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

[Grizwald]

See how Lawrence goes all the talk of Slade playing 13 I failed to see the chance of a start at 12 for him

Feel a bit sorry for Ben Curry. Maybe Willis being in the 23 last weekend was more to do with him being French based and his availability. Marchant as well, feels like he paid the price for the Smith/Farrell axis.

 

[HamJan]

15. Freddie Steward

14. Max Malins

13. Henry Slade

12. Ollie Lawrence

11. Ollie Hassell-Collins

10. Owen Farrell (C)

9. Jack van Poortvliet

1. Ellis Genge (VC)

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. Nick Isiekwe

20. Ben Earl

21. Alex Mitchell

22. Marcus Smith

23. Henry Arundell

Best side for a long time plus a strong bench. Only grumble is Mako.

 

[Sorp111]

Especially pleased for Ollie Lawrence. Deserved after playing so well this season and also some unfair treatment by Jones. I hope he shines.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I really like it. There are some small things I'd change but overall I am a fan. Really hope that Lawrence goes well at 12.

 

[Scotty]

15. Freddie Steward

14. Max Malins

13. Henry Slade

12. Ollie Lawrence

11. Ollie Hassell-Collins

10. Owen Farrell (C)

9. Jack van Poortvliet

1. Ellis Genge (VC)

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. Nick Isiekwe

20. Ben Earl

21. Alex Mitchell

22. Marcus Smith

23. Henry Arundell

Really happy with that tbh, its definitely a team that can change the picture and add pace at 60 minutes. Impact 21 22 23.

Really picking holes id say Isiekwe is an odd choice over Ribbans given the rest of the replacements add something ball in hand.

Lawrence Slade could be good tbh and i think they will switch positions as Manu Slade did to keep the defences guessing.

Arundell is lucky to be in the england squad nevermind the 23 but i happy for him he's such a talent with no time to bed in so i get why BS has given him a chance. Lets hope he takes it.

 

[Grizwald]

Really happy with that tbh, its definitely a team that can change the picture and add pace at 60 minutes. Impact 21 22 23.

Really picking holes id say Isiekwe is an odd choice over Ribbans given the rest of the replacements add something ball in hand.

And Dan Cole

 

[Geordie]

Ok maybe not quite an Italian win all over it after seeing that side now.

 

[Wendigo7]

Italy by 6.

 

[Crash Hamster]

Don't hate it at all.

We knew we were getting Farrell (I'd rather see Smith), I'd rather see Ribbans than Isiekwe and just about anyone over Mako, but it looks balanced and sensible.

Under Jones, I was often puzzled at what he was trying to do. This looks like a clear plan.

Pleased for Ollie Lawrence getting a game at 12. Not sure he is a 12, but he's in form and on the way up, which is an improvement over Tuilagi.

 

[IT157]

People have got to be happy about this team selection!?!?

No Smith/Farrell together.

Willis starts which a lot of people having been crying out for.

Smith/Arundel impact from the bench.

Looks a lot more balanced team.

Fair credit to Borthwick. Wasn't the biggest fan of his hiring, but I like the changes he has made here.

 

[Grizwald]

The best thing to come out of this game is if England are doing well enough to actually give Smith a quarter at 10, and even Arundell for a similar period at FB and allow a horses for courses approach in future. I think teams will stop kicking so much to Steward like Scotland did and interchanging with a running threat/distributing 15 would keep the oppo on their toes.

 

[IT157]

I'd tend to agree. Exeter have slade listed at 6'4" and knocking on 15.5st don't reckon he's that tall tbh. I know he played a bit at 10 when required at Exeter and then sure he's played at 15 for England off the bench in the Jones era. I don't think Farrell is a rubbish 12 but only really got away with it due to playing with Ford. Farrell 10 Salde 12 might work, I think it's more compensating for Smith if he plays 10. Esterhuizen has a couple of stone on Slade.

I heard that after the WC one of the potential shake ups being considered by the RFU is central contracts, that wouldn't be an over night fix but could develop pathways for English qualified 12s to feature more in the prem.

No way he is that tall.

 

[Scotty]

Wonder where Arundell will play? 15 running lines off Smith or wing? Injuries permitting. Arundell comes on at 15 for Steward and changes how we play. Gives us real attacking sense running lines off Smith and Slade with Malins as the balanced running in support. And gives this 12 13 80 min to bed in.

Also Mitchell is interesting how will he go with Smith? Both running playermakers who like ball in hand so will they be too similar to work together?

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

It gives me no confidence that Borthwick knows what he is doing that Ben Curry has been totally discarded after one game and we have a totally new centre partnership.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Mitchell/Smith/Arundell comin vs tired legs could be fireworks
Bit of a glass cannon though - great if we wanna go balls to the wall, but not really a bench to close out a game

 

[Grizwald]

I think Ben Curry was on a par with Dombrant and the latter is lucky to have kept his place. Nick Evans might have been in Borthwicks ear. Who knows.

Really though England were a couple of errors and/or missed chances from beating a very good Scotland team last weekend but wouod have papered over some very big cracks I.e. Smith/Farrell.

 

[TommiG88]

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think Ben Curry was on a par with Dombrant and the latter is lucky to have kept his place. Nick Evans might have been in Borthwicks ear. Who knows.

Tbf Dombrandt is essentially our only 8 (I know Simmonds is in the squad but I feel like he's not really in contention) whereas Willis was very much breathing down Curry's neck

I just hope Ben gets another shot as it's unfair Willis gets the easier game in the more settled pack

 

[Geordie]

I hear Ribbans is off to Toulon at the end of the season...i wonder if this is effecting selection...?

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Ollie, Ollie Chessum, he's the greatest lock in history, front the town of Boston, he's about to hit a **** scrummie!

Ollie Ollie Ollie