Re: Smith for England : Fri Oct 07, 2022 8:25 pm  

England 50 Fiji 0

Re: Smith for England : Fri Oct 07, 2022 8:30 pm  

Watkins/Young combo looked good

Re: Smith for England : Fri Oct 07, 2022 8:33 pm  

Some nice tries - Ackers was great, Williams played pretty well and Young looks a threat. Sneyd's kicking will be useful.

I feel Wane should be brave and play Welsby at fullback over Tomkins. It won't happen though.

Re: Smith for England : Sat Oct 08, 2022 10:46 am  

MadDogg wrote:

Some nice tries - Ackers was great, Williams played pretty well and Young looks a threat. Sneyd's kicking will be useful.

I feel Wane should be brave and play Welsby at fullback over Tomkins. It won't happen though.

I watched the game and debated next weeks side in my mind and Welsby plays fullback and that leaves two spots in the halves between Williams, Sneyd and Tomkins. A lot would probably depend on the weather funnily enough. I’d find it tough to leave Sneyd out if it’s meant to lash it down. If it’s dry conditions I’d probably edge towards Tomkins and Williams at 6 and 7.

I’m with you though, it’ll be Tomkins, Welsby and Williams at 1,6 and 7.

Re: Smith for England : Sat Oct 08, 2022 11:46 am  

Enjoyed the game and great to get a 0.

Couple of observations I thought Young was outstanding in general play but his finishing was poor. Should have got a hat trick comfortably.

Akers was great, injected real pace into the game.

I do t think you can drop Sneyd off the back of that performance. Man of the match in my opinion.

Thought Wardle looked sharp when he came on too which bodes well for the future.

Farnworth looked rusty but to be expected.

Huge game next week but after that we should go in with confidence despite what the bookies are saying.

Not sure what Hall brings to the table at this level anymore, think Marshy very unlucky to miss out on the squad.

Re: Smith for England : Sat Oct 08, 2022 11:53 am  

NickyKiss wrote:

I watched the game and debated next weeks side in my mind and Welsby plays fullback and that leaves two spots in the halves between Williams, Sneyd and Tomkins. A lot would probably depend on the weather funnily enough. I’d find it tough to leave Sneyd out if it’s meant to lash it down. If it’s dry conditions I’d probably edge towards Tomkins and Williams at 6 and 7.

I’m with you though, it’ll be Tomkins, Welsby and Williams at 1,6 and 7.

I disagree. I prefer Welsby at 6, he’s more dangerous as he gets his hands on the ball more. I’d be happy with the 1,6 and 7 you mention although Sneyd would be worth a shout too, his goal kicking alone is exceptional without even mentioning his all round kicking game.

Re: Smith for England : Sat Oct 08, 2022 1:18 pm  

Stu M wrote:

I disagree. I prefer Welsby at 6, he’s more dangerous as he gets his hands on the ball more. I’d be happy with the 1,6 and 7 you mention although Sneyd would be worth a shout too, his goal kicking alone is exceptional without even mentioning his all round kicking game.

Not sure he could get his hands on it more than the first half last night. Maybe it was a pointer to him moving to 6 because he seemed to be in the line, as much as he was chiming in from out the back. I just like that added pace he’ll bring from fullback and Tomkins in the halves probably offers a bit more in terms of control and experience.

All good problems to have though. I think last night will have just given people a bit more confidence that we can do pretty well in the Tournament. We’ve got Tomkins, Makinson, Bateman, Oledzki, Knowles and Lees to try and fit in, it was so pleasing to see the players who turned out make cases not to be dropped.

Re: Smith for England : Sat Oct 08, 2022 1:28 pm  

NickyKiss wrote:

Not sure he could get his hands on it more than the first half last night. Maybe it was a pointer to him moving to 6 because he seemed to be in the line, as much as he was chiming in from out the back. I just like that added pace he’ll bring from fullback and Tomkins in the halves probably offers a bit more in terms of control and experience.

All good problems to have though. I think last night will have just given people a bit more confidence that we can do pretty well in the Tournament. We’ve got Tomkins, Makinson, Bateman, Oledzki, Knowles and Lees to try and fit in, it was so pleasing to see the players who turned out make cases not to be dropped.

Agree they are good problems to have and a real confidence booster. The other option (although unlikely) is that I can see Welsby at centre if he sticks with Williams/Sneyd as a partnership. I’m not sure Williams and Welsby would work as a pairing as they are similar type of players. Sneyd complements either but I can’t see Williams or Tomkins not playing so if he wants to fit Sneyd and Welsby in then that’s what he may do.

Re: Smith for England : Sat Oct 08, 2022 7:20 pm  

Joe Burgess should be in there before Hall…and Marsh unlucky to miss out too.

Williams, Welsby, and Ackers best players on the night comfortably.

Re: Smith for England : Sat Oct 08, 2022 7:51 pm  

ralvag wrote:

Joe Burgess should be in there before Hall…and Marsh unlucky to miss out too.

Williams, Welsby, and Ackers best players on the night comfortably.

Looked way off the required standard last night Hall. He’s always been top heavy and not the quickest winger but he looks to have lost another yard and other than using him as a battering ram from our end, I’m not sure what he’ll add. I was pretty surprised how poor he looked tbh because I didn’t have an issue with him being in the squad but on that evidence, I think you could make a case that Burgess, Marshall and Davies at a minimum, should’ve been ahead of him.