a stellar lineup of talent, including Ben Youngs, Henry Arundell, Sarah Hunter* and more will be in the facility.

If you're a hardcore rugby fan looking for an experience of a lifetime, the Players' Lounge is for you. Hear from three of the England squad in a post-match Q&A hosted by James Haskell and Alex Payne.

Use the code WALESFLASH10 at checkout to redeem 10% off. You have until 23:59 on Friday 2 February before the offer expires.

*Subject to change

So it would appear he's moved into the lucrative area of shaking hands and posing for photos.

[Hal Jordan]

As for the team, fucking Daly? What the fuck has he done to deserve it?

I don't even know who Roots is. Sounds like a street fighter, from what you lot are saying.

[Oxbow]

I'm pleased to say Ben Youngs will not be available as the RFU has sent me an email saying hospitality package are still available for the Wales match and, well...

Spoiler

Show

The Guinness Men's Six Nations is back and we have extremely limited spaces in hospitality.

If you're looking for indulgence, The East Wing offers luxury in the style of a sophisticated members club. What's more, a stellar lineup of talent, including Ben Youngs, Henry Arundell, Sarah Hunter* and more will be in the facility.

If you're a hardcore rugby fan looking for an experience of a lifetime, the Players' Lounge is for you. Hear from three of the England squad in a post-match Q&A hosted by James Haskell and Alex Payne.

Use the code WALESFLASH10 at checkout to redeem 10% off. You have until 23:59 on Friday 2 February before the offer expires.

*Subject to change

So it would appear he's moved into the lucrative area of shaking hands and posing for photos.

I'd wager every third handshake will be over someone's head.

[Hal Jordan]

I'm pleased to say Ben Youngs will not be available as the RFU has sent me an email saying hospitality package are still available for the Wales match and, well...

Spoiler

Show

The Guinness Men's Six Nations is back and we have extremely limited spaces in hospitality.

If you're looking for indulgence, The East Wing offers luxury in the style of a sophisticated members club. What's more, a stellar lineup of talent, including Ben Youngs, Henry Arundell, Sarah Hunter* and more will be in the facility.

If you're a hardcore rugby fan looking for an experience of a lifetime, the Players' Lounge is for you. Hear from three of the England squad in a post-match Q&A hosted by James Haskell and Alex Payne.

Use the code WALESFLASH10 at checkout to redeem 10% off. You have until 23:59 on Friday 2 February before the offer expires.

*Subject to change

So it would appear he's moved into the lucrative area of shaking hands and posing for photos.

I'd wager every third handshake will be over someone's head.

Don't let him hold a baby or he'll box kick it into the next suite.

[fishfoodie]

I'm pleased to say Ben Youngs will not be available as the RFU has sent me an email saying hospitality package are still available for the Wales match and, well...

The Guinness Men's Six Nations is back and we have extremely limited spaces in hospitality.

If you're looking for indulgence, The East Wing offers luxury in the style of a sophisticated members club. What's more, a stellar lineup of talent, including Ben Youngs, Henry Arundell, Sarah Hunter* and more will be in the facility.

If you're a hardcore rugby fan looking for an experience of a lifetime, the Players' Lounge is for you. Hear from three of the England squad in a post-match Q&A hosted by James Haskell and Alex Payne.

Use the code WALESFLASH10 at checkout to redeem 10% off. You have until 23:59 on Friday 2 February before the offer expires.

*Subject to change

So it would appear he's moved into the lucrative area of shaking hands and posing for photos.

Ehhhh, as I recall, Ben is legendary for just how incredibly dense he is. I can't imagine his conversation meets the level of "sophisticated "

[Hal Jordan]

A friend of mine taught him at Gresham's, I can confirm he was not the brightest of students.

[ASMO]

I'm pleased to say Ben Youngs will not be available as the RFU has sent me an email saying hospitality package are still available for the Wales match and, well...

The Guinness Men's Six Nations is back and we have extremely limited spaces in hospitality.

If you're looking for indulgence, The East Wing offers luxury in the style of a sophisticated members club. What's more, a stellar lineup of talent, including Ben Youngs, Henry Arundell, Sarah Hunter* and more will be in the facility.

If you're a hardcore rugby fan looking for an experience of a lifetime, the Players' Lounge is for you. Hear from three of the England squad in a post-match Q&A hosted by James Haskell and Alex Payne.

Use the code WALESFLASH10 at checkout to redeem 10% off. You have until 23:59 on Friday 2 February before the offer expires.

*Subject to change

So it would appear he's moved into the lucrative area of shaking hands and posing for photos.

The mere fact that James (i would turn up for the opening of an envelope) Haskell is there would stop me even considering this.

[clydecloggie]

I'm sort of stunned 'Mr Ineligible" Arundell is part of the RFU hob nob hospitality crowd. How does that even make sense?

[Slick]

What is it about England coaches and blow in Kiwi back rowers. They can't resist it.

