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The Rugby Thread

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
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The back row needs sorting, but apart from choosing which two I don't think the 2nd row is much of an issue. Maro needs to up his game to reach the levels of the last year and move on from there, but it's not as though we're weak in that position.

I felt I had to include the 2nd Row because currently we're insisting on shoe-horning all three of Lawes, Launchbury, and Itoje into the team rather than choosing between them.. That is in turn then impacting on the backrow positions, shunting Robshaw to 7 etc. which isn't really his role any more.

On form, it would be Launch and Lawes, but whatever the combination I'd rather something decisive and a proper backrow. Win, lose or draw I don't think this current set-up of a hybrid 4/5/6 is working to the effect they hope it would.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
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I felt I had to include the 2nd Row because currently we're insisting on shoe-horning all three of Lawes, Launchbury, and Itoje into the team rather than choosing between them.. That is in turn then impacting on the backrow positions, shunting Robshaw to 7 etc. which isn't really his role any more.

On form, it would be Launch and Lawes, but whatever the combination I'd rather something decisive and a proper backrow. Win, lose or draw I don't think this current set-up of a hybrid 4/5/6 is working to the effect they hope it would.

Completely agree.

With Lawes at 6 and Robshaw at 7 you've effectively got two players out of position which doesn't seem to make much sense. Simmonds looks like he could be a natural 7, and also gives you more ball carrying ability, and then Robshaw can do the dirty work at 6 (as we don't seem to have unearthed anyone else who can perform that role at the moment). I agree that it would be Lawes and Launchbury for me at the moment, but it's hardly a step down to even an out of form Maro.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
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57,391
Completely agree.

With Lawes at 6 and Robshaw at 7 you've effectively got two players out of position which doesn't seem to make much sense. Simmonds looks like he could be a natural 7, and also gives you more ball carrying ability, and then Robshaw can do the dirty work at 6 (as we don't seem to have unearthed anyone else who can perform that role at the moment). I agree that it would be Lawes and Launchbury for me at the moment, but it's hardly a step down to even an out of form Maro.


The Scotland game highlighted the weakness at the breakdown when we don't have full time back row players and we could be in for a bit of deja vue. We could do with Underhill in there but indiscipline has cost him his place. The natural successor to Robshaw at 6 would be Dave Ewers for my money.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
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The Scotland game highlighted the weakness at the breakdown when we don't have full time back row players and we could be in for a bit of deja vue. We could do with Underhill in there but indiscipline has cost him his place. The natural successor to Robshaw at 6 would be Dave Ewers for my money.

It'll be interesting to see what England do at the breakdown this week. Eddie has obviously decided that personnel weren't the problem so unless we change our approach, we'll see exactly the same problem.

I do like Ewers and Armand both at Chiefs (not sure who nominally plays 6 and 7 out of those two) but for me Robshaw isn't the problem if you don't rely on him to do everything at the breakdown. I accept he's not a flashy player and will never carry for that many yards (although he rarely goes backwards) but his work-rate and tackling is always hugely missed when he's not there. If there was an obvious candidate to replace him then I think it would be an area to look at, but I'm not sure if Armand/Ewers instead of Robshaw would make that much difference.

As you say it's the breakdown which is the bigger issue and that's where I think we need Underhill or Simmonds in there.

I'm really not confident about this France game at all. I'm concerned that the balance is wrong in the centres, and whilst we've got three electric backs, I'm not sure if Te'o really works with that system. Plus the forwards were mullered last week and yet we haven't changed anything other than the hooker.

If I were France I would definitely be looking at this as a big chance.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,391
It'll be interesting to see what England do at the breakdown this week. Eddie has obviously decided that personnel weren't the problem so unless we change our approach, we'll see exactly the same problem.

I do like Ewers and Armand both at Chiefs (not sure who nominally plays 6 and 7 out of those two) but for me Robshaw isn't the problem if you don't rely on him to do everything at the breakdown. I accept he's not a flashy player and will never carry for that many yards (although he rarely goes backwards) but his work-rate and tackling is always hugely missed when he's not there. If there was an obvious candidate to replace him then I think it would be an area to look at, but I'm not sure if Armand/Ewers instead of Robshaw would make that much difference.

As you say it's the breakdown which is the bigger issue and that's where I think we need Underhill or Simmonds in there.

I'm really not confident about this France game at all. I'm concerned that the balance is wrong in the centres, and whilst we've got three electric backs, I'm not sure if Te'o really works with that system. Plus the forwards were mullered last week and yet we haven't changed anything other than the hooker.

If I were France I would definitely be looking at this as a big chance.


I've been impressed with Tom Curry at 7 whenever I've seen him but I haven't seen much of him lately. With our current back row we just seem to lack that fraction of a second that can win or lose a breakdown situation.
 

mpickard2087

Patient Zero
Jun 13, 2008
21,886
32,513
So many of those intercept tries these days. If you haven't got depth in the line those are suicidal and so easily telegraphed.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
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So many of those intercept tries these days. If you haven't got depth in the line those are suicidal and so easily telegraphed.

You do see it a lot these days.

That was a particularly bad one though. It looked like he actually passed it to Stockdale.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
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I tell you I what, Gatland and co must be pissing themselves that Scotland forgot to turn up in week 1.
 

Arnoldtoo

The thinking ape's ape
May 18, 2006
35,338
54,974
This is going to be a bonus point win for Ireland.

England need to do the same in Paris to keep their title hopes alive. Not sure that they can. Less sure that they will!
 
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