[2018 November Tests] England vs Japan (17/11/18)

[TRF_Olyy]

Sure you're right.

But if he plays against Japan he should be able to bully them all day long and look fantastic. But if he does, so what? His injury record, very sadly, now tells me that we can only ever look at him as an occasional bonus from the bench. It would just be plain foolish to build a game plan / selection around him.

Maybe that sounds harsh, but I think it's where we are now.

EJ is happy to gameplan around Teo and he's just an injury prone.

This close to a WC I don't really care, I want Manu getting game time because he's 100% our best option when fit. If he doesn't make it then we've got Joseph or Slade or whoever, but if he's fit but we've not played him we'll be kicking ourselves for not bedding him into the side.

Like, do you think we shouldn't pick Binny anymore?

 

[Reiser99]

Te'o looked better,

I honestly stopped reading after this. I think the poppies on the shirts had more purpose for being on the field and did their job better.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Horrible matchup for Japan. Their pack just won't be at the races at all.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I really don't think we can base our game plan on Manu. When he's injured (and he will be), we don't have a replacement. Swapping in Slade, Daly, JJ changes our game plan massively. Where as those three and interchangeable for gameplan.

While I understand Manu was a great player, he's not really going to ever bed into any team...as he's always injured.

I mean I know I'm not an international coach but surely you have to have similar players otherwise you have to change your entire game plan for one pkayer who probably won't be there.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

EJ is happy to gameplan around Teo and he's just an injury prone.

This close to a WC I don't really care, I want Manu getting game time because he's 100% our best option when fit. If he doesn't make it then we've got Joseph or Slade or whoever, but if he's fit but we've not played him we'll be kicking ourselves for not bedding him into the side.

Like, do you think we shouldn't pick Binny anymore?

Well Te'o's racked up 17 caps since we last saw Manu. Manu's the more likely game changer, but he's also far less likely to be there. A while back I'd have agreed with you, but this close to a RWC I'd argue that building continuity (this game excepted) is more important.

Binny I would probably pick, but with reservations. Firstly if he's not around we don't have an adequate like for like replacement so balance and style changes. But also if we get a result against Aus, more balanced back rows will have seen off 2 SH sides and come within a whisker of beating the ABs. Maybe not depending on these massive ball carriers actually makes us more balanced and less predictable. If our starting line up's working, Binny would be the ultimate impact sub.

 

[Jashay]

I honestly stopped reading after this. I think the poppies on the shirts had more purpose for being on the field and did their job better.

Haha! I don't think it's possible for me to overstate how poor I thought Te'o was in the SA game; being nondescript is a step up from being a liability!

I think only Tuilagi becoming available will prevent us seeing Te'o-Slade again, though.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I think we must avoid being complacent and just trying to bulldoze our way to victory against Japan. The South Africans know all about how that can finish.

 

[Oliver Madden]

England by 25 points. won't be an absolute thrashing. high scoring game though I feel.

 

[Roady]

I'd go with:

Moon
Hartley
Williams
Lawes
Ewels
Shields
Underhill
Wilson

Youngs
Ford
May
T'eo
Slade
Ashton
Daly

Hepburn, George, Sinkler, Itoje, Mercer, Care, Tualagi, Nowell

Moon and Willams need game time. Hartley is the leadership anchor for the pack, though I guess you could go George - LCD. Krutoje should be rested, hence Itoje benched and Kruis off. Lawes and Ewels looks good anyway. That backrow needs time in the saddle with so little experience between them. I'd like to see Ford get involved and Farrell could use some rest. Besides that, the backline needs time to settle. Tualagi for a run out to get back into things off the bench?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I see the press have started their annual
**whichever tier 2 side we're playing** IS BEING PAID A PITTANCE COMPARED TO THE ENGLAND FATCAT PLAYERS


It's almost like being the richest union in the world has its benefits

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Forwards
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors) *, Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).

Backs
Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Hoping for a team of.
1. Moon
2. Hartley
3. Sinckler
4. Ewels
5. Lawes
6. Wilson
7. Underhill
8. Mercer
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Lozowski
13. Tuilagi
14. Cokansiga
15. Daly

16. George
17. Hepburn
18. Williams
19. Stooke
20. Shields
21. Care
22. Slade
23. Nowell

Never going to happen though

 

[Mumbles119]

Forwards
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors) *, Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).

