England vs South Africa 20 / 11 / 2021

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

No Radwan again, just don't get excited by this England side even with Smith starting.

Just more players crowbarred in, expecting a 10 point loss in a fairly uninspiring game.

He was never going to play in this game in a million years

He needs to get his high balls nailed before he consistently gets picked

 

[ncurd]

Well at least Manu isn't on the wing...that was all that could be hoped for.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

No Radwan again, just don't get excited by this England side even with Smith starting.

Just more players crowbarred in, expecting a 10 point loss in a fairly uninspiring game.

Radwan is obvious tbh.
Especially against SA who are big kickers.

SA are going to have forward dominance, Radwan would never really get many chances to show his pace.
Marchant is a pretty good defender 1 on 1 on the whole and he will have a touchline to help him positional wise.

 

[MikeTheNative]

If SA can't steam roll over you in the first few phases they go to the boot quite quickly so you need to pick the the back 3 that's decent in the air.

 

[Grizwald]

As expected, although I expected to see Mallins start.

Too much to hope for a proper 8 but not unexpected.

I think we'll get mullered in the scrum and conceded a lot of pens, points and territory.

 

[Geordie]

He was never going to play in this game in a million years

He needs to get his high balls nailed before he consistently gets picked

Nothing wrong with his high balls. His defence is excellent.

I think he hasnt been picked due to his lack of kicking....

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Not feeling confident about this but not overly surprised. Kinda annoyed the Curry at 8 when we have 2 8's on the bench experiment is still going on. I guess he simply wants Lawes, Underhill and Curry all on the field as they can all be big tacklers. Maybe trying to make Curry into a Pocock...

The almighty Ewels still there but not surprising really.

TBH as long as Tuilagi isn't on the wing again, this isn't too bad. Don't think it's enough to win it though. We don't just need players who can win in the air, we need them properly supported when they land again and we don't tend to do that. If we have butterfingers like the world cup, we will be destroyed. Hell it may even be beneficial for the South Africans to just knock it on themselves and then win the scrum...

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Nothing wrong with his high balls. His defence is excellent.

I think he hasnt been picked due to his lack of kicking....

I've never been overly impressed by them when I've watched him tbh, it's been the biggest gripe I could see. Realistically he wants Mays shirt and May is acc v good under the high ball now

May also be the kicking tbf

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Don't get where this idea that Radwan is poor under the high ball has come from
I'd have started Malins and had Marchant on the bench, tbh, so not too aggrieved - Marchant shouldn't be starting on the wing ahead of Radwan, though

Unsurprised but unenthused by the side
Curry shouldn't be at 8, Marchant shouldn't be on the wing, Blamire shouldn't be starting

 

[Scotty]

Happy enough. Injuries forced the front row so fair enough.

Wanted Dombrant to start. As Curry is not an 8 amd never will be, happy for him to move to 8 in a game when we get an injury but still.

Id have gone for Malins over Marchant with Marchant at 23.

Smith Manu Slade. Yes.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Is Marchant known as a kicker?
If it was kicking then Malins is the obvious given you know he kicks cause he plays 10 and 15

 

[MikeTheNative]

If Smith get's injured is it Malins or Slade that goes to 10?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

If Smith get's injured is it Malins or Slade that goes to 10?

Malins would be my guess and preference. Big ask to be covering 10, 11, 14 and 15 though.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

If Smith get's injured is it Malins or Slade that goes to 10?

Didn't even consider that - usually when we go 6-2 it's cause Farrell is on the pitch covering 10

Honestly not sure, I'd guess at Slade cause he has a lot more experience in the side and slots in at first receiver a lot, but really it's a coin toss

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

So if Slade is to 10 in the case of injury then I guess Marchant comes in to 13 and Malins to the wing?

 

[WaterboySA]

When last did SA face a unit like Manu at centre? Our 12/13 mostly win the physical battle, not sure they will do that on Saturday. I will watch peeping through my fingers. Not at all sure about a win.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

When last did SA face a unit like Manu at centre? Our 12/13 mostly win the physical battle, not sure they will do that on Saturday. I will watch peeping through my fingers. Not at all sure about a win.

I think if there's one thing SA don't have to worry about its the defensive capabilities of your midfield

 

[Geordie]

Apparently Farrell is having an operation on his ankle...

 

[MikeTheNative]

Did Krevi play for Aus in this rugby championship?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Is Jones thinking that the Bok replacement front row is better than the starters? Otherwise I don't see the point in holding back Marler and Dolly (if its right that his set piece is better than Blamire).

Unfortunately likely that Blamire will struggle in both scrums and line outs. Odds of him joining Burrell and Harrison in the first half hooked hall of shame?

8. Enough said.

I'm a bit old fashioned in that I'd prefer a winger on the wing, but I like Marchant and will be interested to see how he goes. Would much prefer to see him battling it out for the 13 shirt though.