[2015 RWC] Warm Up Match: France vs England (22/08/2015)

[goodNumber10]

What's the general consensus on May or Nowell covering 13? Might ease our lack of outside centre problem, though if we're only taking three wingers then it would be impractical.

I wouldn't be against it as an emergency stop gap.

 

[Willodell100]

What's the general consensus on May or Nowell covering 13? Might ease our lack of outside centre problem, though if we're only taking three wingers then it would be impractical.

Nor I.

Nowell looked particularly good there for Exeter when Slade moved back to fly half.

In fact if May gets the jump on Nowell for the starting wing spot then Nowell would be a good bench spot as he can cover 11,13,14 & 15.

Thoughts?

 

[HowieLO6]

Nor I.

Nowell looked particularly good there for Exeter when Slade moved back to fly half.

In fact if May gets the jump on Nowell for the starting wing spot then Nowell would be a good bench spot as he can cover 11,13,14 & 15.

Thoughts?

Not a patch on Daly, but I'm totally over that now.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He can defend though, which is vaguely important in a RWC

 

[TobesHodges]

Nowell looked particularly good there for Exeter when Slade moved back to fly half.

Nowell look very accomplished at 13 this year, though he would have to face far stiffer opposition at the WC, not to sure on the injury regulations, do we have to wait 2-3 days before we can get someone else in because we're the home nation? I can't remember, but remember reading it somewhere.. But I would get Daly in for Joseph if he got injured.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

But once someone is replaced they can't come back into the squad- is that right?

So if Joseph had a minor injury we'd try and cope for a match or so with emergency cover, rather than lose him for the rest of the tournament.

 

[Willodell100]

Not a patch on Daly, but I'm totally over that now.

I totally agree but just trying to figure how best we can cover 13 if Joseph gets injured.

It looks like Burrell is favoured to play at 13 back up unless SL has a change of heart and decides to take Slade over him (I think he has already decided to take Burgess along with Barritt & Joseph).

Looking ahead in terms of bench options I do see more merit in having Wigglesworth, Farrell and Nowell as they can cover all positions bar full back &, with Watson on the pitch, that is covered if Brown gets injured.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

I totally agree but just trying to figure how best we can cover 13 if Joseph gets injured.

It looks like Burrell is favoured to play at 13 back up unless SL has a change of heart and decides to take Slade over him (I think he has already decided to take Burgess along with Barritt & Joseph).

Looking ahead in terms of bench options I do see more merit in having Wigglesworth, Farrell and Nowell as they can cover all positions bar full back &, with Watson on the pitch, that is covered if Brown gets injured.

Or Wiggles, Farrell, May. Can't May (technically) cover 15 too?

 

[Willodell100]

Or Wiggles, Farrell, May. Can't May (technically) cover 15 too?

Yes he can.

I actually don't know who i'd start with if I were SL but certainly a good problem to have. Let's see how they both get on on Saturday.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

I wonder what the forward subs will look like? Some places are pretty obvious, e.g. Loosehead, others not so much.

My guess is:
16) Webber
17) Vunipola (dead cert, unless he starts)
18) Brookes (expect Wilson against Wales for late game scrum screw turn)
19) Attwood
20) Haskell/Wood (depending on who starts)

 

[Willodell100]

I wonder what the forward subs will look like? Some places are pretty obvious, e.g. Loosehead, others not so much.

My guess is:
16) Webber
17) Vunipola (dead cert, unless he starts)
18) Brookes (expect Wilson against Wales for late game scrum screw turn)
19) Attwood
20) Haskell/Wood (depending on who starts)

Yeah I would agree with Vunipola, Wilson/Brookes, Attwood & Haskell/Wood.

I personally think George could have a look in as his darts are his strong suit which cannot be said for the other three & SL puts a lot of emphasis on our line out. I think if he goes well in the 2nd half he could cement his place in the 23 v Fiji.

For me Vunipola, although greatly improved his scrummaging, is still only an impact player for me.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Yeah I would agree with Vunipola, Wilson/Brookes, Attwood & Haskell/Wood.

I personally think George could have a look in as his darts are his strong suit which cannot be said for the other three & SL puts a lot of emphasis on our line out. I think if he goes well in the 2nd half he could cement his place in the 23 v Fiji.

For me Vunipola, although greatly improved his scrummaging, is still only an impact player for me.

Agreed on both Vunipola and George.

 

[TobesHodges]

Agreed on both Vunipola and George.

Agree on both, Australia showed in the RC how vital impact players are in winning games.. I can see a few teams using the same ploy, putting 3 1st picks on the bench and bringing on at 60mins we could probably do this tactic with Launchbury, mako(maybe not a 1st pick, but still), youngs and Burgess.. Food for thought..

 

[chippieolamus]

I expect Lancaster to pick a second 8 on the bench, that's what he's tended to do when Billy and Ben were both fit. Seems like the best option to me too.

 

[ZeroTwo]

Agree on both, Australia showed in the RC how vital impact players are in winning games.. I can see a few teams using the same ploy, putting 3 1st picks on the bench and bringing on at 60mins we could probably do this tactic with Launchbury, mako(maybe not a 1st pick, but still), youngs and Burgess.. Food for thought..

Interesting but that strategy could cause you to empty your bench early on to stop a floodgate being opened then having no one to put back on.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Do we know when France announce their 23?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Do we know when France announce their 23?

They won't, it will be a mystery team on the day. Even the players will be blindfolded so they don't know who is playing. It is all part of the French master plan.

 

[Every Time Ref]

They won't, it will be a mystery team on the day. Even the players will be blindfolded so they don't know who is playing. It is all part of the French master plan.

Pretty sure the French team is chosen by the same manatees which write Family Guy in that South Park episode ...

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

On Friday night PSA will use an ouija board to consult the spirits on who to pick, ignore them and put his preferred names in a bag, burn the bag, walk into the team's social area and shout "first fifteen people to touch my bald patch[es] start". I assume that's how it works, anyway.

I'm predicting Webber on the bench over George because I can't see Lancaster making that decision- George might even start the Uruguay game, but I don't think he'll be on the bench against Wales, Australia, Fiji over Webber. Thinking about it I'm agreed on Vunipola though- I'd far rather Marler started and was replaced on sixty minutes with Mako than the other way round.

 

[TobesHodges]

PSA does "ip dip do"