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

[Groundhog]

Chests out for Chessum pussies!!!

 

[Reiser99]

Glad to see we're doing something different. Even if it doesn't work continuing with the same and expecting different results was just madness.

 

[HamJan]

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.

I haven't read anywhere that Ben has been totally discarded. Willis was left out of the match day squad last week and is playing this week.

 

[HamJan]

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

Agree, although I'm impressed that Borthwick is thinking of fireworks rather than closing out. The three you've listed will hopefully give us a new dimension as long as Smith is a direct swap for Farrell (ie Farrell doesn't revert to IC)

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Don't want to see either Vunipola anywhere near the side ever again so disappointed he is there but understand the restrictions Borthwick needs to deal with. Not a fan of Farrell at 10 over Smith but prefer Farrell and Lawrence to Smith and Farrell so will take it.

Harsh on Ben Curry but Borthwick doesn't come across as the sort to dispose of players after 1 game like Jones did. I trust he will be given a chance to fight for his place on merit again. Unfortunately someone who seems deserving needs to lose out in the back row.

Arundell has little experience but he has already shown more X factor moments than most. I just hope he can continue to produce them, he could be a real find if he does (as well as doing the basics well). As mentioned above, I hope when Smith comes on, it is to replace Farrell and not shifting him over to 12.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

I haven't read anywhere that Ben has been totally discarded. Willis was left out of the match day squad last week and is playing this week.

Yes there is no consistency to the selection. Its like he is picking the names out of a hat.

 

[Which Tyler]

Seems a tad early to be complaining about consistency of selection...

He's had 1 match in charge - which we lost, and better players (IMO) who were unavailable (or "unavailable") last week are available now.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Seems a tad early to be complaining about consistency of selection...

Yeah, it's ridiculous. As far as the changes go:
- Curry didn't perform particularly well so has been replaced by Willis (a change many were asking for).
- Lawrence has replaced Smith (a centre has come in to replace the Smith-Faz pairing, a combo that everyone and their dog wanted to get rid of).
- Slade has come in for Marchant (Slade was injured, now he isn't, so he's come back in).

What's the problem?

 

[Scotty]

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.

Curry didnt have a great game didnt deserve dropping but combined with the fact that arguably Willis is ahead of him, and with 3 days in camp he got left out of the 23 last week.

Curry not being in the 23 compared to who is there is understandable even if you would choose differently. So many positives to this team that to say Curry not being in means Borthwick doesnt know what he is doing is laughable...

he has chosed to play Faz or Smith not together so the centres have to be different. Slade is in his plans and was injured last week so putting Slade in with Marchant would be pretty lightweight dont you think and so either manu or Lawrence makes sense.

 

[IT157]

Yes there is no consistency to the selection. Its like he is picking the names out of a hat.

His selections this week make a lot more sense than last week. Both starting team and the bench.

I can understand a couple of grumbles about Mako etc. but overall this is a well balanced team.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

12. Ollie Lawrence
11. Ollie Hassell-Collins
5. Ollie Chessum

Where have all these Ollie's suddenly sprung from? I've known 1 Ollie all my life and now there are 3 in the England squad.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Where have all these Ollie's suddenly sprung from? I've known 1 Ollie all my life and now there are 3 in the England squad.

Ollie circles are only for the richest and hottest dudes. (I don't know a single Olie)

 

[HamJan]

Yes there is no consistency to the selection. Its like he is picking the names out of a hat.

I think you've missed my point, Curry hasn't been totally discarded. He could be back next week if SB thinks he suits the game plan better than Willis or Ludlam.

 

[Umaga's Witness]

Ollie circles are only for the richest and hottest dudes

Olly circles on the other hand....

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Where have all these Ollie's suddenly sprung from? I've known 1 Ollie all my life and now there are 3 in the England squad.

I've been making them in a lab in my garden shed

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

I think you've missed my point, Curry hasn't been totally discarded. He could be back next week if SB thinks he suits the game plan better than Willis or Ludlam.

He could but I don't think thats a good way to manage a player. If you are going to select someone you should give them a consistent run of games.

 

[BPM]

Agree, although I'm impressed that Borthwick is thinking of fireworks rather than closing out. The three you've listed will hopefully give us a new dimension as long as Smith is a direct swap for Farrell (ie Farrell doesn't revert to IC)

This is the issue for me … being captain doesn't mean Farrell has to play the full 80 but I have a horrible feeling he will.

There's almost no point in having the bench to create 'fireworks' if we're going to put Farrell the human handbrake in the middle of it.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Where have all these Ollie's suddenly sprung from? I've known 1 Ollie all my life and now there are 3 in the England squad.

Guessing you're a bit older than them?

I'm about their age and I've grown up with tons of Ollies. Guess it's just a name that got popular about when we were born.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

This is the issue for me … being captain doesn't mean Farrell has to play the full 80 but I have a horrible feeling he will.

Vice captain being someone who will play 60-70mins, tops, definitely leans that way

 

[BPM]

He could but I don't think thats a good way to manage a player. If you are going to select someone you should give them a consistent run of games.

We don't know what conversations have been had. It's only bad management if the communication has been poor.

I'd like to think Borthwick has been transparent with his selection discussions.

Ben Curry had a chance to keep Willis out of the side but didn't really take the opportunity so it's not a huge surprise to see this change. He could have dropped Ludlam and brought Willis in at 6 but he did more to warrant keeping his place.