Tighthead lock

@RucksSake Daly’s tackle!

I thought he had a good game. But you’d think England were 40 points up looking at Roebuck here.

@RucksSake Just wait until you get to the final penalty of the game. The man’s hips are facing the side line at point of jackal !

Rewatching the game and I’ll tell you this. Everything I thought at the time I think 1000xs over. Never a yellow card against Sam Underhill. Not even a penalty. Absolutely joke of a call.

@WibbleRugby What factors might have been considered in: - Murley’s inclusion? - Daly vs M Smith at 15

Good. Team. It's very green in terms of combos. But Atkinson/Roebuck & Daly's inclusion is clear. They're in to up the work rate in D (Atkinson's USP) and bring the intensity in Kick-Chase, which hasn't been close to the Autumn. Brave by Steve, but one could say necessary.

@DavidDPaxton Yeah, I get that. My guess is a) to curry a favorable relationship with the media. b) to stop internal division from having a leak-er inside the team, which happened in SB’s day. As a fan I like the early deliberate leak

Each England Rugby team announcement is 'leaked' the day before. i.e. pre-briefed. Why do England do this? What's the benefit to them? Totally robs the announcement of any chance of being an 'event'.

@EngRugbyDebate What’s your best guess on why CCS isn’t included? Given the lack of carrying heft in the back five

Not the side I wanted but some much needed changes made and an incredibly ballsy selection from Borthwick for such a critical game. Shows no one is guaranteed a place in the side and no special treatment for favourites. Which you love to see. They’ve gone for my predicted and preferred midfield from the squad available and a much more balanced backline even if the personnel won’t be everyone’s favourite. A ball carrier at 12 and ball player at 15 makes so much more sense 👌 Glaring lack of heavy carriers in the forward pack however. We’ll have to hit a level of intensity not seen since the autumn if we’re to get on the front foot and give Fin Smith chance to get the boys outside him moving. Fascinating fixture. Some careers on the line you’d imagine.

@bencoles_ @CharlieFelix I read one of your articles about Steward’s catching stats pre and post the glove/escort runners law change. In this new age what does a good game for Steward look like?

As it's the fallow week, planning to do a Six Nations Q&A on The Rugby Bunker with @CharlieFelix when we record tonight. What would you like to know? @therugbybunker" target="_blank" rel="nofollow noopener">youtube.com/@therugbybunker

@bencoles_ @CharlieFelix What game plan did England come out with in each half? It looked like we were opting to run it much more in the second half

@bencoles_ @CharlieFelix When we lose… why do we lose so big?

@bencoles_ @CharlieFelix Other than your own…. What are your favourite rugby podcasts?

@bencoles_ @CharlieFelix Enjoyed that, thanks. Re that Pollock inclusive England back five, for me 4 Itoje 5 Martin 6 Chessum/CCS 7 Tom Curry 8 HP

(Excuse my cold but) there's a new episode of The Rugby Bunker now out looking back on the weekend's Champions Cup action with @CharlieFelix. Thoughts on the Stormers selection at Harlequins, Bristol's style of play and much more. youtube.com/watch?v=D05d6y…

@RDLaverty Waitrose Mag

So tonight's Christmas movie discussion: In "The Holiday", Rufus Sewell works at The Telegraph. What kind of columnist is he?

@CharlieFelix Why do you think (such) big body at lock is being prioritized by saints? My theory is it’s to balance Pollock at 8.

Really intrigued by the progress of Ed Prowse at Saints since converting from tighthead prop. On the bench for both Champions Cup games this season, gives them a big body for when JJ van der Mescht’s tank is empty.

@WheresTommyV When did Pollock last start a game?

Here come the cavalry… Danilo Fischetti, Alex Coles, Alex Mitchell, George Hendy, Fraser Dingwall and James Ramm all return to start for Saints at Pau on Sunday. Henry Pollock among the replacements. Tom West, Tom Litchfield and Ollie Sleightholme added to the injury list.

@slatterywill lol

Champions Cup 2025/26 off to a cracking start as Harlequins opt to rest Marcus Smith and his England colleagues for the trip to face Leinster...

@rpetty80 Final number?

Wales most tackles in a Test in last 15 years was 253 v Fiji in RWC 2023. On 177 after 57 mins today. Using Opta

@CharlieFelix @OptaJonny Burgess / Slade has a lovely balance to it

Max Ojomoh to become Henry Slade’s 14th different starting centre partner for England. Credit @OptaJonny. Here’s the full cast so far:

@RucksSake It’s a 36 man team 😉

Also confirmation that CCS has definitely shit in Borthwick’s cornflakes. I thought after the ABs maybe he was being saved for a start against Argentina. But apparently Ewels a better option. I thought CCS was brilliant against Fiji at 8. Something definitely fishy here

@WibbleRugby What do you see Pepper’s role in attack is?

Injuries considered. This is the smartest team we could've put out. D capability with Slade in at 13, playmakers at both 12 & 13. Great chase in Daly and Steward to maintain control of the skies. Underhill & Earl both great carriers for Stack Launch. IMO. Happy as I can be.

@Northshoretales What is it particularly? Breakdown work?

On close rewatch - Pepper is literally everywhere. Personally I don't think you can overestimate how good this kid is, and I think Borthwick knows it. He's a cross between McCaw and PSDT, and I think Borth will and should keep picking him.

@EngRugbyDebate I think that’s right about Mitchell’s missed tackles. Usually chasing ahead of the D line, and slowed the attacker down for the rest of the line to hit

Struggling to find many cons from yesterday! Lineout obviously - but if there is any area I’d be confident Borthers can resolve it’s that one! Mitchell’s tackling - a recurring theme but surely an improvable work on and usually behind the opposition gainline so probably not critical. Too easy to expose outside the 13 channel - didn’t cost us yesterday as we limited their attacking possession so well but did scare me at times. That’s about it as far as I can see. A really impressive performance and trustworthy squad depth building by the day. My big worry of lack of forward heft didn’t come to play. Those selected hitting relentlessly and punching above their weight. We’ll be highly dangerous with a fully fit squad and if it all clicks.