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

[Protalus rampart]

It'll be interesting to see how Smith runs the game in his own way now Farrell won't be there. I'm excited to see it although will still take a big performance for England to come out on top

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Surely now people can start to perk up about Borthwick a bit.

TBF still got to see the style they play though.

 

[ncurd]

I'm genuinely gobsmacked hope it all goes well.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

From the sound of this presser and the focus on Faz becoming captain the second he comes on, I assume that Faz will come on when Genge goes off.

Smith off on 50-55 minutes.

 

[Wasps92]

Excited to see Smith in there but if he's just going to be told to kick the ball away all the time then it's absolutely pointless. Give him a bit more license to play. I'm not saying I expect England to go out there and play like Harlequins but for goodness sake let's go through the phases rather than trying to grubber it through after 2 passes.

 

[Teddington Logic]

I think this is also quite an important game (and selection decision) for Nick Evans

No-one knows better than Smith and Dombrandt how Evans wants his attack to to work. So lets see what happens at the highest level with better structured midfield. I expect to see Lawrence passing the ball more often this game with 2 further weeks of working under Evans.
People often have a misconception about how Esterhuizen plays at Quins. Yes he is a big powerful ball carrier, but it is that which enables him to exploit his excellent passing/offloading game.

Should be fascinating to watch

 

[BPM]

I was thinking the same thing. No point having Evans and picking Smith if you're not going to use that familiarity in the best way.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

I'm genuinely gobsmacked hope it all goes well.

Its a sad inditement on the way the England team has been run recently that people are so surprised that a player that has been poor for several games in a row has been dropped.

 

[ncurd]

Its a sad inditement on the way the England team has been run recently that people are so surprised that a player that has been poor for several years in a row has been dropped.

FIFY

 

[TSPopinjay]

Looking forward to that fraud Smith being exposed.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Happy with that

 

[TommiG88]

Genge has been going off at around 55, therefore Smith will have until then?

 

[ncurd]

The problem is if the backs are performing admirably at that stage why would you bring Farrell on? Must be another vice captain in the squad.

 

[Geordie]

Genge has been going off at around 55, therefore Smith will have until then?

Not if they're playing really well.

Theres leadership in there with Slade, Itoje, Ludlum, George. Surely Farrell is not required purely on captaincy.

 

[Scotty]

15. Freddie Steward
14. Max Malins
13. Henry Slade
12. Ollie Lawrence
11. Anthony Watson
10. Marcus Smith
9. Jack van Poortvliet
1. Ellis Genge (C)
2. Jamie George
3. Kyle Sinckler
4. Maro Itoje
5. Ollie Chessum
6. Lewis Ludlam
7. Jack Willis
8. Alex Dombrandt

Replacements

16. Jack Walker
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Dan Cole
19. David Ribbans
20. Ben Curry
21. Alex Mitchell
22. Owen Farrell
23. Henry Arundell

Nice to see Ribbans over the so far underwhelming Isiekwe as well

Happy with that and happy Ribbsns over Iseikwe.

Happy for Smith i really hope he takes his shot as he will be targeted i bet.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Looking forward to that fraud Smith being exposed.

I am going to call Smith a fraud at every opportunity for the rest of his career now. Thank you.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Looking forward to that fraud Smith being exposed.

This has "and I would have gotten away with it too, if it weren't for you meddling kids" energy.

 

[HamJan]

Looking forward to that fraud Smith being exposed.

Are you Stephen Jones?

 

[Reiser99]

It's a positive selection, though I am worried it will only last 55 minutes regardless. Bit harsh doing it for the 2nd rank team in the world, but hey ho. Let's just hope Smith is free to play his natural game and not restricted by ridiculous kicking demands.

 

[TommiG88]

Not if they're playing really well.

Theres leadership in there with Slade, Itoje, Ludlum, George. Surely Farrell is not required purely on captaincy.

I love your optimism