[2018 November Tests] England v South Africa (3/10/18)

[TRF_heineken]

No gamble at all. While he hasn't featured at flank yet on test level, Vermeulen certainly fits the mold, enough said.

As for him pairing up with Whiteley in the loose - I don't see any short-comings there at all. Yes they both play 8, but are vastly different players in character & attributes. Most importantly we know either of them are warriors who leaves nothing on the pitch. There is enough to motivate that this type of selection is beyond that of an accommodating purpose and, if anything, leaves the question of why this hasn't been tried before.

It's just unfortunate that Mostert won't be part of this game, because the right result here and he could find himself struggling to get back into the starting team.

I don't know why my previous post got a dislike, but okay.

I hear you, I'm just thinking that if we have 2 locks on the bench, we basically force our starting loose trio to go the full 80, or PSDT. I see the move of Duane at 7 in that we will use him more as a fetcher type player that can do some running more so than the normal 8th man stuff. And with Whiteley being there, he'll do the linking with the backline and be our defensive buffer around the scrums.

On Mostert not being in the team. I still am of the opinion that RG, Lood and PSDT are the better players ahead of him.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

When's the actual team announcement tommorow?

11.30am today for the England team per Twitter.

 

[Mr Ruggleby]

Daily Fail are reporting we will see:

1. Hepburn
2. Hartley
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Kruis
6. Shields
7. Curry
8. Mercer
9. Youngs
10. Farrell
11. May
12. Te'o
13. Slade
14. Nowell
15. Daly

16. George
17. Moon
18. Williams
19. Ewels
20. Wilson
21. Care
22. Ford
23. Tuilagi

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The Heil is usually pretty good with their rugby reporting,

Really hope not though.

Teo. Has. Played. 29. Mins. Since. May.

How is he even in the EPS let alone in line to start

 

[MarkyH]

If it is a Farrell/Slade/Tuilagi midfield then that is potentially great. The only caveat is that Slade hasn't really shone at 12 (again, despite his skillset). On paper its quality at least

 

[MarkyH]

Oh, hope the Heil is wrong. Please be wrong.

 

[MarkyH]

Guardian not committing other than

Some of us have been waiting years for Owen Farrell, Henry Slade and Tuilagi to be united at 10, 12 and 13 but Eddie Jones also has Ben Te'o at his disposal and has a tight call to make between Jack Nowell and Ashton on the wing

I await the meltdown

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Daily Fail are reporting we will see:

1. Hepburn
2. Hartley
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Kruis
6. Shields
7. Curry
8. Mercer
9. Youngs
10. Farrell
11. May
12. Te'o
13. Slade
14. Nowell
15. Daly

16. George
17. Moon
18. Williams
19. Ewels
20. Wilson
21. Care
22. Ford
23. Tuilagi

Not bad.

We'll see at 11.30 if the Fail are right.

 

[ncurd]

Am I the only one who's a bit meh about prospect of Slade at center? He's never really done it for me at international level and feel like one of those guys whos great at domestic level but not quite there for international.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Am I the only one who's a bit meh about prospect of Slade at center? He's never really done it for me at international level and feel like one of those guys whos great at domestic level but not quite there for international.

Aye, he's never really made the step up

I'd rather Ford farrel manu, but if Farrells at 10 then Slade/Manu > teo/manu

 

[Which Tyler]

Am I the only one who's a bit meh about prospect of Slade at center? He's never really done it for me at international level and feel like one of those guys whos great at domestic level but not quite there for international.

I love the idea of Slade at centre - especially IC.
But he's never got close to actually doing anything worth of inclusion (at international level) in either berth - especially IC.

 

[Mr Ruggleby]

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Wilson at 8?

 

[ncurd]

Aye, he's never really made the step up

I'd rather Ford farrel manu, but if Farrells at 10 then Slade/Manu > teo/manu

Ford farrel manu > Slade/Manu > te'o/slade > teo/manu

 

[Mr Ruggleby]

As reported by the mail with the exception of Mercer swapping out for Wilson.

It is surprising to see Te'o starting, but given EJs obsession with fitness, he must have shown well in camp. Not sure why he has such a hard on for him, but I'll reserve judgement until after the game.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So none of the "leaks" got it 100% right.

I mean it's an alright team on the whole.

 

[ncurd]

ugh I have zero idea why you start Te'o (who's unfit) over Tuilangi (who's fit) thats the only part I find objectionable.

Happy with the rest.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Will say part of me wants that team to get thrashed though....

 

[Which Tyler]

As good as could be hoped TBH.
Te'o's yet to impress as an international starter (and hasn't played in 6 months).
Slade's yet to impress as an international player.

BUT...

We know all we're going to know about Ford / Farrell midfield; and Manu needs to be eased back in from the bench (psychologically, that is).
Yes, I'd rather Ford were given first shot with 2 actual centres; but we all know he'll never be picked ahead of a fit Farrell.

Also - only 2 locks starting is a big relief; and whilst Zach is the closest thing the squad has to a #8 - the 20 shirt is where he belongs for this window.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

10, 12, 13 is a mess but other than that it's about as good as we can get from Eddie's faves


South Africa by 10