Always a Wasp
General Category => Wasps Rugby Discussion => Topic started by: Rossm on March 09, 2023, 01:48:21 PM
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England: Steward; Malins, Slade, Lawrence, Watson; M Smith, Van Poortvliet; Genge (capt), George, Sinckler; Itoje, Chessum; Ludlam, Willis, Dombrandt.
Replacements: Walker, M Vunipola, Cole, Ribbans, B Curry, Mitchell, Farrell, Arundell.
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Happy to see Smith get the nod ahead of Farrell. I think Smith plays a smarter game.
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I like the change at 10. I?d be interested to know what others make of Steward. Obviously a class player and impeccable under the high ball. I just think if I was France I?d be glad I?m not facing two Malins there with Arundell taking his wing spot. That looks like a lethal back three then. I guess it depends on what role you think a FB should play.
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For the first time in a lot of years I'm quite happy with that starting 15. Youngs finally binned, no Tuilagi to get injured, players selected in their best positions, and now, finally, the sainted Farrell benched for an infinitely more gifted 10 rather than shoe horned in at 12 to accommodate both.
My only beef with the 23 is I really don't see what 2 ageing props offer off the bench. Your bench props are supposed to come on fresh. Those 2 look f*cked just peeling off their track suits!
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I assume that Borthers is keeping his fingers crossed that neither Genge nor Sinkler go down in the first few minutes.
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I agree with DGP about Vunipola. I don't think he's been international standard for some years and he'll likely get turned inside-out by the French pack.
Not keen on Slade either. Would sooner have Marchant at 13.
Delighted that Smith finally gets a start, though it'll be a baptism of fire.
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The problem for me will be if Smith is not allowed to play his own game. When he was restricted at Quins by Gustard he looked unhappy & distinctly average. Once he was let loose, he looked a different player. Lets hope Borthwick allows him to play with the freedom he does at Quinns.
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The problem for me will be if Smith is not allowed to play his own game. When he was restricted at Quins by Gustard he looked unhappy & distinctly average. Once he was let loose, he looked a different player. Lets hope Borthwick allows him to play with the freedom he does at Quinns.
If he's constrained by Borthers, then why pick him?
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It's possible that Farrell was dropped as he's got the kicking yips. The vibe from the press conf was that the selection as linked to how England want to play. That said, if Farrell has the yips, then it was a no choice selection?
It's a set up like last year in Paris in that the back three are all good catchers...expecting France to kick quite a lot. Squidge did a vid on how France use their kicking offensively and look to get turnovers and quick ball vs a disorganised defence. And then do what we'd expect. They did this vs Scotland.
Regardless - if France come out and play the first 20 like they did vs Scotland....we're in for a long afternoon...Not sure we've got the tools to come from two scores down. And their defence is v good. Scotland are vg going forwards but struggled to make dents in their defence.
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I wonder if there an element of 'Bazball' creeping into Borthwick's thinking?
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If he's constrained by Borthers, then why pick him?
indeed, but as we all know, some coaches want to micro manage players to prove they know best (Gustard at Quins was a great example. He went & the team played great rugby almost immediately as they were encouraged to play what was in front of them)
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For the first time in a long time I?m actually looking forward to watching some English rugby this weekend.
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Starting Smith only works if he?s going to be given and there is and there isn?t that much before the WC.
I had just hope this isn?t an Eddie type ruse where you give the pundits and fans what they want in a tough game and if it doesn?t work 100% revert to the mean claiming see, I told you so.
I never used to be this cynical about the game, thanks Eddie, RFU EAs etc.
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Know exactly what you mean BIND. I think the relative merits of Borthwick are up for debate but I don?t see him as a prattish game player like Jones who is willing to shaft a players career to outpoint the media. Nor do I think we?ve seen the last of Farrell though. If Ford had been fit earlier it might have got interesting but I guess he?ll be in the squad for a while yet.
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I know I?m being a bit unfair on Borthwick, I?m not sure about him as a top coach, that?s to be seen, but I have heard him talk after a game when he was still playing and he came across as a sincere and thoughtful guy.
My problem is the system at the RFU and PRL putting key people in rugby under pressure to get instant results they may be tempted to act out of character to achieve that goal.
For me that that pressure comes because rugby at the top aspires to the sort of glory we see in football and that sort of glory leaves lots of broken people in its wake.
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The only way that England will succeed is to have a DoR with vision (and the RFU exec to back them).
To have a 5 or 6 year plan, leading to success at the the RWC.
SCW did that with aplomb. (even taking the positives out of the 78-0 thrashing down under en route).