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No room for returning England stars according to the Twitterati
After England were dealt the boost of quartet Ben Te’o, Jonathan Joseph, Brad Shields and Joe Cokanasiga being fit to face France this weekend, fans have given their thoughts on Twitter as to what team Eddie Jones should field.
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After such a brilliant performance against Ireland in Dublin last week, it is no surprise that the majority of the fans do not want to see any changes for ‘Le Crunch’ at Twickenham this Sunday (apart from the necessary injury replacements).
The fans were particularly insistent that Jones does not tamper with the back-row upon Shields’ return, as they were superb at the weekend. Mark Wilson put in another tireless shift in the six shirt, making the second most tackles. In fact, he was one of England’s standout performers in the Autumn as well, and despite Shields looking to be a favourite of Jones’, it would be grossly unfair to drop him. Likewise, Tom Curry’s presence at the breakdown, as well as his speed around the field, will also mean that Jones will struggle to justify dropping him.
With Nathan Hughes coming on from the bench in testing circumstances at the weekend and playing in the second-row, he does not merit being dropped from the bench either to make way for Shields.
Similarly to the back-row, it seems unthinkable that the Australian would consider tampering with his centre combination of Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade after an imperious performance in Dublin, regardless of how well Te’o and Joseph have performed in the past.
While almost all the fans were most vocal about the back-row, some were calling for the 21-year-old Cokanasiga to find his way onto the bench for the France match. He certainly does not warrant replacing Jonny May or Jack Nowell, but after such a dominant display last time he wore an England shirt in the Autumn against Australia, Jones will surely be tempted to give him another chance.
One thing that was mentioned by the fans that all England supporters would agree on is the fact that there is an incredible strength in depth to the squad, shown by a number of high-quality players missing out.
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This is what the fans had to say:
https://twitter.com/thebathbadger/status/1092783691565334529
https://twitter.com/jimbobhickman/status/1092796866826260481
https://twitter.com/AntonyWallbank/status/1092821263062577162
https://twitter.com/bradbchesney3/status/1092792098716307456
https://twitter.com/NickAuger88/status/1092856649398865921
https://twitter.com/LordSparky/status/1092800729423794181
https://twitter.com/Whitlean/status/1092846459970560000
https://twitter.com/Rob683/status/1092835566389993472
https://twitter.com/TelferAlex/status/1092821607154925568
https://twitter.com/NicNacLarky/status/1092854021390565382
https://twitter.com/adrian_slabbert/status/1092823801073725443
https://twitter.com/Crypto_Strong/status/1092878196419244032
https://twitter.com/Thechief1975/status/1092825381701181440
Like the thought of having Slade and Joseph as options at 13. We've really got a ton of depth now… Except SH and FH. Although not because of a lack talent but of a lack of game time.
— Mr Fahrenheit (@FahrenheitJazz) February 5, 2019
Comments on RugbyPass
Can someone fill me in please, I've read a number of Ben Smith articles now and it seems he's got something again South Africa? Surely, this game was over and done with 7 months ago. Can't we have something a bit more interesting and relevant, or is this the calibre of journalist on this site?
227 Go to commentsNot sure what the Welsh are moaning about. They’ve had far more players off England, than England have had off Wales. Guys like Josh Hathaway and Kane James will play for Wales in the end. And they’ll be fsr better players for having played in the Gallagher Premiership, than they ever would have been had they stayed mired in the shambles that is Welsh rugby.
3 Go to commentsThis is all being blown totally out of proportion. First of all, since half the Irish team isn’t Irish - it’s very likely that none of the Irish players said that at all and, thus, we’re not being arrogant. Second, since half the Irish team is Kiwi - it’s very likely the Kiwi players were predicting a NZ SA World Cup final. Which they got spot on. Good on them!
163 Go to commentsAha. An Irishman with logic! Follow the flow: - Ireland peaks with a >80% win record between 2020 and 2023. And then… - crashes out of another QF at the WC; - Beat a poor French Team; - Beat 6N wooden spoonists Italy; - Play shite against eventual wooden spoonists Wales; - Lose against the most boring, “the worst English team ever” , a team widely regarded as unable to attack; - scrape through against Scotland. This article, No - Trimble, is on the money! Except for one glaring statement: _The Springboks have a few aces in the hole in this debate being the reigning world champions and official world number ones_ There is no debate, boys and girls. There it is. In black and white. “Reigning World Champions and OFFICIAL world number ones”. Come July, the overrated Andy Farrell and this overhyped team are going to enter into a world of hurt.
86 Go to commentsI’d like to know what homoerotic events Daniel enjoyed at 8th man. I clearly missed out!
19 Go to commentsThis article is missing some detail, like some actual context or info about what led to him abusing the ref.
2 Go to comments*They used to say that football is a gentleman sport watched by hooligans and rugby is a hooligan sport watched by gentlemen. How times have changed.*
3 Go to commentsexcept ot wasnt late wasnt late at all so dont know why you all saying its late he commits early and its your fault fir not paying attention
29 Go to commentsNot sure the Bulls need another average utility back in their ranks. Chamberlain has been ok for the Sharks but is by no means an X-Factor player. Bulls bought several utility backs which they barely use. A typical example would be Henry Immelman who plays mostly Fullback. The Bulls however have rarely played him this year and he has played wing or centre. Bulls want to build depth but seems like they have too many surplus players
1 Go to commentsABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
227 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
227 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
19 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
19 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to comments