[2015 Six Nations] England vs Italy (Round 2)

[goodNumber10]

Haha yes, this.

I posted the squad announcement in my rugby clubs Facebook feed. We usually have big debate, but this time, one person said they would like to see Cipriani and Croft come on for game time. And everyone has just agreed! No discussion, no name calling for liking or disliking certain players, just all chilled out and enjoying we like our team right now.

Stuart Lancaster has united England fans the world over

 

[ncurd]

I have no idea what I'd do different I was pushing for Eastmond to be on the bench but from what I can tell he's still injured. However it's pretty hard without someone returning form short-term injury to argue any players being dropped for Italy.

 

[goodNumber10]

I have no idea what I'd do different I was pushing for Eastmond to be on the bench but from what I can tell he's still injured. However it's pretty hard without someone returning form short-term injury to argue any players being dropped for Italy.

i'd like for Minty to not be there, but that's about it.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I'd like for croft not to be there as well. Maybe ewers or anyone really other than an out of form ineffective winger who calls himself a backrow

 

[Daylightfire]

I'd definitely like to see Ewers involved at some point

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd like for croft not to be there as well. Maybe ewers or anyone really other than an out of form ineffective winger who calls himself a backrow

Next time someone asks why Ewers isn't in the 23 I'm going bite my own bloody hand off.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Why isn't ewers in the 23?

 

[Josht36]

Happy with the team. Would have been nice to have some specialist lock cover. I know its only Italy this match but would be much more comfortable with Kitchener coming on for an Attwood injury in the first minute than Easter or Croft. Would keep our scrum/lineout as much more of a potential weapon.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Haha yes, this.

I posted the squad announcement in my rugby clubs Facebook feed. We usually have big debate, but this time, one person said they would like to see Cipriani and Croft come on for game time. And everyone has just agreed! No discussion, no name calling for liking or disliking certain players, just all chilled out and enjoying we like our team right now.

Check out the Welsh pages, very different attitude. From being convinced of a thrashing to doom and gloom in 80 minutes.

This is rubbish, I want to moan about something

You can moan about having nothing to moan about and then moan that that is a paradox.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Next time someone asks why Ewers isn't in the 23 I'm going bite my own bloody hand off.

Biting your own hand off doesn't seem a very constructive way to deal with frustration Olyy. You'd only regret it after. At least bite someone elses off.

 

[Jaguares]

I can't remember. Ford kicked every opportunity to the posts for England, right?

 

[LiRFCMatt]

My preview of the game:

Despite the brave Italian defence in the game against Ireland we all know this is going to be a crushing victory for an unchanged England squad. The England pack will know this is not going to be an easy battle, they will feel the pain of every scrum they go in to, but as arguably the most powerful pack in world rugby they should look to prove how dominant they can be, and set England's exciting backs away to score plenty of tries, unlike the Irish side who seemed uninspiring in their victory against the Azzurri.

The Italians bring 35 year old Mauro Bergamasco, the greatest scrum-half the world has ever seen, and 34 year old Marco Bortolami back into their squad, the veterans looking to bring some experience and grit to the Italian side, and since Michele Campagnaro is out through injury Andrea Masi moves to 12, Luca Moriso to 13 and Luke McLean moves to fullback and Venditti come in to the left wing a complete reshuffle of the backs that offered so little against the Irish.

England will be happy to field the same side that put in an impressive performance against the Welsh on Friday, which could have been more impressive than the 16-21 victory suggested, a side that scored as many tries against the South Africa beating Welsh as Ireland did against Italy. England will look to build on last years impressive 11-52 victory over the Italians with a tighter defence and more flair in attack, unleashing Joseph and the pace of Watson and May. Ford will have an easier game than last week with little pressure on him and the backing of the home crowd, he will have more freedom to show why he deserves a man of the match award, rather than the headline making MOTM he was given against Wales.

Parisse will be giving it his all in front of the Twickenham crowd, but it won't be enough to avoid a repeat of the slaughter of last year. England will be disappointed if they concede a try to an inoffensive Italian side who offer little to nothing in the backs, apart from Gori who looked quite sharp, however he will be nullified by the England back row, and I think the Italians will be made to look quite useless out there on Saturday. Unlike the Welsh, the English can offer physicality and more, and will use this variety to obliterate the Italian team.

After the 41 point victory last year away from home I can see a repeat in terms of the margin of victory. That day, England were spurred on by the potential to win the 6 Nations championship on points difference, so put the Italians to the sword. This time around it won't be so necessary, but they will look to put on a convincing performance, especially after the Irish only managed two tries and failed to pounce on the chance to get some points to help their overall points difference, which proved so crucial last year. The English backs have more attacking flair than last year, which suggests more points to come, especially with Ford conducting, but given the lack of importance I expect them to coast to a 40 point victory.


Previews of the other game still to come at http://fourballsblog.blogspot.co.uk/

 

[Willodell100]

Yeah I'd like Eastmond in and a second row forward (Kitchener) in but hard to argue as Twelvetrees did well when he came on. Easter did ok although I'm more worried about having specialist cover for Attwood or Kruis if they get injured early on.

Not much else to discuss on the selection front which is good if a little boring.

Interesting to see how the fringe players get on this weekend with the premiership back.

Sorry had this in pending for half an hour and see there has been a few responses since!

 

[Willodell100]

I can't remember. Ford kicked every opportunity to the posts for England, right?

I think he missed one penalty in the second half but not 100% sure. He's been better than I expected for England from the tee.

I think I'm even more impressed in how comfortable he looked out there in Cardiff. It seems strange to say when he had two kicks charged down but he looked like a man with time on his hands. He was so becalmed in amongst a red storm.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think it's weird how people consider Ford a poor kicker.

He missed a conversion and a penalty, but the wide conversion hit the post so wasn't terrible. Missed penalty was relatively straight forward, but shizz happens!

 

[ncurd]

I don't think Ford is a poor kicker at all however his ability did to fall apart last season in high pressure games for Bath (both spot kicking and out of hand). However on his day he's good as anyone and I think the pressure thing will get alot better once he's done it a few more times.

 

[Willodell100]

Me neither. I don't think he's a poor kicker by any means.

Just not quite as accurate Farrell (although the Prem stats suggest differently this season) from my impression of watching him a fair amount over the past three years. He seems to have missed a couple of significant ones for Bath this season but for England, so far, he has been consistent and more importantly knocked over the important ones.

Ball in hand he is something else with only Cipriani to compete with him in England. His spacial awareness and the timing of his passes makes him stand out from the no.10 shirt crowd. I haven't seen anyone operate quite like he does under that pressure for a very long time.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Yeah I'd like Eastmond in and a second row forward (Kitchener) in but hard to argue as Twelvetrees did well when he came on. Easter did ok although I'm more worried about having specialist cover for Attwood or Kruis if they get injured early on.

I read that as you'd like Eastmond in the 2nd row...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I read that as you'd like Eastmond in the 2nd row...

Could work: Think how high Marler/Cole could launch him in the lineout. Devin Toner wouldn't have a chance!

 

[Willodell100]

Could work: Think how high Marler/Cole could launch him in the lineout. Devin Toner wouldn't have a chance!

Ha! Scrum time could be an issue mind! The poor guy's wouldn't touch the floor bound next to big Dave Attwood!