The Official English Rugby Thread

[inactionman]

Torygraph has it that Earl is doing some drills at centre so they can potentially look at a 6/2 split...

I'm not sure if I look at that as a daft plan or as prudent preparation.

We did once end with Dombrandt on the wing.

[sockwithaticket]

Unless you're going up against an opponent like France or South Africa who have also chosen a 6 -2 split, it always strikes me as deeply unnecessary and tempting fate. So I guess I'm calling it daft.

[Lobby]

Torygraph has it that Earl is doing some drills at centre so they can potentially look at a 6/2 split...

IIRC on one of his Lions tours (either 1997 or 2001) the Lions were seriously considering using Neil Back as cover for the Centres for at least one of the later tests. In the event it didn't happen and he stayed in the back row.

[geordie_6]

Torygraph has it that Earl is doing some drills at centre so they can potentially look at a 6/2 split...

I'm not sure if I look at that as a daft plan or as prudent preparation.

We did once end with Dombrandt on the wing.

I could understand it in relation to emergency injury cover in a game, or yellow card periods, but not as part of an actual gameplan.

It seems like an Eddie style approach.

[inactionman]

Torygraph has it that Earl is doing some drills at centre so they can potentially look at a 6/2 split...

I'm not sure if I look at that as a daft plan or as prudent preparation.

We did once end with Dombrandt on the wing.

I could understand it in relation to emergency injury cover in a game, or yellow card periods, but not as part of an actual gameplan.

It seems like an Eddie style approach.

Today I'm veering towards it being good contingency planning.

[Lobby]

Torygraph has it that Earl is doing some drills at centre so they can potentially look at a 6/2 split...

I'm not sure if I look at that as a daft plan or as prudent preparation.

We did once end with Dombrandt on the wing.

I could understand it in relation to emergency injury cover in a game, or yellow card periods, but not as part of an actual gameplan.

It seems like an Eddie style approach.

At least he's not planning to play him at scrum half like Nick Mallett

[geordie_6]

I'm not sure if I look at that as a daft plan or as prudent preparation.

We did once end with Dombrandt on the wing.

I could understand it in relation to emergency injury cover in a game, or yellow card periods, but not as part of an actual gameplan.

It seems like an Eddie style approach.

At least he's not planning to play him at scrum half like Nick Mallett

Christ don't say that out loud...

[Rhubarb & Custard]

I'm not sure if I look at that as a daft plan or as prudent preparation.

We did once end with Dombrandt on the wing.

I could understand it in relation to emergency injury cover in a game, or yellow card periods, but not as part of an actual gameplan.

It seems like an Eddie style approach.

Today I'm veering towards it being good contingency planning.

Yes, if one allows you're banned from putting 3 back on the bench

[Punter15]

Is the game only on Rugby Pass or are any proper channels showing it?

[Stranger]

Is the game only on Rugby Pass or are any proper channels showing it?

It is only on rugby pass

[inactionman]

I could understand it in relation to emergency injury cover in a game, or yellow card periods, but not as part of an actual gameplan.

It seems like an Eddie style approach.

Today I'm veering towards it being good contingency planning.

Yes, if one allows you're banned from putting 3 back on the bench

Seeing as we ended up with Dombrandt on the wing even with a 3-back bench, it would seem sensible for players to practice out of position.

[Paddington Bear]

Is the game only on Rugby Pass or are any proper channels showing it?

It is only on rugby pass

Really irritating with an early kick off, as it means I can’t record it and watch it ‘as live’ at say 8

[Paddington Bear]

Decent game so far. Japan playing with a lot of pace. Once again against us they’re kicking a lot, albeit significantly more intelligently than they did in France

[Kiwias]

29C and 60% humidity. Idiotic weather to be playing a test match

[Kiwias]

Very sweet try by Marcus Smith

[Paddington Bear]

Smith finishes off an excellent set piece try. Decent lead now but hasn’t been entirely comfortable

[Kiwias]

England need to be aware of the need to preserve their energy as it will be brutal in the last 20mins.

[Paddington Bear]

England need to be aware of the need to preserve their energy as it will be brutal in the last 20mins.

I’m assuming this is why we’re not blitzing as we did in the 6N

[Kiwias]

.

[Kiwias]

England need to be aware of the need to preserve their energy as it will be brutal in the last 20mins.

I’m assuming this is why we’re not blitzing as we did in the 6N

.

[Kiwias]

England's kick chasing is pretty effective today

[Paddington Bear]

Really dumb game management from Japan, more excellent stuff from Smith. That’s the game

[Kiwias]

Eddie's magic seems to have lost some of its lustre.