Truly baffling. I fail to see what he offers that Pearson doesn't.

I've watched Chiefs quite a few times this season - never even noticed him playing

He's got a hell of a back story, cage fighting at 16 a particular highlight

[ASMO]

Team is up, slightly different to the one the papers expected

[sturginho]

I already don't like our new coach

15 Tommaso ALLAN (Perpignan, 79 caps)
14 Ange CAPUOZZO (Stade Toulousain, 16 caps)
13 Juan Ignacio BREX (Benetton Rugby, 30 caps)
12 Tommaso MENONCELLO (Benetton Rugby, 12 caps)
11 Monty IOANE (Lione 25 caps)
10 Paolo GARBISI (Montpellier, 31 caps)
9 Alessandro GARBISI (Benetton Rugby, 7 caps)
8 Lorenzo CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
7 Michele LAMARO (Benetton Rugby, 33 caps) – cap
6 Sebastian NEGRI (Benetton Rugby, 52 caps)
5 Federico RUZZA (Benetton Rugby, 49 caps)
4 Niccolò CANNONE (Benetton Rugby, 36 caps)
3 Pietro CECCARELLI (Perpignan, 31 caps)
2 Gianmarco LUCCHESI (Benetton Rugby, 17 caps)
1 Danilo FISCHETTI (Zebre Parma, 36 caps)
A disposizione
16 Giacomo NICOTERA (Benetton Rugby, 18 caps)
17 Mirco SPAGNOLO (Benetton Rugby, esordiente)
18 Giosuè ZILOCCHI (Benetton Rugby, 16 caps)
19 Andrea ZAMBONIN (Zebre Parma, 3 caps)
20 Edoardo IACHIZZI (Benetton Rugby, 6 caps)
21 Manuel ZULIANI (Benetton Rugby, 17 caps)
22 Stephen VARNEY (Gloucester, 24 caps)
23 Lorenzo PANI (Zebre Parma, 5 caps)

[ASMO]

The Italian backline looks pretty decent

[sockwithaticket]

[sockwithaticket]

With Mitchell being passed ok to play, not starting Smith makes even less sense. Roots over Pearson is bonkers. The back three could be more exciting. Otherwise it's probably as good as we can make it.

[Oxbow]

Pearson doesn't even make the 23, yet you've got Roots who nobody has heard of, and CCS whose own mother wouldn't say is ready for international rugby yet. It's a tad frustrating.

[Margin__Walker]

Pearson doesn't even make the 23, yet you've got Roots who nobody has heard of, and CCS whose own mother wouldn't say is ready for international rugby yet. It's a tad frustrating.

Oddly I'm actually fine with CCS over Pearson on the bench considering the starting line up. 6/8 cover is more useful than 6/7 cover.

[Oxbow]

Pearson doesn't even make the 23, yet you've got Roots who nobody has heard of, and CCS whose own mother wouldn't say is ready for international rugby yet. It's a tad frustrating.

Oddly I'm actually fine with CCS over Pearson on the bench considering the starting line up. 6/8 cover is more useful than 6/7 cover.

Fair point, but from what I've seen of him he hasn't looked near international level yet. Now watch him tear it up against Italy.

[Margin__Walker]

Pearson doesn't even make the 23, yet you've got Roots who nobody has heard of, and CCS whose own mother wouldn't say is ready for international rugby yet. It's a tad frustrating.

Oddly I'm actually fine with CCS over Pearson on the bench considering the starting line up. 6/8 cover is more useful than 6/7 cover.

Fair point, but from what I've seen of him he hasn't looked near international level yet. Now watch him tear it up against Italy.

He's high risk, high reward I guess. Definitely raw in pro rugby terms.

One thing he is though, is absolutely physical enough for test rugby. He's big, athletic and runs and tackles very angry. Ball skills and being a card risk are the worries for me.

[Raggs]

I'm not upset with investing time in CCS. Roots and Underhill make a grunt work pairing, would have preferred a T Curry/J Willis, but those obviously aren't options in the 7 shirt.

Ford and Slade make hopefully an easier time for Dingwall to settle in. I'd like to see a relatively early swap for Smith to come in though.

I'm hopeful, but probably not expecting, to see Steward and Freeman running some hardlines off the centres quite frequently. Wabaso's work ethic has looked impressive too.

Cole is still very good, but we've got to find options soon to replace him, and a bench spot against Italy could have been a good chance to get one in. Not because the Italians aren't good in the scrum, but more that hopefully not having a Cole level scrummager wouldn't have been too much of an issue overall. It's certainly not going to get easier introducing one (maybe scotland, due to their injury issues?).

[ASMO]

Kick and chase anyone? Want to hold a sweep on how many times the commentator calls "spiral bomb" when Ford boots it miles into the air?

[Hal Jordan]

I wonder whether George will get the Hartley treatment and be subbed off, or whether Dan is there for emergencies only?

