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)

[Rugby Fan]

When is Eddie naming the side?

Final match day 23 named tomorrow. I thought it was today, but apparently not.

[BamBam]

Usually 2 days before the game, as we're playing Sunday it makes sense

[propdavid_london]

cheers

[englishborn]

It's Samoa. We can be rubbish and win. New Zealand were good and won 78-0.

Never a good idea to compare scores, too many factors involved which make the situation different.

[SecretFly]

It's Samoa. We can be rubbish and win. New Zealand were good and won 78-0.

Never a good idea to compare scores, too many factors involved which make the situation different.

Colours of shirts being one of them

[No 7&1/2]

Well most of the bbc pundits think it's ireland title this year. Guscott must be relieved he doesn't have to back england!

[lostinwales]

Well Ireland are a good team and are the only team to have beaten both England and NZ in recent times. But I think it will be very interesting to see how they handle being favourites away from home at Twickenham. The pressure on them will be immense.

I wouldn't want to go to Dublin for the last match in the 6N - this does work both ways.

[lostinwales]

Well most of the bbc pundits think it's ireland title this year. Guscott must be relieved he doesn't have to back england!

Guscottt writes of Ford's running game

If he can rediscover that side of his game, England will be an attacking threat in the backs, which would make a pleasant change.

Erm yeah. Maybe we could do more of that side to side go nowhere thing that we are rubbish at but when anyone else does it - it's 'wonderful back play'. He's very last century. We do score a lot of tries through the backs

[Sgt_Pooly]

Well most of the bbc pundits think it's ireland title this year. Guscott must be relieved he doesn't have to back england!

Guscottt writes of Ford's running game

If he can rediscover that side of his game, England will be an attacking threat in the backs, which would make a pleasant change.

Erm yeah. Maybe we could do more of that side to side go nowhere thing that we are rubbish at but when anyone else does it - it's 'wonderful back play'. He's very last century. We do score a lot of tries through the backs

He does have a point on Ford and his not attacking the line though. A few of us brought this up a while back, it's one part of Ford's game which is poor.

[dummy_half]

Well most of the bbc pundits think it's ireland title this year. Guscott must be relieved he doesn't have to back england!

Guscottt writes of Ford's running game

If he can rediscover that side of his game, England will be an attacking threat in the backs, which would make a pleasant change.

Erm yeah. Maybe we could do more of that side to side go nowhere thing that we are rubbish at but when anyone else does it - it's 'wonderful back play'. He's very last century. We do score a lot of tries through the backs

Because we were so toothless against Scotland last year...

[ChequeredJersey]

Guscott, whilst a great player, is both a fool and a tool in his punditry. Don’t take him seriously

[Scottrf]

Well most of the bbc pundits think it's ireland title this year. Guscott must be relieved he doesn't have to back england!

Guscottt writes of Ford's running game

If he can rediscover that side of his game, England will be an attacking threat in the backs, which would make a pleasant change.

Erm yeah. Maybe we could do more of that side to side go nowhere thing that we are rubbish at but when anyone else does it - it's 'wonderful back play'. He's very last century. We do score a lot of tries through the backs

He does have a point on Ford and his not attacking the line though. A few of us brought this up a while back, it's one part of Ford's game which is poor.

It's a coached decision. England are good because we spread the ball wide so quickly through the 10-12 axis.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Well most of the bbc pundits think it's ireland title this year. Guscott must be relieved he doesn't have to back england!

Guscottt writes of Ford's running game

If he can rediscover that side of his game, England will be an attacking threat in the backs, which would make a pleasant change.

Erm yeah. Maybe we could do more of that side to side go nowhere thing that we are rubbish at but when anyone else does it - it's 'wonderful back play'. He's very last century. We do score a lot of tries through the backs

He does have a point on Ford and his not attacking the line though. A few of us brought this up a while back, it's one part of Ford's game which is poor.

It's a coached decision. England are good because we spread the ball wide so quickly through the 10-12 axis.

It's a coaches decision for the 10 to not make a line break if he spots one? Nonsense.

Ford isn't backing himself and hasn't for some time, he rarely does with Tigers either. He's got it in his locker, he should use it.

