Sam Underhill was an absolute monster and showed his class in the premiership final. He needs to start against NZ as he has terrorised them each time he's played them. Would likely see Curry and Underhill at 6 and 7 and wouldn't say no to it.
The other thing to consider is the Bath-Northampton final. Depending on how the S/C gurus have handled it, they might have loaded up those players in conditioning training with a view to tapering to peak for the first NZ match. In which case they won't play against Japan.
Originally I thought change it up a fair bit but it’s true that many players would have last played more than a month ago so even for Japan I’d play close to the first choice bar maybe two or three changes so: Baxter (in form prem loosehead) George Cole Martin Coles(due to Itoje game limit) T Curry Underhill Earl Mitchell F Smith Roebuck or Sleightholme ( top prem try scorers and deserve their shot Lawrence Slade Feyi-Waboso Carpenter (attributes to surpass Furbank) Bench: Marler, Dan, Stuart Ewels, CCS, Spencer, M Smith, Furbank
The front row is up for grabs. Itoje starts, take your pick of who partner's him. Underhill plays 7 with Earl at 8 Cunningham South plays 6. Mitchell or Spencer play 9. Marcus plays 10. 12 and 13 are up for grabs although I love Lawrence and I have been following Morthmoor for the past 3 years. Feyi waboso and Freeman on the wings and Furbank at FB I'm sorry but Tom Curry doesn't make the tour let alone the bench. Great player bit was injured for a significant part of the season. A really poor message sent by SB and the selection panel, with a lot of fit English players overlooked for Tom Curry?
Looks pretty good - I agree on the forwards but I would start with Northmore and Lawrence and Freeman on the bench for the centres against Japan and I'd start Roebuck on the wing.
I'd go with your pack selection but I think Ben Spencer could do with some game time for England if he's likely to play off the bench against NZ. I'd also rather see Freeman given 13 and Slightholme in from the start.
I’d have honestly started Ben Curry and Tom Curry together or keep Tom rested as Ben unlike Tom hasn’t had the chance to embed himself in the squad and they play carbon like for like! Earl needs resting, what if he gets injured against Japan? But I’d have enjoyed a back row of CCS Earl and Dombrandt for the hard ground of Japan.
Am I going nuts? I could have sworn you said Spencer/M Smith when I watched this a minute ago, I accidentally restarted it and you’ve put Randall. Is it just me?
Apart from Cole great team. Just don’t think Cole is needed with how inexperienced Eddie has gone in the front row. Gives Stuart some confidence going into New Zealand as he’ll probably end up first choice and Heyes some experience in case someone picks up an injury
Looks a good team for sure. Still concerned at tight head and at least stuart for Cole ? . But if we going with Baxter and Rudd on the loosehead then I’m happy. Think Borthwick will be happy with Heyes and Stuart from a training and touring perspective this time around , rather than game time. Do feel Tom Harrison is looking good as scrum coach though.
Need to rest those who need resting and play those who need game time whilst putting out best team possible. Think you’ve struck exactly the right balance from 1-15. Shame you don’t name your bench too.
Rodd, Dan, Heyes, Ewels, Martin, CCS, Earl, Dombrandt Randall, M Smith, Roebuck, Northmore, Slade (c), IFW, Steward Baxter, Oghre, Stuart, Coles, B. Curry, Mitchell, F. Smith, Lawrence Giving finalists as much rest as possible. With the aim of bringing Lawrence of the bench for the last 20 at IC to adjust to change of position. Disagree that JG has to start as Tour Captain rather develop some depth at Hooker and save JG for the ABs.
