England v Fiji - KO 14:30 Sat 10th NOV at HQ - Match Thread/Build Up etc....

[HERSH]

First topic message reminder :

Feel free to discuss this game and any other aspect involving the England Rugby team good or bad as your opinions count and you won't be judged (by me) if you go against England, but do try to give a reason!

Please respect other posters opinions


England team to face Fiji

15. Alex Goode (Saracens, 2 caps)
14. Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby, 2 caps)
13. Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 13 caps)
12. Brad Barritt (Saracens, 7 caps)
11. Ugo Monye (Harlequins, 13 caps)
10. Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers, 50 caps)
9. Danny Care (Harlequins, 33 caps)
1. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 3 caps)
2. Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 0 caps)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
4. Tom Palmer (London Wasps, 40 caps)
5. Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps)
6. Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs, 3 caps)
7. Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, capt, 8 caps)
8. Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers, 2 caps)


Replacements
16. David Paice (London Irish, 2 caps)
17. David Wilson (Bath Rugby, 19 caps)
18. Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 0 caps)
19. Joe Launchbury (London Wasps, 0 caps)
20. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints, 9 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 24 caps)
22. Owen Farrell (Saracens, 8 caps)
23. Mike Brown (Harlequins, 7 caps)

[lostinwales]

I dont things Youngs is too small. He is very dynamic. Its one thing that has come across from the Wales match is that having big guys is great if they have the space to build up momentum, but having smaller guys who can mix things up by generating pace where there is no space is priceless.

Marler - one thing that struck me was that when he threw that useless pass was where he was and what he was doing and the fact that (pass aside) he looked comfortable there

[Hood83]

I dont things Youngs is too small. He is very dynamic. Its one thing that has come across from the Wales match is that having big guys is great if they have the space to build up momentum, but having smaller guys who can mix things up by generating pace where there is no space is priceless.

Marler - one thing that struck me was that when he threw that useless pass was where he was and what he was doing and the fact that (pass aside) he looked comfortable there

Fair points. As a former crash-ball centre he does know how to take the ball at pace, something the rest of our forwards need to learn.

We're putting together a pretty good footballing pack, but I just feel it lacks real grit and power.

[HammerofThunor]

Youngs has a habit (that I've noticed a few times but a Leicester fan may be able to confirm) of flying into rucks. Often off his feet, without binding and slightly offside. Not sure if I'm just noticing the odd time it does happen or it's all the time.

[DaveM]

1 area of concern on tactics - we didnt create too many oportunities. Lots of our scores just came from smashing through the tackle and poor Fiji defence. Better organised teams will not give us these chances, then a game becomes really tight and England may struggle.

I disagree with that. I think England created loads of chances, they just failed to exploit a significant number of them. But that's a lot easier than not creating the chances in the first place. For the first time in the SL era I could see evidence of an attacking game-plan.

[yappysnap]

Perhaps if we're looking for negatives it could be turnovers? I don't think we turned over Fiji ball too often at the breakdown (other then Dan McCawle), especially compared to the insane amount of turnovers won bu France playing Oz.

[ChequeredJersey]

I said that France second string back was utterly ludicrous

[yappysnap]

Agreed, I'm not sure if psychologicaly Englands first team can be as good as them too. Infact not even close to as good as they were on Sat.

The tears from their 7 as the anthem rang out said it all really, England can't match that level of emotional commitment.

[ChequeredJersey]

Mike Brown must be cursing that broken thumb from South Africa!

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