[2025 Six Nations] England vs France - 08/02/25

Geordie · 2025-02-04T13:14:10+0000

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

spartan32 · 2025-02-04T13:36:42+0000

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.

Geordie · 2025-02-04T13:39:45+0000

spartan32 said:
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.

We do...a nice big George Martin shoulder right under the rib cage!

BPM · 2025-02-04T13:42:32+0000

Vieux Talonneur said:
Lawes saying start F Smith at 10 and play M Smith at either centre or FB (sic).

If he's losing his marbles over this, what hope for the rest of us? And if you want a fight about it, pick on the big guy, not the messenger.

Centre? I love Courts but that smacks of too many bangs to the head.

BPM · 2025-02-04T13:43:04+0000

spartan32 said:
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.

Who does have a solution to Dupont?

Vieux Talonneur · 2025-02-04T13:54:10+0000

BPM said:
Who does have a solution to Dupont?

Namibia did a pretty good job for the rest of the planet in the RWC.

Leonormous Boozer · 2025-02-04T14:00:32+0000

BPM said:
Who does have a solution to Dupont?

Leinster until he had solution for us.

spartan32 · 2025-02-04T14:03:36+0000

Geordie said:
We do...a nice big George Martin shoulder right under the rib cage!

If he can manage it that would be great. Not sure the big lad could hit such a small target though...

spartan32 · 2025-02-04T14:04:17+0000

BPM said:
Who does have a solution to Dupont?

quite..

spartan32 · 2025-02-04T14:08:54+0000

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?

Vieux Talonneur · 2025-02-04T14:10:38+0000

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.

spartan32 · 2025-02-04T14:37:08+0000

Vieux Talonneur said:
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.

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.

TRF_Olyy · 2025-02-04T15:00:21+0000

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

AlRums · 2025-02-04T15:31:54+0000

spartan32 said:
If he can manage it that would be great. Not sure the big lad could hit such a small target though...

Would need to catch him first

Vieux Talonneur · 2025-02-04T15:33:04+0000

spartan32 said:
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.

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.

Saintjay · 2025-02-04T16:08:16+0000

Ford's probably just as much player \ coach and one of the senior heads. I can see why he's in or around the squad. Aren't most of his family coaching at some level.

Not Mike Brown's Sock · 2025-02-04T16:43:55+0000

The Mail are reporting Fin at 10 and Marcus at 15, with the squad announced Thursday.

Crikey

Leonormous Boozer · 2025-02-04T16:47:57+0000

Not Mike Brown's Sock said:
The Mail are reporting Fin at 10 and Marcus at 15, with the squad announced Thursday.

Crikey

Confirmed that Steve reads my posts, does the opposite and loses.

Quote from last week's thread for reference:

F & M Smith axis is good, too exposable in the backfield to be a starting option though.
I think unless Borthwick and co can give M Smith more structure and options in attack, this team might suit Fin to start after and depending what happens v France.

Vieux Talonneur · 2025-02-04T16:56:46+0000

Saintjay said:
Ford's probably just as much player \ coach and one of the senior heads. I can see why he's in or around the squad. Aren't most of his family coaching at some level.

Which is fine, but doesn't justify a central contract, the whole purpose of which is to ensure your players are in top shape come match day.

TRF_Olyy · 2025-02-04T16:57:42+0000

Could be inspired, could be a nightmare
He's inevitably gonna play Steward on the wing, which is crazy when you've got Roebuck who is the winger version of Steward already there

Kinda glad I'm missing this now - I missed the walloping two years ago and watched it the next morning and it was much more enjoyable viewing already having had the plaster pulled off by knowing the score

[2025 Six Nations] England vs France - 08/02/25

First XV

Bench Player

First XV

First XV

First XV

International

Fat Boi

Bench Player

Bench Player

Bench Player

International

Bench Player

English Arrogance

First XV

International

First XV

First XV

Fat Boi

International

English Arrogance

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