Ireland v England - 19 August 2023

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Billy again. Wow


Really hoping we've addressed our tactics otherwise we will get spanked with our first 15 as well.

 

[TopTen2003]

It looks increasingly unlikely that SB will go with a more agile back row.

A 7 who is strong enough to play 8, a 6 who is also a lock, and a very heavy specialist 8 searching for his best form is quite a big call.

Disappointed Arundell as per usual discarded for not being the second coming of Robinson despite not getting a single opportunity to show it.

Not much stardust on the bench if we look to shake up the back line.

Still, let's get out there and see how it shakes out and hope it brings us on a level or two.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Freddie Steward for 79 minutes of a game:

Freddie Steward when there's a contestable ball:


Really wish he wasn't playing.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Is Walker fit yet? If so, Borthwick's doing it to him again.

Blamire, Dan

George, Dan

George, Dan

And I think I'm right in saying that Dan didn't even get off the bench last week.

 

[rjjb1]

It looks increasingly unlikely that SB will go with a more agile back row.

A 7 who is strong enough to play 8, a 6 who is also a lock, and a very heavy specialist 8 searching for his best form is quite a big call.

Disappointed Arundell as per usual discarded for not being the second coming of Robinson despite not getting a single opportunity to show it.

Not much stardust on the bench if we look to shake up the back line.

Still, let's get out there and see how it shakes out and hope it brings us on a level or two.

No Farrell to cover 12 means both Tuilagi & Lawrence have to be in the 23.

 

[Saintjay]

Is Walker fit yet? If so, Borthwick's doing it to him again.

Blamire, Dan

George, Dan

George, Dan

And I think I'm right in saying that Dan didn't even get off the bench last week.

Steely Dan?

 

[West Country Wail]

We aren't an attacking threat with Steward at the back. At least try someone else - he's played every bloody game! Billy needs to make more than 1m post contact(!) so that's achievable? If Ben Youngs does his shimmy shimmy slow dance off the ruck I'll cry into my bovril...

Other than that, class. Go team.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Its worrying that he hasn't tried anyone else at fullback since he took over. What if Steward gets injured.

 

[TopTen2003]

We aren't an attacking threat with Steward at the back. At least try someone else - he's played every bloody game! Billy needs to make more than 1m post contact(!) so that's achievable? If Ben Youngs does his shimmy shimmy slow dance off the ruck I'll cry into my bovril...

Other than that, class. Go team.

He's also badly exposed for ground speed when it's a low kick in behind, like trying to turn an ocean liner around.

I know there's a premium on high ball in this day and age but you'd think it was the only trick in the book.

 

[Protalus rampart]

Steward fits into this England team perfectly. Slow with little attacking threat. Why on Earth would Borthwick feel the need to change that?!

 

[Reiser99]

Is Walker fit yet? If so, Borthwick's doing it to him again.

Blamire, Dan

George, Dan

George, Dan

And I think I'm right in saying that Dan didn't even get off the bench last week.

What was the stat that George has like 3450 minutes out of 3500 for all 3 hookers playing for England? I do remember that Dan and Walker had less than 60 minutes between them which Dan hasn't added to.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Once Farrell's back, that would mean that 4 of our first choice back line had taken an early bath while playing for England - surely a record. Watson's definitely seen red for Bath too.

If only our forwards were that hard. Bring back Julian White.

 

[higgik]

We aren't an attacking threat with Steward at the back. At least try someone else - he's played every bloody game! Billy needs to make more than 1m post contact(!) so that's achievable? If Ben Youngs does his shimmy shimmy slow dance off the ruck I'll cry into my bovril...

Other than that, class. Go team.

Exactly, Daly at 15 and Arundell at 11 would be a good move.
With Watson and Marchant, there is plenty of aerial effectiveness, but there is the added attacking threat.

 

[higgik]

He's also badly exposed for ground speed when it's a low kick in behind, like trying to turn an ocean liner around.

I know there's a premium on high ball in this day and age but you'd think it was the only trick in the book.

The amount we lose from our attack is more than his defensive ability.
Daly, Arundell and Watson should be back 3.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Disappointed Arundell as per usual discarded for not being the second coming of Robinson despite not getting a single opportunity to show it.

I mean...show what?
His form for Irish was poor this season, realistically he shouldn't be in the squad - he's there because of two highlight reel wonder tries, but you can't expect him to produce one of those every game
Whilst I wouldn't have been against him being on the bench Watson/Daly/Lawrence are all far more likely to feature in the big games so need to game time more ATM

 

[higgik]

Billy again. Wow


Really hoping we've addressed our tactics otherwise we will get spanked with our first 15 as well.

an unfit Billy is a passenger we cannot afford.
I would like to have seen,
6 Lawes
7 Earl
8 Ludlam

With a row of Ribbans and Chessum.

 

[West Country Wail]

I mean...show what?
His form for Irish was poor this season, realistically he shouldn't be in the squad - he's there because of two highlight reel wonder tries, but you can't expect him to produce one of those every game
Whilst I wouldn't have been against him being on the bench Watson/Daly/Lawrence are all far more likely to feature in the big games so need to game time more ATM

The irony being that if we wanted wheels to put fear in, erm, someone's heart, Radwan is actually a winger and much improved since his debut for England.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

'Circus' around son Owen is 'disgusting' - Andy Farrell

Ireland coach Andy Farrell says the "circus" around his son Owen, the England captain, is "disgusting" as World Rugby appeals against the decision to overturn his red card.

www.bbc.co.uk

Papa Farrell defending his son. No surprise. But no comment on his tackle technique.

 

[BrokenWing]

If Ben Youngs does his shimmy shimmy slow dance off the ruck I'll cry into my bovril...

I'd make your Bovril with slightly less water on Saturday.

 

[Scotty]

Honestly im happy with that team, as said Billy is abit annoying, earl deserves another shot. And id rather him at 8 with Willis at 7, Arundell needs gametime but overall im happy. Could compete with ireland but if we will or not im not so sure or confident