England 6 Nations Thread

[LondonTiger]

First topic message reminder :

Sunday 2nd February 15:00 - France (a)
BBC Sport

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)
Assistant 1: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant 2: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)


Saturday 8th February 16:45 - Scotland (a)
BBC Sport

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant 1: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant 2: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
TMO: James Leckie (Australia)


Sunday 23rd February 15:00 - Ireland (h)
ITV Sport

Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant 1: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant 2: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


Saturday 7th March 16:45 - Wales (h)
ITV Sport, S4C

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe (New Zealand)
Assistant 1: Romain Poite (France)
Assistant 2: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Marius Jonker (South Africa)


Saturday 14th March 16:45 - Italy (a)
ITV Sport

Referee: Pascal Gauzere (France)
Assistant 1: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant 2: Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Brian MacNeice (Ireland)




Squad

Forwards
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs, 21 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 19 caps)
Tom Dunn (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Ben Earl (Saracens, uncapped)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 12 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 45 caps)
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 1 cap)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 34 caps)
George Kruis (Saracens, 41 caps)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 62 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 81 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 68 caps)
Alex Moon (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Kyle Sinckler (Harlequins, 31 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 15 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 58 caps)
Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs, 18 caps)

Backs
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 39 caps)
Ollie Devoto (Exeter Chiefs, 1 cap)
Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 79 caps)
George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 65 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Willi Heinz (Gloucester Rugby, 9 caps)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby, 47 caps)
Jonny May (Leicester Tigers, 52 caps)
Ollie Thorley (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers, 40 caps)
Jacob Umaga (Wasps, uncapped)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby, 42 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 95 caps)

Apprentice players
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Josh Hodge (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)

[SecretFly]

Any truth to the Erasmus rumour? 

Eddie Jones to replace Townsend too... actually I just made that one up.

He'd do it too if there was enough money in it.  Nothing he'd like more than showing he has the magic with any side.  Japan, England...why not Scotland.

I doubt hed like getting the train home

That would make him love the challenge even more - arch enemy to cherished one. Yep, Eddie loves that kinda stuff. Nope, I wouldn't be surprised by it at all if it became a reality.

[Gooseberry]

Any truth to the Erasmus rumour? 

Eddie Jones to replace Townsend too... actually I just made that one up.

He'd do it too if there was enough money in it.  Nothing he'd like more than showing he has the magic with any side.  Japan, England...why not Scotland.

I doubt hed like getting the train home

That would make him love the challenge even more - arch enemy to cherished one.  Yep, Eddie loves that kinda stuff.  Nope, I wouldn't be surprised by it at all if it became a reality.

I dunno they have deep fried sausages up there

[WELL-PAST-IT]

Anyone seen the reports of an England coach getting hit on the head by a thrown bottle pre-match? It was a plastic one, but the abuse EJ got last time on the train, the attack on the coach and now this. What has happened to rugby in Scotland, more like football these days.

[Gooseberry]

Anyone seen the reports of an England coach getting hit on the head by a thrown bottle pre-match? It was a plastic one, but the abuse EJ got last time on the train, the attack on the coach and now this. What has happened to rugby in Scotland, more like football these days.

Not a beer bottle post match interview?

[No 7&1/2]

The erasmus rumour is interesting.

[LondonTiger]

The erasmus rumour is interesting.

What is the rumour?

[mikey_dragon]

The erasmus rumour is interesting.

What is the rumour?

...that he could replace Eddie Jones.

[LondonTiger]

The erasmus rumour is interesting.

What is the rumour?

...that he could replace Eddie Jones.

Hmm. As he is more interested in structures than selection and coaching, not sure how that would work.

[No 7&1/2]

That he replaces jones in 2021 when his contract runs out.

[mikey_dragon]

It could be a good thing, EJ has been in the role for a while and has maybe become a bit stale but we won't know for sure until the tournament's end. Saying that, having Gatland in the Wales role all that time did us a lot of good.

[SecretFly]

It seems Jones gets enthusiasm for one big crusade then is off again for a new adventure under new skies. And not a bad way to run a life at all.
Is he going through the motions now with England until the new adventure beckons on the desk of his agent?

[No 7&1/2]

Jones like Alex Ferguson rarely goes stale or through the motions for me primarily by freshening his training and coaches constantly. England have seen a number of one off coaches for certain series and it's worked well. Just as lancaster left us better off so will Jones.

[SecretFly]

Yeah, I know that.  He's undoubtedly been good for England.  

