England bring in Ashton to start on the wing, probably to give Daly more protections at fullback, Moon at front row and Underhill at 7 to replace the injured Curry. I think retaining Te'o was a good call to combat Sonny Bill, as was keeping Hartley at hooker (to get under their skin) - Shields is lucky as done nothing for club or country.
| Chris, please repeat in England shirt |
England: Elliot Daly; Chris Ashton, Henry Slade, Ben Te'o, Jonny May; Owen Farrell (co-captain), Ben Youngs; Ben Moon, Dylan Hartley (co-captain), Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, George Kruis, Brad Shields, Sam Underhill, Mark Wilson.
Replacements: Jamie George, Alec Hepburn, Harry Williams, Charlie Ewels, Courtney Lawes, Danny Care, George Ford, Jack Nowell.
NZ have the best backline I think I have ever seen - superstars like Barrett, Williams, Ioane and Smith x 2 are worth playing £195 to watch every week (Ben Smith is the most consistent performer in world rugby imho) and young bucks like McKenzie and Goodhue are also getting pretty close. They just need to win the ball, and, oh, with season campaigners like Franks, Read, Whitelock and Retallick up front, they have a good chance. But, hey the Safas beat them so England have a chance!
| I am not religious but this man is God |
Replacements: 16-Coles, 17-Tu'ungafasi, 18-Laulala, 19-S Barrett, 20-Todd, 21-Perenara, 22-Mo'unga, 23-Crotty
Prediction: NZ by 10
Scotland bring back in some big guns for Fiji game, which is a testament to the increasing strength of the opposition. Had they been available last week, they ideally would have wanted this week to rest Russell, Laidlaw, Maitland, Nel and Wilson ahead of the SA game, plus given Hogg another week to recover from his injury, However, having had 101% possession last week against Wales and failed to turn pressure into points, they need to win the game tomorrow and get some momentum going for their toughest Autumn test the week after. Good to see Skinner making his debut, and Strauss back in the squad to give them more ball carrying options, along with Harris in the centre, who replaces Huw Jones, who will no doubt be doing tackling drills on the back pitch.
 |
| Good to see Hoggy back fit again |
Scotland team: Stuart Hogg (Glasgow Warriors); Tommy Seymour (Glasgow Warriors), Alex Dunbar (Glasgow Warriors), Peter Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Sean Maitland (Saracens), Finn Russell (Racing 92), Greig Laidlaw (Clermont - capt); Allan Dell (Edinburgh), Fraser Brown (Glasgow Warriors), Willem Nel (Edinburgh), Sam Skinner (Exeter), Grant Gilchrist (Edinburgh), Ryan Wilson (Glasgow Warriors), Jamie Ritchie (Edinburgh), Matt Fagerson (Glasgow Warriors).
Replacements: Stuart McInally (Edinburgh), Alex Allan (Glasgow Warriors), Simon Berghan (Edinburgh), Jonny Gray (Glasgow Warriors), Josh Strauss (Sale), George Horne (Glasgow Warriors), Adam Hastings (Glasgow Warriors), Chris Harris (Newcastle Falcons).
Fiji only lost 20 - 23 to Ireland in the summer, and beat Scotland in Suva (there is said it) so will not be underestimated this time around. With proven Premiership and Top 14 players in their backline like Goneva and Radradra (frightening against England for Baba's) Scotland need to deny them quick ball (and avoid getting tackled at all). Bill Mata at 8 is well know to Scots, as he has been Edinburgh's best player this season, ditto Nakarawa, who made Glasgow competitive with any team in Europe a few seasons ago.
 |
| Radradra: Deny this man the ball |
Fiji: 15. Setareki Tuicuvu, 14. Metui Talebula, 13. Semi Radradra, 12. Jale Vatabua, 11. Vereniki Goneva, 10. Ben Volavola, 9. Frank Lomani; 1. Campese Maafu, 2. Sam Matavesi, 3. Manasa Saulo, 4. Tevita Cavubati, 5. Leone Nakarawa, 6. Dominiko Waqaniburotu (captain), 7. Peceli Yato, 8. Viliame Mata
Replacements: 16. Mesulame Dolokoto, 17. Eroni Mawi, 18. Kalivate Tawake, 19. Albert Tuisue, 20. Semi Kunatani, 21. Henry Seniloli, 22. Alivereti Veitokani, 23. Eroni Vasiteri
Prediction: Scotland by 7 (ish)
Despite having access to their Exiles, Wales has only made three changes as they attempt to beat Oz for the first time in 13 matches. Josh Adams starts on the wing, Tomas Francis in the front row and Adam Beard in second row. Dan Biggar and Liam Williams strengthen the bench. Australia has made 4 changes to side that lost to NZ in the Rugby Championship. Adam Coleman comes into 2nd row, Latu at hooker, Jack Dempsey in back row and Samuel Kerevi at centre. Izzy Folau moves to wing with Haylett Petty at full back and Beale at 12 as a second five eighth. With a Kiwi ref the Aussies have a chance especially if they can win quick ball as should do more damage to Wales defence than Scots.
Prediction: Wales by 3
Roving OATH reporter Jonny Brown will be at the Principality for us.
No comments:
Post a Comment