England v Italy - 10th March Match Thread

[Chjw131]

First topic message reminder :

Venue - Twickenham Stadium

Kick Off - 15:00

Just thought i'd try and get a unified thread going for the game. The news so far is that Courtney Lawes, Dylan Hartley, James Haskell, David Strettle, Ben Foden, Lee Dickson, Matt Kvesic, Joel Tomkins, Davy Wilson and Thomas Waldrom have been released from the camp to play on the weekend.

Any thoughts on changes for the game? What does everyone think of Ashton probably retaining his place? Billy V and Morgan are both not training this week due to injury so any thoughts on back-row changes? I also assume, although it's not been mentioned that Will Fraser has been retained in camp so might we see him on the bench for Italy?

[Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler]

I just desperately want some pace on the wings.

Everyone else moans at Croft for hanging ou there

Would be interesting to see the best side we could name with forwards in the backs and vice versa though...

1.
2.Andy Goode
3.Tuilagi
4.Bananaman
5.
6.Barritt
7.Twelvetrees -he's got a fair few turnovers this season
8.

9. ? Would've been Lee Mears until recently
10.Robshaw - he keeps trying to stand at first receiver

11.Croft
12.
13.Haskell - could perform the Tuilagi job
14.Guest
15.

Robshaw at 10? Hed just get into arguments with himself about whether to go for goal or not. Pity Craig Newby isnt Engwand Qwalified

You missed the most obvious one to have in the centers ...Tom Youngs

[king_carlos]

1.Andy Goode - Moved to accomodate Cipriani
2. Cipriani - who wouldn't want to see this?
3.Tuilagi
4.Bananaman
5. Twelvetrees moved as he is tall and has good hands, should be decent in lineout
6.Barritt
7. Mike Brown
8. Ugo Monye

9. Tom Youngs was a 12, but surely would go well at 9
10.Robshaw

11.Croft
12. Steffon Armitage
13.Haskell - could perform the Tuilagi job
14.Guest
15. Thomas Waldrom most no8s seem to spend half the match covering FB so theycan run back a kick. Better kicker than Morgan or BillyV

Cipriani at hooker would be wonderful! At second thoughts we could line him up a tight head with Sheridan against him and Woodcock or the Beast on the bench....

PSW can't believe I missed Youngs at centre now thinking about it, he could probably do a job at nine though to be fair LT. Thinking about Youngs I'd probably put him at 12 with Haskell at 13 and Armitage at 9. Other than that I'd agree with the inclusions though LT - what about Vainikolo at 8? Huge lump to bosh the ball up after all.

On Newby it's a shame he's retired let alone not England qualified. Brilliant link man between forwards and backs, a skill which is being rapidly forgotten in the search for 'true sevens' who can poach but not else - ironic really.

[sickofwendy]

Shane geraghty can cover cips from the bench,add a bit of grunt for last 20 minutes.

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