I meant that already his mind might be planning the new future for himself.  That potentially divides his thinking time, makes the WC someone else's baby, makes the future not so compelling for him in terms of team development..... just things like that shifting his attention, watering down his ambitions.  So not consciously going through the motions but his mind constantly whispering to him: 'time to move on'.  That wanderlust must feed through to his coaching and performances.

[WELL-PAST-IT]

Mirror saying it was Neil Craig hit on head pre-match, not the same Genge interview bottle

[hugehandoff]

Changes required for the Ireland match. Manu hopefully fit and firing to take on the decent Irish midfield. Watson to replace Furbank who does not look ready and I would hate to see exposed to Murray and Sexton (of course Watson spilled the ball last time for an Ireland try at Twickers). I still want to see a proper no.8, but at least Ludlam is a way better option than Lawes at 6. Apart from that some more training and preparation to get our attack in better shape and hopefully some decent weather for the match and we can halt Ireland's momentum.

[Soul Requiem]

I don't think Furbank did too badly against Scotland considering the conditions, would like to see him given the whole six nations and then the Japan tour, no point jettisoning him after two games.

[LondonTiger]

It was understandable that Jones did not change the squad between the first two fixtures. However with an extra week to work with the players before Ireland I hope he considers mixing things up. The guys most at risk of dropping out of the squad are probably those who are nowhere near the team right now. So Moon, Umaga and Dingwall could all be surplus to requirements.

[No 7&1/2]

I'm thinking on those same lines LT. From the match day squad I dont think anyone has played their way out, may be a feeling that guys like watson and tuilagi have enough in the bank to come straight back.

[lostinwales]

I wonder if we'll ever see Ewels again.

[Soul Requiem]

I wonder if we'll ever see Ewels again.

With Launchbury back fit I highly doubt it, he doesn't offer a great deal for me and looks a bit underpowered.

[lostinwales]

I wonder if we'll ever see Ewels again.

With Launchbury back fit I highly doubt it, he doesn't offer a great deal for me and looks a bit underpowered.

Succession is a thing though. Itoje, barring injury, will be around for years. The other 3 will be unlikely to make it to the next RWC.

[Soul Requiem]

I wonder if we'll ever see Ewels again.

With Launchbury back fit I highly doubt it, he doesn't offer a great deal for me and looks a bit underpowered.

Succession is a thing though. Itoje, barring injury, will be around for years. The other 3 will be unlikely to make it to the next RWC.

I'd expect Kruis (staying in England permitting) and Launchbury to be around in 2023 but Lawes could break at any point from now on I'd have thought.

[BamBam]

Get Kpoku involved as an apprentice type if not a full squad member

[lostinwales]

Get Kpoku involved as an apprentice type if not a full squad member

He's the obvious name but does he offer much more than being massive? (126Kgs at 20...)

[Maddogflanker]

I think Eddie could do a lot with Kpoku. He's physical and gets around the field

[lostinwales]

Get Kpoku involved as an apprentice type if not a full squad member

He's the obvious name but does he offer much more than being massive? (126Kgs at 20...)

I didn't know this but I just read he's got a twin brother who is also at Saracens.

[BamBam]

Get Kpoku involved as an apprentice type if not a full squad member

He's the obvious name but does he offer much more than being massive? (126Kgs at 20...)

Nothing wrong with that for a lock! Think he was the lineout leader for the U20s, and uses his size well carrying the ball. Not sure on breakdown etc

[Geordie]

Apparently he joined Saracens from a rugby league team.

Kpoku is rated very highly by so many.

Is the saints deal done or not?

[king_carlos]

Kpoku's bench appearance against Ospreys was very impressive. He's a very impressive young player. There's not many 20 stone locks who can run a line-out.

There's a few Sarries fans who felt he could have leapfrogged Kruis in then near-ish future. Apparently Ed Griffiths offered Saints Kruis in return for Kpoku being released from his deal with them when trying to get under the cap.

If Jones is to keep looking at playing a line-out jumper at 6 then I'm surprised Isiekwe isn't in the squad. He's another excellent young player.

[WELL-PAST-IT]

Apparently he joined Saracens from a rugby league team.

Kpoku is rated very highly by so many.

Is the saints deal done or not?

The initial reports said yes, but I have not seen anything from Saints to confirm it.

"I didn't know this but I just read he's got a twin brother who is also at Saracens."

Imagine the problems the ref would have with The Kpocu and Curry brothers all on the field at the same time. Alternatively, swap them at half time with the replacement wearing his brothers kit.

