Why have England moved Marcus Smith out of position? | England team v France reaction | Six Nations
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- Marcus Smith moves to full-back, Fin Smith makes his first start at fly-half and Tom Willis is anchoring the forwards at 8. Ben Youngs reacts to Steve Borthwick's England squad to face France at Allianz Stadium on Saturday 8 February in the second round of the Men's Six Nations 2025.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Listen to every episode of For The Love Of Rugby
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple...
Spotify: open.spotify.c...
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
🍺 Use code FTLOR to get 12 Black Hearts for £15 using our link: brewdog.com/pr...
🎟️ Live Show tickets: fkpscorpioent....
🤑 Win money for your rugby club: forms.gle/9PrS...
📹 Send us your rugby videos: forms.gle/TrB1...
💭 Got a question for us? Fill in this form: forms.gle/4o1f...
💗 Buy a bobble hat: crowdnetwork.c...
🎶 Music courtesy of BMG Production Music
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Follow For The Love Of Rugby:
Instagram: / loveofrugby
TikTok: / loveofrugby
X: x.com/LoveOfRu...
Facebook: / loveofrugby
LinkedIn: / loveofrugby
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
#Rugby #BenYoungs #EnglandRugby
Rapid work Lenny. Wouldn't expect any less from a man of your pace...
😂
For the last time, the try against Exeter WASN'T my top speed
As a bok supporter in Aus must say I’ve enjoyed reading the thoughtful & respectful comments from folk from both England & France; still a lot of mutual respect & camaraderie in our great game & long may it continue!
Good stuff Sean. Good of you to come on here and your comments very welcome and respected. 🏴🇿🇦
The Smith/Smith Axis reminds me of playing schoolboy rugby as a fly-half that's relegated to full-back because the coach prefers someone else at 10, but he doesn't have enough options to cover 15. 😂
.....and the coach cannot bench you because everyone knows you're on on form
@EdLo3
0 seconds ago
Well he does but his starting 15 isn't quick enough. That is why I would have picked George Hendy over Daly in the squad. An out-and-out 15 with good form...and another Saint. Daly has been great down the years but he is not threatening any team with pace or power. Yes, he's a smart player and despite his versatility we need impact off the bench. In this squad it's the right call but only because of who is available.
But if the French know we know they don’t contest kicks, who says they won’t now contest kicks now we’ve selected Marcus at 15? Do we know they know we know?
Luckily this podcast isn't translated into French... yet
@@LoveOfRugby nous regardons tous vos podcasts avec intérêt 👁
more to the point, do they know we know that they know we know they're going to contest kicks?
🤫I won’t tell if you don’t
As a french, I must admit, I don't know
Excellent analysis, Ben. As an ex England legend please could you explain why Steve Borthwick asked the England team to play a high tempo game against Ireland but did not condition the team to implement it for 80 minutes. Why can't the team last 80 minutes. Against Ireland they were exhausted after 40 minutes. They also faded badly in their Autumn series matchesI think SB has made the right call with Fin Smith and Marcus Smith. Ben, I have always thought Tom Freeman should start at no 12 instead of Henry Slade with Tom Roebuck at no 14. I think as a midfield centre TF's strength would get England over the gain line and get the team on the front foot. TF is also considerably better at defending than HS. I would love to hear your comments, Ben. Thank you for the great service you gave England over the years!!
Can’t wait to see France kick all contestable for this game.
I hope they do because it doesn't suit their game. If we can force them to change their tactics then we've already won the psychological battle.
even if it's only 3 or 4 times per half, it'll be a challenge.
@ Hahaha. You can think that.
Still waiting
Irishman living in London here. I’m excited by this team sheet. Club team mate relationships are underrated, and I’m hoping it helps Finn Smith grow into the 10 Jersey.
