[2023 Six Nations] England v France 11 March 2023. Kickoff 16:45

Vieux Talonneur · Mar 9, 2023

Chessum apparently struggling with injury. Hill joined the camp although wasn't officially called up.

Bada-Bing! · Mar 9, 2023

The Times reporting that Smith will start at 10 and Farrell will be benched, with Lawrence and Slade to remain as the centre partnership.

Geordie · Mar 9, 2023

The coaches need to see what Smith can deliver in this squad. France and Ireland are huge challenges...so we'll see what hes made of.

If he doesnt deliver...i can see Ford at 10 for the World Cup...

Geordie · Mar 9, 2023

Old Hooker said:
Chessum apparently struggling with injury. Hill joined the camp although wasn't officially called up.

Why Hill....is he even playing well for Sales at the moment? Not likely to play so why not bring up someone who might progress...?

HamJan · Mar 9, 2023

Teddington Logic said:
Can someone please check in on Stephen Jones

Not sure his blood pressure could take the idea of Smith replacing Faz

He had a real old rant this week didn't he

BPM · Mar 9, 2023

I can't wait until that myopic old windbag retires

Pieter Steph du Teague · Mar 9, 2023

Geordiefalcon said:
Why Hill....is he even playing well for Sales at the moment? Not likely to play so why not bring up someone who might progress...?

Whoever was called up isn't going to be in camp for an extended period of time; they're there because they may have to play this weekend. So for a squad as small as 27 (26 who are actually available to play) you want all 26 of those players to already know the plays/structures/etc. so that they can step up and play at a moment's notice. Hill is the only other lock who's spent any time in camp. Makes perfect sense.

TRF_Olyy · Mar 9, 2023

Geordiefalcon said:
is he even playing well for Sales at the moment?

Probably had his best game yet for us last week, but it did follow up like his worst 2 or 3 games of his career, so swings and roundabouts

Weirdly he's been told his workons are the setpiece, which are the only bits of his game that are consistent atm - could understand if it was discipline/game awareness or whatever
Just feels a bit like EJ telling Cipriani he needs to work on his attack/Tom Youngs he needs to work on his carrying - like it's a **** take

Vieux Talonneur · Mar 9, 2023

Assuming the Smith rumours are true.

He was sent away to get some minutes for Quins - fair enough.

They wanted to see him 'boss' the Quins game. He did, but he was totally in his comfort zone and we know he can do that at club level. That he was MoM was great but proved nothing.

I just don't get the Wales game. Farrell was off key in both general play and from the tee, the game was in the balance until late on and yet Smith still only gets 20 seconds, which in my book is a clear lack of faith against a pretty poor team. Yet all of a sudden he's promoted to start against the no2 team in the world? Against Wales he might have made a difference and would have got the chance to play alongside what now look to be our first choice scrum halves and centres - 20 minutes with them would have told us a lot more than his club match.

Geordie · Mar 9, 2023

Old Hooker said:
Assuming the Smith rumours are true.

He was sent away to get some minutes for Quins - fair enough.

They wanted to see him 'boss' the Quins game. He did, but he was totally in his comfort zone and we know he can do that at club level. That he was MoM was great but proved nothing.

I just don't get the Wales game. Farrell was off key in both general play and from the tee, the game was in the balance until late on and yet Smith still only gets 20 seconds, which in my book is a clear lack of faith against a pretty poor team. Yet all of a sudden he's promoted to start against the no2 team in the world? Against Wales he might have made a difference and would have got the chance to play alongside what now look to be our first choice scrum halves and centres - 20 minutes with them would have told us a lot more than his club match.

Yes its very puzzling.

If you want to know if a player can handle it or not....surely you play them and test them. Theres been ideal times this 6n to put him out. But they havent.

Interesting they leave it for two of the toughest games around at the moment...

I think he'll show up well. Lawrence at 12 is a BIG help this time. Gives him a "similar" style to Esterhuizen beside him...rather than farrell or Slade.

Duck a l'Orange · Mar 9, 2023

Geordiefalcon said:
Yes its very puzzling.

If you want to know if a player can handle it or not....surely you play them and test them. Theres been ideal times this 6n to put him out. But they havent.

Interesting they leave it for two of the toughest games around at the moment...

I think he'll show up well. Lawrence at 12 is a BIG help this time. Gives him a "similar" style to Esterhuizen beside him...rather than farrell or Slade.

And how crap is England's player development that a player with 19 caps is considered unproven??

Geordie · Mar 9, 2023

Duck a l'Orange said:
And how crap is England's player development that a player with 19 caps is considered unproven??

Well i put that at Eddie Jones feet...for all hes classed as an amazing coach / player developer etc...he did do some baffling things.

BrokenWing · Mar 9, 2023

HamJan said:
He had a real old rant this week didn't he

He really doesn't like Smith does he.

Has anyone else on that podcast actually come out and told him he's talking crap?

"No one knows what Smith is going to do"

As opposed to Farrell, where everyone knows what he's going to do.

Scotty · Mar 9, 2023

Duck a l'Orange said:
And how crap is England's player development that a player with 19 caps is considered unproven??

How can a 10 develop when he has a second 10 at 12 holding his hand and not giving any go forward.

HamJan · Mar 9, 2023

BrokenWing said:
He really doesn't like Smith does he.

Has anyone else on that podcast actually come out and told him he's talking crap?

"No one knows what Smith is going to do"

As opposed to Farrell, where everyone knows what he's going to do.

No he doesn't, and his rationale seems more nasty and petty rather than objective. He sounds like a 70s hack who can't afford to retire yet.

Not Mike Brown's Sock · Mar 9, 2023

HamJan said:
No he doesn't, and his rationale seems more nasty and petty rather than objective. He sounds like a 70s hack who can't afford to retire yet.

He also just seems to hate Quins for no apparent reason

Scotty · Mar 9, 2023

HamJan said:
No he doesn't, and his rationale seems more nasty and petty rather than objective. He sounds like a 70s hack who can't afford to retire yet.

Genuinely thought you all were talking about Borthwick here haha, was quite confused.

Saintjay · Mar 9, 2023

Nothing wrong with hating Quins for no apparent reason.

Geordie · Mar 9, 2023

Scotty said:
How can a 10 develop when he has a second 10 at 12 holding his hand and not giving any go forward.

But he had Slade and Marchant and Slade and Daly last year?

Hopefully Lawrence at 12 will help Smith show what he can do.

HamJan · Mar 9, 2023

What time is the team announcement?

[2023 Six Nations] England v France 11 March 2023. Kickoff 16:45

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