Ireland can win the Championship this weekend. England only have pride to play for. Have at it.
England, yet again, set up for kick chase. The key for us will be error count - cough up a catch & their backline can run. Knock on a catch & their scrum can deliver set piece for that backline.
If we're clean with our kick reception and screen / support our kick receivers then Crowley, Keenan & Lowe will make sure we're playing the game in their half. Need a strong start to remind them of their fragility in defense.
I'm only basing it on oddschecker - nothing more scientific
Hes injured. Hurt bicep in training yesterday
Is Ryan injured? Amazing to think there’s no room for in the 23, though once POM was named captain it was clear he was up for discussion.
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The spread went from -11 to -12.
That equals the odds shortening on Ireland and lengthening on England
Good post , no rain forecast for Sat
I feel exactly the same.
Care looks like a younger James Dean Bradfield there
Have somehow convinced myself that we will be beaten this weekend. I think we are miles ahead of England in reality but just have a bad feeling. I don't think we are actually anything other than ok the first 3 games.
Interestingly enough - the odds have lengthened on Ireland and shortened on England following team announcements. Not by much and we are still firm favourites but I thought it was interesting anyway.
Nika, the Georgian guy
It's a very reactive English line up I feel. Reacting to how Ireland play, but confused about how they themselves want to play
Putting chessum at six screams that they want to bully us up front and go after our set piece, especially the line out. Yet they go with five forwards in the bench, knowing we would go 6/2, and with dombrandt on the bench, not exactly know as fierce physical player but more as a ball playing forward. CCS will be work rate and heft, but by god is he inexperienced. The kid has 10 pro starts to his name.
They also select a very much kicking 10, but select a running back line. I can see any of lowe, Nash and Keenan cleaning up those kicks ahead of Furbank, freeman and IFW. Will Henry slade play yet another game with the ball ping ponging over his head all day?
We should win this with some room to spare. Unless there's a torrential downpour, I don't see your that English team can get a foothold in the game early enough to knock us out of our stride.
England are going to spend the whole game trying to slow down the ruck if they don't get pinged for it. Whose the Ref ?
Surely England can still win the championship. It's unlikely but possible.
Looks like England are going to try play judging from that team so could be a good game.
First observations of England team , that's a very big and physical pack.