Great analysis. If we are being honest and as much as I hate to say it, if you look a player comparisons there are not many on the England side that you would swap out on the French side. Maybe two or three at best. The Premiership is not producing enough quality players or results at the moment as compared to other European competitions. I am hoping the recent success of the under 20s helps in the near term.
from SA - I like the Saints Link Ups - they were great when they can to SA - went to watch them in extreme heat - Tom Willis is needed for the big French
Huge credit to Steve Borthwick! He's getting so much shit from haters everywhere. Lots of talk of getting rid of him (which is stupid), if he does go, at least he's going all guns blazing!!! Brave, attack biased selection, let's go boys!!! 🌹⚔️
Problem is he can play an attacking team that’s consistent… swapping your 9-10, back row and back three combinations every single game does nothing but stop a team developing and building chemistry 🤷♂️ it’s not brave it’s stupid
Bravo my arse, look at our results then smile….😊
In two years he really hasn’t changed Eddies end trajectory - he did a great job for 2 or 3 years at Leicester, but McCall has had consistent and persistent success at Saracens - better get a guy who’s had repeated success over many years
your team came 3rd in 2023 world cup, and yet now.......... so 90% same player but!
He’s mediocre though Jake. Winning % below 50 just isn’t acceptable. He can’t keep losing
Playing people out of position could be a disaster especially against France
Smith is preferable to Steward. He cannot cover agile players. Smith has excellent fitness and has huge range at fullback and can beat a man one on one.
@@2011hwalkerhe cant tackle. Was bumped off twice last weekend
@@doctor1011by Lowe and Aki. Which fullback is going to stop them at full tilt?
Marcus played 70 odd minutes against France at 15 last year. He is getting better and better at adapting to 15. Plus, we have an out-and-out 6,7 and 8 this time. This is potentially a better selection than against Ireland. Although Fin will have to play a blinder.
@@EdLo3 Fingers crossed we'll see very soon!
Enjoyed the insight. The French are very tactically astute and will understand Bothwicks thinking. I suspect they already have a plan for this positional change. Expect contested kicks, hope Marcus copes with this pressure.
Excellent news, we've already got the french changing their normal approach. And we have more Excellent news , as suggested in the comments, dupont is going to kick more contestable balls. Beats having him rip us apart with ball in hand !
Probably no one will mention this but Dupont plays the game like a flyhalf and has license to drift around and put little kicks in off both feet. It could be beneficial to have a fullback that thinks like a flyhalf for this reason
I actually think they care far less about this kind of stuff. France unusually spend a ton less time trying to work their game plan around specific Opposition player position. Lancaster alludes to this in one of his recent podcasts where he highlights this mindset in french rugby.
France instead seem have a game plan that is not rigid at all, allows for chaos (and its players are good at it) so attack points can be moved and altered all the time from fast open play and this opportunistic and fluid approach means they focus more on their skills than understanding specific traits of opposing teams. Not saying they don't completely ignore opposition research, but its lower down their priorities when preparing for games.
They won't. Changing their game plan to adapt to Markus at the back would be aknowledging he is a real, extraordinary threat, and not trusting our own organization. France has to back themselves up to withstand any opposition with their plan A, or else it means plan A isn't good enough. And to be honest, Markus is certainly a great attacker, but he is not a seasonned fullback, so he might also show positional weakenesses... worth to test him before changing anything!
Lenny, you are so right about Fin not starting in last year’s Japan fixtures, if I’m the French coach I’m telling the players to do what England isn’t expecting and that’s contestable kicks. For sure the French wingers can happily contest high balls! Pleased for Willis. I will be at the game and am hoping (it’s not a strategy clearly) we sneak a win!
France are not used to either executing or reacting to contestable kicks so if they decide to change their tactics it will play into our hands.
I was thinking this was the line-up I wanted to see for this match - unless the French do put up a load of high balls I think it's a good way to go. Marcus Smith is also pretty good at catching, despite being small and I really like seeing him at full-back, as it gives the opposition a lot more to worry about in defence and he kicks so well. He is also better than Steward at catching and tackling those fast runners, so it's a good choice defensively. Bringing in Willis at 8 was a no-brainer against the French.
any concerns about the lack of physicality in the back line? Smith and Mitchell were run over for two of Ireland tries and France are even more physical than Ireland
Fin is slightly more robust so I hope we'll be okay. Plus we've got some grunt in Tom Willis and Earl in his usual position.
This England side looks very balanced.
Like the number 8 he is about 15kg heavier than Earl. Also hope this Smith/Smith combo works out because England needs a 2nd playmaker.
And the last thing England has to rememeber is the fact that Borthwick is the youngest coach by 3 years of all the top 10 sides in World Rugby.
