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

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

On the Smith Smith decision, I'm ok with the principle if….

Marcus is not doing what SB has asked of him (and what he's asked isn't stupid),

If F Smith has looked better in training at carrying out the SB gameplan,

If Marcus isn't hitting the metrics he needs to in games and SB thinks F Smith can do better

What I'm not ok with is if….

Marcus is at FB only because Furbank is injured and he wants another creative FB,

If Marcus is hitting all the SB KPIs, so doesn't deserve to be dropped,

If SB wants more creativity but doesn't know how to drop Slade for a proper 12.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Supposedly Sleightholme to start on the wing and Steward on the bench

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Supposedly Sleightholme to start on the wing and Steward on the bench

Almost like the media don't know what they are doing

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Almost like the media don't know what they are doing

They get stuff deliberately briefed to them. The BBC never report anything without two sources or a direct off the record briefing.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Supposedly Sleightholme to start on the wing and Steward on the bench

I'm not sure Steward will be on the bench. The Telegraph makes no reference to that.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Love watching Penaud play, but him being back for this will...not be pleasant viewing

 

[OllyM97]

After seeing the French team….

 

[LardFingers]

If I were Marcus I would be asking my agent to check in with the big French clubs about a big money move next season.

 

[Which Tyler]

They get stuff deliberately briefed to them. The BBC never report anything without two sources or a direct off the record briefing.

What they mostly do though, is watch training, and see where people are lining up - hence all the rumours of starting Ford at 9, Earl at 12 etc etc. Because they ran there a bit in training, so that they could step in to cover a yellow card or late injury without being too much "rabbit in the headlights".
We've not had a leaky camp since Eddie came in.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

If I were Marcus I would be asking my agent to check in with the big French clubs about a big money move next season.

The RFU will pile the money for a central contract to stop that. If he goes and then Fin gets injured then there would be a real issue.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

What they mostly do though, is watch training, and see where people are lining up - hence all the rumours of starting Ford at 9, Earl at 12 etc etc. Because they ran there a bit in training, so that they could step in to cover a yellow card or late injury without being too much "rabbit in the headlights".
We've not had a leaky camp since Eddie came in.

Some of the papers might do that but the BBC wouidnt. They would only post an article saying this will happen if they have been told it will.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Love watching Penaud play, but him being back for this will...not be pleasant viewing

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

On the Smith Smith decision, I'm ok with the principle if….

Marcus is not doing what SB has asked of him (and what he's asked isn't stupid),

If F Smith has looked better in training at carrying out the SB gameplan,

If Marcus isn't hitting the metrics he needs to in games and SB thinks F Smith can do better

What I'm not ok with is if….

Marcus is at FB only because Furbank is injured and he wants another creative FB,

If Marcus is hitting all the SB KPIs, so doesn't deserve to be dropped,

If SB wants more creativity but doesn't know how to drop Slade for a proper 12.

In the immortal words of Mr Loaf, two out of three ain't bad.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

We talk about all the stars behind their scrum, but some of the French pack's pretty handy too. Alldritt always seems to be massively influential.

 

[Saintjay]

Want England to win but head says France by 17.

 

[Geordie]

We talk about all the stars behind their scrum, but some of the French pack's pretty handy too. Alldritt always seems to be massively influential.

Hes hugely influential for them...both leadership and is a major carrier for them. Im genuinely hoping Tom Willis can become our version.

 

[Crash Hamster]

We talk about all the stars behind their scrum, but some of the French pack's pretty handy too. Alldritt always seems to be massively influential.

And they've not even picked Serge, though you may hear him mentioned.

"Strong Serge for the line"

"Mighty Serge in the scrum"

"Irresistible Serge drives the mall over."

Not sure what position he plays, but he's always there, doing the grunt work. Has a great game every week. Listen for him in commentary.

 

[Toulousain ex French fan]

View attachment 22809

Good compo. Coaching?