England vs Argentina - 05/07/25

[BPM]

Stick.
Slade was the only one I wanted changed anyway - and he gets cut slack for playing on with a broken hand.
The only other malfunction was the backrow : Spencer : Ford communication - which they solved in-game, and deserves another chance (besides, I trust Randall even less than I trust Spencer).

The other change is a 5:3 bench - not just on principle (though yes, on principle) but because Slade out means that we need someone to cover FH which means CAtkinson (or Spencer, but let's not tempt fate). JvP and CA on the bench needs someone to cover the outside backs.
I'd probably start Ojomoh t 13, with Beard on the bench.

Oh, and worth repeating - Thank you Andy Farrell for taking your son to Australia; otherwise I think we all know who Slade's replacement would have been.

Yep. 100% in agreement here.

Just on this point, and IMO
A] Playing without our lions is experimenting anyway
B] We've got the USA match for further experimentation
C] World cup seedings are based on rankings at the end of this year - so winning's kinda important right now.

And here too.

The Pumas are bound to want revenge from last week. I’m expecting he halfbacks to be switched again and I’m sure they will be trying to target our lack of experience in midfield.

Bring it on. We fronted up impressively last week so we know what is required and the prospect of a 2-0 series victory is surely an attractive opportunity. It’s not just about the rankings. Given where this squad is from an age and experience POV, it could be really important.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I’m with stick with the same team bar forced changes which also means a FH on the bench as well. Minimal changes and let’s build on last week.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Just on this point, and IMO
A] Playing without our lions is experimenting anyway
B] We've got the USA match for further experimentation
C] World cup seedings are based on rankings at the end of this year - so winning's kinda important right now.

A) Fair enough

B) Not going to learn much there - they're even below Wales in the rankings.

C) Fair enough, although it's daft for matches to count when one side is going to be weakened by definition, not choice. And didn’t Arg field a slightly weakened team by choice?

I guess I just don't want to see caps given to players who aren't realistically going to feature much in future - Spencer, Muir, Dombrandt and possibly Ewels….and it would be a bit of a stretch to say the kids would learn much from the international experience of most of those. Langdon over Dan is a straight form pick for me and cutting down the back rowers on the bench for, you know, an actual lock just makes sense.

 

[Reiser99]

A) Fair enough

B) Not going to learn much there - they're even below Wales in the rankings.

C) Fair enough, although it's daft for matches to count when one side is going to be weakened by definition, not choice. And didn't Arg field a slightly weakened team by choice?

I guess I just don't want to see caps given to players who aren't realistically going to feature much in future - Spencer, Muir, Dombrandt and possibly Ewels….and it would be a bit of a stretch to say the kids would learn much from the international experience of most of those. Langdon over Dan is a straight form pick for me and cutting down the back rowers on the bench for, you know, an actual lock just makes sense.

Not for long.

 

[IT157]

Seriously brave if he played most of the game with a suspected broken hand.

Going into the game with a centre partnership with a maximum of 2 caps (Atkinson and Northmore have 1 each) isn't ideal but at the same time, it's a great opportunity for Ojomoh or Beard (I'd be surprised if Northmore got the call).

Aye Northmore is surely just there for training numbers

Northmore starting.