Tom Willis is a savage
@@cella6495 3 years ago Andy Farrell won the grand slam ad a series in NZ had. 82% win rate with a fraction of the resources Bortwick has, you trying to snatch at anything to make a case for someone who is just a bad coach, it’s simple a system by felix jones brought a great victory by England 12 months ago and a team showing some real improvements, Jones leaves and England go backwards desperately trying to copy anyone and everyone, it’s a shambles and the man at the top is responsible, he’s not an apprentice getting 800k a year.
@@davidwalker2402Mate i have nothing invested in this. I am not from England.
I am just here tying to give you guys support.
If you like Borthwick or not, its not going to be very smart letting him go now. Who will replace him now? World cup is in 2 years.
And of course his going to follow what other coaches are doing with their teams around the world. Everybody else does it.
Just because you are focusing on England doesn't mean its not happening in other teams.
After 2019 World cup this 82% Ireland team you talking about copied Japan and NZ's pod system to get quicker ball.
For me you can see where Borthwick is going with this.
Solid number 8, 2 playmakers and their defense looks much better.
I like all the changes. Fin made us click when he came on last week.
Cracking synopsis of what's going on. Learn a lot from listening to these. Thanks for doing them.
Great point about Smith starting. Muddled thinking bynBorthwick as he had lots of opportunity to start the F Smith. Not against France who are one of the best teams in the world. What is B thinking. Or not.
The problem is, when Fin came on against Japan, the team started purring but all we heard was "It was only Japan". It would be exactly the same against Italy or Wales. He needs this.
Fin is way more experienced now both at his club and within the training squad. He has grown as a player even since the Autumn and that is why he has been selected. Plus Furbank is injured so it's forced his hand abit. Personally I would have preferred to see an out-and-out 15 like George Hendy in to begin with as Lozowski seems like a wasted spot with both Dingwall and Beard in camp. Either way, Fin has to be tested at the top level for the management to see what he is about. Yes they could have tested him against Japan but what would they have learnt about him playing against such a poor team? I'm sure Steve would have wanted him to have more game time but the alternative is Freddie or Daly at 15 against a team that will run rings around slow-ish defenders. Plus Marcus will add a spark from the back no doubt about it.
Willie le roux from the springboks was a 10. He has been so valuable as a playmaker for SA. Hopefully this works for England .
I was hesitant when I saw they had moved Smith. Your explanation has helped me understand the thinking, but ultimately I would have stuck with the team from last week (aside from injuries). Given how strong we were in the first half, the players deserve another shot to make good on that attack. I feel for Ben Curry but even more so for Freddie Steward - a specialist fullback who’s been left behind in favour of a 10 being played out of position!
It will be interesting to see whether France are bluffing us and will use short contestable kicking that Freddie would have been chosen for and whether we are willing to leave Marcus at the bottom of a heavy French ruck
There's no bluffing. England are playing their game. Freddie is not great against quick teams in defence and France aren't great at contestable kicking, it's not really seen in the Top 14 either. Marcus at 15 is a genuine attempt to have a go at France and hopefully Fin will bring more of the forwards into the game. Would be great to see Genge and Tom Willis going through holes rather than just Lawrence. I think Marcus is actually slightly limited in how he brings other players into the game because he's more focussed on making breaks himself.
As a Frenchman, it's a relief to see that Freddie Steward is out. This guy could be very dangerous on high balls. Of course, the two Smiths add a threat on handling plays, but I think we can manage that. In any case, we can try. But on high balls, it's hard to struggle against a guy as good as Steward in that area.
I think it is a mistake for Borthwick to do without Steward. But if England win (which I hope they don't 😇), he'll be the one in the right.
All he does is catch. He wouldn’t ever affect your defence
I'm Welsh and agree with you. Smith over Steward at 15 is madness to me
Remember Steward is not fast. I would actually have liked to see him on the pitch and be burnt by Bielle-Biarrey or Penaud...
Yes he's good on high balls, but he's not the only one. This makes no particular difference at this point. We'll need to have a tactic to maybe concede the high ball but take the player immediately afterwards.
Marcus Smith - the Filipino speed bump at 15
Can we not just accelerate the process of Freeman playing 13? He looks almost certain to end up playing there and would benefit from the time playing with Lawrence. Also can Steward play 13, he seems to have natural qualities to fit, especially defensively.
Not only does Fin Smith have the relationship with the Saints boys, he also played at Worcester with England's most effective back, Ollie Lawrence.
Can't believe I've had to wait this long for a hot take. Outrageous! 😂
I almost feel like we are playing France at their own game. And the worry is that they are very good at their own game. Im not against it but it’s certainly interesting.
