England v Japan - SUnday 4.10 KO

Talk that Fordjour is on the bench as a LH and Murley on the bench also.

I said pre AIs that 2 wins was minimum expectation and think a lot thought similar. If they lose to Japan that will be a disaster but I think pretty unlikely.
That being said, losing narrowly to NZ, Aus and by 9 to SA although not great isn't the nightmare it may appear on face of it. NZ beat Ireland by a greater margin, Aus humiliated Wales and SA beat Scotland by more than 9 and Scotland didn't score a try.
Grasping at crumbs of comfort to mix a few metaphors maybe but England I think aren't too far off being a very good side.
I firmly believe though that Borthwick is not picking strongest 23 available so aside from any actual coaching deficiencies there may be I feel selection isn't best either.

I guess we'll find out 23 for Japan soon but not sure it really matters too much. The errors in selection been made last 3 matches.

Starting XV: G Furbank; T Freeman, O Lawrence, H Slade, O Sleightholme; M Smith, J van Poortvliet; E Genge, J George (c), W Stuart, M Itoje, G Martin, T Curry, S Underhill, B Earl.

Replacements: L Cowan-Dickie, F Baxter, A Opoku-Fordjour, N Isiekwe, C Cunningham-South, H Randall, F Smith, T Roebuck.

I am not a doctor, and all that, but starting Tom Curry seems, at the very least, unnecessary.

Asher reserve tighthead....

The majority of that team is underwhelming. There was so much scope for trying new faces. Where's Northmore? Beard? Hill? Same old junk again.

I am astonished that Curry goes again over Hill. We know what Curry can do and won't learn much from him bring there. Why not take a chance on Hill? I don't get it.

Glad that both Opoku-Fordjour and Roebuck will hopefully get a chance to shine. I am going to Twickenham to watch this and had hoped for something a bit more experimental.

Guess thats it for Ted Hill.

AS i saw elsewhere he may aswell pack up and move to france for some big bucks....

For this match I would describe the lineup as uninspiring

Geordie wrote:Guess thats it for Ted Hill.

AS i saw elsewhere he may aswell pack up and move to france for some big bucks....

I'm sure one of the provinces could use him. Anyone know if he has an Irish granny?

It kinda says Borthwick knows his jobs on the line and he's desperate for a win.

But seriously is tom curry playing ? He's had two concussions this season already.. it's madness

As for Curry, just have to trust medical staff not guess on his condition with zero knowledge. I've said similar about Underhill in past, too many serious concussions hence fear for future health.

More pertinent from an England point of view is there are very good alternatives available so why is Curry playing.

mountain man wrote:As for Curry, just have to trust medical staff not guess on his condition with zero knowledge. I've said similar about Underhill in past, too many serious concussions hence fear for future health.

More pertinent from an England point of view is there are very good alternatives available so why is Curry playing.

The thing about concussions is there is no 100% accurate or objective test to indicate is a subject is completely recovered from head trauma.  So there is always an element of guesswork which is drawn from standard methods to evaluate behaviours, memory, and so on (as well as the player's descriptions how he/she feels).  The most recent concussion was two weeks ago which was his second this season and fifth in two years.  Which takes us back to the question what is the benefit for Tom Curry to play in this game?