[Paddington Bear]

Eddie's magic seems to have lost some of its lustre.

It’s nice to see he can ask a team to play fast. Japan probably unlucky not to score but really haven’t been at the races in defence. England are gouging holes in the centre and with that sort of platform Smith is deadly.

Japan’s scrum has been excellent and has had the better of it IMO

[Kiwias]

Japan continuing in 2H as in 1H, no clear game plan on attack or defense.

England leading 45 - 3 with 16mins to go.

I am already looking forward to Eddie’s press conference

[Stranger]

Two good tries from Japan

[Margin__Walker]

Ewels is such a liability.

Whale omelette thick.

[Stranger]

That was awful from Ewels

[Kiwias]

Two good tries from Japan

Conditions starting to get to England

[Kiwias]

England still have enough gas to bring up the half-ton

[PCPhil]

That was awful from Ewels

Terrible. Possible career ending type assault. And just plain damn thick.

[ASMO]

Ewels, just fuck off and never see an England shirt again. That was disgraceful and deserves the longest ban available

[geordie_6]

That was awful from Ewels

Terrible. Possible career ending type assault. And just plain damn thick.

Is that two consecutive tests with red cards for him? Needs to be binned off, he's useless.

[SaintK]

That was awful from Ewels

Terrible. Possible career ending type assault. And just plain damn thick.

Is that two consecutive tests with red cards for him? Needs to be binned off, he's useless.

Yes if this is the first test match he's played since Ireland in the 2022 6N

[Margin__Walker]

Two reds separated by about 5 mins of test rugby

Don't anyone say he's not cut out for the big stage.

[ASMO]

England ratings v Japan IMHO

Excellent

Feyi Waboso ridiculous strength on the ball

Smith yellow card apart had an excellent game

Furbank did everything right, showed some very nice touches

Cunningham South absolute beast in the tackle and ball in hand

Earl just everywhere and excellent

Underhill (although a quiet first 40) but really showed his class in the second half



Did enough

Slade nothing to write home about, but nothing terrible either, i still think there are better options

Lawrence tried hard, i think England try to play him like they would Tuilagi which he isnt, they should play him like Lawrence

Freeman worked hard, tackled well, competed in the air well

Mitchell workmanlike performance, he just blows too hot and cold for my taste and frequently takes the wrong option

Martin did the grunt work needed, good for his place

George (But clearly second best hooker on tour)



Just not worth a place at the moment

Cole See Stuart

Rodd (completely found out)

Itoje (What does he even bring anymore?)




Subs

Dan (should be starting hooker)

Marler (just nope, is a parody of the player he used to be)

Stuart (you know stocks of front rows are running low if he makes the team)

Ewels utter disgrace, should never see an England shirt again

Curry did ok, needs more game time, NZ games might be too soon?

Randall pace picked up noticeably when he came on, box kicking needs working on

Fin Smith didnt really get to see him do his thing

Roebuck showed flashes of what he is capable of

[TedMaul]

What did he do?

[geordie_6]

England ratings v Japan IMHO

Excellent

Feyi Waboso ridiculous strength on the ball

Smith yellow card apart had an excellent game

Furbank did everything right, showed some very nice touches

Cunningham South absolute beast in the tackle and ball in hand

Earl just everywhere and excellent

Underhill (although a quiet first 40) but really showed his class in the second half



Did enough

Slade nothing to write home about, but nothing terrible either, i still think there are better options

Lawrence tried hard, i think England try to play him like they would Tuilagi which he isnt, they should play him like Lawrence

Freeman worked hard, tackled well, competed in the air well

Mitchell workmanlike performance, he just blows too hot and cold for my taste and frequently takes the wrong option

Martin did the grunt work needed, good for his place

George (But clearly second best hooker on tour)

Just not worth a place at the moment

Cole See Stuart

Rodd (completely found out)

Itoje (What does he even bring anymore?)




Subs

Dan (should be starting hooker)

Marler (just nope, is a parody of the player he used to be)

Stuart (you know stocks of front rows are running low if he makes the team)

Ewels utter disgrace, should never see an England shirt again

Curry did ok, needs more game time, NZ games might be too soon?

Randall pace picked up noticeably when he came on, box kicking needs working on

Fin Smith didnt really get to see him do his thing

Roebuck showed flashes of what he is capable of

Thought Itoje showed up well in the carry at least?

[Kiwias]

What did he do?

[TedMaul]

Cretin.