We can't win with contestable kicks either as we saw against Ireland. I applaud Borthwick for trying to develop our attack and Marcus is one of our best attacking players. He now has more space to operate in. Plus we have a game-manager at 10 rather than a player who often takes the brunt of the attack onto himself. England are more concerned with developing their own game rather than what France will bring. Our forwards just have to be more physical than them. If we lose upfront, we lose the game.
Great pod but how is England v France at Twickers not your game of the weekend?! Have a word with yourself Ben
Nice work Ben, loving the content!
love the tactical analysis! keep it coming
Funny thing I don't see mentioned on these podcasts: as a French supporter, I am less concerned with the high, contestable kicks than I am with lineouts and scrums. France are having all sorts of pains in these domains.
I think it is a brave and exciting selection by SB. He is clearly laying out an intent to attack by loading the back line with speedsters and game breakers. To win we need to score a bag full so let's hope that it lives up to the billing! Come on England!!
Here here!
@@matthewb1389 , Or is it "hear hear?"
@ccahill2322 too excited to check
Benny, spot on overview fella...ai think 9,10 Saints wingers could rock the Kasbah!! Bring it on! Davey Boy
The way I have been thinking lately. Marcus is world class, no denying it but he does sometimes pull something out the bag and it seems to catch England a bit off guard and can end up in rather sticky situations. This way, kind of gives the freedom to pop up any where and use his skill and do something sexy ( hopefully ). Hope the boys go well and just looking forward to, hopefully, a good game!!
@robzilla20, The "world class" phrase is much overused. MS, unfortunately, is not and never will be, a "world class 10.
Steward no pace
@@robzilla20 I don’t think he’d make any world class team the way he plays 🤣
French fan here. I always enjoy your programmes. That said, I find the English style quite amusing. 4:55 about Cadan Murley who had one of the worst imaginable games, costing his team 2 avoidable tries. I would not have taken that away from the soft and understated commentary!
Hmm.. I don't think we're shy when it comes to criticism. Yes, Murley made mistakes. But he's a good player and it was his first start. You can't write someone off just like that. He needs support. Obviously he does need to learn quickly as you don't get many bad performances at international level.
@NTL578 you are exactly the same and you don't notice it 😉. He lost the game for England with these two tries. That should be said. I'm not saying he should be written off, even though "good player" is relative and he certainly would not be considered so in France where we are currently blessed with really good players. As for me, I hope he plays for England again, if possible against France, as I think he would be exposed. But my statement had nothing to do with the future and only with how his abysmal game was depicted in the commentary
@adogonasidecar1262 I think he's had plenty of criticism elsewhere. What you need to remember as well is Youngs is likely friends with Cadan. He's not going to rip into him because he's had a bad game on his debut.
To be honest I think it's quite refreshing if we're trying to break the habit of a lifetime, and not tear a new player down after building them up.
Such a refreshing and concise summarising Ben enjoyed your take on England's repositioning of players
The thing I would say about the France vs England comparison is that I’m pretty sure that they would have played Ramos at 10 if Barre or Burros were there to cover 15.
I don’t know why dropping steward is the answer to England’s problems and people keep blaming him for England’s woes watch any game of rugby no matter what level and somebody is getting skinned or sidestepped it happens multiple times a game no matter what the quality of the player
he shouldn't be blamed for England's losses but he does get beat more often than most back 3 players in one on one situations. It's just the downside of his size. I'd love to see him move to center.
Maybe, but with Steward it's almost inevitable.
I’m excited to see this change, something fresh to try against France
I called it , I said Smith would start at 10… 👀
😂
Re: Smith’s - I don’t think there is another option. Furbank and Malins injured, Steward too slow. Daly prob best on bench as utility and keeping the threat of Marcus on field. Fingers crossed it works and should only be temporary - Marcus should stay at 10 otherwise.
So what if we win against France, Fin Smith plays a blinder, the attack is more smooth and cohesive. You still think Marcus should go straight back to 10? Doesn't make any sense. It's a team game.
@ it would be a good problem to have. I don’t think you can ignore how well Smith played in the Autumn, basically carrying the team - I think when England get their centres and back row combinations sorted Smith can flourish. They might be getting closer now with this weekend’s back row selection. They need a better option at 12 in the centre than Slade though. I massively rate Finn Smith but I think Marcus will help the team score more total points (than Finn could) and you need that against the big teams otherwise you’re not even in the race.