[Cumbrian]

The Daily Heil is predicting Itoje to start at 6 and Joseph to get the nod at 13. I won't say this very often but the Mail are generally right (that hurts) when it comes to rugby. They are suggesting the team will be something like:

01 Vunipola
02. Hartley
03. Cole
04. Lauchbury
05. Lawes
06. Itoje
07. Robshaw
08. Simmonds

09. Youngs
10. Ford

11.Watson
12. farrell
13. Joseph
14. May
15. Brown

[beshocked]

Really? Others are predicting Lawes at 6 and Teo at 13.

I don't know what form Teo has been in but I can understand why Jones would start him.

According to sky.

England team to play Italy: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Anthony Watson, 13 Ben Te'o, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs; 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Courtney Lawes, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Sam Simmonds.

Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Alec Hepburn, 18 Harry Williams, 19 George Kruis, 20 Sam Underhill, 21 Danny Care, 22 Jonathan Joseph, 23 Jack Nowell.

[Rugby Fan]

Jones has named Itoje at six before, with Lawes in the second row, but it was Lawes who packed down on the flank at scrum time.

[BamBam]

Team is as beshocked posted above

[beshocked]

It will be pretty painful for Italy seeing those players on the England bench coming on.

I am excited to see what Simmonds can do.

[cascough]

Assuming everyone in the retained list of 25 is fit, I think playing 3 locks and Te'o over Joseph would be mistakes.

If he's worried about carrying, I can see the logic for both of those. I'm assuming he wants to start Itoje and his best two carrying locks are Lawes and Launchbury. Likewise Te'o over Joseph gives us something different in the backline. However, It's Italy. The field will get fragmented enough, often enough for carrying not to be an issue. I'd sooner leave the backrow alone and let Joseph enjoy the space. What time is the announcement scheduled?

[cascough]

now then!!!

[Scottrf]

Joseph hasn't been in form. And maybe his pace is better when they are tired. Granted Te'o hasn't been in form as he's been injured.

Playing 3 locks is just Eddie's 'if they give a 7/10 every week they are undroppable in action.

[beshocked]

2nd row is a strength so getting as many locks on the pitch isn't necessarily a bad thing. Especially vs Italy.

Itoje and Lawes both play like 5.5s IMO anyway.

Robshaw is a 6.5

Perhaps the team will evolve over the 6 nations.

[BamBam]

Yeah would expect Underhill to play himself into the team

[LondonTiger]

England team to face Italy

15 Mike Brown (Harlequins 64 caps), 14 Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby 28 caps), 13 Ben Te’o (Worcester Warriors 8 caps), 12 Owen Farrell (Saracens 53 caps), 11 Jonny May (Leicester Tigers 29 caps), 10 George Ford (Leicester Tigers 40 caps), 9 Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers 73 caps), 1 Mako Vunipola (Saracens 44 caps), 2 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints 89 caps), 3 Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers 77 caps), 4 Joe Launchbury (Wasps 47 caps), 5 Maro Itoje (Saracens 14 caps), 6 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints 61 caps), 7 Chris Robshaw (Harlequins 59 caps), 8 Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs 3 caps).

Finishers
16 Jamie George (Saracens 20 caps), 17 Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped), 18 Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 5 caps), 19 George Kruis (Saracens 21 caps), 20 Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby 3 caps), 21 Danny Care (Harlequins 76 caps), 22 Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby 35 caps), 23 Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs 23 caps).

[cascough]

Joseph hasn't been in form. And maybe his pace is better when they are tired. Granted Te'o hasn't been in form as he's been injured.

Playing 3 locks is just Eddie's 'if they give a 7/10 every week they are undroppable in action.

Judging Josephs form is tough IMO. Bath are playing some turgid stuff this season. The pace thing makes sense. Finisher innit.

The 3 locks and 7/10 thing holds up too, but if you look at who has been dropped, surely Underhill has been marked as one of those guys too? I'd have thought a run of games would be what he needs to establish himself in test rugby.

[beshocked]

Who goes to 8 if Simmonds gets injured?

cascough it's difficult for Jones to drop Lawes,Launchbury or Itoje. That's why Underhill has been pushed onto the bench.

Plus also Underhill doesn't really look like he can last 80 minutes consistently at international yet. It will save him from too much of a battering if he gets 20-30 mins instead of 50+.

[ChequeredJersey]

Think it’ll be close to start then the bench will see us pull away after 60. Not keen on te backrow but meh

[LondonTiger]

England head coach Eddie Jones has admitted selection for Sunday’s NatWest 6 Nations opener has been difficult such is the competition for places .