[lostinwales]

Apparently he joined Saracens from a rugby league team.

Kpoku is rated very highly by so many.

Is the saints deal done or not?

The initial reports said yes, but I have not seen anything from Saints to confirm it.

"I didn't know this but I just read he's got a twin brother who is also at Saracens."

Imagine the problems the ref would have with The Kpocu and Curry brothers all on the field at the same time. Alternatively, swap them at half time with the replacement wearing his brothers kit.

My thoughts exactly

[Guest]

That might have worked in the 1900s but can you imagine the fine if someone did that in the present day? As funny as it was I think the powers would want to make an example of a team that did that.

[BamBam]

Damn, looks like the deadly serious suggestions above just won't work for the Currys and Kpokus now that Special Constable Pussycat has clarified the laws for us

[lostinwales]

Damn, looks like the deadly serious suggestions above just won't work for the Currys and Kpokus now that Special Constable Pussycat has clarified the laws for us

No more fun for us.

[No 7&1/2]

Does that mean we have to stop doing it? Man curry (s) may not win any more motm awards

[king_carlos]

It would be brilliant in an exhibition, Baabaas or testimonial type game if the Curry twins (or indeed Kpoku's) tried to switch at half time without anyone noticing. Perhaps more possible with the Kpoku's given they wear a scrum cap.

[lostinwales]

It would be brilliant in an exhibition, Baabaas or testimonial type game if the Curry twins (or indeed Kpoku's) tried to switch at half time without anyone noticing. Perhaps more possible with the Kpoku's given they wear a scrum cap.

Scrum cap might hellp but from the looks of things the kpoku twins at least have very different hair styles. Curry twins however.....

[lostinwales]

It would be brilliant in an exhibition, Baabaas or testimonial type game if the Curry twins (or indeed Kpoku's) tried to switch at half time without anyone noticing. Perhaps more possible with the Kpoku's given they wear a scrum cap.

Scrum cap might hellp but from the looks of things the kpoku twins at least have very different hair styles. Curry twins however.....

Spare a thought for the parents of the Kpoku twins. Imagine having two teenage boys with a combined weight of almost 40 st.

[king_carlos]

It would be brilliant in an exhibition, Baabaas or testimonial type game if the Curry twins (or indeed Kpoku's) tried to switch at half time without anyone noticing. Perhaps more possible with the Kpoku's given they wear a scrum cap.

Scrum cap might hellp but from the looks of things the kpoku twins at least have very different hair styles. Curry twins however.....

Spare a thought for the parents of the Kpoku twins. Imagine having two teenage boys with a combined weight of almost 40 st.

Logo Mulipola has twin sons with the sister of Martin Castrogiovanni....

[king_carlos]

It was understandable that Jones did not change the squad between the first two fixtures. However with an extra week to work with the players before Ireland I hope he considers mixing things up. The guys most at risk of dropping out of the squad are probably those who are nowhere near the team right now. So Moon, Umaga and Dingwall could all be surplus to requirements.

Obvious changes would be a lock and centre out with a scrum-half and number 8 coming in to balance the squad a bit more.

Moon ---> Dombrandt or Hughes

Dingwall ---> Spencer

Jones seems pretty set on having only 2 scrum-halves in the squad but another 8 coming in may not be out of the equation.

I thought Earl looked very strong when he came on against Scotland. Every bit the Eddie Jones style back rower given his aggression and power in contact combined with very high work rate. One thing that always strikes me with Earl is the speed at which he gets back to his feet and into the line in defence. Along with Curry and Underhill it's almost instantaneous. The athleticism of younger back rows coming through in that regard is a real step up from the previous generation of England flankers.

England have really missed the off ball work of Watson and Nowell in the last two games so hopefully at least on of them is fit against Ireland and Conor Murray's box kicking. Having May and one of Watson/Nowell alongside Daly did a lot to mask his struggles defensively. Furbank has had a tough introduction playing in two poor performances alongside depleted back three options.

[lostinwales]

It would be brilliant in an exhibition, Baabaas or testimonial type game if the Curry twins (or indeed Kpoku's) tried to switch at half time without anyone noticing. Perhaps more possible with the Kpoku's given they wear a scrum cap.

Scrum cap might hellp but from the looks of things the kpoku twins at least have very different hair styles. Curry twins however.....

Spare a thought for the parents of the Kpoku twins. Imagine having two teenage boys with a combined weight of almost 40 st.

