2024 Six Nations

[Seasonal Hero]

So Slade wasn’t good enough to make the RWC but now starts.

[Jordie Barretts sock]

Seasonal Hero said:

So Slade wasn’t good enough to make the RWC but now starts.

It does smack of 'I still don't know what my core team is'.

[Fullook]

Seasonal Hero said:

So Slade wasn’t good enough to make the RWC but now starts.

I'm by no means an apologist for Borthwick but to be fair, Slade's Premiership form has gone up a notch or two, at the same time three of the centres ahead of him in the RWC pecking order (Lawrence, Marchant, Tuilagi) are not available for selection for the 6N, so it's no that remarkable.

[basherX]

DodgyGeezer said:

spikeyhead said:

It's an unadventurous selection in a game where we can afford to be adventurous

I repeat - an accountant

As the thread’s resident bean counter, I resemble that remark.

I think the one thing we learned from the WC is that Borthwick’s a very “horses for courses” selector. I’m approaching it with an open mind- notwithstanding the conservatism of selection I hope we are able to see whether they’ve been sent out with the same limited set of instructions or whether there’s any tactical development at all. Latter preferred, of course.

[basherX]

Fullook said:

Seasonal Hero said:

So Slade wasn’t good enough to make the RWC but now starts.

I'm by no means an apologist for Borthwick but to be fair, Slade's Premiership form has gone up a notch or two, at the same time three of the centres ahead of him in the RWC pecking order (Lawrence, Marchant, Tuilagi) are not available for selection for the 6N, so it's no that remarkable.

I agree with that. Slade’s been awesome for Exeter. Also, Plymouth boy so clearly he should be playing.

[Mr Magooagain]

moffspeed said:

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.

Just take care of your wallet - particularly on the tubes/trams - all the lowlifes descend on Rome for International weekends.

Wales may have beaten Italy last year but in our hotel the score was an impressive Wales 0 - Italy 5 (3 wallets, one purse and one handbag).

Yes I know every big City is similar but Rome is at the top of the table…..

Yes happened to me in Rome when queuing for the game but I felt a slight movement as he was just getting my wallet out of my pocket. Just managed to grab it and turned to see him about turn and leg it. Didn’t spoil a great weekend though.

[Seasonal Hero]

Fullook said:

I'm by no means an apologist for Borthwick but to be fair, Slade's Premiership form has gone up a notch or two, at the same time three of the centres ahead of him in the RWC pecking order (Lawrence, Marchant, Tuilagi) are not available for selection for the 6N, so it's no that remarkable.

I’d have taken him to the RWC personally.

[Rockettvr]

basherX said:

As the thread’s resident bean counter, I resemble that remark.

I think the one thing we learned from the WC is that Borthwick’s a very “horses for courses” selector. I’m approaching it with an open mind- notwithstanding the conservatism of selection I hope we are able to see whether they’ve been sent out with the same limited set of instructions or whether there’s any tactical development at all. Latter preferred, of course.

I fear It’s going to be more of the same
It might be an effective gameplan but it’s not going to be good enough to actually win something and by god it’s a tough ordeal to watch
Unfortunately I think the chances of England winning anything under Borthwick are pretty remote. Yes they’ll be combative, and for the large part competitive, there will be no spark of creativity , inventiveness or flair - the stuff that can actually win you tournaments or turn a poor performance around in a heartbeat. Things that make you want to watch again and again , a little bit of joy
As someone said before all numbers and percentages , no heart

As you can tell I’m not a fan , and please don’t start on the “but he got us to the semi’s”

[DodgyGeezer]

Rockettvr said:

I fear It’s going to be more of the same
It might be an effective gameplan but it’s not going to be good enough to actually win something and by god it’s a tough ordeal to watch
Unfortunately I think the chances of England winning anything under Borthwick are pretty remote. Yes they’ll be combative, and for the large part competitive, there will be no spark of creativity , inventiveness or flair - the stuff that can actually win you tournaments or turn a poor performance around in a heartbeat. Things that make you want to watch again and again , a little bit of joy
As someone said before all numbers and percentages , no heart

As you can tell I’m not a fan , and please don’t start on the “but he got us to the semi’s”

i've got to give him that - I did say that I wouldn't have been surprised to see us go out early doors (so I guess I'm glad that that didn't happen), we were fortunate that there were some unlucky tries against us disallowed (which may have made a difference?). I think that we're at the point (RWC '23wise) where you can admire England's efforts, which is good, but certainly not love them - as we did: France; Fiji; Portugal

[Mr Magooagain]

DodgyGeezer said:

Rockettvr said:

I fear It’s going to be more of the same
It might be an effective gameplan but it’s not going to be good enough to actually win something and by god it’s a tough ordeal to watch
Unfortunately I think the chances of England winning anything under Borthwick are pretty remote. Yes they’ll be combative, and for the large part competitive, there will be no spark of creativity , inventiveness or flair - the stuff that can actually win you tournaments or turn a poor performance around in a heartbeat. Things that make you want to watch again and again , a little bit of joy
As someone said before all numbers and percentages , no heart

As you can tell I’m not a fan , and please don’t start on the “but he got us to the semi’s”

i've got to give him that - I did say that I wouldn't have been surprised to see us go out early doors (so I guess I'm glad that that didn't happen), we were fortunate that there were some unlucky tries against us disallowed (which may have made a difference?). I think that we're at the point (RWC '23wise) where you can admire England's efforts, which is good, but certainly not love them - as we did: France; Fiji; Portugal

I know it’s raking coals but let’s not forget the pools set up in the last World Cup.
Like I said then, England had a nice cushy time for a few games. Not their fault one bit.

[TopTrump]

It's the heart. soul, creativity and foundation England need and don't have. That could change but I don't see it happening for a few years yet.

[phil_cardiff]

Wales team is predictably horrific.

If the Scots don't win this then they might as well give up.

[Kermit power]

We've got a pretty strong turnout for the PH Fantasy League, but still time for more to join if they want! Link at the top...

[Don Veloci]

phil_cardiff said:

Wales team is predictably horrific.

If the Scots don't win this then they might as well give up.

It's a Cardiff thing. It's a special talent!

[phil_cardiff]

Don Veloci said:

phil_cardiff said:

Wales team is predictably horrific.

If the Scots don't win this then they might as well give up.

It's a Cardiff thing. It's a special talent!

If you can keep 15 on the pitch this time you're surely home and dry. The Cardiff curse has to end sometime.

[CivicDuties]

phil_cardiff, with the greatest respect in the world, please STOP IT. You're not helping.

Thank you.

[DodgyGeezer]

Kermit power said:

We've got a pretty strong turnout for the PH Fantasy League, but still time for more to join if they want! Link at the top...

I've chosen a team - will try and enter The League later this arvo

[Seasonal Hero]

England: Steward; Freeman, Slade, Dingwall, Daly; Ford, Mitchell; Marler, George (capt), Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Roots, Underhill, Earl.

Replacements: Dan, Genge, Cole, Coles, Cunningham-South, Care, F Smith, Feyi-Waboso

[basherX]

Kermit power said:

We've got a pretty strong turnout for the PH Fantasy League, but still time for more to join if they want! Link at the top...

I think I’ve entered a team. Very much monkey at a typewriter stuff for me though.

[Kermit power]

basherX said:

Kermit power said:

We've got a pretty strong turnout for the PH Fantasy League, but still time for more to join if they want! Link at the top...

I think I’ve entered a team. Very much monkey at a typewriter stuff for me though.

I can confirm that unless there's another Basher, your team is one of the twelve.