[RWC2023 Bronze Final] Argentina vs England (27/10/2023)

[Grizwald]

Maybe we're also in for a Tuilagi retirement announcement too?

33 in May and a fading force at this level which both he and Borthwick will know. Been playing international rugby for a long time now and all those injuries have taken their toll.

May partly depend on SB's longer term plans for the 12 shirt. Also whether he sees Lawrence as a straight replacement for Marchant at 13.

Borthwick will go a long go a long way if he can find a proper midfield combo, some depth at hooker, some props who can scrummage. Not a lot to do then.....

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

He'll be 35 by then, for a bloke that has never been in great shape that might be ambitious tbh

Never realised how old he was, always assumed he was around 27.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67214279

Cause for celebration?

No. Although if you really mean will we be a better team with a different 9, then quite possibly - game plan dependent.

His time has been and gone and today we congratulate him on his longevity, fitness and commitment. He often hasn't delivered what we've wanted, but coaches must have been happy enough - maybe he wasn't happy about what he was being instructed to deliver, who knows? I thought we should have moved on some time ago - and have been vocal in my criticism - but the coaches didn't. Fine personal achievements which should be acknowledged and when the time comes I'll say the same about Farrell.

He always had a huge tick in the credit column for me for his withdrawal from the Lions tour to support his brother and wider family.

Players of his longevity always have critics at the time. Everyone loves Jason Leonard now but for years he was criticised for not doing enough in the loose with calls for him to be dropped in favour of Rowntree or another flavour of the month more mobile option.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Quite an odd selection. Steward in the wing is silly considering how slow and non agile he is, smith at FB again isn't something I really wanted and then the decent FB of the group is on the wing.

Also not sure our back row offers enough carrying threat, it's all too 'Eddie' for my liking. Just hope we actually attack at some point. Starting to dread the thought of 4 more years of SB.

 

[higgik]

According to Justin Marshall, that's not far off of NZ.

They also have a 15 at 12!!!

 

[Scotty]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/67214279

Cause for celebration?

No issue with Ben Youngs starting at all, he was great for English rugby for a long time, he just has been kept on too long.

Wish him the very best.

 

[BrokenWing]

he was great for English rugby for a long time

Just one of his breakdowns

 

[OldSchoolRugga]

Felipe Contepomi is replacing Cheika after the World Cup.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Mad that Underhill has just 29 caps, the same as Smith and fewer than both Steward and Stuart.

 

[BPM]

To be fair, that's mostly on account of his injury record though

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

To be fair, that's mostly on account of his injury record though

Totally, but mad nonetheless.

 

[Geordie]

So confirmed retirement so far is May, Lawes and Youngs...

 

[Jer1cho]

I will be shouting with everything in me for Argentina to win.

 

[Geordie]

I will be shouting with everything in me for Argentina to win.

Thats great to hear...top guy.

 

[Superalexmarket]

I hope a close match at least, England by 5 or 7 thought

 

[Horacito]

So, bertranou out and Chocobares as well
Looking better I reckon

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Wouldn't be surprised if Martin is rested because of the amount of work he put in.

Out with a knee injury. Wearing a protective brace but not thought to be too bad.

 

[Zac_ETNZ]

Felipe Contepomi is replacing Cheika after the World Cup.

Maybe Cheika will go back to coach Australia with Eddie evidently on the way out - Aussies like recycling their old coaches that way LOL.

 

[Zac_ETNZ]

I will be shouting with everything in me for Argentina to win.

I'm picking Argentina to score the first try in the match and then go on to win 28-18.

 

[Bruce_ma gooshvili]

Seems it will be wet conditions. I would be tempted to not watch this except England have two playmakers in the backs, so we might get some running rugby from both sides despite the weather.

England 18 - 13 Argentina