@@TheOne-uo7is carried a team to 3 defeats and a win against Japan , 🤪
Wales kept doing this with James Hook poor guy didn't know weather he was coming or going when if you're a rugby fan you know that Hook best position was Fly half it's the same with Marcus Smith keep him at 10 we haven't got enough flair in the team anyway so guy with flair his put at full back crazy 🏉🌹🏴🫣
I agree that Marcus is a 10 and the form 10 at that - if this is the long term vision for England we need to develop more playmaker fullbacks so we can replace Furbank when injured a lot easier and keep Marcus at 10
Might work if France take the approach to focus on themselves but its France so they will turn up and play something nobody expects. Smith is great ball in hand but again...its France. They will be great themselves ball in hand and I back their defence to be smart and not let Smith find the holes.
Love this channel as an Irishman. Lots of respect for the pair of you.
I honestly don’t know what to think. My immediate reaction is no, definitely pick a specialist fullback with a lot more experience in that position. But Damian Mackenzie plays at 15 for New Zealand, I think, and he does ok. So…. maybe?
I was just wondering if England kick to contest, because it seems now that option isn’t on the table anymore. What do you guys think?
It may sound very simple and too obvious but my initial reactions to this selection is the fact France will just adopt a different kicking game plan and pepper us with high balls - a noticeable weakness of Marcus's.
To be honest Marcus Smith at 15 is a great option, he is an attacking player, and every time he plays 15 for England he’s on form. He is an amazing attacking 10 but the good point for England he can play both positions really well, and for the lions coming up he will be a solid 15
@ioandavies9162, You expect Keenan to have a cast on both legs then? MS was supposed to be the best 10 since sliced bread. He in fact is not. He would have been great in the pre professional days, like Barry John, maybe. Mr. Bortwick is out of his depth. But I hope England win. Perhaps-- as often-- France are not quite as good as the "experts" think.
@@ioandavies9162 what amazing thing did he do against Ireland last weekend, oh let’s see he drove his G wagon around Dublin🤣
CCS needs a big game, looks good in the prem but not translated well to international yet, lots of back rowers snapping at his heels if he isn’t performing
Come on, Fin! Time to shine
Hindsight is a wonderful thing. When the coaches pick its not with hindsight . Later they can see how things land. So please recognise that. Smith at full back is filling in for ! a ten team league lack of debth in positions. Also he doesn't stand up well to be targeted. Which he will be. England 10 needs to solidify the players around him. To many players drop sidewards on fast ball. I agree with your HOPE. for there is no certainty. Unlike the French who have it .
I struggle to comprehend selection , positions & tactics by Borthwick. The French will fancy this especially the last 20 minutes. Can England get field position , can they contain the French. Will the last tackle by the 15 be what we remember. If there was a time too IMPROVE it is NOW.
Ben rushed his analysis. But I still like him. His pod is full off honesty & humour.
Bottom line is that France don’t care who England field or what positions they play. They’re good enough to not have to worry about tweaking their own side to counter anything England do. France will just concentrate on playing how they play and that will be plenty good enough to beat England reasonably comfortably.
TBH this French team is probably 10/15 points better than us so trying something different is no bad thing. Might work, might not. Neither chuffed to bits nor bemused/disappointed. I'm just curious to see how it plays out and looking forward to the game.
Last week when we played Ireland, why aren't either Currys brother or Earl a line out option? Is this due to height or lack of experience doing it. Because this guy's are pros surely this is something they should be able to do even if they don't do it regularly
It’s predominately height yeah. You don’t really get “lineout options” under 6’4. Not they they can’t , it’s just a taller guy can out battle them/out reach and it’s a risk
Also with Daly you've got a massive boot. Perfect if you've got Jalibert and Ramos pinning you in the corners and your Smith² experiment isn't working.
I recon the French 9 might be good enough to change the game plan to give Marcus some contestable kicks. The weird thing for me is Marcus says he is a ten. The French pack are monsters, it is going to be physical.
Willis at 8 👍🏻
Our pack did not get bullied by the Irish who are no joke.
Don't think France will care who is playing fullback, and will stick with their kicking game. Also France will be licking their lips if England do start running the ball back more, it is only going to physically stress the English forwards more and France have a better bench.
