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Post by Danno on Sept 14, 2023 10:36:22 GMT
Japan have *really* fallen off after the heights of 2019, and since Farrell remains banned, I remain hopeful.*
*hopeful either way because Japan are an absolute delight to watch when they're in the mood.
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Post by elstoof on Sept 14, 2023 10:51:08 GMT
England will look to outmuscle the smaller pack, kick for territory and dominate the set piece
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alastair
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Post by alastair on Sept 14, 2023 10:51:41 GMT
Another game without Farrell could really cement Ford's place in the team.
Except it won't because Farrell is nominal captain and presumably Borthwick will feel he has to pick him.
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Post by elstoof on Sept 14, 2023 10:54:33 GMT
If Ford has a good game then Farrell will come back in at 12, because that’s what worked so brilliantly for the last 6 years.
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alastair
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Post by alastair on Sept 14, 2023 10:57:47 GMT
Bah!
So we need both centres to play absolute blinders as well...
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Post by elstoof on Sept 14, 2023 11:07:11 GMT
Tuilagi is nailed on at 13, if Daly plays well then he’ll get to play on the wing
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Sept 14, 2023 13:33:23 GMT
It's nothing short of moronic. The way Borthwick (and many self-styled pundits) carry on, anyone would think that Owen Farrell's inclusion in an England squad is a matter of natural law, no more up for discussion than the effects of gravity or the passage of time. "If he's fit (and not banned), he plays!" The idea that Farrell *must* be shoehorned into the team somewhere boils my blood, especially as he's a lead weight tied to the ankles of whomever plays alongside him. Forget having Ford or Smith run the game from 10 - Saint Owen is such a spoiled brat "forceful personality" that he'll be dictating play from 12, even when there are better centres warming the bench or watching on TV from their living rooms.
Mitchell at 9 and Ford at 10 worked really well. Having Care and Smith ready to come on after 55-60 minutes is a great option to have, as they're both capable of creating chaos against flagging opposition if the chance arises (or sticking to the existing game plan if not).
Farrell at 12 and Tuilagi at 13? Two one-dimensional bosh merchants in the centres? Not for me - I'd rather have one creative runner and one big bruiser, a la Greenwood and Tindall in 2003, so ditch Farrell and play Marchant or Daly alongside Tuilagi.
TL;DR - I don't see a place for Farrell in the starting 15, barring injury or suspension. On the bench? Not in place of another fly-half or centre. *Maybe* as a utility back of sorts... but even then, I think there are better options.
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Post by elstoof on Sept 14, 2023 13:48:24 GMT
Love the clip from a few years ago when cipriani kicked the ball and Farrell, who hasn’t got the vision to see the winger running onto it about to score a try, throws a massive tanty at the fact Cipriani kicked the ball
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Post by Dougs on Sept 14, 2023 13:50:11 GMT
England will look to outmuscle the smaller pack, kick for territory and dominate the set piece Definitely this. |
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Post by Danno on Sept 14, 2023 15:44:38 GMT
Love the clip from a few years ago when cipriani kicked the ball and Farrell, who hasn’t got the vision to see the winger running onto it about to score a try, throws a massive tanty at the fact Cipriani kicked the ball |
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Sept 14, 2023 15:47:26 GMT
A great kick from Cipriani, under pressure as well.
Shame the video doesn't include Farrell's petulant pout!
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Post by elstoof on Sept 14, 2023 16:14:33 GMT
You see his body language in the two replays, doesn’t even see the try because he’s busy calling Cipriani a cunt
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Post by elstoof on Sept 14, 2023 16:18:19 GMT
Such a shame Cips career went the way it did, as an attacking fly half he had everything, the way he played at Wasps was phenomenal. The RFU and Martin Johnson just froze him out instead of continuing the nurturing that Ashton started
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Post by Dougs on Sept 14, 2023 16:20:14 GMT
Good lord, a maverick? At HQ? Never!
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Ulythium
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Post by Ulythium on Sept 14, 2023 16:26:51 GMT
I was always a big fan of Cipriani as a player. Yes, he was often ridiculous... but he could be sublime as well, and I'd rather have both than neither.
He didn't do himself any favours - exacerbated by the kind of tabloid media coverage to which 99% of rugby players are never subjected - but I think the RFU could still have got the best out of him with some half-decent management of his, erm, "quirks."
As it stands, he's perhaps England rugby's ultimate, 'What might have been' story, which is kind of sad.
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Post by Danno on Sept 14, 2023 16:30:57 GMT
He really didn't do himself any favours, especially when his prime coincided with the whole image clean up effort that Lancaster was overseeing after the dwarf-tossing etc, culminating in his conviction for drink driving just ahead of the 2015 WC.
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zephro
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Post by zephro on Sept 14, 2023 17:12:49 GMT
It's not quite as tragic as Finn is doing all right for himself. But he's in his prime now, with a bit more luck on the WC draw and his prime not overlapping with Ireland being number 1 he could have got the, high for Scotland, reputation of dragging them to a semi-final and at least 1 Six Nations championship. Also the shit luck of Gatland coaching the Lions both times he's been in his prime. As if anyone is going to pick a boring cunt at 10 it's Gatland.
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Post by Danno on Sept 14, 2023 17:26:00 GMT
3 successive England head coaches would like a word.
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zephro
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Post by zephro on Sept 14, 2023 17:52:00 GMT
3 successive England head coaches would like a word. Yeah they hang out at the same clubhouse as Gatland. |
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Post by Danno on Sept 14, 2023 18:35:43 GMT
France v Uruguay in 25mins and we're banging on about everyone else huh.
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Post by elstoof on Sept 14, 2023 19:19:46 GMT
No big match ups this week so it’s just second string teams from tier 1
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Post by elstoof on Sept 14, 2023 19:23:54 GMT
Ireland Tonga might be decent, Fiji could do a number on Aus. England should be able to grind out an uninspired win over Japan
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Post by Danno on Sept 14, 2023 19:25:21 GMT
This is fun, and really bloody fast
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Post by Danno on Sept 14, 2023 19:32:14 GMT
Ireland Tonga might be decent, Fiji could do a number on Aus. England should be able to grind out an uninspired win over Japan Hopefully Fiji are absolutely fucking furious after last week and send Eddie's kids packing with a bonus point |
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Post by Dougs on Sept 14, 2023 19:32:16 GMT
Oooh, coin toss time!
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Post by lordofthedunce on Sept 14, 2023 19:38:48 GMT
Uruguay looking decent running it through the hands but managed to kick it there with a 4 v 1. Scrum has been poor but might improve against 7 men.
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Post by Dougs on Sept 14, 2023 19:40:38 GMT
Boooooo
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Post by lordofthedunce on Sept 14, 2023 19:41:55 GMT
Needless obstruction, they had men over our wide
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Post by Dougs on Sept 14, 2023 19:54:33 GMT
Got a bit excited I think
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Post by Danno on Sept 14, 2023 19:56:14 GMT
Can't ITV find a single pundit that isn't a boring boring cunt.
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