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Six Nations 2024 |
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FHLH
World Cup Winner Cambridge Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Location: Cambridge Status: Online Points: 5265 |
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England Leak.......
England head coach Steve Borthwick has reportedly decided to go with George Ford at fly-half against Italy over Fin Smith after Marcus Smith suffered an injury setback. England have been preparing for the start of the Six Nations at their training camp in Girona and Borthwick was dealt a huge blow on Monday when it was revealed the 24-year-old had picked up an issue. They're looking to get a second opinion on the injury, but there are fears Smith could miss multiple Six Nations games. With Owen Farrell stepping down from England duty at the end of last year, Smith was seen as the frontrunner to become the nation's new starting fly-half. But his injury made it a straight fight between Ford and Smith, a 21-year-old rookie who has earned huge praise for his performances with Northampton. According to the Telegraph, the experienced Ford has been selected over Smith to start as England's number 10 against the Azzurri. Ford steered England to a stunning victory over Argentina at last year's World Cup with a heroic display with the boot, but he ended up being dropped for the knockout stages as Farrell resumed his role as the first-choice fly-half. But it's elsewhere in Borthwick's line-up that may raise some eyebrows. The uncapped duo of Ethan Roots and Fraser Dingwall are reportedly set to be handed their international debuts. The Exeter flanker is said to be in the side to start as blindside flanker alongside Sam Underhill and Ben Earl. Meanwhile, Dingwall will partner Henry Slade in the midfield at inside centre. Freddie Steward will reportedly get the nod at full-back while Elliot Daly and Tommy Freeman will provide the speed on the wings. Ford is set to be partnered by England veteran Danny Care as the number nine with Alex Mitchell reportedly suffering from an 'infected wound in his leg' that has prevented him from training. Care and Ford will give Borthwick vasts amount of experience on the field with the pair combining for 187 caps between them. Jamie George will step onto the field as England's captain for the first time in the front row alongside Will Stuart. Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum and Joe Marler reportedly complete the tight five with Borthwick going strong for England's Six Nations opener. But the England head coach has been limited in some of his selections for this year's Six Nations with a host of players moving to leagues abroad, making them ineligible for selection. Henry Arundell is one of England's brightest young talents, but he moved from Racing 92 from London Irish to make unable to represent his country for the time being. The RFU's current selection criteria bans players who play outside of England from being selected for the Test side. Borthwick spoke last year of his hope that the RFU would eventually abandon the selection criteria on players playing overseas. Edited by FHLH - 31 Jan 2024 at 19:58 |
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"My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts."
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KnightsBoy
World Cup Winner Joined: 31 Oct 2010 Location: Doncaster Status: Offline Points: 2747 |
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Just seen the U20 England team, Junior Kpoku plays, he plays his club rugby for Racing 92, strange that age grade players can be called up
Edited by KnightsBoy - 31 Jan 2024 at 18:02 |
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Steve@Mose
World Cup Winner Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2761 |
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Robbie Henshaw and Joe McCarthy to start for Ireland against France
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Paul10
World Cup Winner Joined: 24 Mar 2023 Location: Milton Keynes Status: Offline Points: 556 |
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I also have no idea what to expect from Italy.
A new coach will bring new energy. I can't help feeling that the previous coach had completely lost the changing room. Sooner or later this run of competent italy U20s will bear fruit. Not sure they have the pack to deal with this England team.
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cheshire exile
World Cup Winner Joined: 05 Feb 2009 Status: Offline Points: 2451 |
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Alex Mitchell an injury doubt apparently.
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WEvans
World Cup Winner Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 1381 |
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Yes but would that work with Borthwick's usual game plan? Flair players need to be given their head not suffocated.
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Paul10
World Cup Winner Joined: 24 Mar 2023 Location: Milton Keynes Status: Offline Points: 556 |
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Perfect match for England to go full Northampton 9,10,12,13 and 15.
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Steve@Mose
World Cup Winner Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 2761 |
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A shame for Marcus, but a great opportunity for Fin.
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WEvans
World Cup Winner Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 1381 |
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Good on them!
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fatbear
World Cup Winner Joined: 13 Sep 2013 Location: Thame Status: Offline Points: 2766 |
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The usual forthright views from Chinnor in the guise of a preview of their match at Cinderford ! |
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FHLH
World Cup Winner Cambridge Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Location: Cambridge Status: Online Points: 5265 |
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Farrell to Racing (but I think we knew that). Good luck to him
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"My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts."
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WEvans
World Cup Winner Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 1381 |
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Plenty manage both just fine. Anthony Watson is a recent very good example for England. Kicking is part of thr variety of the game. The offside law could be tweaked to force players in front to retreat which would make space. [/QUOTE]
I'm not arguing. My point was that no winger worth his (or her) salt would fit a job description that only included defending, chasing kicks and being good in the air.
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Paul10
World Cup Winner Joined: 24 Mar 2023 Location: Milton Keynes Status: Offline Points: 556 |
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Fair point. Not sure any wingers worth their salt fit that job description. Most stupidly think scoring tries is their main purpose!
[/QUOTE] Plenty manage both just fine. Anthony Watson is a recent very good example for England. Kicking is part of thr variety of the game. The offside law could be tweaked to force players in front to retreat which would make space.
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Paul10
World Cup Winner Joined: 24 Mar 2023 Location: Milton Keynes Status: Offline Points: 556 |
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I hadn't noticed he wasn't in the squad. That news might explain unless there's an injury.
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WEvans
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Fair point. Not sure any wingers worth their salt fit that job description. Most stupidly think scoring tries is their main purpose!
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FHLH
World Cup Winner Cambridge Joined: 19 Apr 2009 Location: Cambridge Status: Online Points: 5265 |
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Kyle Sinkler to Toulon - has left Bristol
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"My father told me big men fall just as quick as little ones, if you put a sword through their hearts."
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Thatbloke
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Have to agree with that Carlos but surely there's much more to it than that. To add to the kick tennis (or Drive back as we used to call it as kids) we have scrums that have to be reset virtually every time they pack down and are no longer scrums but competition to win penalties. And, of course, let's not forget Bingo Ball, otherwise known as the box kick lottery
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Carlos the Tackle
World Cup Winner Joined: 13 Jun 2010 Status: Offline Points: 402 |
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All this speculation of who is good or not for the England squad is basically opinion.
My opinion is who is bothered. Total boring .. let's see how far I can kick it before it's returned and lets see if i can kick it further when i kick it back. I know ... let's play to see if we can't lose before let's see if we can win . Forget it boys .. you are hoodwinked every season. Watch national league rugby. It's entertaining and costs 10% of watching sh**e |
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Paul10
World Cup Winner Joined: 24 Mar 2023 Location: Milton Keynes Status: Offline Points: 556 |
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Not leaving any doubt there is he?
Not convinced he's better than those in the squad. He's an out and out 8 isn't he? When playing in the same team as Faletau it was Faletau who played flanker.
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Camquin
World Cup Winner Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: Cambridge Status: Offline Points: 11158 |
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BBC certainly think so: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/68023982
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Sweeney Delenda Est
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