Rugby

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...

I agree Launchbury is a big miss. Collier has looked pretty good this season scrum time in the Quins games I've seen (admittedly not all of them). Arguably Cole has been the best 3 this season but it doesn't make any sense to bring him back.

It's odd though for the tight 5 to be a weakness of England, it was always their bread and butter. Proudfoot hasn't exactly enhanced his reputation since joining the coaching staff.

(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.)

Launchbury

Skippered Wasps to a good win at the weekend. So he's definitely fit.

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...

Sinkler is not an international standard scrummager and is only really good for a 2o minute cameo when/if the game becomes loose.

I like this idea. Start with Stuart and bring on Sinckler for the last 20-30 mins.

Kruis was linked with Tigers for ages. But now they are inexplicably courting Chris Ashton - very weird, given they have a very fine selection of outside backs. And I can't imagine they have that much room in the salary cap for the pair.

I rate Stuart highly, and Jones used to love having LCD, Sinks and Genge on the bench to bring the energy for final 20....

That's madness. Kruis would be a great addition to Leicester's team....

Yes, guess you could, suspect Dombrandt wouldn't like that (no number 8 would!)

I like the fact he is finally picking the pack in positions they actually pay in.

Would love to see Kruis come back in, not sure he has really been replaced at all.

But now they are inexplicably courting Chris Ashton

I think the only way I would take Ashton on would be a pay as you play deal...

I think he quite desperately wants the prem try record (he's only a few off it) so he may well be open to this in a way he would never have been previously...

He's not going to score many tries at Leicester though unless he fancies playing hooker.

Plus good luck getting into the side ahead of Potter, Porter and Nems.

I think he quite desperately wants the prem try record (he's only a few off it) so he may well be open to this in a way he would never have been previously...

There are plenty of other places he can go... Oh wait.

Add Murimurivalu and Aspland-Robinson to that mix also, albeit they're not quite those three. But that's some set of outside backs for a team that historically prides itself on 10-man rugby.

Add in their fullbacks and arguably they have the best/most complete 'back three' squad in the league. (said through gritted teeth)

I'm sure Tuilagi would fancy a reunion.

I'd definitely pay to watch that.

He would only be keeping the record warm for Sam Simmonds anyway...

Glaws might want to argue that point with May, LRZ, Sharples, Thorley, Woodward and Carreras...

I did say arguably. And I stand by what I said. I'd say those two sets of players are as good as each other on any given day.

I've gotta say guys, loving this hand wringing over the England selection.

'MON THE BOYS!!!!!!

I'm also very, very happy with the Scotland team selection. Wee Johnny Grey's move to Exeter has added some real grit to his game - something he never really had before.

I was surprised that Rory Darge didn't make the bench, he's looked really good recently.

He has but McInally played to a pretty high level in the back row which means that we have 3 (potential) back row replacements 2 of which play elsewhere in the pack also as good as Darge has been Bradbury, the only out and out back row replacement on the bench has been so good for Edinburgh recently that he may keep the 8 shirt when big Bill Mata eventually returns from injury.

Not so long ago players like Darge would have won their first cap on because 1 they looked promising, 2 they were young, 3 we didn't have anyone else. Toonie now has the luxury of having enough strength in depth that he can involve players like Rory Darge in the squad, let them really get to know the set up and just let their desire to earn their first cap simmer away to motivate them to improve.