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(Simmons at 6)
My only issue there is that I think playing at 6 would negate a lot of Simmonds strengths, things like picking up from the base, where has been pretty devastating this season.
To be fair on the locks, we are missing Hill, Lawes and Launchbury, all three would be missed by most teams (with the exception of Ireland probably, who seem to breed them for fun.)
Sam_w-
Launchbury
Skippered Wasps to a good win at the weekend. So he's definitely fit.
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You could play him at 8 for specific scrums if you wanted to, or have him running off Dombrandt's shoulder.
Add Kruis in, who is only 31. It looks like he's having a lovely time in Japan but we couldn't have do with him now. Heard talk a while back that he'd come back to the UK for next season to be eligible for the world cup, not sure if that's still on the cards but we could really do with him...
c00ps
owl
Interesting. Will Collier really isn't a great scrummaging tight head either. I think Sinckler is the best we have available. Agree re Marler, but I think have to assume that's covid related. Isiekwe is playing well at the moment but as the only real alternative is Ewells I can see why he gets it. Another bad time for Launchbury to be injured.
Dombrandt and Simmons both on fire, I would personally have been tempted to pick both (Simmons at 6) but Ludlam has played well for England and probably deserves this start. Hope to see Barbeary against Italy...