Steve Borthwick has dumped the talented and promising young Marcus Smith from his squad while retaining Owen Farrell who is really a centre and can't convert kicks from in front of the posts along with the bog ordinary and fragile George Ford.
Not looking good for England . . .
I would not have dropped him from the squad, just the starting team or perhaps even the match day team.
He tackl ing has been pathetic, and he looks scared or just lacks commitment
He’s not been dropped per se. He’s been sent back to Quins for more game time.
Thanks Becs I was horrifurd when hearing they had dropped Marcus. I wish ou Oinker would be more careful.N ews like this is shattering
And they have replaced him with a player that has almost no game time...back from a serious injury.
Yes. But Quins have a big game and wanted the players back for it.
George Ford was one of the main reasons England couldn’t compete in the WC final. Stunning they would drop Marcus Smith, who is the only player England has who can create space, for Ford.
He’s not been dropped !!
The squad for France won’t be out until next week.
Okay got it. It takes us more mature chaps a little longer to grasp things.
Ha ha ha ! No it’s a strange situation with all the comings and going’s of the squad. These weeks off in the middle of the tournament cause confusion amongst us all !
Mozart in his simplicity blamed Ford for the loss of England in the final. Although Ford was a mess - he was replaced at flyhalf by Farrell in minute 50 in that position and the brilliant De Allende and Du Toit neutralized him as well, He was even worse than Ford playing at flyhalf in that match. How people can suffer from obsessions and delusion is amazing.
As far as Smith is concerned - he is not a brilliant flyhalf in my book - he seems to be exceptional on club level - but unable to take the step up to international level.
Once more Rooiarse has shot from the hip without knowing all the facts behind the "DROPPING".
Is it a case of jumping the gun or just seeking attention?
Both I would say.
Best to read and understand the complete article and actual facts for the "Dropping" before posting BS.
Thank you becs for completing the story.
No mozart age does not come into play in this case for the "One eyed Ahole"
"Is it a case of jumping the gun or just seeking attention?
Both I would say."
You genius, you...!
And he’s back in the newly revised squad to train for the French match….
Where will England be in rugby ranking if they lose against France - the ranking will not look Pretty, I know Smith si good on club level - but it seems to me that he cannot take the step up to test level yet.
It’s highly likely we will lose to France, Mike.
As I said, he wasn’t dropped, he was just sent back to Quins for game time.
He’s in the 27 which will be whittled down for the match day squad. He will be on the bench, no doubt.
They wanted him to sharpen up. Quins also asked for players to be returned as they had a big game.
becs, do you want him in the team ?
It’s highly likely we will lose to France, Mike.
Highly likely how. 10,20,30 pc chances to lose or something. May be considered too high.
FR has been struggling with the ways rucks are reffed. It impacts a lot their game and FR has lost all certainties they have built over the past couple of years. At the same time, EN is a usual recipient for favourable calls (not so lately, EN was awarded more penalties against IT in 20 minutes than IT usually concedes over a game, up to the point that Italians rebelled and the ref was forced to cover for an red card aggression committed by an Italian player)
blob, Farrell is playing poorly so if he gives Smith a crack, so be it.
Chances are we’re going to lose this one anyway, so ?
I just hope he gets more than the 14 seconds he gave him last time out !
Any team has a chance to lose.
EN has a favourite in this game, by far. As to the fly half, the weather cast is rainy day so a conservative fly half fits more than a creative one.
Expectation for the game: slow, brutal, dodgy ref calls, not a great rugby game to say the least.
Must be played though.
England are not favourites !
Weather is uncertain at the moment. It could be clear, raining or snowing at this rate.
That might well be the case
I know you were .
It’s a difficult one really. Smith is hamstrung when Farrell is 12 so it really does have to be one or the other.
I guess it depends on what game plan they want us to play. They both have very different styles.
Lawrence has been going well with Slade in the Centre.
Yes, he is a decent player. If Dan Kelly hadn’t got injured, we might have seen him this 6 Nations.
Oh thank you, Mpower