Irishman living in France, I think France are marginal favourites but England have a great chance of taking them...The French public are nowhere near as optimistic as the majority of the English media have been pessimistic. While I understand the frustration with Borthwick I Am amazed that so many in England thought England would beat Ireland yet they give them little hope against France...England are at home, France are absolutely vulnerable any time they play away from home against someone even half decent... France hammered England at Twickenham 2 years ago but they barely won last year in France and probably should have lost, don't have a great record in the 6 nations in recent years, have only 1 title in the last 14 years, they have electric backs out wide yet the stats show they don't play a wide game... They mainly play through the middle, their back 3 can explode into life at any moment. They're conservative with going for 3 point long range penalties/drop goals even early in the game rather than kicking corner and amping up the pressure. For all their talent France frequently don't set the world alight and can be extremely flaky, e.g. drawing with Italy last year (and they should have lost that game) ... England have picked a better team this week, keen to see Willis and Fin Smith, I think they definitely have a chance, although in the long run i think it would be better if they lost and they just sacked Steve Borthwick, think he's passed the point of no return regardless even of they wim, does anyone have confidence in him? His press conferences are ludicrous parody gold.
For all their talent, France have less caps than England, 1 title in 14 years, a coach in Galthie I'm not overly sure of, amd aside from Dupont, I'm not sure if they're the smartest teams, they have leaked red cards and disciplene consistently... England can definitely win, whether England do or don't I put Ireland as definite favourites to beat France in Dublin on round 4 and take the slam
Thank you! Very interesting.
ireland as 'definite favourites' is a bold call. Even the bookies have not gone that far in their assertions. Its interesting though. I think who ever wins it wins by way of a slam. Cant see France lose any games except potentially against ireland in dublin and a draw is highly unlikely.
Getting great value for money from scottish fans thinking they can win on points difference. Even funnier when you hear about all the so called arrogance from ireland and their fans. Scots are delusional if they think they can win a 6N, where as ireland get called pricks for making the same statement..
That's stupid, you don't juge a team by the game the produce years before, you juge them for what kind of team they are now.
And by the way, stop saying that [put any team] "should have won" against France or France "should have lost this game", wtf is wrong with you ?
You really just sound like a french hater at this point.
"Marcus is arguably been one of the form players in the world this last 12 months" The levels of dillusion with the expectations of this English team is a major part of the problem" England's biggest problem against Ireland wasn't the bench, it was the players expected to play 80mins.. Out on their feet come 55 - 60mins..
I wont really care if the Smith experiment works as my case of Black Heart deal arrived just in time to get nicely chilled.😆 Cheers Lenny and the Sheriff. Big win v Nottingham needed this weekend to test out the 🖤🍻 COY🐅💚🤍❤️🏉💪🏻
The French must be expected an ingenius double bluff 😂
No one would be crazy enough to do this in such an important game ………would they ?
Because the coach is out of his depth.
Marcus has been consistently our best player for a solid year.
He’s NOT a 15.
Feel sorry for Freddie S
Dont worry steward is still busy turning round to try and tackle gibson park
Nah - theres no time for weeping over dropped players at this level, they have to go away and get better - simple as - besides they leave ''rather comfortable'' existences so they get no sympathy from me whatsoever with people out on the street in the cold, in soggy tents on the ground, eating out of bins and having shells and rockets flying at them etc.
I understand playing Mitchell smith at 9 10 glad Willis gets to start at 8 deserves his chance glad sleightholme is in need out and out pace still feel Henry slade is to slow Borthwick will stick with him though 😅hope smith does good things at full back can't understand how Joe carpenter isn't in the squad still let's see what England do against France not getting my hopes up too much 👍
Sladey doesn’t do it for me. Doesn’t excel at anything in a white jersey
Why does Slade get disregarded as a playmaker? It’s only talking about Fin and Marcus. It’s bizarre as Slade is a playmaker and has been playing 10 for club having done it in youth. Why can’t he do this for England from 12?
I’ll be astonished, if France do indeed kick long and give Marcus Smith the opportunities to counter attack, as you suggest. They’re a top team, why would they do it? If I’m the French attacking coach, I’ll be putting him under the contested high balls and have the bigger ball carriers running at him.
Generally France do kick long because they don’t have the wingers to contest. I agree I think they might now change it up.