Jones’ side take on Italy in Rome on Sunday (3pm KO GMT) as they look to become the first team to win the tournament three consecutive times.

Ben Te’o is named at outside centre, Courtney Lawes is chosen at flanker and Exeter Chiefs forward Sam Simmonds will start at No 8.

“We’ve got a fantastic squad that have all prepared really well,” said Jones.

“We had a terrific week in Portugal and guys competing for spots, so it’s been difficult. The great thing about our team is that no one is a certainty. Some players have got more credit than others.

“We’ve decided to give Ben Te’o a run at 13, but JJ is unlucky not to start but will play a significant role as a finisher.”


Simmonds will start his first NatWest 6 Nations match for England and Jones says he is impressed by the Exeter Chief, who will win his fourth cap.

“He is a good young kid, he does the simple things well, he runs hard, tackles hard, works hard.

“He is a humble boy, he’s really fitted into the team well and his enthusiasm for ball carrying is going to be important on Sunday.”


Maro Itoje will partner Joe Launchbury in the second row and Jones explained why it is important to have several lineout jumpers.

“It’s important to have three regular jumpers and we have that with Maro, Courtney and Joe,” said Jones.

“Chris Robshaw is also an accomplished jumper so it gives us three and half jumpers.”

He also says the team are aiming to share the responsibilities of ball carrying in the absence of injured Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes: “It’s about spreading the work load.

“We don’t want to rely on one dominant ball carrier because if you rely on one then the opposition find a way to stop that ball carrier and you’re stopped going forward.”


Sunday’s match will be England’s 24th Test match under Jones’ tenure, however, the Australian says the approach will be the same as the previous games.

“Test match rugby never changes, it doesn’t matter who you are playing and where you are playing them,” he said.

“You’ve got to get your set piece right, you’ve got to be strong defensively and you’ve got to play with aggression and energy.”

[cascough]

Who goes to 8 if Simmonds gets injured?

There are no other 8s in the squad (after Mercer's injury) so this was a problem before today!

Robshaw.

[LondonTiger]

Who goes to 8 if Simmonds gets injured?

Robshaw - as they have practised with him there in all camps this season (most notably in that session with Wales)

[beshocked]

Who goes to 8 if Simmonds gets injured?

Robshaw - as they have practised with him there in all camps this season (most notably in that session with Wales)

Wow, fair enough.

[ChequeredJersey]

Who goes to 8 if Simmonds gets injured?

There are no other 8s in the squad (after Mercer's injury) so this was a problem before today!

Robshaw.

Johnny May surely?

[No 7&1/2]

Strong team. Strong squad. Looking foward to seeing Launchbury and Itoje together. For me our strongest pairing and it would be good to see them together for the tournament.

[MichaelT]

Underhill could be on the bench to save for next weeks game against Wales? The back-row of Itoje, Clifford and Hughes didn't do great against proper flankers last year, so Underhill could be back in next week and be pretty fresh.

One of Kruis, Lawes, Itoje or Launchbury is going to miss out at some point. Lawes suits the finisher idea better than the others I think. Kruis starts or doesnt play.

Especially if Hughes is back in the next few weeks? Not sure if he is meant to be.

[Rugby Fan]

England head coach Eddie Jones has admitted selection for Sunday’s NatWest 6 Nations opener has been difficult such is the competition for places .

Maro Itoje will partner Joe Launchbury in the second row and Jones explained why it is important to have several lineout jumpers.

“It’s important to have three regular jumpers and we have that with Maro, Courtney and Joe,” said Jones.

“Chris Robshaw is also an accomplished jumper so it gives us three and half jumpers.”

Does suggest that Jones plans to keep on using locks on the flank.

As far as flankers go Brad Shields is 193cm (same as Haskell, and a couple of cm bigger than Don Armand). Might explain why Jones has half an eye on him.

[TightHEAD]

Would have started Underhill but I understand why he has chosen Lawes for his experience.

Te'o over JJ ?

I don't get this apparent lack of form JJ has had, He has scored some cracking tries and breaks this season already.
More form than an injured Te'o.

[ChequeredJersey]

England head coach Eddie Jones has admitted selection for Sunday’s NatWest 6 Nations opener has been difficult such is the competition for places .

Maro Itoje will partner Joe Launchbury in the second row and Jones explained why it is important to have several lineout jumpers.

“It’s important to have three regular jumpers and we have that with Maro, Courtney and Joe,” said Jones.

