[2023 Six Nations] England vs Italy - 12 February 2023

[MarkyH]

No Youngs is the biggest headline from that

WTF

I just presumed Youngs was on there when I was reducing it to a 23 man matchday squad. Incredible news. Probably win the 6N and WC now

 

[Crash Hamster]

Agreed. Although on your last paragraph, there are established players who would usually be in those positions who are either injured or unavailable. Realistically, Watson, Lawes and Tom Curry are the more likely people we want bedded-in. The injury proneness of Watson and Lawes make it really important to have back up options who can make a genuine challenge though.

Chessum is different. That spot is 100% up for grabs and I think almost everyone prefers him to Hill.

Absolutely no complaints about Curry (T) and Lawes coming back when fit (my concern for Lawes' head injury frequency notwithstanding) but they're not fit, there's a break after this match and we really should be picking as near the same side* as possible.

Anyway, we're clearly not getting Curry (B), which is a shame, nor Slowcoach Youngs, which is excellent news.

* Not you, Smith-Farrell

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I reckon Ben gets replaced by Tom next week - Tom's back in full training now, I think

 

[LIONSxv]

I reckon Ben gets replaced by Tom next week - Tom's back in full training now, I think

Got to feel for Ben , gets excluded from the EPS for 6 years for no apparent reason other than his brother hits the weights more. He has one average game then gets binned again

 

[BPM]

I reckon Ben gets replaced by Tom next week - Tom's back in full training now, I think

Yeah, very possibly …

Although TBH, I'm really hoping Willis comes in at 7 and plays well enough to stay there for the rest of the 6N. For now, Ludlam deserves to keep his place. When Tom Curry's back in the mix, I'd like it to be a real competition for him to dislodge one of them.

 

[Noonz]

Kind of a bummer for B. Curry and Watson. Not sure how Rodd or Heyes are viewed, but I think the rest of the ones dropped are a good sign for the evolution of the team. Cannot believe Youngs was dropped!

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Highest ranking points Italian side for ages against lowest ranking points for England possibly ever. But near zero hope here. A great fixture for Borthwick to try things against a solid side that shouldn't pose much threat overall.

 

[Crash Hamster]

I reckon Ben gets replaced by Tom next week - Tom's back in full training now, I think

I know Borthwick suggested he might pick horses for courses, but it seems strange that Ben has one cap, a huge gap, then one more cap before being given the boot. It's now quite possible that whoever replaces him might only get one cap before being consigned to the wilderness too. Seems that the squad place could have been better used.

And then there's Jack Walker. Still no caps, but at least his arse is getting some use warming the bench. It was already quite 'fortunate' that George recovered from his head knock in time. We have no idea if LCD willcome back strongly. It's feasible that we hit the World Cup with no hooker with 10 caps.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

If Watson's fit he's a class above those other wingers, so that hints of 'only Italy' experimentation. As does, before you all get too overheated, the omission of Youngs.

And can see precisely no point in picking Mako over Rodd. Neither's the present but one's definitely the past and one just might be the future.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Wonder if he will get more minutes than caps this tournament.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Maybe Ben is first choice 7 then Willis is seen as second choice and Tom third choice. So with Willis fit again, Tom drops down the pecking order.

While I wouldn't have dropped him, the backrow was underpowered and needed a change somewhere.

 

[Grizwald]

I think all the new/single figure caps who played last weekend should have been given a free pass given the new coaching set up etc it was very much a team failure.

Our bench arguably snatched defeat from the jaws of victory last weekend IMO. Borthwick might have been going for solidity to close out the game with Youngs and Cole, once that what wrong they just gave no impact and the backrow changes were a bit bonkers.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Youngs will start v wales

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

I know Borthwick suggested he might pick horses for courses, but it seems strange that Ben has one cap, a huge gap, then one more cap before being given the boot. It's now quite possible that whoever replaces him might only get one cap before being consigned to the wilderness too. Seems that the squad place could have been better used.

And then there's Jack Walker. Still no caps, but at least his arse is getting some use warming the bench. It was already quite 'fortunate' that George recovered from his head knock in time. We have no idea if LCD willcome back strongly. It's feasible that we hit the World Cup with no hooker with 10 caps.

Ben Curry wouldn't have been my pick to be in the team v Scotland and I don't think he had a good game, but once he was picked you cant just discard him. You have to give a player a run of games.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Ruck reporting a leaked XV of:

1. Genge
2. George
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Isiekwe
6. Ludlam
7. Willis
8. Dombrandt

9. JVP
10. Smith
11. Malins
12. Farrell
13. Slade
14. Watson
15. Arundell

Which makes me pretty unhappy, but then it's Ruck, which is about as reputable as the average fortune teller.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

They're just recycling the telegraph report from yesterday - Watson would have a job starting at 14 when he's back in Leicester!

 

[Saintjay]

Times tipping Slade and Jack Willis to start.

 

[Noonz]

How often does Arundell play at Wing vs FB?

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Borthwick claims he is picking the best team to beat Italy but there is no way the best team doesn't include Anthony Watson therefore Borthwick is clearly spouting as much rubbish as Eddie Jones used to.

 

[Scotty]

Ruck reporting a leaked XV of:

1. Genge
2. George
3. Sinckler
4. Itoje
5. Isiekwe
6. Ludlam
7. Willis
8. Dombrandt

9. JVP
10. Smith
11. Malins
12. Farrell
13. Slade
14. Watson
15. Arundell

Which makes me pretty unhappy, but then it's Ruck, which is about as reputable as the average fortune teller.

Am i in the minority for not rating Isiekwe that much? He's a good player but id say behind Chessum and Ribbans. No way Chessum doesnt start after last week.

Watson isnt in the squad so its hard to do that team and Arundell above Watson and Murley is still odd.