England Six Nations Thread

[Cumbrian]

First topic message reminder :

Squad (From RFU Website):

Backs

Full backs
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Nathan Earle (Saracens) *
Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints) *
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
Denny Solomona (Sale Sharks)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)

Inside backs
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins) * **
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Forwards

Back five
Gary Graham (Newcastle Falcons) *
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Zach Mercer (Bath Rugby) *
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)

Front row
Lewis Boyce (Harlequins) *
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby) *
Jamie George (Saracens)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs) *
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)

Players unavailable
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby)
Piers Francis (Northampton Saints)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Nathan Hughes (Wasps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Beno Obano (Bath Rugby)
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)
Will Spencer (Worcester Warriors)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)

Uncapped *
Apprentice player **

Fixtures:

*All kick-off times in GMT.


Italy v England
Stadio Olimpico, Rome
Sunday 4th February 2018
Kick Off: 3:00pm

England v Wales
Twickenham Stadium, London
Saturday 10th February 2018
Kick Off: 4:45pm

Scotland v England
BT Murrayfield Stadium, Edinburgh
Saturday 24th February 2018
Kick Off: 4:45pm

France v England
Stade de France, Paris
Saturday 10th March 2018
Kick Off: 4:45pm

England v Ireland
Twickenham Stadium, London
Saturday 17th March 2018
Kick Off: 2:45pm

Officialdom:

Italy v England

Referee: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant 1: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant 2: Nic Berry (Australia)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

England v Wales

Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant 1: Mathieu Reynal (France)
Assistant 2: Nic Berry (Australia)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

Scotland v England

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant 1: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant 2: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
TMO: Simon McDowell (Ireland)

France v England

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant 1: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant 2: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

England v Ireland

Referee: Angus Gardner (Australia)
Assistant 1: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant 2: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

[cascough]

If Launchbury isn't higher up that 4th choice now I'll despair as much as beshocked would when he discovers dunn is now 2nd choice to hartley.  Several motm s last season. Started on fire for Wasps. The most in form lock.

I never get why Launchbury is not rated so highly by the England selectors, for me he is an excellent player and would be one of my first names on the team sheet.

Because we have the best lock depth in the world. He also has 47 caps, more than Kruis despite being younger. I wouldn't say 47 caps at 26 is being overlooked.

47 caps? I stand corrected then, it really does not seem like he has had that many at all. Were many of these as a replacement?

Under Eddie Jones Launchbury has started 13 times and benched 7

[Scottrf]

If Launchbury isn't higher up that 4th choice now I'll despair as much as beshocked would when he discovers dunn is now 2nd choice to hartley.  Several motm s last season. Started on fire for Wasps. The most in form lock.

I never get why Launchbury is not rated so highly by the England selectors, for me he is an excellent player and would be one of my first names on the team sheet.

Because we have the best lock depth in the world. He also has 47 caps, more than Kruis despite being younger. I wouldn't say 47 caps at 26 is being overlooked.

47 caps? I stand corrected then, it really does not seem like he has had that many at all. Were many of these as a replacement?

11 of them. Mostly the start of Eddie's reign. But been starting since 2016 AIs.

[eirebilly]

Cheers lads, I stand fully corrected. Was simply my perception wrong as it was

[lostinwales]

1 Mako
2 Hartley
3 Cole
4 Launchbury
5 Itoje
6 Lawes
7 Underhill / Graham
8 Simmonds

9 Youngs
10 Ford
11 May
12 Farrell
13 Joseph
14 Nowell 1st choice, or whoever is fit after that.
15 Watson

No probs

Yep - that'll work. I suspect that is what we'll start with, assuming no more injuries and no exceptional (brilliant or poor) displays in training. Subs bench will be interesting though. It is going to be harder to find 'impact'

[Geordie]

Hopefully, the "impact" wont be needed v Italy LIW...

[Scottrf]

16 Hepburn
17 George
18 Williams
19 Kruis
20 Mercer
21 Care
22 Lozowski
23 Earle

Maybe?

