[2025 Six Nations] England vs Italy - 9/3/25

[Lé Ddanno]

if Menoncello would change his name to Tommy Melonford he'd be a shoe in for the Lions

Grandmother's with wheels etc

 

[spartan32]

Agreed on Chessum. I think it was noticeable how he was taking charge in team huddles etc. towards the end of the game. He really seems to developing his leadership credentials.

It's interesting you mention Chessum as captain. Did you by chance see the Itoje interview pre match? The lads a great player but my god he's dull. It was even mentioned (by George I think) that he lacks emotion. Now I know you can lead by example and all that, but sometimes you need the captain to stand up and give you a blast of Henry V style chat that gets you ready to run into fire. Not sure Itoje is the lad for that? Can't say I know a whole lot about Chessum outside of the pitch, but he certainly played like a captain on Sunday.

 

[spartan32]

Fairly predictable that Ita would score a few tries.

Fairly predictable that we would have far too much forward power.

Not sure what's changed over the last year for Ita but they've taken a big step backwards. It was like 20 years ago - competitive for a bit before folding.

But you can't sniff at racking up 7 tries and 47 points. It wasn't great, it wasn't outright lousy. It was a no win game and didn't really teach us much.

3 home wins banked.

Next week we should be far too good for Wal.

I think that's a little negative. There were those on here pre match who were saying it was going to be close, that England could let play with all in hand etc. You are right that England performing as they should would amount to the the sort of scoreline we saw yesterday, so actually we have learnt something. The team are starting to perform as one would expect of a team with this sort of talent and resources at their disposal. Thats an improvement on a year ago.

Italy aren't a bad side and scoring 47 points against them is a good effort and required England to step their game up. Italy certainly have it in them to be better. They seem to struggle with game management. Trying to play too much rugby too often. A few more territorial and tactical kicks wouldn't have gone amiss. They also need to get better finishing when in the red zone. Several times England repelled them and it completely sapped their momentum. Still have hope for them though.

 

[BPM]

Itoje is not charismatic. I do think he is influential though.

At the point the captaincy was decided, he was probably the best choice but from a medium term POV, Chessum is emerging as a very good contender. Even more so if he's full time skipper at Tigers.

 

[spartan32]

Wallabies will happily have him. I still maintain that he would be better off in the centres rather than full back. Yes he's small, but his acceleration and footwork is exceptional. His try yesterday was in the 12 channel. I reckon him and Lawrence in the centres with Fin Smith at 10.

It's an interesting idea, but I suspect there would be concerns over his defensive capabilities. He's actually not too bad in the tackle. Much like Ford he scraggs the man but often gives up a lot of ground in doing so. Against fast and strong teams it could be a really problem. Better to have in step into that role in attack, but drop away in D. In a funny way it would be better to have Fin at 13 with his big hits.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Italy aren't a bad side

I'm afraid the evidence is mounting that that's exactly what they are.

We've just put 47 on them, Fra absolutely murdered them last time out and in the Autumn they leaked 50 points at home to Arg.

They deserved to beat Wal but only did so by one score against one of the worst tier 1 teams in history.

They need to turn it round or last year's progress will quickly look like an anomaly. Being able to play some pretty stuff does not equate to being a good team.

Last year they conceded 16 tries in 5 6N games, this year it's already 25 from 4 with Ire to come.

England, at home, convincingly beat a poor team. They ultimately did what they should have which is good. But it didn't really tell us too much.

 

[Zed]

It's an interesting idea, but I suspect there would be concerns over his defensive capabilities. He's actually not too bad in the tackle. Much like Ford he scraggs the man but often gives up a lot of ground in doing so. Against fast and strong teams it could be a really problem. Better to have in step into that role in attack, but drop away in D. In a funny way it would be better to have Fin at 13 with his big hits.

Same height and weight as Matt Giteau who was up against the likes of Umaga and Nonu. A combined weight of 210kg! They both are very similar players and Giteau was lethal in that crowded 12 channel where there's no space to work with. He'd find space!

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Same height and weight as Matt Giteau who was up against the likes of Umaga and Nonu. A combined weight of 210kg! They both are very similar players and Giteau was lethal in that crowded 12 channel where there's no space to work with. He'd find space!

I can't wait until these types of players come back into vogue. 12s have become quite robotic, extra backrow type players, there has to be room to exploit it in today's game with a proper ball player.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Itoje is not charismatic. I do think he is influential though.

At the point the captaincy was decided, he was probably the best choice but from a medium term POV, Chessum is emerging as a very good contender. Even more so if he's full time skipper at Tigers.

A 6'7" Tigers lock as England captain?

There's precedent

 

[BPM]

I thought he was a bit bigger than that? Or maybe that's his brother?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I thought he was a bit bigger than that? Or maybe that's his brother?

His brother's listed at 6'9".

I like the way Chessum plays. And brilliant if he's developing leadership skills too.

 

[BrokenWing]

His brother's listed at 6'9".

I like the way Chessum plays. And brilliant if he's developing leadership skills too.

Has he played 12?

 

[Jimbo]

Agreed on Chessum. I think it was noticeable how he was taking charge in team huddles etc. towards the end of the game. He really seems to developing his leadership credentials.

Was it just me or was he that extra bit more physical than previously seen with England?

 

[Jimbo]

Itoje is not charismatic. I do think he is influential though.

At the point the captaincy was decided, he was probably the best choice but from a medium term POV, Chessum is emerging as a very good contender. Even more so if he's full time skipper at Tigers.

I think he was probably the only realistic option at the time with George getting less game time, the idea of Chessum doing it long term is very appealing my main concern is he seems to struggle with injury quite a bit.