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

[Pom in Exile]

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.

'Maybe that sounds harsh, but I think it's where we are now.'
Tbf it's where we've been for some time sadly.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

We'd be better off letting Manu Sri out of all these games and then maybe look at him in the 6 nations. We really should just forget he exists until he's played at least 1 whole season.

 

[BPM]

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.

I'd have preferred VRR in the first place but he's not in the squad so it's a moot point.

Hepburn is a good player and while he hasn't shone, he hasn't done badly. That said, he's competing more with Mako and Genge for the place as the prop who is 'better in the loose'. Whereas Moon is quietly establishing himself as a solid, hard working prop who is closer to being a replacement for Marler.

If fit, I'd have Mako and Genge as the obvious choices with Moon as the back-up option.

As I said, I really like VRR and would have picked him but unless there's another slew of injuries ahead the 6N he has next to no chance of being capped ahead of the World Cup.

 

[Mr Ruggleby]

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.

Itoje doesn't call the lineout.

 

[Thingimubob]

Eddie Jones: Classy Diplomat Extraordinaire

 

[McTallshort]

Eddie Jones: Classy Diplomat Extraordinaire

Remember him saying he was going to put Italy to the sword once only to have Italy bamboozle him and his players at the breakdown

 

[Thingimubob]

Remember him saying he was going to put Italy to the sword once only to have Italy bamboozle him and his players at the breakdown

Yeah but he at least he took that bamboozling with grace and class...

...ah. Maybe not.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Itoje doesn't call the lineout.

I thought he did? Either way I still want him benched to send him a message about his attitude. Controlled aggression and confidence is good, being big headed isn't.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Eddie Jones: Classy Diplomat Extraordinaire

More than half of me wants Japan to shove those words right back up somewhere where the sun doesn't shine.

 

[Mumbles119]

Eddie Jones: Classy Diplomat Extraordinaire

This is very uncomfortable to read! It has made me pine for the Lancaster days of respect (historical issues aside).
I don't see how this comment will not reflect badly regardless of any result. A loss makes it look like stupidity and arrogance, and a big win just makes England look like a disrespectful bully.

 

[Mr Ruggleby]

Eddie Jones: Classy Diplomat Extraordinaire

What an absolute bellend.

"I can say it because I'm a bit Japanese and my wife is from there..." this isn't gamesmanship, it's pathetic. I hope we lose.

 

[Which Tyler]

Surely, no-one who's been following rugby for the last 20 years is surprised when Eddie says this sort of thing?
It was annoying when he said it as Aussie boss, then it became rather dpsad and ineffective, but now it's simply embarrassing as he's supposed to be representing us - but it's the same ****, just a different day.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

What an absolute bellend.

Never worked out why really quite useful body parts are used as insults

He'll probably just argue that he's been indoctrinated in English Arrogance.

Comes to something when the Wendyballers' coach has far more class than ours. Poor show.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Itoje doesn't call the lineout.

He did once Kruis went off, which is when our lineouts really started going to s**t.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He did once Kruis went off, which is when our lineouts really started going to s**t.

I thought Ewels did?

I'd be surprised if it were actually the case but I've seen more than one person say it

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

The only reason Te'o gets picked

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Looking forward to seeing that team play.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ford Captain.
Guess that will upset the Cipriani brigade.

 

[Jakedood]

4 Players remaining in starting XV from New Zealand

Ford Lozowski could wreak havoc, Nowell at 13 is interesting.... I mean, if nothing else, Eddie is trying things

 

[MikeTheNative]

Interesting to see how Nowell goes at 13 and Cokanasiga getting his chance as well as Mercer who get's a start at 8 but why lawes at 6? Does Eddie contractually have to pick an extra 2nd row? I'm also not sure what Wigglesworth brings from the bench in this game either.