2014 Six Nations: France vs England (Round 1)

[Atco]

Well, there is a case for an attacking centre on the bench, assuming you enter the final phase well on top. However, if you foresee entering the final phase with a narrow lead, there is a case for bringing on an known quantity who is a specialist in shoring up a midfield defense.
I'm not saying that view is correct but it is at least valid. It is not, in itself, flawed.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Exactly, I don't think you guys are appreciating how unusual having a player who can only cover centre on the bench is.

I'm not saying I'm so, so worried about Burrell's defence - I'm just making the point that It seems clear that Lancaster has worries about it.

Fine, but the lack of confidence is clearly in George Ford rather than Luther Burrell; That bench spot SHOULD have been Fords if Lancaster had any confidence him at this level at all, instead it's gone to Barritt. The fact that he is preferrring twelvetrees/Goode over Ford for fly-half cover speaks volumes, but not about Burrell.

With the omission of Ford, who else was Lancaster ever going to pick? He was never going to have 2 outside backs on the bench so it clearly was never going to be Watson. There's noone else even in the equation. yes I'd like it to be Daly but as he's only in the saxons he clearly isn't deemed to be there yet.

 

[Peat]

Why not two outside backs? Goode could cover 15 and 10, Watson could cover wing and centre through shifting around May/Burrell. The option to put Jonny May into inside centre as a game-chaser has some interesting possibilities, if injuries strike and you're chasing the game put Goode at 10, Farrell at 13. Could have also kept Eastmond. Or - more plausibly - if you don't plan on using your backs bench for anything more than forced substitutions and don't like what you have available, why not a 6-2 split? Kvesic on the bench offers far better cover for the possibility of an injury to Wood or Robshaw; two guys at far greater risk of injury.

I don't see how there is any evidence for saying the lack of faith is in Ford rather than Burrell and given the very unusual nature of the selection, I do think it needs questioning. Its one of the least likely possibilities.

 

[glawsfan]

Put May in at 13 when we have the ball. He will run rings around bastareaud I would fancy his pace on the outside of him!

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

I take your point Peat - but as Olyy says Lancaster is a conservative coach who would simply not debut a player out of position if he didn't have some measure of confidence in him. To extrapolate from the inclusion of Barritt a lack of confidence in a XV starter rather than in a guy who didn't even make the 23, just seems a little absurd to me.
This is all the more so when you consider that lancaster has quite intentionally brought Burrell into the set-up and at the exact time he wanted to. Its hardly as if this is the biggest draught we've ever had at 12. We've got Twelvetrees, Eastmond, Barritt, then Burrell, and his inclusion in the squad is therefore hardly forced. Compare this to George Ford who Lancaster quite clearly didn't expect to be in the mix at this point; Flood announced his move abroad, Burns' form has taken such a steep dip as to be almost comical...he stil doesn't trust Cipriani....and all of a sudden Ford is our second 10. Lancaster clearly wasn't ready for this.

Also while I agree its unusual, I feel more confident having Barritt on the bench as I expect this to be a tight, physical game. I think his genuine strengths including experience, are being overlooked. Lancaster wants to maintain a certain level of experience in the match squad, and to have 3 wingers who between them have 1 cap would be risky in the extreme. We have the talents of Nowell and May right out there on the pitch, for which I'm grateful and excited!

 

[Peat]

Some measure of confidence is not total confidence.

If he lacks confidence in Watson and Ford, fine, but why not go 6-2? If you expect a tight physical game, what's more of advantage, an extra forward or an extra centre?

Also, without wishing to knock Barritt's qualities, he is inferior to both starting centres in virtually every possible way in attack and most of his traits are not impact, game changing things. As men for the subs bench go, he's pretty bloody poo.