Backs
Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Hoping for a team of.
1. Moon
2. Hartley
3. Sinckler
4. Ewels
5. Lawes
6. Wilson
7. Underhill
8. Mercer
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Lozowski
13. Tuilagi
14. Cokansiga
15. Daly

16. George
17. Hepburn
18. Williams
19. Stooke
20. Shields
21. Care
22. Slade
23. Nowell

Never going to happen though

Yes. This please!

 

[Scotty]

Forwards
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs), Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors) *, Maro Itoje (Saracens), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby), Ben Moon (Exeter Chiefs), Nick Schonert (Worcester Warriors), Brad Shields (Wasps), Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins), Elliott Stooke (Bath Rugby), Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby), Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs), Mark Wilson (Newcastle Falcons).

Backs
Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), Alex Lozowski (Saracens), Jonny May (Leicester Tigers), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Ben Te'o (Worcester Warriors), Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Hoping for a team of.
1. Moon
2. Hartley
3. Sinckler
4. Ewels
5. Lawes
6. Wilson
7. Underhill
8. Mercer
9. Youngs
10. Ford
11. May
12. Lozowski
13. Tuilagi
14. Cokansiga
15. Daly

16. George
17. Hepburn
18. Williams
19. Stooke
20. Shields
21. Care
22. Slade
23. Nowell

Never going to happen though

I really like it just if ford goes off is loz a good enough 10? And if loz or ford comes off then slade or manu in an unfavoured position.

I dont like it but i think EJ would put teo in at 22 .

Your packs bang on for this game, not sure about stooke as he hasnt got much chance of another cap it seems waste unless the point is to rest itojo.

Wilson underhill mercer. I like

Wilson vs mercer
And underhill vs curry.
When billy is fit im not sure who id choose tbh but a good place to be.

 

[spartan32]

I think EJ will rest Faz for this one, and maybe May. Other then that I think the rest need game time.

Teo is getting a lot of grief on here but he's only had very limited game time and it's clear what he can do.

Manu if fit must play. Surely a great opportunity to ease him back into international test rugby.

Leave the pack as is. They all need time.

Maybe start Care and let Young's finish off?

Ford to start at 10. Our pack should be massively on the front foot, so that should suite him just fine.

Would be good to see what Cockanasiga could do in place of May. Although I do wonder if he'll end up being just another big lump who disappoints. Leslie Vinacolo anyone?!

As for score. If we come out with the sort of passion we had against NZ we will cricket score them. And as much I would like to see some lovely tries run in I'd also like to see our sheet stay as clean as it can, preferably with no tried touches down.
Also discipline has to improve. So no cards and penalty count kept well inside single figures.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I see the press have started their annual
**whichever tier 2 side we're playing** IS BEING PAID A PITTANCE COMPARED TO THE ENGLAND FATCAT PLAYERS


It's almost like being the richest union in the world has its benefits

The dearth of good rugby journalism in England borders on absurdity.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

The dearth of good rugby journalism in England borders on absurdity.

I mainly blame the Severn Bridge for letting Stephen Jones in. Instead of blowing the thing up they built another.

 

[bushytop]

I mainly blame the Severn Bridge for letting Stephen Jones in. Instead of blowing the thing up they built another.

We didn't 'let' him do anything... he was banished!

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Kruis was ruled out by injury and will also miss Aus.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Lawes and Ewels to start? I think Itoje should be benched one for rest but also he needs to be reminded he is not indispensable. Got a bit too big headed for my liking. That's fine if you are still top of your game but if you are conceding penalties and apparently letting ego get in the way of your lineout calls then you need to sit out.

 

[Pom in Exile]

If Tuilagi is fit....if!

I want to see
Moon
Hartley
Williams
Itoje
Lawes
Wilson
Underhill
Mercer

Youngs
Ford
May
Farrell
Tuilagi
Nowell
Daly

Hepburn
George
Sinkler
Ewels
Shields
Care
Slade/teo
Cockanasiga

No VRR yet, let him get prem game time amd push for 6N. Mercer to get experience if they have mercer and wilson ay 6 or 8 or vice versa as mercers main position.

Not adverse to that team although I'd say that Hepburn has shown that he's not at international level yet so I'd throw VRR in and see what he can do.