On the plus side...

[Vespula Vulgaris]

Can you imagine an England with Smith and Robson, and a head coach that allowed them to play their own game?

Now that would be worth watching.

[HDAWG]

I'm hoping we get that 9 and 10 combination this summer. But with that said, I wouldn't be unhappy if Randall got some opportunities.

[Shugs]

If Smith and Robson aren't pivotal this summer it will border on farce.

[Rossm]

I think mental Eddie had already left when Smith scored the winner.

[MarleyWasp]

Smith needs to work on his scrummaging and Dobby on his lineout catching before they are good enough to start for England.

[Shugs]

To be fair the way Smith played on Sunday I'm sure if he'd gone in to play tight head he'd have pushed us backwards.

[wasps]

If Smith and Robson aren't pivotal this summer it will border on farce.

And presumably Simmonds at 8.
It would represent a complete overhaul of you change your 8, 9 and 10.

[DGP Wasp]

If Smith and Robson aren't pivotal this summer it will border on farce.

And presumably Simmonds at 8.
It would represent a complete overhaul of you change your 8, 9 and 10.

Simmonds will be busy elsewhere.  But long term, building a team around those 3 rather than Billy, Youngs and Farrell would be a welcome change of direction.  Can't see it happening under Eddie.

[baldpaul101]

I've said this before when people have clamoured for a player to be picked for England because he's having a great club season or is exciting etc.

There's no point if the England game plan doesn't suit their skills.
for the game plan Eddie has, he picks the right players.
If he picks Simmonds/Dobby/Smith but wants them to play like Billy/Youngs/Ford/Farrell then it won't work.


Unless Eddie changes his plans, there's absolutely zero point in picking different players. the same players were able to destroy the All Blacks not that long ago remember.

re Smith his game has improved massively since Gustard left quins. The whole back line now appear to be playing as a unit rather than Smith & Care trying to win games by themselves. The game plan changed to suit the players, rather than trying to change the players to suit the plan.

[RogerE]

I've said this before when people have clamoured for a player to be picked for England because he's having a great club season or is exciting etc.

There's no point if the England game plan doesn't suit their skills.
for the game plan Eddie has, he picks the right players.
If he picks Simmonds/Dobby/Smith but wants them to play like Billy/Youngs/Ford/Farrell then it won't work.


Unless Eddie changes his plans, there's absolutely zero point in picking different players. the same players were able to destroy the All Blacks not that long ago remember.

re Smith his game has improved massively since Gustard left quins. The whole back line now appear to be playing as a unit rather than Smith & Care trying to win games by themselves. The game plan changed to suit the players, rather than trying to change the players to suit the plan.

Absolutely correct