If Cips had been in the international side as a solid fixture from some time ago, then it could have all been very different, but with all the experience, and ability that Ford has, I'd not pick Cips ahead of him now (or for the past few seasons I feel). The drink driving thing, when he'd actually made Lancaster's squad, is the main thing that makes me think he's got a self destructive streak. Marler has admitted he did stupid things in the hope of picking up a ban and missing internationals, because he was so stressed doing them/going away etc. Wouldn't surprise me if Cips had a similar thing going on.
28 players I guess is to have a secure covid bubble, whilst also not taking too many players from the prem. Might have been better to have 30, but have an agreement on max number from any team? Still, if he cannot call up other players (or requires a week or 2 to do so), then 3 scrum halves would make sense, even if Eddie hasn't liked doing it before.
Youngs' almost annoyingly, was actually quite good at the end of the autumn nations cup. Odd that it grates when he has decent games, especially when he failed to have one in the world cup final (christ that was dire, moreso than usual).
I wonder if Randalls size, gumption (he's not afraid to get stuck in, much like Porter seems to show) is what attracted Eddie in some ways. Eddie has a thing with size, being "too small" himself, but at scrum half, it's far less an issue, and a player who's been told he's too small all the time, might just be something that tickles his fancy.