The XV we put out yesterday was far from the best to have ever worn the rose. But we should never be hammered by anyone like that at home. Ever. A bad beating by Ire and Borthwick and Sinfield will start to look like Liz and Kwasi hot on the heels of Jones' Boris.
Of those on duty yesterday.
Genge will have better days. Least of our problems, but arguments that VRR or even Marler would be more of what we need right now.
George. No serious alternatives. Solid enough but not a point of difference player at this level now. Wouldn't be a Lions player these days.
Sinckler has his moments, but the rage has gone and with it much of his effectiveness. 5 missed tackles and 3 pens against yesterday. Again, no serious alternatives.
We've heard about his changed role and health issues but Itoje is an experienced player who ought to be providing a real lead. Looks underpowered and hasn't performed to his reputation for ages. Time to give him a break to reenergise.
Chessum looks to be there for the long haul.
Ludlam is whole hearted but limited. Just keeping the shirt warm for someone else.
Willis was disappointing yesterday, but worth persevering with. Remains to be seen whether he can really nail down a starting shirt.
Dombrandt unfortunately doesn't look to have the required fitness or physicality. Mercer's shirt for the taking.
Lawes, T Curry Underhill and LCD were all missing and might have made a bit of a difference. The physicality of Hill and Martin will surely come into consideration after this tournament. Pearson and CCS will probably be closely looked at too.
When your pack's beaten up it's a tough gig for the backs. But even so.
Really don't know what to make of 9. Lots of young promising players most of whom are still pretty wet behind the ears at club level let alone internationally. JVP doesn't seem to have kicked on from Aus unfortunately. If we genuinely want to play high tempo than Randall's probably as good an option as any. Didn't help JVP that he was up against the best in the world yesterday.
The Smith selection failed. He was swimming uphill from the start, but didn't make the most of it either. Don't quite know where Borthwick goes from here but he should keep Smith for Ire to avoid killing his confidence and to make it look like he's got a semblance of a plan. If Ford can get back to anything like then he's probably our most balanced option.
Watson's fine but some ball in space would be nice.
Lawrence will have learned a lot yesterday but definitely worth persevering with.
Slade hasn't been great this year and looks like a luxury player at the moment. I'd have picked Daly if he'd been fit. Marchant doesn't seem to be trusted. When Manu's available I can now see Borthwick knee jerking to a Manu / Lawrence combo.
Like Dombrandt, Malins simply falls short at this level. Decent footballer but neither the pace, power nor devil for an international wing.
Steward's fine and was one of the few to stand up yesterday.
Mako's shot
Walker's not trusted
Cole did what Cole does but it's not really enough any more
Ribbans should be given a start v Ire. Not because he's done anything brilliant but because Itoje doesn't deserve to.
Surely Earl or Simmonds would be better suited to a sub role than B Curry.
Mitchell at least brings energy, if not control.
Farrell. Not really a bench guy. We know exactly what he can and can't do.
Arundell needs time and experience, but let's give him his head v Ire and see if he swims.
There are lots of reasons behind yesterday's result but Jones was right in that the harem scarem basketball stuff we see from some clubs in the prem isn't great preparation for the international game.
