Comments on: Can England still win the Six Nations 2018?

By: AlexD

AlexD — Sun, 04 Mar 2018 17:09:26 +0000

Meant “defenders of JJ” not “defenders of Teo”.
Apologies.

By: AlexD

AlexD — Sat, 03 Mar 2018 13:29:12 +0000

Teo for JJ. JJ has flattered to decieve for too long whereas with Teo at least you know what you’re going to get – the solid performance of a proven Lion rather than the disappearing acts of a magician!
Defenders of Teo claim he hasn’t been given the space to play. Well, at this level space is at a premium and is not always GIVEN its made or found by the player.
Like Ma’a Nonu for NZ, i’m sure Teo can improve on the finer skills of backplay as he gets the caps (it worked for the ABs who stuck with Nonu after committing some howlers early doors in his career) I didn’t see JJ in any of the three Lions tests and this ongoing dismissal of Gatland’s Lions – Sinkler, Teo and George – is now defying all logic.
Time also to find some specialist flankers. Where have the Currys, Mercers and even the Underhills gone? They need urgent game time now before the WC. Phasing out of some of the old guard eg. Cole would be no bad thing either if done in a deliberately phased approach with the replacement in mind.

By: Harlequin

Harlequin — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 20:05:47 +0000

As Eddie has consistently said this is a journey to RWC.In my view we are at a tipping point.Win the next 2 and we are back on track.Lose the next 2 and we will go backwards significantly.These games are more important than those already played

By: Rugger80

Rugger80 — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 09:20:16 +0000

Hahahah love this comment. He could swap roles with Lawes every ten minutes. I’d like to see Lawes cutting a few lines in the midfield…..

By: Tinkeroo

Tinkeroo — Thu, 01 Mar 2018 00:11:44 +0000

That sounds awful to me. Farrell, aside from his defence, is the best 12 we’ve got. Sort out the backrow balance, get some go forward, hit rucks hard, done. Nowell has proven himself to be a great wing but he’s not a 13. Daly? Just get him on the pitch. He’s just a ridiculously good player. England are still just a damn good team that need a kick up the arse.

By: Hutch

Hutch — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 19:50:16 +0000

Apparently it’s because he played against South Africa A, which wasn’t their designated 2nd team at the time and so doesn’t count. Seems slightly dubious if it’s based on the opposition rather than the team you are playing for.

By: Snewe

Snewe — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 18:20:24 +0000

Do you know why Haley is available for ireland having played for the saxons? Bit confused by this

By: stroudos

stroudos — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 17:28:25 +0000

Bring back Slammin Sam Burgess! Back row and midfield quandaries solved at a stroke…

By: Rugger80

Rugger80 — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 17:15:53 +0000

I also agree in part. To be honest there are many factors we need to look at here. Firstly lets be frank, right now the World Rankings should be taken with a pinch of salt as South Africa & Australia are not in a great place, and France – well we all agree haven’t been the force they once were. So Englands improvement per say under EJs coupled with these teams declining can sugar coat the rankings in my view & maybe we just need to realise whilst ranked No 2, we are not leaps and bounds ahead of the likes of Scotland, Wales etc and any of the top six can beat each other ‘on their day’.

Secondly whilst England have a great winning margin under EJ, I think the majority will agree there has been a lot of close calls and often performances that have been disappointing against the lower tier sides who you would expect to win against.

Finally – hand that is dealt…..

EJ is a world class Manager, but he can only deal with the cards he has been dealt on many occasions injuries have forced his arm in a lot of circumstances. Personally if we had had a fully fit Tuilagi and Teo for more of EJs tenure I believe he may have moved away from the Ford/Farrell axis and we may have seen Daly or Slade with more of a run out at 13 or 12 depending on how EJ wanted to set the midfield up. Farrell locked in at 10.

The injuries have also affected the back row balance. Haskell has an excellent tour of Australia in 2016 but sure not long after he was out for a while. From memory EJ gave opportunities to T Harrison and Jack Clifford at some point but both failed to convince they were international level. As for Underhill and Simmonds both relatively still early onto the England scene and both showed promise in games they have started but both got injuries that have halted them getting a run of games (Underhill autumn tests, Simmonds six nations)….and as for Big Billy well we all know how he is missed.

Front row – Genge injuries and Marler and Sinckler whist have qualities just can’t seem to behave and so again he has had to re-think the choices…

Anyway long winded to get to the point but yes I’d like to see a few changes. Certainly Underhill to start, drop Lawes or move him to Lock and give Itoje a rest. Farrell at 10, Teo, JJ centre, Nowell wing. Give Jamie George a start as i think he is getting fed up of being a replacement!

By: jake

jake — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 15:19:41 +0000

I would agree in part, namely the backrow. It seems England haven’t been able to develop, or bring through, as much fresh talent at flanker as maybe would be desired. Though there are players such as Underhill, the Curry’s and Mercer now starting to get involved, it seems WC 2019 will be too soon for most of them.
The midfield pre WC changed a lot, but players such as Barret and Burrell were Lancaster staples and, luckily, have not featured since. JJ was also involved but has since justified his continued involvement in the squad, with performances during the Australia tour standing out.
I would add that its very disappointing to see Wigglesworth rejoining the squad, when other seemingly worthy 9s are waiting in the wings. Like Goode, he never impressed me at international level and has reinforced this opinion the past 2 games.
The fact that the squad hasnt changed a huge amount isn’tt necessarily a bad thing, continuity and international experience are both beneficial. But one cant help but feel there is a sense of security creeping in with some of the players and their places.

By: jake

jake — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 14:52:09 +0000

I agree with you on the sub-par defensive performance, was more pointing out the mitigating circumstances, though I’m sure these could be made for other players.
It has seemed like a tactic employed by England this 6N. JJ, along with Farrell, have been shooting out of the line to cut off options out wide, perhaps in response to the Italy game in which Italy scored twice out wide with relative ease. It does work at times but perhaps JJ shouldve held off and drifted prior to the Jones break but this could have lead to a break inside. Russel did throw a very good pass nonetheless.

By: Amathus

Amathus — Wed, 28 Feb 2018 14:44:16 +0000

Does anyone else believe the England Team need to change the back row and mid field completely and also a better hooker that England do have to move forward. This year’s 6 nations looks comparitable to the Team that took the field before the last World cup under the Lancaster era