“Chris Robshaw is also an accomplished jumper so it gives us three and half jumpers.”

Does suggest that Jones plans to keep on using locks on the flank.

As far as flankers go Brad Shields is 193cm (same as Haskell, and a couple of cm bigger than Don Armand). Might explain why Jones has half an eye on him.

Or he’s chatting randomly.

We thought “ooh, 3 good jumpers, that’s ideal” with England before and it turned out to over complicate the lineout. 2 ( and maybe at most an extra 1/2) good jumpers is absolutely fine at any level, so they can’t cut off your options by jumping at the middle or front. Beyond that, it doesn’t matter

[cascough]

Think it’ll be close to start then the bench will see us pull away after 60. Not keen on te backrow but meh

Why?

What is it about the Italy team you think will be able to live with this team for 60 mins? Unless you think England are going to play terribly again?

[TightHEAD]

England will score 3 tries before 25mins. relax people its a walk in the park.

[BamBam]

Who goes to 8 if Simmonds gets injured?

Robshaw - as they have practised with him there in all camps this season (most notably in that session with Wales)

Wow, fair enough.

What alternative is there in the squad? Bear in mind Mercer got injured too

[ChequeredJersey]

Think it’ll be close to start then the bench will see us pull away after 60. Not keen on te backrow but meh

Why?

What is it about the Italy team you think will be able to live with this team for 60 mins? Unless you think England are going to play terribly again?

I don’t see us getting a huge advantage in either the gain line or breakdown, and I’m not sure re the scrum, and think without that we are over reliant in this side on spreading the ball wide to make any breaks and Italy will take a while to break down. We will lead at 60, but not by a lot. We will finish at least 20 points ahead, probably more

[ChequeredJersey]

Who goes to 8 if Simmonds gets injured?

Robshaw - as they have practised with him there in all camps this season (most notably in that session with Wales)

Wow, fair enough.

What alternative is there in the squad? Bear in mind Mercer got injured too

I think he’s sick rather than injured.

If he’s not better by next match, I hope we call up Wray/Ewers/Armand early.

[cascough]

Think it’ll be close to start then the bench will see us pull away after 60. Not keen on te backrow but meh

Why?

What is it about the Italy team you think will be able to live with this team for 60 mins? Unless you think England are going to play terribly again?

I don’t see us getting a huge advantage in either the gain line or breakdown, and I’m not sure re the scrum, and think without that we are over reliant in this side on spreading the ball wide to make any breaks and Italy will take a while to break down. We will lead at 60, but not by a lot. We will finish at least 20 points ahead, probably more

With respect, you still haven't told me anything about Italy.

When looking at their side, and considering they lose and lose heavily with great regularity, why do you think Italy will be able to match us in so many areas?

[cascough]

Who goes to 8 if Simmonds gets injured?

Robshaw - as they have practised with him there in all camps this season (most notably in that session with Wales)

Wow, fair enough.

What alternative is there in the squad? Bear in mind Mercer got injured too

I think he’s sick rather than injured.

If he’s not better by next match, I hope we call up Wray/Ewers/Armand early.

Interesting point this. If Mercer or Simmonds do get injured, who is the next cab off the rank?

[Rugby Fan]

What alternative is there in the squad? Bear in mind Mercer got injured too

Jonny May has Test match back row experience.

[BamBam]

I guess one of the names CJ mentioned would be in line.

Struggling to think of any more EQ number 8s in the league - Waldrom/Thompson the others that spring to mind

[No 7&1/2]

Yeah mercer has flu so I'd think he'd be back for wales. If not then I would expect Robshaw moving to 8 with underhill lawes.

[BamBam]

What alternative is there in the squad? Bear in mind Mercer got injured too

Jonny May has Test match back row experience.

True. Although he's far more likely to break his nose at the back of the scrum, and that never usually ends well for him

[No 7&1/2]

I do expect a good performance and a big tbh. Wouldn't be surprised at 40 point win.

[beshocked]

England will likely dominate the lineout, I criticise Hartley but his lineout is generally solid - can't argue with that and with multiple jumpers, England have so many options.

England's 2nd row has been a big strength under Jones so let's keep using it.

No country matches England's 2nd row depth, not even NZ IMO.

If you can control the lineout you can put pressure on the opposition and vary play on your own ball.


The 2nd row are the focal point of Jones' England.

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