[2020 Autumn Nations Cup] England vs Ireland (21/11/20)

[Scotty]

I cannot express enough how much I hate Mako. I do not care how good a prop's pop pass is if he's giving up 40m every time there's a scrum.

If you hate mako who would be your 3 LHPs in the EPS? Marler genge Obano?

Mako isnt the strongest scrummager we know this but also isnt so bad he should be dropped from England. If he can hold his own in the scrum his brings so much more than marler. He hits hard, carrys hard and yes passes well. And has a very good workrate.

Im not saying scrums arnt important they really are and vs SA then maybe Marler is a better option but to say you hate mako is very strong as he is a very good player.

 

[BPM]

I'd prefer we didn't go off on that tangent TBH.

Moving forward, my preference is that Genge develops into our starting loosehead as I feel like he brings the most rounded skill set. He is a good carrier, his scrummaging is solid (and is still improving) and his work rate is good. He also does an excellent impression of Bane for bonus points.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I love over the top rants as we know but hating Mako is a bit much. He's not the strongest scrummager ever but he does play better when we pick two proper locks rather than Lawes who is not a great scrummager.

For me the biggest factor for Mako is that he does tackle very hard, has soft hands and does carry really well. He's be a better option at 8 right now than the incumbent that's for sure. Genge might be the future but both are top notch for sure.

 

[Jashay]

I think generally our pack is strong enough that Mako isn't a huge liability, and his positives outweigh the negatives... but if we face off against another strong scrum or a particularly good tighthead then the worry sets in.

For example, I'm a bit worried about how Mako is going to stand up to Porter, who's looked strong recently.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

You'd have to expect we target Henry Slade this weekend after him playing the State of Origin?

 

[Juggler]

ENGLAND

15. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 44 caps)
14. Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 52 caps)
13. Ollie Lawrence (Worcester Warriors, 2 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 31 caps)
11. Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 58 caps)
10. Owen Farrell (c) (Saracens, 85 caps)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 101 caps)
1. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 61 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 51 caps)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 37 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 40 caps)
5. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 66 caps)
6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 25 caps)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 19 caps)
8. Billy Vunipola (Saracens, 53 caps)

Finishers

16. Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)
17. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 5 caps)
19. Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)
20. Ben Earl (Bristol Bears, 5 caps)
21. Dan Robson (Wasps, 4 caps)
22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 69 caps)
23. Max Malins (Bristol Bears, 1 cap)

 

[big ginger 8]

How's Ollie Lawrence compare to Johnny?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Live seeing an Ollie in an English side, they're always shite. Ominous otherwise.

Edit: @TRF_Olyy, just a reminder to bookmark this post for when he scores in the 6th minute

 

[TRF_Olyy]

It was always going to happen but Joseph on the wing still makes my **** boil

Other than that I'm happy enough - Binny is an inevitability, and I wouldn't have minded seeing the bench props start, but c'est la vie

Live seeing an Ollie in an English side, they're always shite. Ominous otherwise.

Edit: @TRF_Olyy, just a reminder to bookmark this post for when he scores in the 6th minute

He's from the west midlands as well, as all the best Olivers are

 

[Fullerov]

Anyone know of any reason why Cokanasiga doesn't seem to be making the match squad at present?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Anyone know of any reason why Cokanasiga doesn't seem to be making the match squad at present?

Presumably not considered fit enough - he was out for a lloonngg time with his RWC injury
I'm guessing he's in camp so they can assess and beast him rather than him being in real contention (similar to how Wilson was in camp - before they broke him)

 

[Leinster Fan]

Well that team is clearly better than ours but I've got senselessly optimistic over the last day or so.

Ireland by 4. (Based on nothing except a hunch we might have the edge in the set piece and England insisting on a weird backline - while ignoring all the glaring weaknesses in our 23).

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Well that team is clearly better than ours but I've got senselessly optimistic over the last day or so.

Ireland by 4. (Based on nothing except a hunch we might have the edge in the set piece and England insisting on a weird backline - while ignoring all the glaring weaknesses in our 23).

Nice to see a bit of optimism surviving after 20 months of shite. I don't share it, it's like watching a three legged puppy enjoying himself.

 

[jcahill1]

Well that team is clearly better than ours but I've got senselessly optimistic over the last day or so.

Ireland by 4. (Based on nothing except a hunch we might have the edge in the set piece and England insisting on a weird backline - while ignoring all the glaring weaknesses in our 23).

I share the optimism, I still think we'll lose but I mostly like the team selection. In an ideal world O'Mahoney and Earls wouldn't be in there but what are you gonna do. Hopefully the pack can put it up to England.

 

[Jashay]

Hmm. Can't deny that it's a strong side, and you sure don't want to be pulling punches against Ireland, but I was hoping for something a little more adventurous.

We've got a strange old backline there, but it doesn't matter since Youngs-Faz won't give them any decent ball.

If the Irish pack can match us we're going to struggle, I think.

 

[Yulia]

Even me,I'm interested will try to watch it

Nice to see a bit of optimism surviving after 20 months of shite. I don't share it, it's like watching a three legged puppy enjoying himself

Poor Irish team I hope they will win then,at least this time

 

[big ginger 8]

The disparity in bench frontrows is scary. I 'member when we had the best sub props possibly in the world.

It's a pity we know Gauzere will let Vunipola get away with stepping around and George driving up especially as early dominance is so important with him.

On paper the English team is more complete and definitely further along in establishing it's identity.

Obviously I'll care about the result on the day but what I really care about now is that we front up and don't play with in ourselves.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

As is tradition @Groundhog and I will be spamming this thread with the best centre, both in terms of looks and ability, who'll be playing this match:

 

[TRF_Olyy]

As is tradition @Groundhog and I will be spamming this thread with the best centre, both in terms of looks and ability, who'll be playing this match:

England don't have "centres" we have inside wingers and outside-outside centres

Backrowers are now loose locks and fullbacks are can-you-kick?s

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

England don't have "centres" we have inside wingers and outside-outside centres

Backrowers are now loose locks and fullbacks are can-you-kick?s