OT - Manu injured

[mike909]

I suppose to no one's surprise, Manu is off for surgery and misses summer tour.

Must make England selection more straight forwards.....

Report https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/61672200

[Shugs]

As certain as taxes. Feel for him but the reality is he’s been finished for a couple of years. Jones continued selection of him was as poor as Tuilagi’s injury record. With Slade injured as well lord knows what we’ll see selection wise. Probably means Farrell outside Smith. 13? Who knows.

[westwaleswasp]

As certain as taxes. Feel for him but the reality is he’s been finished for a couple of years. Jones continued selection of him was as poor as Tuilagi’s injury record. With Slade injured as well lord knows what we’ll see selection wise. Probably means Farrell outside Smith. 13? Who knows.

I fully expect to see second rowers all over the pitch, and not a winger in sight. This will be an opportunity for Eddie to get those dice out again. Whoever steps up, you can bet they won't have played centre for a while.

[mike909]

As certain as taxes. Feel for him but the reality is he’s been finished for a couple of years. Jones continued selection of him was as poor as Tuilagi’s injury record. With Slade injured as well lord knows what we’ll see selection wise. Probably means Farrell outside Smith. 13? Who knows.

Yep - as sure as that. It ought to make selection with an eye to RWC 23 easier.....England's best game over the last couple of years is in beating France in 6Ns 2021. The backline was Youngs. Ford, Farrell, Slade, May, Watson and Malins....My fav (Youngs aside) recent backline - but has an in form BV up front of course.....and played with pace So at 13, Slade or Marchant. Hope Watson and May recover and we play Malins at 15.....Hope.....

[Vespula Vulgaris]

No coach selects Manu thinking he'll play.  They select him knowing he'll be injured and then they'll have a ready excuse for the inevitable failure.

[Shugs]

Probably something in that Vespula! Agree Mike - Malins has to play 15. If I was selecting the back division it would be Care, Smith, 12 - Lozowski 13 - Marchant 15 - Malins. With wingers May, if fit and Radwan.

[mike909]

Vs France Malins May and Watson was excellent. I really like Malins as a player and that gives a back three with real pace and two experienced full backs with distribution skills. For RWC next year - I might be tempted with OF at 12, just not skipper and then it's really down to picking forwards that contribute.....

Our worst game was probably vs Scotland where most of the time this season we asked players to run into tacklers...again and again...I was glad they won.

[mike909]

And it gets worse...Slade injured and Nowell fit...so lacking guile and an increase in mediocre pace.....

[Shugs]

You can see where it’s heading can’t you. Surely we won’t see a back three of Nowell, Malins and Steward with Steward at 15.

[mike909]

You can see where it’s heading can’t you. Surely we won’t see a back three of Nowell, Malins and Steward with Steward at 15.

...well remember vs France....Furbank at 15....

Hard to assess SR - but I'd feel a lot happier facing the Aussies with Watson, May and Malins as what they do not lack is pace...

It's really hard on Jack N as he's been an excellent player - but its not since 15/16 season that he was a prolific scorer and injury and age is catching up. Radwan and Thorley ought to be looked at more?

[Shugs]

Definitely. Radwan for me - raw pace just frightens people and he has that impact playing with a pack that rarely dominates. Thorley is also a better option than Nowell for me but then again so is his ex team mate O’Flaherty.

[bournender2]

Nah, I can see Eddie selecting Sam Burgess in the centre for the WC. Any success Eddie  has had has been with bombers cast offs😬😭😨