[Hal Jordan]

Kick and chase anyone? Want to hold a sweep on how many times the commentator calls "spiral bomb" when Ford boots it miles into the air?

Certainly whenever a back is shown in England training camp on the socials they seem to be either kicking it or fielding a kick.

[SaintK]

I wonder whether George will get the Hartley treatment and be subbed off, or whether Dan is there for emergencies only?

On present club form Dan is playing better than George from what I’ve watched recently

[inactionman]

Kick and chase anyone? Want to hold a sweep on how many times the commentator calls "spiral bomb" when Ford boots it miles into the air?

Certainly whenever a back is shown in England training camp on the socials they seem to be either kicking it or fielding a kick.

In previous years I'd have suggested they may have been trying to catch Ben Youngs' passes.

[weegie01]

Dingwall Slade midfield, possibly the worst combination he could have chosen, add in Daly on the wing....this is not a good side compared to what he could have done.

That'll be Fraser Andrew Dingwall, the former Scotland age group player.

[sockwithaticket]

And former England age group player.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Dingwall Slade midfield, possibly the worst combination he could have chosen, add in Daly on the wing....this is not a good side compared to what he could have done.

That'll be Fraser Andrew Dingwall, the former Scotland age group player.

Really drilling in on the not good part

[JM2K6]

Half English by parentage, born in Cambridge, England U20s...

[Random1]

Dingwall Slade midfield, possibly the worst combination he could have chosen, add in Daly on the wing....this is not a good side compared to what he could have done.

That'll be Fraser Andrew Dingwall, the former Scotland age group player.

Is he any good?

Not seen him, nor roots.

[sockwithaticket]

Dingwall Slade midfield, possibly the worst combination he could have chosen, add in Daly on the wing....this is not a good side compared to what he could have done.

That'll be Fraser Andrew Dingwall, the former Scotland age group player.

Is he any good?

Not seen him, nor roots.

He's not the biggest, but he punches above his weight in both the carry and tackle, seems to read play very well and has been a consistent starter for Saints at both 12 and 13.

[weegie01]

Half English by parentage, born in Cambridge, England U20s...

I know, I am just poking fun at the trope about Anglos in the Scotland side.

For a while England actually did a really good job of targetting dual qualified players that had gone under the English radar and had been picked up by Scotland at age group, e.g. Zach Mercer. Thay even approached Adam Hastings to switch to England at U20.

[JM2K6]

That'll be Fraser Andrew Dingwall, the former Scotland age group player.

Is he any good?

Not seen him, nor roots.

He's not the biggest, but he punches above his weight in both the carry and tackle, seems to read play very well and has been a consistent starter for Saints at both 12 and 13.

Imo he's always looked like a cracking club player who would get blown away at international level and never convinced me he had the all round game. I think Freeman, Mitchell, and Furbank are all guys who've developed physically and mentally, and I'm not sure I'd put Dingwall in the same bracket. Would love to be proven wrong as he is an exciting attacking player.

[sockwithaticket]

Is he any good?

Not seen him, nor roots.

He's not the biggest, but he punches above his weight in both the carry and tackle, seems to read play very well and has been a consistent starter for Saints at both 12 and 13.

Imo he's always looked like a cracking club player who would get blown away at international level and never convinced me he had the all round game. I think Freeman, Mitchell, and Furbank are all guys who've developed physically and mentally, and I'm not sure I'd put Dingwall in the same bracket. Would love to be proven wrong as he is an exciting attacking player.

Possibly, but he's earned the chance to get capped and for us to find out. The only others playing 12 somewhat regularly in the Prem are inexperienced kids like Hartley, S. Atkinson and Litchfield. Borthwick definitely wasn't going to turn to them. Ojomoh has been struggling to get past the Redpath - Lawrence combo.

[JM2K6]

He's not the biggest, but he punches above his weight in both the carry and tackle, seems to read play very well and has been a consistent starter for Saints at both 12 and 13.

Imo he's always looked like a cracking club player who would get blown away at international level and never convinced me he had the all round game. I think Freeman, Mitchell, and Furbank are all guys who've developed physically and mentally, and I'm not sure I'd put Dingwall in the same bracket. Would love to be proven wrong as he is an exciting attacking player.

Possibly, but he's earned the chance to get capped and for us to find out. The only others playing 12 somewhat regularly in the Prem are inexperienced kids like Hartley, S. Atkinson and Litchfield. Borthwick definitely wasn't going to turn to them. Ojomoh has been struggling to get past the Redpath - Lawrence combo.

Yes, I agree - it's not a complaint about the selection at all, just a concern of mine. Any fit alternative is either shoehorning someone in like Sam James, or a punt on a kid like Seb Atkinson.

[Slick]

Half English by parentage, born in Cambridge, England U20s...

I can't believe you actually landed that Welsh lad - not a moan in any way, of course - actually born and bred in Cardiff and still living just across the border.