What gives you optimism? I watched the autumn nations and was really disappointed that we hadn't improved from last year really at all. We seem like a teams that's ok, but not got that cutting edge to beat top teams.Love the optimism.
I think you're probably close with the 23 there, although I do think there's a fairly decent chance Borthwick puts Marcus at 15 and brings Fin in at 10. Not what I'd do, but certainly a possibility.
Personally, I think it's hard to know what to expect. Ireland were well below their best in the AIs and who knows what impact of Farrell being absent will have?
They'll still be clear favourites, but I don't expect to get 'battered'.
I equally was disappointed, but I also don't think we're as terrible as people like to make out.What gives you optimism? I watched the autumn nations and was really disappointed that we hadn't improved from last year really at all. We seem like a teams that's ok, but not got that cutting edge to beat top teams.
Also only squeeked out wins against the mentioned ireland win as well as wales and italy, the closeness of those wins against especially wales is never mentioned, but it pretty damning.Over the last year and a bit we've largely been competitive with some very narrow defeats, so any losses by 10+ would be unlikely and a step backwards.
But that pattern of defeats doesn't signify 'just' a need for 'luck' to turn. You mostly make your own luck and over time get what you deserve. Going from consistently plucky and competitive (minimum requirement) to consistently winning is a big step and one which I'm not sure we're ready to take yet.
Anything can happen on any given day, but for me it's probably another 2 or 3 win championship with a hard luck story somewhere.