6N 2025: England v France

[Machpants]

Two tens to start for Eng - worked so well for ABs over the years...

England: 15 Marcus Smith, 14 Tommy Freeman, 13 Ollie Lawrence, 12 Henry Slade, 11 Ollie Sleightholme, 10 Fin Smith, 9 Alex Mitchell, 8 Tom Willis, 7 Ben Earl, 6 Tom Curry, 5 George Martin, 4 Maro Itoje (c), 3 Will Stuart, 2 Luke Cowan-Dickie, 1 Ellis Genge
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Fin Baxter, 18 Joe Heyes, 19 Ollie Chessum, 20 Chandler Cunningham-South, 21 Ben Curry, 22 Harry Randall, 23 Elliot Daly

Stroppy ten back for France
France: 15 Thomas Ramos, 14 Damian Penaud, 13 Pierre-Louis Barassi, 12 Yoram Moefana, 11 Louis Bielle-Biarrey, 10 Matthieu Jalibert, 9 Antoine Dupont (c), 8 Grégory Alldritt, 7 Paul Boudehent, 6 François Cros, 5 Emmanuel Meafou, 4 Alexandre Roumat, 3 Uini Atonio, 2 Peato Mauvaka, 1 Jean-Baptiste Gros
Replacements: 16 Julien Marchand, 17 Cyril Baille, 18 Georges-Henri Colombe, 19 Hugo Auradou, 20 Mickaël Guillard, 21 Oscar Jegou, 22 Nolann Le Garrec, 23 Émilien Gailleton

France by 13+ and the end of Borthwick I reckon

[Bovidae]

A 6:2 bench for both teams.

[MiketheSnow]

Dumb as fuck from Borthwick

Like putting DuPont on the wing

Will be England’s undoing

[Catogrande]

@MiketheSnow

Yes, almost as dumb as selecting George and Daly on the bench. George is either a starter or not in the squad. He’s no impact player anymore. Daly’s best days are long gone too.

Injuries and Borthwick’s reluctance to bring on younger guys is painting him in to a corner.

[Bones]

No idea how good Fin is, but if it's as bad as everyone reckons, then fuck you Borthwick for bringing forward your sacking.

[Machpants]

Nothing wrong with Fin, he's a good ten. But Marcus is better and needs the reins - and the trust that he has them for a decent period. V

[antipodean]

I think the problem is that during the selection meeting, once they got to the backs Borthwick enthusiastically said Smith a couple of times while nodding.

[Catogrande]

@Bones

10 is not the problem. Fin is a fine player, though I’d prefer Marcus who is more of a game breaker. The problem is our back three and 15 in particular. Borthwick has stuck with Steward as either starter or back up, despite his frailties at International level. Once Furbank cot crocked the cupboard was bare due to no others having been looked at.

[Catogrande]

Oh, and defensively, we’re fucked.

[pakman]

@Catogrande said in 6N 2025: England France:

Oh, and defensively, we’re fucked.

Just tackle Du Pont.

[MiketheSnow]

@pakman said in 6N 2025: England France:

@Catogrande said in 6N 2025: England France:

Oh, and defensively, we’re fucked.

Just tackle Du Pont.

Humpty DuPonty ran behind the wall
Giving him so much time on the ball

[Machpants]

@MiketheSnow said in 6N 2025: England France:

@pakman said in 6N 2025: England France:

@Catogrande said in 6N 2025: England France:

Oh, and defensively, we’re fucked.

Just tackle Du Pont.

Humpty DuPonty ran behind the wall
Giving him so much time on the ball

All the king's forwards and all the king's backs
Couldn't get to the little fucker at all

[Victor Meldrew]

This post is deleted!

[sparky]

Nervy start for Fin Smith.

[sparky]

Great pace and skill by France already.

[sparky]

Ramos with a kick straight in front.

[sparky]

But he hooks it. Still 0-0.

[Victor Meldrew]

Sleightholme being a dork. That sort of stuff can cost you games.

[Bones]

Curry gets away with a shocker, clearly no release.

[sparky]

Dupont spills one with the line open.

He's no GOAT.