[2021 Six Nations] England vs France (13/03/21)

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Malins starting!

 

[Which Tyler]

England:
15. Malins
14. Watson
13. Slade
12. Farrell
11. May
10. Ford
09. Youngs

1. M Vunipola
2. Cowan-Dickie
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Ewels
6. Wilson
7. Curry
8. B Vunipola

16. George 17. Genge 18. Stuart 19. Hill 20. Earl
21. Robson 22. Lawrence 23. Daly



Top

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Malins to be subbed off at 20 minutes after failing to score a hat trick.

 

[Stus7]

What is Eddie's obsession with Ewels?

 

[klitarris]

Well I got my wish wrt Daly. Not fully convinced by Ewels so far in an England shirt but we'll see how he gets on. Glad to see Lawrence on the bench, hope he gets more than 5 minutes game time!

 

[Jakedood]

What is Eddie's obsession with Ewels?

Maybe less likely to do something stupid like Hill did last weekend?

I mean i think team wise, that's actually pretty damn good

More balanced bench too

Love ho whe didnt just check these guys in v Italy, instead its more "you've earned a test start" by playing the best team in the competition

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Malins good. Rest of back line I can live with although midfield isn't boshy enough.

LCD good.

I'm not Hill's greatest fan but I wouldn't pick Ewels over him. As I recall Ewels and Itoje was the pairing that singularly failed to deliver on Jones promise to bully France last year.

Wilson hasn't hit the heights but he's an understandable selection for this game. Especially given the underpowered 2nd row.

I guess Daly being dropped meant the other sinecures would stay, but it's a step in the right direction. Chances are Malins may be in for a slightly difficult afternoon but he's not yet in the groovy gang and I'll be narked if Jones doesn't stick with him and give him a fair shot.

And even a 5 - 3 bench!

If nothing else some of the established names need to buck up their ideas to ensure Lions places.

 

[Stus7]

Maybe less likely to do something stupid like Hill did last weekend?

I mean i think team wise, that's actually pretty damn good

More balanced bench too

Love ho whe didnt just check these guys in v Italy, instead its more "you've earned a test start" by playing the best team in the competition

More of a general point around I've never seen anything from him to suggest he should be starting for England.

 

[Jakedood]

More of a general point around I've never seen anything from him to suggest he should be starting for England.

True, but he has been regularly a 5th choice at best, but two second rows injured and one in Japan

 

[Jakedood]

Valley commando being double checked... some things never change

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Very happy for the return to a regular bench,
Also Malins getting a start

Never been that hot on Ewels but he's been around so long he probably deserves a start just to see if he's up to the level - plus I don't think Itoje/Hill work together

Youngs/Ford/Farrell is frustrating but expected,
Hope Lawrence gets on but he'll inevitably get 5mins, subbing on for Ford, and never be seen again

 

[ncurd]

OMFG he actually did two positive things!


Honestly I thought we were stuck with Daly for life, I also like the LCD swap who should not of been benched last game.

 

[Wichita]

French XV for Saturday:

Starting XY: Dulin ; Penaud, Vakatawa, Fickou, T. Thomas ; (o) Jalibert, (m) Dupont : Ollivon (cap.), Alldritt, Cretin ; Willemse, R. Taofifenua ; Haouas, Marchand, Baille.

Subs: Chat, Gros, Aldegheri , Cazeaux, Jelonch, Woki, Serin, Ntamack.

 

[Jakedood]

Out of interest, what's Malins like boot on ball?

France's kicking game is excellent, and cant afford to regularly lose big territory every time they need an exit

 

[higgik]

Very happy for the return to a regular bench,
Also Malins getting a start

Never been that hot on Ewels but he's been around so long he probably deserves a start just to see if he's up to the level - plus I don't think Itoje/Hill work together

Youngs/Ford/Farrell is frustrating but expected,
Hope Lawrence gets on but he'll inevitably get 5mins, subbing on for Ford, and never be seen again

Agree, with Malins in a playmaker role, like Barrett for NZ, then you need more power in midfield.

 

[MikeTheNative]

Daly is used less of a playmaker more of a strike runner from deep in set plays. I can't see them playing too much differently on Malins. As long as he can actually catch the ball in a set play then he's an improvement.

 

[Which Tyler]

I'm another who's not convinced by Ewels, but then, I'm not convinced by Hill either - despite 3 consecutive starts (and 4 appearances from 5 in the Autumn), and someone has to play lock.
I think it's fair that Hill had first shot this window, I also think it's fair that something needs to change in the row, and that Hill is far more vulnerable than Itoje.

Malins is the change we've all been calling for, and can fit into the same systems in the same way as Daly, but as an upgrade in every respect bar experience.

LCD Vs George is a form pick, but I'm a little surprised it's happened at this point.

Delighted to see a proper bench.

We all knew that Youngs and Farrell were starting regardless - Youngs is actually deserved right now, and dropping the skipper is never a decision taken lightly, and has way more follow-on effects than just on-field team balance.
Lawrence for Farrell on 55 minutes is going to be too much to hope for, but I'll hope for it anyway.

 

[bushytop]

View attachment 9695
Valley commando being double checked... some things never change

Not saying it isn't him but there are a lot of Valley Commando's... I'm not even joking, I was at a party once where there was atleast 6 and they all had membership cards!

 

[Geordie]

Big Falcons and Mark Wilson fan, but i think he really needs to put in a huge physical effort for this game. He hasnt been at his granite like best.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Not impressed by this selection, we need power in the midfield and we need to drop Farrell to the bench.

LCD is good as is Malins. No idea why Billy is still classed as a professional rugby player, bin him off please and bring in a proper 8.

I guess Ewls has been bought in for his leadership skills as it's certainly not his rugby ability.