6N 2023 England v France
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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.
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@Catogrande yeah interested to see if Smith really is as good as hyped. Opposition should suit him too.
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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.
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@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.
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@MiketheSnow to be fair this is some quality grief the ITV team are giving Kayser about his gloves.
Emoji hands.
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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.
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WTFis going on, England defence fractured and all at sea so far..
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Already too much kicking....
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Dupont running the show Marcus Smith is MIA
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France are off to the races
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@Jailbreak7 said in 6N 2023 England v France:
Marcus Smith
So far below test level it's a joke.
Useless player.
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England deserve that for trying to be S Africa circa 2017
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@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.
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Ref is on it
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@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
