[2022 Six Nations] Italy vs England (13/02/22)

[TRF_Olyy]

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[retired9]

I can't see past an England win (obv) but reality would love Italy to pull something out the bag. They looked sharper in Paris than recent performances.

 

[Geordie]

Im as excited about this match as i am about watching the falcons at the moment.

 

[Wasps92]

England by 50. (Yawn)

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

I think Italy defended so stoutly against a sleeping France and England looked so disjointed in the backs that this could be within 20 points. But I think England will improve now they are not playing their bogey side Scotland, and probably win by the usual 30 points.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Close game until 45-55ish mins and then England pull away, I reckon

17 - 38, or something
Italy 1 or 2 tries and as many penalties as they feel like going for posts on,
England 4+ tries

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Italy looked improved against France but still fell away at the end. England have got to not just beat Italy, but have got to dominate them and beat them convincingly at all level throughout the entire game. If we "dominate" again but struggle to break down Italy's defence, again resorting to aimless kicks, that would be a strong indicator that Jones has created a team full of creative players but is playing a gameplan that is completely uncreative. If he's going to play a basic bash them into submission gameplan, he should select the players for that. He isn't, he's selecting players for a quick, expansive game but then not playing that game. If Jones is still running the attack himself, he must seriously consider his competence in that role as our attack has rapidly gone downhill since the world cup.

Also our penalty count MUST be significantly lower than Italy's. To concede more than them would be shambolic.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Italy brought so much pressure upon themselves which was frustrating. Hopefully being more comfortable at home can cut that out. The shape is there, they've their best halfbacks in 20 years (arguably the better pairing this weekend) and some very nice back three players, something surely has to click eventually.

I'd love to see a challenge but they rarely put up a fight against England so I won't hold my breath.

 

[Teddington Logic]

Italy looked improved against France but still fell away at the end. England have got to not just beat Italy, but have got to dominate them and beat them convincingly at all level throughout the entire game. If we "dominate" again but struggle to break down Italy's defence, again resorting to aimless kicks, that would be a strong indicator that Jones has created a team full of creative players but is playing a gameplan that is completely uncreative. If he's going to play a basic bash them into submission gameplan, he should select the players for that. He isn't, he's selecting players for a quick, expansive game but then not playing that game. If Jones is still running the attack himself, he must seriously consider his competence in that role as our attack has rapidly gone downhill since the world cup.

Also our penalty count MUST be significantly lower than Italy's. To concede more than them would be shambolic.

Agree with all of this

By picking Smith we just seem to have changed the game plan from the 9 and 10 kicking it away to the 9,12,13 kicking it away

Two fundamental problems are there for all to see

1) EJ's tactics/selections are b*****cks because so many people are playing out of position but facing up against specialists
2) Youngs is so slow that the back line never moves at pace and the 10 has to sit further back which just pushes you further towards a kicking game

You don't beat players unless you are playing at the gain line and at the weekend, with the exception of Smith's try, England just didn't beat players

 

[ncurd]

Italy to put up a fight in the first half and fall away in the second.

Because that's what always happens and everyone says 'oh good they fornted up against x'

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Forwards
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 5 caps)
Ollie Chessum, (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 32 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 37 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 5 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 27 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 32 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 62 caps)
Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 52 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 4 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 75 caps)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 10 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 48 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 16 caps)

Backs
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 53 caps)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 78 caps)
Max Malins (Saracens, 11 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 8 caps)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 34 caps)
Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 2 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 44 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 6 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 6 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 113 caps)

I get no Alfie and Launchbury.
But honestly Quirke and OHC not being kept is crazy

I'm hoping Radwan starts on the wing.

Will be interesting what they go with the forwards Chessum I guess as back row sub?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

No Quirke?

Forza Italia!

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Can see Chessum or Isiekwe being cut. Need to lose 3 forwards assuming another 5:3, so Blamire, Rodd and one of the above.

Radwan won't start, he'll be lucky to be benched. 2 out and out wingers in the squad is 1 too many for Jones.

 

[Mr Burns]

Radwan's only been kept because the Falcons are on a bye week, no chance he's in the 23 and it'll be the same backline with maybe Nowell in for Marchant.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Looking at the caps (and recognising that we're without Watson, May, Lawes, that "Icy" chap) that squad looks really callow. Like immediately post-RWC rebuild callow

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Can see Chessum or Isiekwe being cut. Need to lose 3 forwards assuming another 5:3, so Blamire, Rodd and one of the above.

Radwan won't start, he'll be lucky to be benched. 2 out and out wingers in the squad is 1 too many for Jones.

Blamire, Rodd and Heyes

 

[Scotty]

So being italy id change a couple from last week and also get Smith playing with Marchant and Dombrant in their real positions and put Rodd on the bench, Marler while v good he is a known quantity.

So Genge LCD Sinks
Itoje Iseikwe
Dombrandt Simmonds(8) Curry

Randall Smith
Slade Marchant
Radwan Sweward Malins

George Rodd Stuart Ewels Chessum Youngs Ford Nowell.

From that squad that would be mine

Though im not 100% happy with it and i dont know why.

 

[Reiser99]

So need to cut 4 players, Heyes, Blamire, Rodd and Radwan.

Jones has already admitted that it's up to the players to fix this and in previous years he's never experimented with the Italy fixture, so I fully expect the same team except Ewels in for Ludlam with Itoje or Isiekwe at 6. Chessum to the bench and possibly Nowell for Marchant.

I'm not expecting much more than a solid win that papers over the cracks. However, I don't think it will as comfortable at all as in previous years.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

If Jones starts Youngs I'm not even going to watch the game. Sick of Jones stupid selections. He's going to walk into another World Cup with no plan again.

Is it really too late to bin him off?

 

[Teddington Logic]

I have a horrible feeling of

8 Curry
9 Youngs
10 Ford