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

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Finn Smith best Smith behind

 

[Scotty]

Do we? I don't.

100% agree on the rest of your post though.

To add to your reasons on Itoje, he's not much of a distributor either so I don't see any aspect of the 8 role being right for him.

What do you want? Smith starting and with youngs in the bin? I joke but i more ment that most dont like the Smith Faz 10 12 and believe it doesnt work( meaning i think it can be very good but not getting rhe best out of either)

 

[BPM]

I would much rather Smith with a proper midfield pairing rather than Farrell.

If we do have Farrell at 10, he really needs to bring his Saracens form. Otherwise, I don't see it being any better than what we've seen from the 'axis' with Smith.

For years, he's been lauded as world class without ever really backing it up. When he's at 12, he has a bit of an excuse. If he's at 10, he really, really doesn't.

A poster here (sorry can't remember who) summed him up well by describing him as a 'play runner' than a playmaker'. In essence, he can execute a structured and pre-planned gameplan, but he can't play off the cuff. I just don't think that's good enough for a test 10, let alone one with Farrell's reputation.

 

[Wasps92]

Where the hell is the team?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Where the hell is the team?

Tomorrow, game is Sunday.

 

[BrokenWing]

Where the hell is the team?

Tomorrow at 3 I believe.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Where the hell is the team?

Pennyhill park

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

The answer to the Smith or Farrell question is pretty obvious. Drop both, George Ford starts, Finn Smith on the bench for experience.

That or 10. Farrell 12. M Smith.

 

[BrokenWing]

Pennyhill park

This reply reminds me of when David Beckham moved to LA.

The news broke around 5PM and one of my friends posted "What's Beckham doing?"

Someone replied "He's probably having his tea"

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Someone made the ignore list in 20 posts

Same, guy is clearly here to just get a reaction.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I think the problem is not enough 10s on the pitch. Now Ford is back let's move Farrell to 13 (he did play there for England once)

10 ford
12 M smith
13 farrell
15 F smith

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I think the problem is not enough 10s on the pitch. Now Ford is back let's move Farrell to 13 (he did play there for England once)

10 ford
12 M smith
13 farrell
15 F smith

Slade at 14, Malins 11? Mass distribution

 

[Jimbo]

I would much rather Smith with a proper midfield pairing rather than Farrell.

If we do have Farrell at 10, he really needs to bring his Saracens form. Otherwise, I don't see it being any better than what we've seen from the 'axis' with Smith.

For years, he's been lauded as world class without ever really backing it up. When he's at 12, he has a bit of an excuse. If he's at 10, he really, really doesn't.

A poster here (sorry can't remember who) summed him up well by describing him as a 'play runner' than a playmaker'. In essence, he can execute a structured and pre-planned gameplan, but he can't play off the cuff. I just don't think that's good enough for a test 10, let alone one with Farrell's reputation.

So much of it depends on the style of rugby your trying to play, England currently do not have the pack to play against the top 3 or 4 nations playing structured rugby, they need someone like smith with descent service from 9 and a threat of some description either running or route 1 at 12 which Farrell doesn't offer, that style could work, what could also work is relying On the likes of Daly/Arudel/Malins making breaks and the plays from other positions with Faz at 10 still important though to have a 12 offering something in attack. I still don't think any of this is a huge negative on Faz, it's much like the row balance is key and much like the row for England the backline just hasn't had balance in recent years, I can't see Borthwicks MO changing though I think he will always try to play a structured pre meditated game plan over players trying to play what's in front of them. Evens involvement I always liked but didn't really understand as they are pretty conflicting styles which would be hard to intergrate especially without strong foundations already in place.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Same, guy is clearly here to just get a reaction.

He's just processing uncomfortable feelings.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

He's just processing uncomfortable feelings.

In a very bad and hostile way

 

[Geordie]

This has an Italy win written all over it.

 

[Scotty]

Im honestly nervous about the team, if he goes Smith Faz then we are having it for the WC and thats pretty much that. Least youngs is out

 

[Grizwald]

Word seems to be:

10: Farrell

12: Slade

13: Lawrence

At least Slade is an out and out centre I guess so in theory should be more comfortable at 12 than Faz.

Our lack of depth at tight head and inside centre isn't going to sort itself out anytime soon.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,

I think Slade will stick to his role better than Faz, but how much experience does he really have at 12?
Hopefully he can find some holes to put Lawrence through, but I still think I'd prefer Tuilagi there to draw the defenders in, rather than trying to bamboozle them

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm,

I think Slade will stick to his role better than Faz, but how much experience does he really have at 12?
Hopefully he can find some holes to put Lawrence through, but I still think I'd prefer Tuilagi there to draw the defenders in, rather than trying to bamboozle them

Yep.

Slade is the perfect 12 on paper. Pity the game's played on grass. Wouldn't quibble if he's at 13.

I really can't believe that Borthwick's going to put out a whole new midfield after one game though.