[cascough]

1 Mako
2 Hartley
3 Cole
4 Launchbury
5 Itoje
6 Lawes
7 Underhill / Graham
8 Simmonds

9 Youngs
10 Ford
11 May
12 Farrell
13 Joseph
14 Nowell 1st choice, or whoever is fit after that.
15 Watson

No probs

Yep - that'll work. I suspect that is what we'll start with, assuming no more injuries and no exceptional (brilliant or poor) displays in training. Subs bench will be interesting though. It is going to be harder to find 'impact'

Is it?

A bench of Hepburn, George, Williams, Lawes, Mercer, Care, Lozowski, Solomona screams impact to me.

I actually think that if Robshaw and Brown are out he will go 6/2 and swap Solomona for Kruis. Lawes comes on in the back row and with Lozowski, Nowell and Watson in the 23 we're pretty well covered.

Edit - forgot about Lawes in the 15! Kruis in.

[Geordie]

16 Hepburn
17 George
18 Williams
19 Kruis
20 Mercer
21 Care
22 Lozowski
23 Earle

Maybe?

Good to me!

[cascough]

I have to admit I've not seen a great deal of Earle. Quite surprised he's leaving Sarries actually. No-one really seems to leave Sarries on their own terms. Beshocked, looking at the injuries to our back 3, and the relative inexperience of the replacements, why do you think George should start over Hartley?

[Scottrf]

I have to admit I've not seen a great deal of Earle. Quite surprised he's leaving Sarries actually. No-one really seems to leave Sarries on their own terms. Beshocked, looking at the injuries to our back 3, and the relative inexperience of the replacements, why do you think George should start over Hartley?

Nooooooooooooooo!

[beshocked]

Mallinder was hooked at half time for Saints. We don't do that. I don't know how he can be considered for England.

Well your captain is England captain so....... perhaps Jones just likes Saints....


Geordiefalcon whilst I don't necessarily want injuries. Injuries can bring a breath of fresh air to a squad.

Especially when a coach is forced to.

You sometimes have to look at the positives of players getting injured as it creates opportunities for others.

It helps build depth in a team.

It's a shame that the likes of Billy and Hughes are out for opportunity for Simmonds.

Of course I don't want any player including even the deity to be in a lot of pain but seeing someone else actually getting to start for England isn't bad.


cascough of course, Hartley has been poor most of this season and compounded with another poor performance vs Sarries.

The England captain should not be the worst performer in the squad.

How many other teams whether for club or country have someone playing this badly as captain except for Saints?

The whole captaincy being more important than actually playing well can only get you so far.

George has played himself into some form.

Also England surely want to play with pace and dynamism?


I know but come on - people like Dallaglio and Healey agree too.


https://www.ruck.co.uk/watch-austin-healey-pulls-no-punches-massive-rant-dylan-hartley/

[Poorfour]

I think I have only ever agreed with one thing Austin Healey has ever said. And I lost a lot of respect for Dallaglio's powers of observation when his Report concluded that no, there was absolutely no systematic use of uncontested scrums to gain advantage especially not by teams wearing black and yellow but perhaps we'd better add an extra prop to the bench to stop other forms of cheating.

England selection is done on a one man, one vote system. Eddie's the man, Eddie's got the vote. It's the only one that matters. Whatever it is he sees in Hartley, it seems to be working.

[No 7&1/2]

So given dunns performances maybe it's time to start him vs italy?

[No 7&1/2]

Will be interesting to see poorfour given that last point what happens with the new guy being involved over the last 18 months or whatever. Especially if it's someone already within the setup.

[SecretFly]

I reckon the more resistance that rises about Hartley, the more Eddie is happy that he has the right man. Eddie likes that - he likes it that he can tell Hartley that the world is against him and he knows how that gets to players and teams..... that siege mentality or circling the wagons and becoming bitter and resolute and determined to prove the basterdes wrong. It's an Eddie gravy train to see Hartley vilified.

[beshocked]

Well I generally agree with Healey, he's a good pundit.

Dallaglio isn't quite as good but solid. Dallaglio is a very passionate Wasps fan, that's pretty obvious.


Well I didn't think England's 22 out of 23 were down to just 2 men - Jones and Hartley but guess I am wrong?


no 7 & 1/2 you seriously want Dunn to start vs Italy? Why?

Secretfly it only helps if Hartley ups his game accordingly.

I think last year's 6 nations he had one of the highest missed tackle counts.

