[2017 RBS Six Nations] Round 1: England vs. France (04/02/2017)

[Leonormous Boozer]

The lad Serin is apparently rather good - although I've not seen him play.
There's another scrum half who's turning heads - Dupont of Castres who'll be playing for Toulouse next season!
The future is brightening.

Dupont is a ridiculous talent, was an absolute nightmare for Leinster in both games and can really keep a defence under pressure for extended periods of time.

 

[NickBD]

Kruis is out of the France game.

 

[spartan32]

Kruis out, possibly for the rest of the tournament so the question now is who plays 2nd row? I'd like to see Lawes and Launch and Itoje at 6 with a resurgent Wood at 7 and put Hask on the bench. That feels like a dynamic and strong set of forwards, and with Hughes at 8 as well not half bad. The French will no doubt plumb for outright power but be heavy and slow which might play into their hands if the rain starts to fall. In any event if this game is to be won by England I think it will be in the last 20 where superior fitness and training will show out.

Also heard that May had a clash of heads but apparently it's just a cut with so concussion issues mentioned so he should be fine to start with Nowell I assume. still baffled by Yards inclusion. What does EJ see that no one else does?

Hoping to see Daly get run out at 15 some time during the series.

All in all still confident we can win, but I'd never take the French for granted.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

May's injury sounded like a match for Eddie's - both sporting shiners

 

[Goodey]

May's injury sounded like a match for Eddie's - both sporting shiners

Genge at it again

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Nowell on the bench. By far the best winger in England ATM.

 

[NickBD]

Official England team for France
1) Marler
2) Hartley
3) Cole
4) Launchbury
5) Lawes
6) Itoje
7) Wood
8) Hughes
9) Youngs
10) Ford
11) Daly
12) Farrell
13) Joesph
14) May
15) Brown

16) George
17) Mullen
18) Sinkler
19) Haskell
20) Harrison
21) Care
22) T'eo
23) Nowell

Big news obviously Daly in for Nowell but Times are saying he missed training this week.

 

[Mrs. Peter Quinn]

Pretty happy with the team except for Nowell benching....and I have to ask, is Wood really playing that well?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Mullan over Genge FFS...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd swap Daly and Nowell, but that's my only minor criticism.
Seeing Wood's name on the sheet still fills me with a bit of dread, mind.

Roll on the weekend!

 

[ratsapprentice]

Nowell missed training apparently - given a couple of days off for personal reasons... that's why he's not starting.

On a semi-related note: I ****ing hate the way that their twitter uses the term BREAKING when they're doing their own press-releases.

 

[j'nuh]

official england team for france
1) marler
2) hartley
3) cole
4) launchbury
5) lawes
6) itoje
7) wood
8) hughes
9) youngs
10) ford
11) daly
12) farrell
13) joesph
14) may
15) brown

16) george
17) mullen
18) sinkler
19) haskell
20) harrison
21) care
22) t'eo
23) nowell

big news obviously daly in for nowell but times are saying he missed training this week.

nooooooooooooooooooo

 

[McTallshort]

Harrison on the bench? Do we not have a better backrow available?

 

[Which Tyler]

Harrison on the bench? Do we not have a better backrow available?

Yes, Tom Wood's also on the bench
That's just where we're at for the moment.

 

[Geordie]

Yes!!!

He's called Mark Wilson, is consistently outstanding even in a woeful team...and covers all the back row....he even excelled when he played lock for half of last season due to injuries!!!

 

[McTallshort]

Yes, Tom Wood's also on the bench
That's just where we're at for the moment.

woods starting...

 

[spartan32]

Wood is on fire at the moment people. Have you not seen his last outings for england? He's basically Hask mark 2. If his form is as good on Saturday then I have no problem with him starting. As already mentioned Nowell has some personal issues so not starting, and I'm thankful it's Daly over Yard. I trust EJ has coached him around chasing the kick?! Pretty good team I reckon and should be more then enough to see off the French if they play to the expected standard

- - - Updated - - -

Another positive for us is that Basterued is likely to start in the centre. JJ should have no problems skipping around that out of position prop.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

While I'd prefer to have seen Nowell starting I actually quite like that team. Feels well balanced to me. Solid experienced front row, locks were being touted as one of the best combos anywhere not so long ago even if they are a little lightweight, a back row of contrasts with Itoje at last being given a chance at 6. Behind there's a nice blend of experience, pragmatism, play making and pace.

Still not getting the whole Harrison thing or why another scrummie's not getting a look in. Also need someone to seriously challenge Brown.

Favourite time of the year. Bring it on!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I have, and I'm OK with him starting ATM. It's just the Vietnam flashbacks of his previous outings that make me nervous.
Don't think any of this backrow (inc. bench) will be there when everyone's back fit (Itoje back to lock).

 

[Goodey]

Liking Haskell on the bench. Covers 6-8 and has less time to get himself yellow carded. Plus he's just coming back from injury.

Would rather have called in another lock than bother with Harrison, but I suppose that's a temporary measure.

I'm ok with Daly starting but I thought Jones liked having one quick winger and one working winger, hence the May/Yarde combo from the autumn. Assumed it'd be one of Daly/May and Nowell on the other wing. Maybe we'll be seeing Daly turn up in midfield for some phase play like we saw from Yarde against South Africa.

Edit: I don't really care for Genge, at least not yet. Poor discipline and his carrying often gets him isolated.