6N 2023 England v France
-
England team to face Les Bleus on Saturday:
England: Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Watson; Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge (capt), George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.
Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Ribbans, B Curry, Mitchell, Farrell, Arundell.
Obviously the big call is Farrell being dropped which I think is a good call, as much for showing he CAN be dropped, more than just my preference for Smith. However it will be really interesting to see if Smith can run the game with a more balanced midfield with no Farrell to stifle him. I expect to see Farrell at some point though.
Good to see Ribbans on the bench as he brings a point of difference to second row and can actually have an impact.
We must see more of Arundell this time round too. Again a point of difference and capable of making a good impact. We need impact players on the bench, not just a lesser version of what is already on the field. Mako, I’m looking at you.
Given the Twickenham hoodoo that the French have been suffering for so many years, I think we might scrape this one.
-
@Catogrande yeah interested to see if Smith really is as good as hyped. Opposition should suit him too.
-
I’m pretty sure they’ll be targeting him but with Dombrandt at 8 and Lawrence at 12 both being good bale out options, hopefully he can get to play a bit.
-
@Catogrande said in 6N 2023 England v France:
I’m pretty sure they’ll be targeting him but with Dombrandt at 8 and Lawrence at 12 both being good bale out options, hopefully he can get to play a bit.
Yeah. Hope he proves me wrong about his fit in the team. It could well be that it is having piss face next to him is the real problem. I guess we will find out.
At least the coaches are trying it now. Eddies desire to squeeze both Smith and Farrell in didn’t work. -
The Smith/Farrell thing just never seemed to gel with any consistency. I can see what Eddie was trying to do - Squidge did a good breakdown of it - but even under Eddie it really lost it's way. Under Borthwick there was not the same ambition so the selection really confused me. I'm hoping that what we are seeing now is an increasing influence from Evans, there is a rumour going round that Wiggleworth is now going to be the kicking coach with a hand in defence rather than attack coach, leaving Evans in the hot seat. I hope so.
-
@MiketheSnow to be fair this is some quality grief the ITV team are giving Kayser about his gloves.
Emoji hands.
-
Geez how had England already run out of defenders there?
-
One thing is for sure, we are going to have to be at our very best early on in our WC match against France. If they start well, we are going to have to be better.
-
WTFis going on, England defence fractured and all at sea so far..
-
Ludlam will wanna forget this first ten minutes.
-
Already too much kicking....
-
Guessing that France think that England can't keep up with a fast game.
-
Dupont running the show Marcus Smith is MIA
-
France are off to the races
-
@Jailbreak7 said in 6N 2023 England v France:
Marcus Smith
So far below test level it's a joke.
Useless player.
-
England deserve that for trying to be S Africa circa 2017
-
@Tim said in 6N 2023 England v France:
@Jailbreak7 said in 6N 2023 England v France:
Marcus Smith
So far below test level it's a joke.
Useless player.
Yeah getting found out. I really didn't understand the hype before he debuted and I get less convinced the more he plays.
Dupont is back in form.
-
Ref is on it
-
@Bones When he played in Australia last year he was so far behind the pace. Awful.
-
@Tim said in 6N 2023 England v France:
@Bones When he played in Australia last year he was so far behind the pace. Awful.
Van Portfleet is not helping his cause
Doing his best Tomos Williams impression
-
@Bones A friend knows Nick Evans through work, and he really rates him. My cheeky friend suggested that his height and quality were more Isaiah West level.
-
Our loose trio are really going to have to roll their sleeves up, as has the entire pack. France has been super efficient and so quick at the breakdown.
-
@Tim said in 6N 2023 England v France:
@Bones A friend knows Nick Evans through work, and he really rates him. My cheeky friend suggested that his height and quality were more Isaiah West level.
I don't think there's much between him and Mounga. Just Smith has a dial that might be even more hateable than Sexdoll.
-
England look awful at the breakdown. Midfield is all over the place - bunching up on attack and getting pulled out of position on defence. Think Farrell may be on after the break to add some leadership.
-
Aldritt must read The Fern
Massive half
-
@Bones Smith is really substandard. Has showed none of the quality that Mo'unga has.
-
@Victor-Meldrew said in 6N 2023 England v France:
Think Farrell may be on after the break to add some leadership.
You'd hope so.
His teammates may hate him, but he is much better than the clowns out there.
-
Sinfield getting ready with the hair dryer
-
27 - 3 at half time at Twickenham. A fucking rabble.
-
Fucking hell that was a training run.
French loosies looking out of this world.
-
And we can't have BB kicking either....
-
@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2023 England v France:
Sinfield getting ready with the hair dryer
With the resignation letter?
-
@Bones And the Irish made them look ordinary.
-
@Bones said in 6N 2023 England v France:
@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2023 England v France:
Sinfield getting ready with the hair dryer
With the resignation letter?
Fuck no
There’s no way he coached that defensive performance
-
First half is worst England performance I've seen for a while. Zero direction, silly mistakes & an attack like a toothless squirrel.
-
@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2023 England v France:
Sinfield getting ready with the hair dryer
Not that Borthwick needs one.
-
Genge
Sinckler
Itoje
FarrellOh you really hate to see such great and humble guys suck a big one.
-
@Tim I don't get the Farrell hate, but fuck yes to the others. Farrell doesn't seem like that blustery piston wristed gibbon, he just gets away with shithouse tackling.
-
That's really bizarre the back markers swapping when Dupont hit the 50-22. What the fuck were they trying to achieve?
-
@Victor-Meldrew said in 6N 2023 England v France:
First half is worst England performance I've seen for a while. Zero direction, silly mistakes & an attack like a toothless squirrel.
Eddie Jones must being feeling rather smug watching this.
