The Official English Rugby Thread

[sockwithaticket]

Earl at centre may be a stupid idea, but is it any more stupid than having to line up a 10 - 12 combo using 2 of the 3 diminuitive fly halves in the matchday squad should something happen to Dingwall?

With 6 back rows in the 23 and the backs replacement being specialist scrum and fly halves, any injuries among numbers 12 - 15 on the day will require rejigging the lineup in an unorthodox and profoundly sub-optimal manner. Earl to centre could well be the least worst option.

[Paddington Bear]

That selection is bizarre, both with the starting team and the subs bench, would far rather see Daly at fullback, Sleighthome on the wing and Willis at 8 as for last week.

I can't fathon the logic of having no 2nd row on the bench or Ford at all - it smacks a little of arrogance and the Welsh will be licking their chops at having Smith x2 and Ford all in the back line at some stage.

To be honest in the event of an injury that requires that I think we’re more likely to see Earl in the centres.

I assume Ford is picked after seeing Scotland tear them apart out wide for the purposes of picking up a bonus point. Win the game first then have a charge at the end, any win in Cardiff for England is always a good result

Stuart Barnes did a piece the other day saying they should pick Earl at centre. I’m sure one of the England coaches was quoted as pretty much saying it was a stupid idea as he might be able to run hard from there but would be lost defensively

He’s been banging that drum for a while now, as sock says it’s likely a better option than having M Smith and Ford in a defensive line together (disagree with those lumping F Smith in with the other two’s defence)

[Slick]

Earl at centre may be a stupid idea, but is it any more stupid than having to line up a 10 - 12 combo using 2 of the 3 diminuitive fly halves in the matchday squad should something happen to Dingwall?

With 6 back rows in the 23 and the backs replacement being specialist scrum and fly halves, any injuries among numbers 12 - 15 on the day will require rejigging the lineup in an unorthodox and profoundly sub-optimal manner. Earl to centre could well be the least worst option.

Well maybe, but the point is, as you all understand, what the hell is he doing getting into that possible position.

[Kawazaki]

It's really quite difficult to see what this selection logic is supposed to be.

Scenario 1.
M. Smith gets injured then Daly will move to 15, but then who goes to the wing?

If Freeman moves there then who plays 13?

Scenario 2.
Dingwall gets injured then who plays 12? Does Earl go there and Willis comes on?

Scenario 3.
Itoji or Chessum gets injured then who goes in to play lock?

There's many more scenarios that throw up more potential problems than simply don't exist with a different bench.

[SaintK]

It's really quite difficult to see what this selection logic is supposed to be.

Scenario 1.
M. Smith gets injured then Daly will move to 15, but then who goes to the wing?

If Freeman moves there then who plays 13?

Scenario 2.
Dingwall gets injured then who plays 12? Does Earl go there and Willis comes on?

Scenario 3.
Itoji or Chessum gets injured then who goes in to play lock?

There's many more scenarios that throw up more potential problems than simply don't exist with a different bench.

The more you look at it the more you say WTAF are you doing Borthwick

[Lobby]

It's really quite difficult to see what this selection logic is supposed to be.

Scenario 1.
M. Smith gets injured then Daly will move to 15, but then who goes to the wing?

If Freeman moves there then who plays 13?

Scenario 2.
Dingwall gets injured then who plays 12? Does Earl go there and Willis comes on?

Scenario 3.
Itoji or Chessum gets injured then who goes in to play lock?

There's many more scenarios that throw up more potential problems than simply don't exist with a different bench.

The more you look at it the more you say WTAF are you doing Borthwick

His thinking is pretty clear to be honest. Reffel and Morgan are both excellent at stealing ball at the breakdown, so we need to play 4 7s to counter them, regardless of the other consequences. Ford may be unlikely to feature in the England squad next year, so this is a chance for him to have one last six nations game (rather like starting George for his 100th cap last week). He just hasn't worked through the consequences of having a back line in the final 10 minutes of Ford at 10, F Smith at 12, Daly at 13, Van Poortvliet on the wing and M Smith still floundering about at full back, let alone one or other of Itoje or Chessum not lasting the full 80.

[Paddington Bear]

There’s three tests this summer and I can’t see how at least one of the Smiths doesn’t go with the Lions. Ford gets to 100 caps there and quite possibly could captain as well. Mystifying stuff

[sockwithaticket]

Ford's had a rotten 18 months in terms of injuries, his lack of game time plus being rushed back to England squads while not match fit has certainly impacted his form and the two Smiths are currently justifiably ahead of him in the pecking order. However, the two younger men are not immune to the threat of injury themselves and even if they stay fit, should Ford can put together a decent run of games there's no reason he can't get back to his best and establish himself as England's first choice again. He's 32 in a few days time, not 40. Far too soon to be writing him off, especially in a position like fly half, so there's definitely no need to be putting him on the bench for this fixture and potentially pad out his cap total.

[Kawazaki]

This is the England national team and the 6 Nations championship ffs. You don't use it to toss out caps to hit a quota number because a player is a nice bloke or near to 100 caps.

[Hal Jordan]

This is the England national team and the 6 Nations championship ffs. You don't use it to toss out caps to hit a quota number because a player is a nice bloke or near to 100 caps.

Some people (not me) would say it's just a testing ground for the World Cup campaigns, so who cares?

They are, of course, wrong.

[Ovals]

It's really quite difficult to see what this selection logic is supposed to be.

Scenario 1.
M. Smith gets injured then Daly will move to 15, but then who goes to the wing?

If Freeman moves there then who plays 13?

Scenario 2.
Dingwall gets injured then who plays 12? Does Earl go there and Willis comes on?

Scenario 3.
Itoji or Chessum gets injured then who goes in to play lock?

There's many more scenarios that throw up more potential problems than simply don't exist with a different bench.

Having no cover for 11-15 or for 4/5 - is completely unhinged. It's impossible to rationalise the selection of Ford on the bench with two FHs in the starting XV. We'll probably still win, but it be no thanks to Borther's insane selections.