[2023 Six Nations] Ireland v England - 18 March 2023

[BrokenWing]

I think you mean STINK it to the Irish.

 

[Reiser99]

Simple fact for me is Arundell feels like a 'let's hope he does something special' selection. Players doing something special can win you games, but not on their own. You still need a solid foundation and to be competing in all areas. It also places an unfair expectation on him as he's been so hyped, especially by the commentators.

 

[Scotty]

Why do you think Arundell will get his hands on the ball.

Farrell back at 10 is just **** chopping and changing like this helps no one. Glad I'll be elsewhere.

Faz is the wc starting 10 like it or not. Smith hasnt nearly had enough game at 10( without faz 12) to nail down the shirt. So Faz starting a Smith as an impact player is likely the best way going forward. As long as smith gets at least 20 min off the bench it does help him.

Under the circumstances im happy with the team if im honest.

 

[duncanb]

JVP is a tad mer, whole backrow were destroyed v France.
Get Farrell, don't get Ribbans or Marchant as out of selection as off to France.
Would have preferred to see start of rebuild looking at 4 yrs ahead.
4 or 5 far better teams well ahead for RWC this time around if favourable draw till knockout stage.
Rodd, Hayes need at least bench time, Martin as well.
Mitchell needs a start to see if better than JVP, Randall and Quirke.
Centres huge concern for me over next cycle.
Hope we at least put up some fight.
Ireland should stroll this and rightly so as a very good team.

 

[Grizwald]

First squad announcement I saw was on the Sky Sports App and it had Farrell starting and on the bench.

Ireland really should win this comfortably, the only glimmer of hope is if England have a blinder and/or the pressure of the occasion gets to to the Irish lads. I think the only player in the England squad that's managed to maintain some credibility is Steward, Ludlum too but until the full pack monstering against the French. I thought Billy Vunipola might have got a call up but I heard on (think) BBC rugby pod that Bothers and he have a long running spat.

The coaching set up needs time but they're also giving the impression they don't know what their doing/out of their depth. Everything when Borthwick came in was around the 'clarity of the game plan' then rhetoric about how good the pool of English players were and wanted to put pride back in the team etc etc.

The whole Farrell/Smith thing then Smith back to his club then to come back in to start against France had me scratching my head, Lawrence not in the squad then starting.

JVP has been awful this 6N for me, Farrell's kicking from the tee worries me more than anything else in his game at the minute. Ireland by 15+ I reckon.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Why do you think Arundell will get his hands on the ball.

Farrell back at 10 is just **** chopping and changing like this helps no one. Glad I'll be elsewhere.

True in which case his selection is really even more odd.

 

[General Melchett]

Maybe the centres outside Farrell need to start jackaling more if they want their hands on the ball.

 

[ncurd]

Faz is the wc starting 10 like it or not. Smith hasnt nearly had enough game at 10( without faz 12) to nail down the shirt. So Faz starting a Smith as an impact player is likely the best way going forward. As long as smith gets at least 20 min off the bench it does help him.

Under the circumstances im happy with the team if im honest.

The why play ******* Smith last week! That's what ****** me off.

 

[Grizwald]

Simple fact for me is Arundell feels like a 'let's hope he does something special' selection. Players doing something special can win you games, but not on their own. You still need a solid foundation and to be competing in all areas. It also places an unfair expectation on him as he's been so hyped, especially by the commentators.

Tend to agree, Malins is a more than decent prem wing-I reckon he'll probably play his preferred FB position when he goes to Bristol. But doesn't really have a USP when it come to international level, he's not very big, and not very quick.

None of the wings have really got into any of the games this 6N. I still prefer ideally one wing being a bit of unit and carrying threat and the other someone with gas and footwork a la Jason Robinson. Watson is a bit of a hybrid IMO.

 

[Amiga500]

I don't know why youse are discussing anything backwards from 9 to be honest.

If your pack get done like last week, you could have Jesus and his hand-picked selection from the disciples in the backline and it'd make no difference.

 

[Amiga500]

But doesn't really have a USP when it come to international level, he's not very big, and not very quick.

Could say the exact same about Mack Hansen.

Yet he's been MOTM in (at least) 3 out of 8 tests... because he has the most important thing of all - the top 2 inches instinctively read the game.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Could say the exact same about Mack Hansen.

Yet he's been MOTM in (at least) 3 out of 8 tests... because he has the most important thing of all - the top 2 inches instinctively read the game.

I'd say Mack has considerably better footwork and is considerably faster than Malins.

 

[Smurfy]

Hansen is also a superb footballer who works hard right across the line. His best position apparently is 15 but has also spent a lot of time at 10, and he brings those skills to the Irish side. It's incredible that Farrell identified his value so quickly. In fairness he did the same thing with Keenan, and that has worked out OK.

 

[Zed]

I don't know why youse are discussing anything backwards from 9 to be honest.

If your pack get done like last week, you could have Jesus and his hand-picked selection from the disciples in the backline and it'd make no difference.

Yeah you're bang on the money. I think the press are getting desperate, hailing Arundell as some kind of saviour. I'm looking forward to seeing Tuilagi back. Although I'm guessing we've seen the best of him now? How's he been going in the Premiership?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

How's he been going in the Premiership?

Couple of decent games recently, but dross before that for a while

Last world cup was probably the end of him as a real force at international level, each injury saps a little bit more of what made him special
Think he'll do a job on the weekend but don't expect to see the Manu of old, especially outside Farrell who won't put him in the right areas like Ford used to

 

[Zed]

Couple of decent games recently, but dross before that for a while

Last world cup was probably the end of him as a real force at international level, each injury saps a little bit more of what made him special
Think he'll do a job on the weekend but don't expect to see the Manu of old, especiall outside Farrell who won't put him in the right areas like Ford used to

That's a shame. England were so much better with him at his best. So unlucky with injuries. He's still got 2-3 years left, but I'm guessing all those injuries have slowed him down a bit.

 

[Zed]

I've been banned for less - i think it's time

Before I go

When M smith plays 10 again and england get raped - i told you

when Steve does terrible at the WC and Eddies Aus outplay England - I told you

You can't get blame Smith for England's **** performance v France. He has skill, pace can step and reads the game well. But you can't just chuck a decent player into an under-performing team and expect him to shine. Dan Carter was a great player in his prime, but he always had a solid pack in front of him. His job was made easy. How would he go in this England side? Probably not much better than Smith.

 

[munstermuffin]

Just heard stat that Tuilagi has never lost against Ireland in 6 games. Is that right,

 

[Zed]

Just heard stat that Tuilagi has never lost against Ireland in 6 games. Is that right,

Yeah I heard that mentioned on a youtube video

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Just heard stat that Tuilagi has never lost against Ireland in 6 games. Is that right,

Until tomorrow.