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Post by newby on Oct 24, 2023 18:45:35 GMT
Courtney Lawes, Jonny May and surely Joe Mahler, Dan Coles, Billy Vunipola and a few other of the big lads will be calling it a day as far as England goes. Kevin Sinfield I hear is to leave his role as defence coach too.
We've already shown we can beat Argentina, even when a player down. So how should England play this game I wonder, grind it out and stick to the game that they know, or open it out and play some running rugby to entertain the crowd, and possibly risk a defeat.
Rather than an embarrassing chore that has to be done I hope it turns into a tasty Hors d'oeuvre before the main event on Saturday. A celebration perhaps to say thanks to some who have been around for what seems an age.
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Post by newby on Oct 26, 2023 18:15:35 GMT
To answer my own question the obvious England retirements are taking no part in the 3rd place play-off. Youngs is the exception in the starting XV, and that's probably because he didn't announce his retirement until after the team was picked.
England: Smith; Steward, Marchant, Tuilagi, Arundell; Farrell (capt), Youngs; Genge, Dan, Stuart, Itoje, Chessum, Curry, Underhill, Earl.
Replacements: George, Rodd, Cole, Ribbans, Ludlam, Care, Ford, Lawrence.
So is this something like the team we will see in the next 6 nations or is Tuilagi another one likely to call it a day for England.
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Post by hawke on Oct 26, 2023 21:15:07 GMT
Danny Care is retiring from international rugby too I think. I also believe he is the only Yorkshireman in the squad. Born in Leeds, went to school in Otley, played for Otley age group teams I imagine and also with Leeds Tykes followed by years at Harlequins. Interestingly he had trials with Sheffield Wednesday I once read.
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Post by davemorton on Oct 26, 2023 22:15:03 GMT
Bevan Rodd was born in Scotland and grew up on the Isle of Man, before attending Sedbergh School.
George Ford is from the Saddleworth border region, Waterhead, which is in historic Lancashire. However, he attended Rishworth School, against whom my own North Manchester HS had cricket fixtures...and rugby, I think.
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Post by newby on Oct 27, 2023 21:14:13 GMT
Well they did it. The first half was OK but then it got really scrappy. The second half seemed to go on for ages, which good games never do.
No real tension but I hope England get a few extra beer tokens for finishing third.
Perhaps a little bit more electricity in the air tomorrow night.
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Post by karma on Oct 27, 2023 21:15:52 GMT
I don't know a collosal amount about this game but I do know my interest was sparked by the semi-final display, though it was the narrowist of defeats . To finish with a win is important, one defeat only for a team given no chance is some achievement.
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Post by hawke on Oct 27, 2023 21:52:46 GMT
Given England’s recent form 3rd place is terrific but given the luck of the draw that is where a country with our numbers playing should have finished.
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Post by slowleftarmer on Oct 30, 2023 11:41:43 GMT
I think Care wants to continue - he now has 96 caps so presumably aiming for 100 and with Youngs retiring there may be chances at scrum half still
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