[Poorfour]

Where did I say 22/23 was down to 2 men?

I said that Eddie likes something about what Hartley does (and Brown, and Robshaw, and Ford), that his is the only opinion that counts in selection and that that opinion (about all the players he's selected) has worked pretty well so far.

None of those could be remotely construed as saying that only 2 people were responsible. Your habit of reducing anything you don't agree with to a strawman is really annoying and a huge waste of everyone's time. It shows a really unpleasant lack of respect for your fellow posters and it's hacking me off.

[No 7&1/2]

The question would have to be why don't you beshocked? Thought you favoured jones finding proven players down to 3rd choice and backing the form players. You'd have to say for the majority of the season so far dunn is the most in form hooker.

[No 7&1/2]

He's a tough boot of a bloke. Very aggressive tackler.

[No 7&1/2]

As this is the general 6ns england thread what are everyone's hopes and expectations of the tournament? I honestly think we stand a great chance of a gs if we get a touch of luck. Obviously all bar probably italy are capable of beating us but very impressed in how the team are finding ways to win and rise above.
I'm hoping we see the backs click consistently and put 5 tries past ireland *wishfull thinking*. And those newbies to out their hands up. Simmonds mercer solomona make it hard for jones to drip them out of the squad even when others return. And a cameo from young smith!

[mid_gen]

All this talk of ball carriers kinda ignores the fact that it's not the player carrying the ball that gives you quality go-forward ball in the tight....it's the rest of the forwards working their butts off to support and clean out, present the ball to the 9, at the same time as pulling in defenders to make space for the next carry, that make the most difference.

[lostinwales]

As this is the general 6ns england thread what are everyone's hopes and expectations of the tournament? I honestly think we stand a great chance of a gs if we get a touch of luck. Obviously all bar probably italy are capable of beating us but very impressed in how the team are finding ways to win and rise above.
I'm hoping we see the backs click consistently and put 5 tries past ireland *wishfull thinking*. And those newbies to out their hands up. Simmonds mercer solomona make it hard for jones to drip them out of the squad even when others return. And a cameo from young smith!

I think it is too early for Smith (but who knows - if one of the F's get hurt). I really hope it is not too early for Mercer.

[Poorfour]

I'm a lot less confident of a GS or even a tournament win than I was a couple of weeks ago - we're losing important players quite rapidly.

But the flip side of that is that it makes for a great development experience for the players who come in in their places, and that should move us closer to having the depth we will need in the RWC.

I hope Smith doesn't play - it's too much, too soon physically. But he will benefit from being around the squad. Mercer I'd be happy to see play, and it will be good to see whether Hepburn, Boyce, Dunn et al can establish themselves as credible options.

[cascough]

I have to admit I've not seen a great deal of Earle. Quite surprised he's leaving Sarries actually. No-one really seems to leave Sarries on their own terms. Beshocked, looking at the injuries to our back 3, and the relative inexperience of the replacements, why do you think George should start over Hartley?

Nooooooooooooooo!

I thought this was really obvious joke but on reflection, I apologise. I should have known where it would lead and for that, I'm truly sorry.

[doctor_grey]

I have to admit I've not seen a great deal of Earle. Quite surprised he's leaving Sarries actually. No-one really seems to leave Sarries on their own terms. Beshocked, looking at the injuries to our back 3, and the relative inexperience of the replacements, why do you think George should start over Hartley?

Nooooooooooooooo!

I would certainly play George over Hartley in the back 3.

[kingelderfield]

I'm a lot less confident of a GS or even a tournament win than I was a couple of weeks ago - we're losing important players quite rapidly.

But the flip side of that is that it makes for a great development experience for the players who come in in their places, and that should move us closer to having the depth we will need in the RWC.

I hope Smith doesn't play - it's too much, too soon physically. But he will benefit from being around the squad. Mercer I'd be happy to see play, and it will be good to see whether Hepburn, Boyce, Dunn et al can establish themselves as credible options.

All this opportunity knocks nonsense needs to be exploded. The fact is we have a finite number (10) of competition based test matches before the WC and these precious opportunities are being squandered by a body corporate that couldn't care less.
We cannot simple expect our 1st team selection to just rock up and beat the best teams in the world having not played together with anything like the required consistency. You need to develop the right partnerships and obviously if players are not fit to take the field then this cannot be achieved.
Playing 3rd and 4th choice 'johny' at this stage of our cycle is an heinous joke.