 

[Big Ewis]

A little France England preview, just to make you drool a bit - just 24 hours to wait now...hover over a few paragraphs if you will,
http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,16024_9142099,00.html

One concern for me:
"England have a 5kg weight advantage amongst the forwards and could well have the upper hand in the tight-loose. But the French scrum, led by an experienced front row, will test England's youthful unit."
We had a 7kg difference per forward against the Springboks and they sure made it felt throughout the match, but it's always been like that for France and we've still managed to overcome sheer mass inferiority.

Man, some nice match-ups tomorrow night:
- Burrell vs Bastareaud
- our tight 3 vs a stronger Marler-Hartley-Cole
- Picamoles vs Billy V.
- Care-Farrell vs our young tandem of Doussain-Plisson
- Dulin vs Mike Brown, both excellent in counter-attacking under high ball.


I'm reminded just now for the first time France are entirely capable of losing this one by a small handful, and then proceed to winning all 4 remaining games and with favorable results from other teams losing one or two themselves, win the ***le ultimately.
OK, time to give my final prediction at the risk of looking foolish....- YES, more foolish than usual if that's where you were thinking of going ! uhhhhmmmmmm......France by....8.

 

[Thingimubob]

Just read that Burrell played 7s for the West Indies, wouldn't that tie him to them and make him unavailable for England? Or was it outside the IRB's jurisdiction or something?

 

[ratsapprentice]

No, because the West-Indies isn't a country.
It's like a "Lions" team of the Caribbean islands.

 

[Thingimubob]

No, because the West-Indies isn't a country.
It's like a "Lions" team of the Caribbean islands.

I know that it's not a country, just thought it might work the same as their cricket team does, with it being the main international team for the region. Just wondered if it'd count, since most players who play in the IRB Sevens Series are locked to that team like they would for a full or 'A' 15 a side team. Interesting to know I suppose.

 

[Kevin Robarts]

My two cents is that England need to play the old Saffir/Bulls style rugby of all territory and any possession worked through the forwards.

Am extremely concerned about the lack of caps in their back line, especially playing at a cauldron like Stade de France.


France are good but not great however the sound of England's relatively inexperienced backline will probably get their tales up.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Yeah, sorry, didn't mean to state the obvious - I meant that it's an informal team as opposed to a senior representative side.

 

[Big Ewis]

My two cents is that England need to play the old Saffir/Bulls style rugby of all territory and any possession worked through the forwards.

Am extremely concerned about the lack of caps in their back line, especially playing at a cauldron like Stade de France.


France are good but not great however the sound of England's relatively inexperienced backline will probably get their tales up.

ewww, an England-enthusiast Saffa ? Where are they hiding you these days ?

Yeah, sorry, didn't mean to state the obvious - I meant that it's an informal team as opposed to a senior representative side.

oh stop it, it's too late now. You're just a rude rosbif and you know it !

 

[Kevin Robarts]

ewww, an England-enthusiast Saffa ? Where are they hiding you these days ?


Have got money on France Big E.

 

[Big Ewis]

ewww, an England-enthusiast Saffa ? Where are they hiding you these days ?


Have got money on France Big E.

well you can put money where you want man, but still, what the hell is wrong with you ?!

 

[Thingimubob]

Yeah, sorry, didn't mean to state the obvious - I meant that it's an informal team as opposed to a senior representative side.

Haha no worries

 

[bertiec]

You would only put Barritt in to bore them into a false sense of security, Goode as well in my opinion.

 

[Kevin Robarts]

Mate I'm always neutral

 

[Big Ewis]

Mate I'm always neutral

well I prefer neutral to thick, boorish and blindly biased...just a personal preference though.
Ahhh....tomorrow's the day. I wake up, and it's just some hours until Wales smash Italy. Hope Italy control the damage, it would be awesome if they could find their good form again but I don't see it happening, and then....ladies and gentlemen, ze crunch !!!!

England to draw first blood and then France reacts....maybe.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

People are also forgetting that barritt has less experience at 13 than Burrell so that doesn't really help bringing him on. Yes his defensive game at 12 is good but someone will be playing out of position at 13!