There is certainly an inference though, that Robshaw (at 7), should bear responsibility for Englands breakdown woes against Scotland (though not against Wales of course!).

Just in this articles comments;

“quite how Robshaw can hold his head high after the calcutta car crash i do not know”

“..I honestly would drop Robshaw. We are calling out for more pace and breakdown work in the pack, Simmonds or Underhill need to be in.”

The back row balance is off – except that it isn’t. England place a significant premium on their Line out as their primary attack opportunity that I understand Lawes continued selction – even if I don’t advocate it.

My dream world cup pack is: Mako, George, Sinckler, Itoje, Launchbury, Hughes at 6, Underhill at 7, Billy V at 8 – all because of the relentless ball carrying and linking capacity and they are all excellent at primary roles.

His best position is 6, absolutely no argument there, but to say he’s ‘only and forever’ a 6 is demonstrably false.

62 caps for England, 62 starts, very rarely subbed. Win percentage 70% (82% in the 6 Nations). 43 caps as captain. Wins over every other Tier 1 country. Wins against some of the modern era’s greatest open-side flankers.

And 90% if not more, of the above acheived whilst playing with 7 on his back.

Your suggestion that if Lawes plays, Robshaw definitely shouldn’t is just strange. You don’t fix your breakdown problems by removing your best breakdown operator.

The problem against Scotland was not speed to the breakdown, it was engagement at the breakdown. Far too many rucks, both offensive and defensive, were lost whilst England forwards stood around watching, rather than attacking Scottish ball or defending English ball. Changing Robshaw to one of Underhill/Simmonds does not in any way fix that problem.

Interesting that you should mention Martin Johnson. England under him had much the same problems at the breakdown – which weren’t helped by playing Tom Croft, who whilst fantastic in the lineout and flashy on the wing, made England weaker in the tight.

Also I don’t see anyone here laying all the blame at the breakdown on the 7 shirt. It is however if we have a backrow made of up three players considering slower across the ground than their counterparts.

My point was simply that Robshaw should only be considered at 6, and some coaches like a real lineout option at 6. Clearly Robshaw is a different player now than under Martin Johnson, but he hasn’t suddenly become a lineout ruling flanker.

For a line-out 6 though, I suspect that poor Tom Croft would trump anyone.

To be clear, I would rather he played 6, but I do think there is a lot of unfair criticism of him.

For the most part Farrell’s missed tackles are caused by the aggressive, outside defensive system that England have been using.