[Geordie]

I saw a review of Dunn a few weeks back and it was very impressive.

From his scrummaging as an ex prop to his sheer work rate and tackle count. In that form he is welcome to start v Italy though I know he won't.

[Collapse2005]

If Launchbury isn't higher up that 4th choice now I'll despair as much as beshocked would when he discovers dunn is now 2nd choice to hartley.  Several motm s last season. Started on fire for Wasps. The most in form lock.

I never get why Launchbury is not rated so highly by the England selectors, for me he is an excellent player and would be one of my first names on the team sheet.

He looks quite unfit but he seems to defy his appearance with how much work he seems to get through.

[propdavid_london]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/42811843

I read that Isekwe is being considered as a back row option - or one of the options that is fit to train at the moment anyway!

[Geordie]

"I was watching the back-rowers train yesterday. We had four back-rowers train: Gary Graham, Sam Simmonds, Zach Mercer and Nick Isiekwe," Jones explained.

"The most capped players out of those guys is Nick Isiekwe - he's 19. He's failed his driving test five times. So he can't even drive anywhere, and he's our most experienced player.

Quote of the day!!!

[Poorfour]

I'm a lot less confident of a GS or even a tournament win than I was a couple of weeks ago - we're losing important players quite rapidly.

But the flip side of that is that it makes for a great development experience for the players who come in in their places, and that should move us closer to having the depth we will need in the RWC.

I hope Smith doesn't play - it's too much, too soon physically. But he will benefit from being around the squad. Mercer I'd be happy to see play, and it will be good to see whether Hepburn, Boyce, Dunn et al can establish themselves as credible options.

All this opportunity knocks nonsense needs to be exploded. The fact is we have a finite number (10) of competition based test matches before the WC and these precious opportunities are being squandered by a body corporate that couldn't care less.
We cannot simple expect our 1st team selection to just rock up and beat the best teams in the world having not played together with anything like the required consistency. You need to develop the right partnerships and obviously if players are not fit to take the field then this cannot be achieved.
Playing 3rd and 4th choice 'johny' at this stage of our cycle is an heinous joke.

I am genuinely puzzled by that opinion. If the first and second choice players are injured or banned - which they are - then what are you suggesting the coaches do, apart from play the third and fourth choices? Not turn up at all? Play the injured guys anyway?

The nature of modern rugby is that players get injured - probably too much, and that needs to be looked at - and when they do that is most often when new players get their chances.

The alternative is to constantly chop and change players in the search for someone better, something that more or less guarantees that the first team will have to rock up and play without sufficient time together.

What's a coach to do? Lancaster got criticised for chopping and changing when mostly he was making changes forced by injury, and then did try to select on form and came badly unstuck.

Eddie has - sensibly in my opinion - very consistently selected his preferred players when they have been available, given opportunities when they have been injured, and stuck with the players who have e shown they can do well.

But you appear to be giving him stick for not picking unavailable players, which is bizarre in the extreme.

[Scottrf]

I think you're missing his point. He's saying give them an easier schedule and maybe they wont get injured.

But when you see players like Vunipola or Tuilagi getting injured after playing one game, I'm not sure there's so much evidence around it. Half the Welsh players are injured and they never play club rugby.

[Nottswasp]

Judging on who looks to be available;
1) Mako vunipola
2) Dylan Hartley
3) Dan Cole
4)Joe launchbury
5) George kruis
6) maro itoje
7) Sam Underhill
8) Sam Simmonds
9) Ben Youngs
10) George ford
11) Jonny may
12) Owen Farrell
13) Jonathan Joseph
14) Nathan Earle??
15) Anthony Watson

16) Jamie George
17) Alec Hepburn
18) Harry Williams
19) nick isiekwe
20) Zach mercer
21) Danny care
22) Alex lozowski
23) Denny Solomona???

Maybe a guy who is 50/50 fitness wise to make the bench...???

