England v Argentina

[Which Tyler]

 

[Which Tyler]

I think I'd want to see fairly minimal changes for this one. I'm not sure there's enough tinkering of the gameplan from NZ to Argentina to require any selectorial changes.
But...
I'd like to rest any remaining test Lions who haven't had a break yet - which I think means Earl and Mitchell; and I'd like to bring Fin back into the starting team to make sure he's still feeling loved, and that we're not failing to invest test minutes in him.

Beyond that... with Steward failing his HIA, he'll get the mandatory 10 day stand-down, so we need a new FB, with Furbank also failing an HIA, question marks over Daly's fitness, whilst Carpenter is also out, it means that I'm going to be unhappy about whoever is selected.
Maybe some tinkering on the bench for 3rd choicers, and giving Curry an actual week off before he breaks again.
From within the squad, it means starting Marcus, Freeman or Arundell (assuming Freeman himself is fit again, he'd get it, as he's at least started a match there this season).
Even if we look outside of the squad, there's not much left - TdG's face doesn't fit, and neither Hendy nor Hodge are remotely ready for international honours IMO.

For me, that's enough changes, and everyone else goes again. Fitness allowing:

1. Baxter
2. George
3. Heyes
4. Itoje
5. Coles
6. Pepper
7. Underhill
8. CCS

09. Spencer
10. FSmith
11. IFW
12. Dingwall
13. Lawrence
14. Roebuck / Freeman
15. Freeman / Daly

16. LCD, 17. Genge, 18. AOF, 19. Chessum / Ewels, 20. Isiekwe, 21. Pollock
22. Mitchell, 23. MSmith

I'd like to give 3rd choice hooker & SH a go, but I don't trust Dan or Quirke at this level

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Not sure Freeman is fit enough to be back.

 

[Saintjay]

Not sure Freeman is fit enough to be back.

Think he's out

 

[Becca]

I read that he was not fit for Argentina.

 

[West Country Wail]

They'll be no rotation. Clean sweep required and the Argentinians have their tails up looking for revenge.

I'd only change up Ford for F Smith and start Spencer

 

[danielp82]

i believe mateo carreras is out. Big loss for the pumas….i really wanted to see him on this game…

 

[Scotty]

I'd start CCS and FSmith, have a 5/3. Give Arundell a shot at 23. I'd keep Pollock at 20. And rest Curry.

It is important we go strong and get a good win this weekend. But also give a few chances off the bench.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Think he's out

Confirmed by the Guardian.

Lawrence is also a major doubt.

Daly could play at either 13 or 15.

 

[West Country Wail]

Slade at 13 with Dingers then

 

[Which Tyler]

Slade at 13 with Dingers then

Gods no. If Lawrence is out, give Ojomoh his shot.
Both he and Dingwall play a lot in both centre berths, so that bit shouldn't be an issue.
No need to go back to a 60-capped player who's never actually impressed for England - we need to move on from Slade

 

[Geordie]

Gods no. If Lawrence is out, give Ojomoh his shot.
Both he and Dingwall play a lot in both centre berths, so that bit shouldn't be an issue.
No need to go back to a 60-capped player who's never actually impressed for England - we need to move on from Slade

Agree, V NZ Dingwall and Lawrence interchanged loads. Ojomoh does that with Lawrence at Bath.

With minimal changes to the side Id rather give Ojomoh the spot in a settled winning team.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Gods no. If Lawrence is out, give Ojomoh his shot.
Both he and Dingwall play a lot in both centre berths, so that bit shouldn't be an issue.
No need to go back to a 60-capped player who's never actually impressed for England - we need to move on from Slade

73 . And he has impressed at times, but nowhere near consistently enough. Agree we should move on, but he has got a central contract.

For this game we might mix and match the bench a bit, but should fundamentally carry on from where we’ve left off. I don’t like 6:2, but that’s the way we’re going so we should stick with that.

 

[Geordie]

I would definitely be looking to start CCS at 8 again. Empty the tank for 50 mins (which is his limit at the moment anyway ) then get Pollock / Earl on to up the ante.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

which is his limit at the moment anyway

Is it, though?
He looked fine when he was subbed vs Fiji - definitely looked pre-planned rather than reactive

 

[Geordie]

Is it, though?
He looked fine when he was subbed vs Fiji - definitely looked pre-planned rather than reactive

Yeah think it is. Im not sure he can do the full 80 mins yet. But thats just my personal thoughts. Happy to be proved wrong.

You never know SB might want to see how long he can go.

 

[Half Pint]

<snip>

I'd like to give 3rd choice hooker & SH a go, but I don't trust Dan or Quirke at this level

This is possibly hte biggest problem Borth faces at the moment. Depth all over the place, except at #2 and #9.
(and temporarily #15 as there's an injury crisis)

 

[Cruz_del_Sur]

Albornoz and Cinti back, Mateo Carreras out.

 

[TopTen2003]

Banana skin this one- Argentina are always fierce and they love an upset.

Their Rugby Championship involvement exposes them to high level test match environment and we know from just a couple of years ago they will fancy a historic Twickers win again.

I expect this to be tough and I hope we back up last week, which is the big test.

Wouldn’t be opposed to 4 or 5 changes to freshen up the legs. Wouldn’t want to be starting slowly this weekend.

 

[argie]

Albornoz and Cinti back, Mateo Carreras out.

Franco Molina in the second row also returns.