I wouldnt change much ( the players i want in will be touring in the Summer) ...BUT the leaders need to step in and make the sure the collapse doesnt happen in the second half. The players off the bench simply have to make a bigger impact than the woeful effort they made on Saturday
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[2025 Six Nations] England vs France - 08/02/25
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spartan32
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I agree with some earlier comments that the French are easier to rattle, especially away form home. I cant see SB changing the side much. Murley is out so I would wager Slieghthome comes in. He may tinker the back row, but wouldnt be surprised if the starting line up is unchanged. The Bench may be different however, but hopefully SB will keep cards to chest a little longer this time around.
TBH I dont think we have much hope here. I would say the French look better than the Irish, and Dupont is a problem to which we have no solution. I just hope we are at the very least competitive.
TBH I dont think we have much hope here. I would say the French look better than the Irish, and Dupont is a problem to which we have no solution. I just hope we are at the very least competitive.
We do...a nice big George Martin shoulder right under the rib cage!
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Centre? I love Courts but that smacks of too many bangs to the head.
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Who does have a solution to Dupont?
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spartan32
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If he can manage it that would be great. Not sure the big lad could hit such a small target though...
spartan32
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Well now we are thinking about what do we suggest is the answer to the Dupont menace? Surely a fast mobile back row. The Curry brothers did well but personally feel that a Willis, Earl, Curry (either) may be a better bet to start. Micthell needs to start as he's playing well, so making sure that he is up in his face and clinging to him. Maybe a less aggressive defence? Hold a solid white line with no dog legs for him to jink through? John Wick?
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Selection wise, really not sure what I expect to see here.
SB's under pressure. Press is turning, fans aren't happy, lose this and he's set more unwanted records and failed to meet his employer's target. We've found many and various ways to lose matches, yet there have been some common themes. I value continuity, but it's hard to think that more of the same won't give similar outcomes. Not his natural mindset but maybe he will be tempted to mix things up a fair bit.
No criticism of Smith here, but you have to wonder why Ford's been given a central contract if he's not going to bring his experience to big games like this.
SB's under pressure. Press is turning, fans aren't happy, lose this and he's set more unwanted records and failed to meet his employer's target. We've found many and various ways to lose matches, yet there have been some common themes. I value continuity, but it's hard to think that more of the same won't give similar outcomes. Not his natural mindset but maybe he will be tempted to mix things up a fair bit.
No criticism of Smith here, but you have to wonder why Ford's been given a central contract if he's not going to bring his experience to big games like this.
spartan32
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Ford has to be the past now surely? If you are going to change anything at 10 it has to be Fin t start and Marcus to bench. What's the value in giving Ford more game time when he wont feature in the future for much longer? I suppose it could be argued that England just need to start winning to help stem the rot, but I would argue they have the personnel on had already, they just aren't being deployed to good effect. There is talk in the papers of Fin starting at 10 and Marcus going to FB. One assumes Ford then sits on the Bench. Not sure that's the way to go though. We could pray for thunderous and non stop rain, shuv it up the jumper and hope for the best, but weather is looking cold and fine. Feel like we are really missing IFW, and a real shame he isnt gong to feature at all this tournament. He's a real threat.
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Not saying he should start or even bench, but Ford's not exactly ancient - only a few months older than Mounga/Pollard and younger than Russell
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Would need to catch him first
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How do we beat Fra?
We won't outrun them in the backs
We won't out create them
We won't outmuscle them in the forwards.
So it feels like our best chance is to stay in contention and ramp up the pressure on Fra by keeping it relatively simple but just doing the right things well over and over again. Might not work but it feels our best shot and I'd still back Ford as our best chance of doing that.
Been a lot of harking back to the Ire win as the best of the SB era. Smith got the last minute headlines, but who remembers that Ford steered the ship to keep us in contention for the first 60 before he came on? The other 2 best performances under SB were probably the near miss vs Fra the week after and definitely v Arg in the RWC. Ford again at 10 in both, delivering a master class v Arg. Maybe the semi makes that list too, that was Faz with Ford on the bench.
I'm on record here as saying we should try to build a team around M Smith and largely stand by that. But right now our priority can't be anything beyond reestablishing the muscle memory of winning big games.
Ford's record isn't perfect, and he'd definitely want to forget the NZ game in the Autumn. But SB likes a horses for courses selection and this might be one.
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