England vs Tonga

[Marlow Nick]

Is there any difference in rules for players who are unvaccinated vs double jabbed? As I understand it only 80% of the squad are fully vaccinated

[RogerE]

Farrell to 10 - with COVID.

All he has to do is threaten to breathe on them and he'll be able to run in unopposed from our try line!

[baldpaul101]

I know Farrell is usually un-droppable, but surely they can't play him with even a suspicion of Covid?

[BrackenandMacken]

I know Farrell is usually un-droppable, but surely they can't play him with even a suspicion of Covid?

Rumour has it that after 'Faz' caught Covid he very swiftly aimlessly kicked it away so he will be fine to play.

[Shugs]

 .

[Bloke in North Dorset]

I know Farrell is usually un-droppable, but surely they can't play him with even a suspicion of Covid?

Rumour has it that after 'Faz' caught Covid he very swiftly aimlessly kicked it away so he will be fine to play.

Haha

Its certainly unlikely he will have passed it on.

[DGP Wasp]

 ^ Very good! 

[JonnyD]

it looks like it could be Furbank starting at 10.

[Shugs]

Bizarre isn’t it. Even if you exclude Farrell and the presumably injured Smith I can think of Umaga, Simmonds, Cipriani, Ford, Bailey that are better 10’s. There are probably others.

[Raggs]

Bizarre isn’t it. Even if you exclude Farrell and the presumably injured Smith I can think of Umaga, Simmonds, Cipriani, Ford, Bailey that are better 10’s. There are probably others.

Smith hasn't trained much, but is fit. That not training doesn't go anywhere just because Farrell can't play.

I don't agree with Furbank being worthy of playing for England, but if it's been decided that he's good enough, then he's the backup 10 in a break glass in emergency sense. In which case, this is the time to test him out as much as it is for looking at Smith.

[petros]

Is there any difference in rules for players who are unvaccinated vs double jabbed? As I understand it only 80% of the squad are fully vaccinated

Not if they test positive.

Slade is certainly unvaccinated as he has expressed antivax views which are ironic given that he is a higher risk individual as he is diabetic

[wasps]

Ultimately Firbank may be a good or bad option at 10, but it's not really going to matter.

With all due respect, it's Tonga, and we should win even if we had 14 men on the pitch and no fly half.

It'll be good for him to pull some strings if he is a backup option.

[Shugs]

Bizarre isn’t it. Even if you exclude Farrell and the presumably injured Smith I can think of Umaga, Simmonds, Cipriani, Ford, Bailey that are better 10’s. There are probably others.

Smith hasn't trained much, but is fit. That not training doesn't go anywhere just because Farrell can't play.

I don't agree with Furbank being worthy of playing for England, but if it's been decided that he's good enough, then he's the backup 10 in a break glass in emergency sense. In which case, this is the time to test him out as much as it is for looking at Smith.

For the Tonga game due to circumstances it is the only real option now. I suspect Furbank will play at 10 for England precisely once. It’s inevitable for this game that he plays but it adds absolutely nothing in terms of benefit.

[petros]

Team was supposed to be announced at 1:45 but still not out!

[hopwood]

Farrell out.
Furbank in.