England 2021/22

[Geordie]

I think we'll see...

1-50/60 mins.
10 Farrell - Assuming hes available.
12 Slade
13 Manu
(those two interchanging.)

50/60mins - Final
10 Smith
12 Farrell
13 Manu or Slade

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

It's almost as if Eddie just can't believe that Smith is *that* good, whereas all available evidence to date shows that he is, in fact, *that* good.

He can run, pass, tackle (legally, too...), kick from hand and tee, he has an uncoachable instinct as to when to do what, is a natural leader who inspires those around him, he seems popular and he's a winner. He even seems reasonably durable. At no stage so far has he failed to make the immediate step up when presented with the chance.

I can't remember any England fly half who has been *that* good (and I used to go to The Reddings to watch Moseley in the 1970s, so I've seen a few.) It's just possible that we've actually got a unicorn player in a pivotal position and EJ seems afraid to believe it. It seems such a waste, just because it's also possible that he never kicks on from being already better than several who have 50+ caps.

In a way I think it goes back to something Jones said when he started, that England just don't have world class players. Slightly paraphrasing but he essentially said we churn out 7/10's but very rarely get the 9/10 and 10/10 players. To be fair to him, there was a fair element of truth in it when he took over but the implication is England are always like that, 2003 squad aside. It is often repeated and seemingly believed worldwide, that England are a team whose players could not get into any other team, even when we are winning. It's that we stay at the same level and whether we win or lose basically depends on the form of our opposition, not us. We are only ever "good" and win by facing opposition who are poor rather than ever facing good opposition and simply being better. It's changing a bit now but I think that belief is still ingrained in quite a few people, that in every position England have, there is someone better in another team.

Jones may still have that thought in his head and essentially believes that any true talents England have actually aren't all that much and basically overhyped. As we can't produce any truly great players, any who appear that way must be the result of other factors and not their own ability and essentially doomed to never live up to that standard.

 

[Which Tyler]

Smith has all the skills, he just needs some experience. Frankly, his biggest challenge is likely to be if Jones forgets why he picked him in the first place and tries to turn him into something he's not.

You mean - repeats exactly what he's done with Ford?

 

[Teddington Logic]

Jones must know that his fundamental issue is around Farrell

He has totally invested in Farrell and backed himself into a corner where the No 1 priority is to have Farrell on the pitch for every minute possible of every game. Team selection is now driven by finding a spot for Farrell irrespective of anything else

Manu being fit and Slade playing well creates one problem

Having 2 no 10's who are both way better than Farrell creates another problem

Psychologically can Jones pick a team without Farrell?

 

[Crash Hamster]

It would certainly be interesting to see Dombrandt at 8, Quirke 9, Smith 10, Tuilagi 12 and Slade 13 (Radwan, May and Steward to round it out) with Farrell at 22 for comfort blanket purposes, FH and centre cover.

I suppose it won't happen until Farrell gets injured or suspended, not that I'm withing that on him.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

You mean - repeats exactly what he's done with Ford?

Precisely.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Jones is just being a dick as always. He's just looking for ways to avoid starting him abs putting Farrell back at 10.

I don't think we even need Farrell anymore.
Smith and Ford for 10. Manu and Atkinson at 12. Thought Atkinson did more in one game than I've ever seen Farrell do, all he does is take up field space with his slow run before he passes at international level, just too slow.

 

[BPM]

I am not Farrell's biggest fan, but you don't half come out with some real rubbish.

Would I pick Farrell at 10 or 12? No. Were Mark Atkinson's 20mins against a flagging Tonga team better than Farrell's entire England career? Obviously not.

Your (mostly) irrational hate of Eddie Jones and Farrell overrides everything which is why I can't take your posts seriously.

I know exactly what you mean about Farrell's 'slow run' but come on …

 

[Nudger]

Ford back into squad
We now have 4 flyhalfs wtf

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

oh no

Oh no

Oh no no no no

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ford back into squad
We now have 4 flyhalfs wtf

That's a weird one

Who's he replacing? If Malins is permanently out you'd have thought they'd bring in a back three player (especially as EJ obviously likes Furbank at 10)

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

anyone got a source?

 

[Teddington Logic]

apparently Marcus Smith is being released due to failure to win a tennis match in Romania

 

[TRF_Olyy]

anyone got a source?

I can't see even a whisper of it on twitter or anything

 

[Teddington Logic]

one thing that still intrigues me is what exactly was the nature of Smiths leg injury in the England camp

by all accounts he was training fully until the paddleboard day and then was missing from training the day after

the England camp, as far as I can tell have given absolutely no specifics about the injury

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I am not Farrell's biggest fan, but you don't half come out with some real rubbish.

Would I pick Farrell at 10 or 12? No. Were Mark Atkinson's 20mins against a flagging Tonga team better than Farrell's entire England career? Obviously not.

Your (mostly) irrational hate of Eddie Jones and Farrell overrides everything which is why I can't take your posts seriously.

I know exactly what you mean about Farrell's 'slow run' but come on …

I love an over the top reaction but there is some truth in parts (although overegged by me as always).

What Atkinson did (agree against a flagging Tonga side) were what a 12 is supposed to do. Whenever Farrell plays 12 he still plays like a 10, he takes the space, doesn't offer and running threat and can't crash it up. He's not a Gopperth who can step and crest space and his pass isn't that amazing off both hands.

So yes I over egg stuff, yes I despise Eddie, Farrell I run hot and cold on but at the moment it's cold basically because there are better options.

Please don't ignore me though or not take me seriously. I'll try and tone things down for you as I love a rugby discussion.

So I'm sorry dude.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Ford back into squad
We now have 4 flyhalfs wtf

There was a rumour on Ruck on Sunday but can't see anything else about it.

 

[BPM]

I love an over the top reaction but there is some truth in parts (although overegged by me as always).

What Atkinson did (agree against a flagging Tonga side) were what a 12 is supposed to do. Whenever Farrell plays 12 he still plays like a 10, he takes the space, doesn't offer and running threat and can't crash it up. He's not a Gopperth who can step and crest space and his pass isn't that amazing off both hands.

So yes I over egg stuff, yes I despise Eddie, Farrell I run hot and cold on but at the moment it's cold basically because there are better options.

Please don't ignore me though or not take me seriously. I'll try and tone things down for you as I love a rugby discussion.

So I'm sorry dude.

Haha. Fair enough.

This post is about a million times better.

I agree with your assessment on Farrell as a 12. I just don't think Atkinson is the solution.

Personally, I'd be happy enough to keep the back line from last weekend with Smith coming in for Furbank at 10 and Farrell on the bench.

Farrell isn't an impact player, but the way I see it, Smith is the 10 you want to build your lead and Farrell is the 10 you bring on to keep it. Useful in a tight test match.

 

[Mr Burns]

Looking at the training pics it looks like Malins is in for Radwan and Farrell for Slade although might be reading to much into it…

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Looking at the training pics it looks like Malins is in for Radwan and Farrell for Slade although might be reading to much into it…

Would rather Malins was in the squad as an impact sub. Farrell being back in and playing straight away is inevitable.