It may be Italy but please no more injuries to our back row, centre options or full back over the 6 nations

[Scottrf]

Nowell could start 13, and can't see Lawes being left out. Does sound like Isiekwe will be in the 23.

[Rugby Fan]

There is lot of talk in rugby about how there is less of a gap these days between the roles of lock & six, and those of six & seven. If true, then you can undesrtand why Jones might want to use his locks in the back row.

Still, I can't help thinkimg that the best international back rows generally don't use locks on the flank except in an emergency. Iain Henderson has played there for Ireland but he's now seen primarily as a lock.

When England get outplayed at the breakdown - which happens more often than we'd like - it's by specialist backrow combinations.

Perhaps I'm missing something, and Jones has actually concluded it's worth coming second in the breakdown battle for the sake of gains elsewhere. Maybe something like lineout threat and maul attack/defence.

[LondonTiger]

"I was watching the back-rowers train yesterday. We had four back-rowers train: Gary Graham, Sam Simmonds, Zach Mercer and Nick Isiekwe," Jones explained.

"The most capped players out of those guys is Nick Isiekwe - he's 19. He's failed his driving test five times. So he can't even drive anywhere, and he's our most experienced player.

Quote of the day!!!    

I did love that quote. Also found it interesting that he referred to Isiekwe as one of four back rowers who trained, which possibly confirms rumours that Itoje is still carrying the knock he got against Saints. IKs Lawes currently fit?

[Scottrf]

Lawes was illness so presumably okay for 6N.

[Geordie]

Nowell could start 13, and can't see Lawes being left out. Does sound like Isiekwe will be in the 23.

That BBC report says Nowell is 3-4 weeks away

[Scottrf]

Nowell could start 13, and can't see Lawes being left out. Does sound like Isiekwe will be in the 23.

That BBC report says Nowell is 3-4 weeks away

Okay bookworm.

[Geordie]

[LondonTiger]

There is  lot of talk in rugby about how there is less of a gap these days between the roles of lock & six, and those of six & seven. If true, then you can undesrtand why Jones might want to use his locks in the back row.

Still, I can't help thinkimg that the best international back rows generally don't use locks on the flank except in an emergency. Iain Henderson has played there for Ireland but he's now seen primarily as a lock.

When England get outplayed at the breakdown - which happens more often than we'd like - it's by specialist backrow combinations.

Perhaps I'm missing something, and Jones has actually concluded it's worth coming second in the breakdown battle for the sake of gains elsewhere. Maybe something like lineout threat and maul attack/defence.

This prompetd me to look at who Jones has named at 6 (accepting he has had people wearing 6 and packing down in 2nd row). Chronilogically starteing with most recent test:

Itoje
Robshaw
Robshaw
Robshaw
Wilson
Itoje
Itoje
Itoje
Itoje
Itoje
Robshaw
Robshaw
Robshaw
Robshaw
Robshaw
Robshaw
Robshaw
Harrison
Robshaw
Robshaw
Robshaw
Robshaw
Robshaw

My read from this is that when available Robshaw plays, when not he prefers to get his best players on the pitch and gets all his 4 "star" locks in the squad. It should be noted that there have been times when all four are fit along with Robshaw that he has had two of the locks on the bench.

I get the feeling that Jones does not believe that the back-ups to Robshaw offer as much to the team as a second row out of position.

[SecretFly]

I don't think it's good for Eddie to be winning quote of the day every blasted week!  He's gotta have his mind off his work as he plots and plans those juicy quotes either whilst out on the training field or in bed, when he should be resting.  Those kinda quotes get rehearsed and rehearsed.  They ain't ad libs.

I feel if his quotes keep getting better over the Tournament then it's a cause for concern in the English camp that the players and team might be a little unprepared.

[TightHEAD]

I don't think it's good for Eddie to be winning quote of the day every blasted week!  He's gotta have his mind off his work as he plots and plans those juicy quotes either whilst out on the training field or in bed, when he should be resting.  Those kinda quotes get rehearsed and rehearsed.  They ain't ad libs.

I feel if his quotes keep getting better over the Tournament then it's a cause for concern in the English camp that the players and team might be a little unprepared.

Eddie isn't a cook mate!

Ireland have already won this years 6 nations by everyone's reckoning, everyone else is just turning up for the match fees and TV time.

