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International Test Matches
England Rugby 2018/19 Thread
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<blockquote data-quote="Mr Ruggleby" data-source="post: 914446" data-attributes="member: 41553"><p>No idea why anyone would suggest dropping Farrell or that he is a liability at 12!? The energy, organisation and leadership he brings to the team are miles above anything offered by other players. He is also a world class kicker and has played consistently well in almost every single international opportunity he has had.</p><p></p><p>Everyone wants to see ball-carrying players at centre all the time, but unless you have structure and organisation you will fall apart over the course of 80 mins - see Fiji, Samoa, Tonga. Some teams, like the All Blacks, are lucky enough to have both; dynamic carriers with world class skills, organisation and tactical rugby knowledge. Even then, a guy like Ryan Crotty often starts and is primarily picked for his work-rate, decision making and defensive organisation, rather than his physical ability as a ball carrier. Admittedly, Farrell at 12 requires a different kind of player at 13 for balance, which means unfortunately Loz (who's form has been excellent) and Slade (similarly great domestically but a gigantic bottle job internationally) both miss out. I would expect one of Tuilagi, Teo or possibly Marchant to settle into the 13 shirt by the end of the 6 nations.</p><p></p><p>Cipriani also has to be given a chance to continue his run. He was very good against Northampton whereas Ford was poor against Chiefs. I think the continued emergence of Marcus Smith provides enough confidence that we can leave Farrell at 12 and have Smith as back-up 10 in the event Cipriani gets injured or (more likely) assaults the Prime Minister on a night out.</p><p></p><p>I see the 1st choice Midfield looking like:</p><p></p><p>10. Cips</p><p>12. Farrell</p><p>13. Tuilagi (fit and firing)</p><p></p><p>2nd:</p><p></p><p>10. Smith</p><p>Playmaker: Loz/Slade</p><p>Line-breaker: Te'o/Joseph</p><p></p><p>In the event Farrell goes down, I feel like there is enough flexibility in the rest of the options to provide a balanced midfield even if it means swapping the "Playmaker" type to 13 e.g. 12. Te'o, 13. Slade.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Mr Ruggleby, post: 914446, member: 41553"] No idea why anyone would suggest dropping Farrell or that he is a liability at 12!? The energy, organisation and leadership he brings to the team are miles above anything offered by other players. He is also a world class kicker and has played consistently well in almost every single international opportunity he has had. Everyone wants to see ball-carrying players at centre all the time, but unless you have structure and organisation you will fall apart over the course of 80 mins - see Fiji, Samoa, Tonga. Some teams, like the All Blacks, are lucky enough to have both; dynamic carriers with world class skills, organisation and tactical rugby knowledge. Even then, a guy like Ryan Crotty often starts and is primarily picked for his work-rate, decision making and defensive organisation, rather than his physical ability as a ball carrier. Admittedly, Farrell at 12 requires a different kind of player at 13 for balance, which means unfortunately Loz (who's form has been excellent) and Slade (similarly great domestically but a gigantic bottle job internationally) both miss out. I would expect one of Tuilagi, Teo or possibly Marchant to settle into the 13 shirt by the end of the 6 nations. Cipriani also has to be given a chance to continue his run. He was very good against Northampton whereas Ford was poor against Chiefs. I think the continued emergence of Marcus Smith provides enough confidence that we can leave Farrell at 12 and have Smith as back-up 10 in the event Cipriani gets injured or (more likely) assaults the Prime Minister on a night out. I see the 1st choice Midfield looking like: 10. Cips 12. Farrell 13. Tuilagi (fit and firing) 2nd: 10. Smith Playmaker: Loz/Slade Line-breaker: Te'o/Joseph In the event Farrell goes down, I feel like there is enough flexibility in the rest of the options to provide a balanced midfield even if it means swapping the "Playmaker" type to 13 e.g. 12. Te'o, 13. Slade. [/QUOTE]
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