International Rugby

[paul_e]

Quite an interesting England side.

I don't like the 6-2 split on the bench, especially given the extra player is a backrow where we have plenty of options/cover in the form of Chessum and WIllis.

Front 5 and their replacements pretty much pick themselves right now so no complaints there, just glad that he's finally moved on from Cole.

Back 3 and replacements I don't like, the balance feels wrong. If you insist on 2 back rows on the bench then it should be Willis and one of the curry brothers with Cunningham-South starting for me. Personally I'd have left out Ben completely and put another back on the bench (Sleightholme for me).

In the backs again, they largely pick themselves, Murley starting was a big call but would be much less of a surprise if there was an option on the bench. As things stand the only tactical change he's given himself is the move Marcus to 15 and bring Fin on, replacing whichever of the back 3 is worst.

It feels like a very conservative selection where his only aim is to contest the breakdown hard and hope that tips the game for us.

[cdbearsfan]

I see the Six Nations is starting again soon. I think Scotland will probably win every game they play, most likely without conceding a try or even a point. They may not get to finish all their scheduled matches because the last two or three opponents might well be too scared to turn up.

I can't see this prediction coming back to bite me.

[paul_e]

For predictions I'm going:

France
Ireland
Scotland
England
Italy
Wales

I think England and Scotland are interchangeable though and there's very little between them.

[Jon Crofts]

I think unless Borewick has come up with some magic sprinkles or some ideas it’ll be another turgid few weeks for England.

[paul_e]

I think unless Borewick has come up with some magic sprinkles or some ideas it’ll be another turgid few weeks for England.

The setup of the bench is pretty clear evidence that he's going the same way again.

[taylorsworkrate]

Was someone actually paid money to design that Six Nations logo?

[paul_e]

Ridiculous first half from Dupont, Wales have played okay and are still looking at a 50+ hammering here.

[taylorsworkrate]

There's probably not a player in world rugby who comes close to Dupont at the moment

[Gareth]

Gonna go out on a limb and say Wales won’t win the 6 Nations this year

[paul_e]

France were excellent without really getting out of first gear. Dupont was excellent, as were the back 3 but Alldritt had an absolute belter of a game, his workrate is incredible, my man of the match by a long way (would've been different if Dupont player longer).

The only black mark was a really stupid red by Ntamack which will see him miss at least a couple I reckon.

[PaulWinch again]

Lovely try that.

[PeterWithesShin]

England fans travelling to the game

[PaulWinch again]

Fin Smith a Villa fan as well, good lad.

[paul_e]

Fin Smith a Villa fan as well, good lad.

and probably a better 10 than Marcus in a Borthwick team. Marcus Smith is an exceptional rugby player but needs to have the team built to suit him, which we haven't done, and without that I suspect he's going to continue to personally look great in lots of poor team performances. I'm not blaming him but if we plan to carry on playing percentages then Fin is a better fit because he's a much better defender and plays with a lot more structure.

[jon collett]

Didn’t know Fin Smith was a Villa fan.

Driving down to Twickenham now. More in hope than expectation!