Exactly then I’d be laughing every time Marcus get flattened like a pancake
Incredible how many world class coaches and players are in the comments 😂😂😂😂🙄🙄
I reckon this is a pretty good English team, though a lot will depend on the 10/15 performance. I like the pack and the bench, probably the best that could be selected. Looking forward to seeing if they can give the French a shake.
Could you answer in a future episode why teams stick to their tactical trends? For example you said that France tend to kick long and so we’ve chosen Marius at fullback because his height won’t be an issue and his strengthens can be used but my question is why wouldn’t France review Englands team sheet and go “let’s go for contestable kicks if Marius is at fullback back”? If the answer is they will do that then why would England take that risk? Seems you are putting a player in a position with an obvious weakness that he can’t do anything amount in terms of his height and offering France the opportunity to exploit it?
That’s pretty simple if you think about it. All teams have at least an A game and a B game. In this case, the A game for France is kick long. Their team selection, their exit strategies and their plays are all based around their A game.
They could choose to go to their B game in response to Marcus being picked at 15. But if they do they are choosing a tactic they are weaker at and might even have to select different players.
England would see it as a win if they could so easily push France off their A game just by selecting Marcus at 15.
Teams choose to stay on their A game because they back themselves to win against any opposition no matter what the opposition do. That’s quite a strong psychological statement.
When England select Marcus at 15, they are essentially admitting they can’t beat France with their ‘usual’ lineup.
The utopia is to half players who are the best at both A and B games and who can adapt to play different ways on the fly when presented with a different problem. Hard to find 15 of those though!
Unless I’m missing something this feels like Lancaster World Cup 2015 2.0
Do we not think that France may change the tactics if they see MS at Fullback?
One of the form players in the world, but does that mean one of the best 10s in the world?
He has had games where he's carried more than he's passed the ball, which in turn means your 10 (the eyes of your team) is often face down in a ruck.
Yours
Chris.
It's so stupid. Him just doing what he does best makes a world of difference for England. Shouldn't mess with that.
Joe Carpenter a class no15.
Although, no point being in squad to hold tackle-bags . Like when A Lozowski got called up in Autumn, then didn't play v Japan
I think Sale's 40-0 defeat v Stormers in SA - might have worked against J Carpenter
I like it as a selection for the French given they don't do aerial competition, however, the habit of England to keep switching decent 10's smacks of a lack of confidence. I'd leave Marcus at 10 as a rule and find the right 15 moving forward.
Which of the two Marcus / Fin is better on defence. Some big Frenchmen coming down the 10 channel.
All we can hope for now is a fair refereeing so as not to spoil this match, which is so important for both teams.
My question is where does Elliot come on? Full back and move Marcus to 10 seems most likely but we'll see.
Fingers crossed the Mitchell/Finn Smith combo works, or the wheels might come right off!
South Afrocan here 🙋♂️…you guys should have kept Juarno Augustus and gave him citizenship
He will be Irish soon, thanks! 😜
@libhongoliheli982, Or why not having kept Julus Caeser as he already had "citizenship?"
The Slade selection is the one I can’t get my head around. Why do we need another playmaker in the centers with Smith at 15? Surely we need ball a carrying center…anyway, come on England !
He’s a 10 after the 10
Marcus seems to me like England's biggest wasted talent in the last decade. Consistently pulled out of position and never had a team built around his brilliance as a 10. England could be so much more if we played an adventurous offload game, that gives players the willingness and allowance to run the ball from deep. It might not always go to plan, but offers something more than the boring kicking game, which England have fallen into over the last 5-7 years and will offer the fans a change from what clearly doesn't work.
I think a big mistake movement Marcus Smith to 15
I don't even think it's about tactics, so much as an acknowledgement that Steward is just not good enough at this level. So M Smith at fullback injects vision, talent and pace there, while backfilling no 10 with another good player.
I can see them moving Marcus to 10 when Daly comes on and moves to fullback late on in the game
Answer? Because Borthwick is a genius and I'm a fool
Again the 9-10 combination is changed, the back row is changed and the back three are changed ….. the three most important player pairings that build the back bone of a team that needs to build consistency and chemistry together…. No great team is built on swapping players around every single game. Obviously goes without saying moving a world class ten to fullback is ridiculous
I wouldn't have put Marcus at full back. I would personally use Marcus as a playmaker when Fin is having a bad one
What happens if they sack Steve borthwick and he returns to head coach of Leicester ben 😮
Have been calling for Fin Smith at 10 for ages as his game is better suited to running a game unlike Marcus Smith who has individual flair but not the best at getting others into the game. Except for cover at 10 I don’t see the point of having MS at full back as he is not the best under the high ball and can be run over by any opposition player who is larger than a scrum half.