[lostinwales]

I don't think it's good for Eddie to be winning quote of the day every blasted week!  He's gotta have his mind off his work as he plots and plans those juicy quotes either whilst out on the training field or in bed, when he should be resting.  Those kinda quotes get rehearsed and rehearsed.  They ain't ad libs.

I feel if his quotes keep getting better over the Tournament then it's a cause for concern in the English camp that the players and team might be a little unprepared.

It's what he does though. He feels he has to keep close to the press but makes sure their attention is away from the actual team. The best way of doing that is the quotes and stunts like the rapping prop thing. It helps that he's good at it:)

[SecretFly]

I don't think it's good for Eddie to be winning quote of the day every blasted week!  He's gotta have his mind off his work as he plots and plans those juicy quotes either whilst out on the training field or in bed, when he should be resting.  Those kinda quotes get rehearsed and rehearsed.  They ain't ad libs.

I feel if his quotes keep getting better over the Tournament then it's a cause for concern in the English camp that the players and team might be a little unprepared.

Eddie isn't a cook mate!

Ireland have already won this years 6 nations by everyone's reckoning, everyone else is just turning up for the match fees and TV time.

Yeah. I'm bored already. Why don't they just hand us the cup on Friday in a kind of concerty singing thing at the Millennium with the flame throwers set to their highest! We'll even try to get Tommy Bowe to sing Black Velvet Band again.

[SecretFly]

I don't think it's good for Eddie to be winning quote of the day every blasted week!  He's gotta have his mind off his work as he plots and plans those juicy quotes either whilst out on the training field or in bed, when he should be resting.  Those kinda quotes get rehearsed and rehearsed.  They ain't ad libs.

I feel if his quotes keep getting better over the Tournament then it's a cause for concern in the English camp that the players and team might be a little unprepared.

It's what he does though. He feels he has to keep close to the press but makes sure their attention is away from the actual team. The best way of doing that is the quotes and stunts like the rapping prop thing. It helps that he's good at it:)

Oh don't get me wrong. I like entertaining coaches, always have. Some of the Welsh boys think all us Irish guys hate Gatland even. I Love him! He's great for our sport, the old grumpy, frowning, biting and spiting divil. I love a coach with personality..... colours the encounters.

[No 7&1/2]

Would.much prefer the option of underhill and simmonds as flankers rather than lawes Itoje or now isiekwe.

[Scottrf]

Would.much prefer the option of underhill and simmonds as flankers rather than lawes Itoje or now isiekwe.

Underhill Simmonds Mercer is incredibly inexperienced.

[No 7&1/2]

Yup it is. I think it would make up a better back row balance though than lawes and Itoje who have been trialed while looking competent and nothing more at 6. Yes isiekwe hasn't been tried there yet but hardly solves the experience question.and has a.skill set more suited to lock.

I do think we'll see more of the locks in the back row this 6Ns though.

[Poorfour]

I think Eddie can't help but come out with witticisms. And I support it wholeheartedly for rugby reasons as well as because it's funny. It keeps the press onside while allowing him to deflect attention towards or away from his players as he sees fit.

But yes, it does seem odd in looking at it that way that Eddie would rather develop his locks as standby 6s rather than develop depth on the flanks. I suppose he's been trying to bring through players like Underhill and Clifford but has been plagued by injury.

I think you're missing his point. He's saying give them an easier schedule and maybe they wont get injured.

But when you see players like Vunipola or Tuilagi getting injured after playing one game, I'm not sure there's so much evidence around it. Half the Welsh players are injured and they never play club rugby.

Fair point, Scott. And I agree with you about the "one game, crocked again" phenomenon. I'm inclined to think it's a feature of the modern game - it seems to happen to real impact players more often than the more conservative ones, but it also means that overplaying can't be the whole issue.

But I'd also disagree with the fundamental point that playing our 3rd and 4th choice players is the wrong move, simply because we can't rely on having our 1st and 2nd choices available all the time in tournaments. Remember Stephen Donald?

The most effective coaching style at the moment seems to be to accept that you'll have injured players in every series of games and to use that as the opportunity to develop the players you might have to rely on later on. It's what the All Blacks have done for a very long time, although they've also had the luxury of being able to select on form as well.

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