2024 Six Nations

[basherX]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Smollet said:

basherX said:

Very interested to see how they go without Farrell.

The centres will get more ball and we'll get less penalties

I'd agree with that. I don't think you'll miss him.

That’s kind of why I’m interested. We’ve had Jones and then Borthwick banging on endlessly that Farrell sets the tone, drives the standards, etc. in training as well as on the pitch. I’ve always wondered if that’s as (or more) inhibiting for the squad as it is beneficial.

Which is a polite way of saying I think it’s weapons-grade bks. I’m hopeful that George will actually be able to communicate effectively with the refs too.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Farrell's lack of discipline cannot (and certainly shouldn't have been) a driver for the team's behaviour on the training ground or matches. I'm with Bash, that's a load of balls. Yes, he might have shown that he's worthy of an International place - obviously he was. But never on this earth was he the icon that the England team should wish to emulate or look up to.

But then again, that might explain the poor performances...

[Smollet]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

Farrell's lack of discipline cannot (and certainly shouldn't have been) a driver for the team's behaviour on the training ground or matches. I'm with Bash, that's a load of balls. Yes, he might have shown that he's worthy of an International place - obviously he was. But never on this earth was he the icon that the England team should wish to emulate or look up to.

But then again, that might explain the poor performances...

Farrell was also one dimensional he just kicked, something Smith most certainly isn't

[PhilboSE]

Farrell absolutely has the skills to unlock defences with a perfectly delayed pass, a long looper or a short backhand offload.

He just hasn’t done any of these things for England in the last ~4 years (he did, somewhat earlier in his England career, and all the time for Sarries).

I do wonder if the last 2 England coaches stood by him because he religiously played the way they wanted him to when he pulled on an England shirt.

[mr pg]

He's a more expansive player for Sarries, which sort of points towards the coaches imv.

[basherX]

Disappointed that Dupont is sitting this one out.

[Smollet]

basherX said:

Disappointed that Dupont is sitting this one out.

I'm relieved

[basherX]

Smollet said:

basherX said:

Disappointed that Dupont is sitting this one out.

I'm relieved

Well, there is that. I’m still in “England are st, I might as well support France” mode and should sharpen up.

[BigBen]

I am off to Rome on Friday looking foward to the game and frankly a weekend in Rome.

ETA I will be wearing Loakes but don't own any Chinos.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Good man Ben!

[phil_cardiff]

Jeans and tan shoes is very 6N. Preferably boot cut jeans.

Anyway:

France
Ireland
Scotland
England
Italy
Cymru

[Smollet]

Apparently Smith pulled up whilst jogging

[PhilboSE]

Yup. Fin Smith tipped to start.
The England backs won’t have many caps between them and will be unfamiliar with each other. Could be frantic!

[Jordie Barretts sock]

PhilboSE said:

Yup. Fin Smith tipped to start.
The England backs won’t have many caps between them and will be unfamiliar with each other. Could be chaos

FTFY

[Don Veloci]

The blue wooden spoon doom post.....

Find a way to lose against Wales;
Valiant defeat to France;
England make a statement in Murrayfield;
Narrow defeat in Rome;
Spanked in Dublin.



Not so grim thoughts, Tight wins against France and Italy.

[basherX]

BigBen said:

I am off to Rome on Friday looking foward to the game and frankly a weekend in Rome.

ETA I will be wearing Loakes but don't own any Chinos.

Have always fancied this trip but never done it- top work Ben.

[basherX]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

PhilboSE said:

Yup. Fin Smith tipped to start.
The England backs won’t have many caps between them and will be unfamiliar with each other. Could be chaos

FTFY

Still preferred over box-kick Benny and his merry band of men.

It's going to be an expansive, magnificent exhibition of rugby, the like of which we've never seen before. I can feel it in my bones.


To be clear: the English, not the Italians. Probably.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Apologies I read that as "it's going to be an expensive..."



Which it might be, I suppose.

[BigBen]

Jordie Barretts sock said:

PhilboSE said:

Yup. Fin Smith tipped to start.
The England backs won’t have many caps between them and will be unfamiliar with each other. Could be chaos

FTFY

They have a 9 / 10 pair that are familiar with Mitchell and Smith (Fin) who play together all the time which could make a difference.

[DodgyGeezer]

BigBen said:

Jordie Barretts sock said:

PhilboSE said:

Yup. Fin Smith tipped to start.
The England backs won’t have many caps between them and will be unfamiliar with each other. Could be chaos

FTFY

They have a 9 / 10 pair that are familiar with Mitchell and Smith (Fin) who play together all the time which could make a difference.

I can't see them risking Marcus Smith against Italy if it's 'only' a tweek...