Borthwick is just throwing dirt now and hoping it sticks. Marcus, should be benched and a proper fullback starting. Why no Hendy? He's a very good Saints FB, who is elusive and hits the line. Eng assuming, France will kick long. What if they dont? or mix it up? Smith is in trouble. Im surprised no SOS for Cole in this match, given the might of the french front rows. 21-45 France.
Marcus doesn't have to worry about the French choosing contestable kicks....unless that's what they choose do to.😒
If Furbank was fir, the decision would be tougher. As it is, double Smith is the clear option.
As an Irish person looking on: Finn Smith looks class and England have been far too hesitant to use him. He shouldn't be having his first start against France,it is ridiculous. Also: Marcus Smith is overrated. He is talented, yes, but everyone treats him as undroppable. This is like the England football team during the golden generation - trying to cram Lampard, Scholes and Gerrard into the same starting team when it's clearly not working. Drop Marcus Smith to the bench - he is a liability: can't tackle and weak under high ball. If any of the French back three get an opportunity to run at him in open space it will be GAME OVER. Yes he has cool hair and is glamorous but ffs stop fawning and open your eyes
Is Marcus Smith's tackling good enough for fullback?
Do you honestly think France cannot change their kicking strategy if they believe it will give them an advantage? 🙄
It seems the answer is because Fin Smith is a class act at 10 who can get the best out of the team and Marcus isn't.
Great coverage. Really thoughtful, although I don’t see it the same way.
Borthwick moving Marcus Smith to fullback is crazy imo, he doesn’t play well in defence there, same as at fly half, where he is a form player this year, but hasn’t performed as well at international level.
We’ve just seen Alex Mitchell get run over by James Lowe, we’ve seen Marcus get repeatedly run over in defence at both fly half and full back over the last 18 months.
Marcus is also much more targetable under the high ball than Steward. France haven’t been contesting kicks as much, but surely will change tack and do so now.
For me it’s a massive risk making this decision when France are likely to have much more of the ball. Marcus will counterattack and change the shape of the back line, but England may only have 35% of the ball for periods and poor territory, in which case it’s negated.
Also as Ben points out Finn has little exposure - is against arguably the best team in the world on form the correct way to let him loose? If it goes badly how will it affect him? Will Steve persevere with him or just drop him again? No forward planning by the HC.
I also think it’s a slap in the face for Fred who keeps doing nothing wrong but keeps getting dropped by a coach who is scrabbling around in the dark for answers, and is wasting a talented squad with his negative tactics and selections, while also repeatedly picking other players who are not really on the boil right now.
There’s a strong case that Fred should just say to Borthwick, look, if your going to bin me off for an undersized fly half who you’d rather play out of position, if that’s the level of respect you have for me and my game, don’t select me, let me go back to my club where I can make a difference, stop wasting both our time and embarrassing me in public. I’ll come back after you inevitably get yourself fired for making stupid decisions like this. I’m sure Fred would never do that though.
Hopefully the boys can produce something special against France, but it is going to be a big ask.
France have built their team magnificently, and they have several different game plans they can go to to get the win, whether they play expansively or have to grind it out, they are a threat for all 80mins. While I do want England to win, France are a joy to watch, especially when we get so used to watching games that are an arm wrestle or a kicking contest these days.
Personally I am really enjoying this year championship so far, and I think France and Ireland are playing some outstanding stuff and could be dominant for the next few years, there’s quite a drop off to England and Scotland, and sadly it looks like Wales will be down the bottom with Italy, although you never know, if either Scotlnd or Wales get up for it, they could give England a bloody nose this year, not entirely unfathomable that England finish 4th or 5th if they don’t improve quickly.
It’s the thought of thing that happens when a former forward is the head coach.
Sort of thinking about backing England for win and draw but it won't be more than £4 all in, lol
France will deal with an onslaught but ultimately run you ragged in final half hour - you burn yourselves out emotionally and don't cope with losing the momentum, you take and keep the momentum very well but can't cope when it starts slipping a bit