England vs Japan - 12/11/22

[TRF_Olyy]

Am I right in saying the only change from last week's 25 is Porter for Robinson? At least this means we're probably going for a 5:3 this week.

George for Singleton as well,
Which is good - but should be the other George (McGuigan)

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Times reminding us what the last Japan game did for the England careers of Lozowski, Care, Mercer and Hill.

 

[Geordie]

Well regardless of which team runs out...i think they need to put in a convincing display on Saturday. Anything less will have the vultures circling...especially with NZ next up.

I also think he needs to put Itoje back to lock...and play a proper 6...ideally Willis but alas i suspect we'll see Coles there for his lineout work.

 

[Welsh Exile]

The way to to get a convincing win in this would be to keep your discipline and do a SA. Squeeze them with a good kicking/territory based game. Kick to the corners, catch and drive and generally target their front 5 in the set piece. No reason you can’t get a 20 point plus win. I’d be wary of trying to put too much of a show on for the fans as that will play right into their hands. Will be interesting to see how it plays out. England should win, obviously, but I hope it’s a competitive game.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

The way to to get a convincing win in this would be to keep your discipline and do a SA. Squeeze them with a good kicking/territory based game. Kick to the corners, catch and drive and generally target their front 5 in the set piece. No reason you can’t get a 20 point plus win. I’d be wary of trying to put too much of a show on for the fans as that will play right into their hands. Will be interesting to see how it plays out. England should win, obviously, but I hope it’s a competitive game.

 

[Welsh Exile]

 

[Saintjay]

Starters
15. Freddie Steward
14. Jack Nowell (VC)
13. Guy Porter
12. Owen Farrell (C)
11. Jonny May
10. Marcus Smith
9. Jack van Poortvliet
1. Ellis Genge (VC)
2. Luke Cowan-Dickie
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. David Ribbans
5. Jonny Hill
6. Maro Itoje
7. Tom Curry
8. Sam Simmonds
Finishers
16. Jamie George
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Joe Heyes
19. Alex Coles
20. Billy Vunipola
21. Ben Youngs
22. Henry Slade
23. Manu Tuilagi

 

[TRF_Olyy]

15. Freddie Steward
14. Jack Nowell (VC)
13. Guy Porter
12. Owen Farrell (C)
11. Jonny May
10. Marcus Smith

I like Guy Porter, but one-armed May and Porter do not elevate our backline to a threatening level

 

[Saintjay]

No Freeman or Willis and Youngs still in over Mitchell. FU Eddie Jones and my slightly Saints bias.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

I like Guy Porter, but one-armed May and Porter do not elevate our backline to a threatening level

He seems like a nice bloke but fml he should not be starting for England, even against Japan

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He seems like a nice bloke but fml he should not be starting for England, even against Japan

I could understand the summer because he had a great season last year and was arguably Tigers' best back in the final - but the summer wasn't great and there are much better options available either back with their clubs or just not picked from the EPS

Does EJ see him as a solid defensive player like a backup to Farrell? If so why start both of them together?

Just a weird choice - as is May,
Again: I like May, but he's played single digit games this calendar year and dislocated his elbow in the last one (which was only a few weeks ago so unlikely to be 100%). Not a player that needs to be in the EPS to try and show off what he can do, leave him with his club to get game time and test out one of the new kids on the block in the autumn before bringing may back in the 6N if his form warrants it

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Porter imo could work as a international one dimensional 12, 13 he doesn’t have the speed for though

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Porter imo could work as a international one dimensional 12, 13 he doesn’t have the speed for though

Especially not when paired with Farrell.

 

[Geordie]

Well not jumping for joy looking at that side...

Can we cope with their high pace game...we shall see. Do we suffocate it out of them

Porter...Meh!
Itoje at 6 AGAIN....MEH
May weeks after a dislocated shoulder and barely any games this calendar year....MEH
Willis totally dropped.....MEH!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Willis totally dropped.....MEH!

Yeah that's mad as well,
Drop one of Itoje/Curry/Vunipola, just give Jack a proper crack at it

 

[Geordie]

Yeah that's mad as well,
Drop one of Itoje/Curry/Vunipola, just give Jack a proper crack at it

Willis is a superb flanker...breakdown animal, heavy duty carrier and try scorer. Decent lineout option....unproven in that regards at this level.

So ignores him and plays someone who everyman and their dog knows is a lock and a lock only...Itoje. And then after 6 mins..is now dropped completely from the squad

Then we come to Ribbans. Ignored for how long...then all of a sudden just dropped in at the expense of Coles who whilst not world class had a decent debut and is worth a continued look at.

i can go on but i wont as everyone is on the same page.

 

[Grizwald]

Why the obsession with a lock at 6? Lawes has become a world class 6 but took time and a drop in weight and playing their for his club.

In Japan Jones went with two fetchers in the backrow and that didn't leave the line out a disaster even in the SF against the All Black's (who had a lock at 6).

There is something of a Simmonds tax for Exeter where you need a big carrier a la Ewers at 6.

Main concerns are the backs. Marcus Smith looked like he'd never played rugby before at times last week. He was looking for options that weren't there and took the ball into contact himself on several occasions. Farrell wasn't much better, at no point did they seem to have any shape or width in attack or defense.

Thought Joe Cokanasiga was good last week. I've not seen Johnny May play for ages.

Chances of England sleep walking into the WC and getting shown up are high. Jones keeps saying he's responsible, hasn't prepared the team properly etc. That's been a line for 3 years now, anyone else in any other industry would have been sacked.

 

[Scotty]

So im never i big hater of EJ and i really dont vocalise it on here that but but recently the selections are getting worse and more random, neglecting people who deserve it and giving chance to players in positions we dont need or player who dont really have a future. Not saying throw the kids in but damn willis, Freeman deserve a shot, marchant does.

Its just getting more and more annoying, i dont want us to lose but im starting get as annoyed as some other posters now

 

[Crash Hamster]

I honestly thought that Porter was in as injury cover for Manu's blister, but it seems they're both getting a game.

Good to see we've swapped the power of Tuilagi for the pace of Porter. No, sorry, couldn't keep a straight face.

Otherwise: ditto.

I was hoping Jones would go experimental for this game, and he has, just without the experi bit.

 

[Scotty]

I honestly thought that Porter was in as injury cover for Manu's blister, but it seems they're both getting a game.

Good to see we've swapped the power of Tuilagi for the pace of Porter. No, sorry, couldn't keep a straight face.

Otherwise: ditto.

I was hoping Jones would go experimental for this game, and he has, just without the experi bit.

I didnt want experimental i just wanted a flanker on the flank and a 12 at 12. And maybe a Freeman, or Murley at 23?