Logo Mulipola has twin sons with the sister of Martin Castrogiovanni....

If they go into rugby what country would they qualify for?

[quinsforever]

Daly's gotta go.

much as i love Mike Brown, Elliott Daly is basically Mike Brown on the wing.

unfortunately Elliott Daly imo wasnt Mike Brown at FB. Thunder boot excepted.

Cokanasiga or Nowell hopefully will displace Daly.

i liked what i saw of Furbank vs Scotland. not a great day for FBs but he really got stuck in and made that tackle on Hogg that led to a pen near their line.

just pls bench Daly asap

[mikey_dragon]

It would be brilliant in an exhibition, Baabaas or testimonial type game if the Curry twins (or indeed Kpoku's) tried to switch at half time without anyone noticing. Perhaps more possible with the Kpoku's given they wear a scrum cap.

Scrum cap might hellp but from the looks of things the kpoku twins at least have very different hair styles. Curry twins however.....

Spare a thought for the parents of the Kpoku twins. Imagine having two teenage boys with a combined weight of almost 40 st.

Logo Mulipola has twin sons with the sister of Martin Castrogiovanni....

If they go into rugby what country would they qualify for?

Wales.

[Soul Requiem]

It would be brilliant in an exhibition, Baabaas or testimonial type game if the Curry twins (or indeed Kpoku's) tried to switch at half time without anyone noticing. Perhaps more possible with the Kpoku's given they wear a scrum cap.

Scrum cap might hellp but from the looks of things the kpoku twins at least have very different hair styles. Curry twins however.....

Spare a thought for the parents of the Kpoku twins. Imagine having two teenage boys with a combined weight of almost 40 st.

Logo Mulipola has twin sons with the sister of Martin Castrogiovanni....

If they go into rugby what country would they qualify for?

Samoa, Argentina, Italy and England I would presume, maybe more depending on Mulipolas heritage.

[formerly known as Sam]

It would be brilliant in an exhibition, Baabaas or testimonial type game if the Curry twins (or indeed Kpoku's) tried to switch at half time without anyone noticing. Perhaps more possible with the Kpoku's given they wear a scrum cap.

Scrum cap might hellp but from the looks of things the kpoku twins at least have very different hair styles. Curry twins however.....

Spare a thought for the parents of the Kpoku twins. Imagine having two teenage boys with a combined weight of almost 40 st.

Logo Mulipola has twin sons with the sister of Martin Castrogiovanni....

If they go into rugby what country would they qualify for?

Samoa, Argentina, Italy and England I would presume, maybe more depending on Mulipolas heritage.

I know Cockers wanted them to be signed up to pre contract agreements whilst he was at Tigers. Hopefully that was sorted before he left.

The Kpoku lads are nothing, remember Manu is the runt of the Tuilagi litter at a mere 17 stone. That Christmas dinner must cost a fortune and require a specially reinforced table.

[king_carlos]

Daly's gotta go.

much as i love Mike Brown, Elliott Daly is basically Mike Brown on the wing.

unfortunately Elliott Daly imo wasnt Mike Brown at FB. Thunder boot excepted.

Cokanasiga or Nowell hopefully will displace Daly.

i liked what i saw of Furbank vs Scotland. not a great day for FBs but he really got stuck in and made that tackle on Hogg that led to a pen near their line.

just pls bench Daly asap

Cokanasiga is out for the foreseeable with a knee injury.

Rob Baxter commented at the end of January that Nowell's ankle injury would rule him our for 'weeks rather than months' but still no news on him returning.

Watson is the closest of the 3 to making a return.

I wouldn't mind Daly at 13 if we are still missing Manu and Slade for the Ireland game. It's his natural position and I just don't think JJ has looked the same player since returning from his year out with the ankle injury. He's by no means a bad player now but that explosive acceleration and step which set him apart just doesn't quite seem the same anymore.

[yappysnap]

Genge must be the first prop to get MoM in years. Fair play to him, that interview was a car crash afterwards too.

[lostinwales]

Genge must be the first prop to get MoM in years. Fair play to him, that interview was a car crash afterwards too.

Thought Underhill got MoM.

Genge is really something though.

[Sgt_Pooly]

Genge was interviewed for the try, not the motm Yappy.....Underhill got motm. I doubt we'll be seeing in front of camera again anytime soon.

[yappysnap]

Ah dammit. Fair play to Underhill him and Curry were the standouts and took Scotland apart at the breakdown. Incredibly satisfying after the last couple of years.

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