Farrell the undropable!
Have played a game for 4 months (?) But straight back into the side as Captain 😔
EJ just needs to get over the Farrell thing. He isn't the best 12 or 10 available so why the hell is he always the nailed on starter 😔
The selection of Farrell messes up the whole balance of the backline.

Sam Simmons and Barbeary are similar players I think so assuming Dommers starts they will have to alternate maybe?

Still waiting for the ultimate hype backrow of Banbury, Simmonds, Dommers.

There was speculation (and I can't now remember where I read it) of Simmonds playing at 12 if Tualagi isn't fit as he'd offer the same rumbustious carrying with the added advantage of not being so fragile. The 8, 9, 10, 12 axis would then be similar to Quins, as long as Dombrant is at 8 and Randall at 9. As much as I've been dismissive of EJ's tinkering with positions, I think this could well work effectively

Interesting. How is Simmonds' distribution? I guess it's not as if Manus is known for his kicking and passing but to be effective Simmonds would have to match that.

Eddie has also spoken of wanting Farrell at 12 to "manage the game" for Marcus, presumably leaving him free to make and find the space (the same division of labour that Danny and Marcus have here), which obviously wouldn't work with Simmonds (or Manu). I am not sure I can see that move as more than a last quarter tactical shift, at least in the short term. (Though oddly, I would have loved to see them do that with a fully fit Clifford, who definitely did have the distribution).

The BBC Rugby Podcast had an additional episode this week - interviewing EJ after the squad announcement (sadly it was Matt Dawson rather than Danny Care on it). Jones specifically mentions Smith at 10 with Farrell at 12 as an established player calling the shots.
When asked if Farrell needed gametime first, Jones said he (Faz) is playing this weekend.

Dawson asked how long does Farrell have credit in the bank and in fairness to Jones, he alluded to this tournament using that credit and future selection will be based on form and fitness.

Interesting. How is Simmonds' distribution? I guess it's not as if Manus is known for his kicking and passing but to be effective Simmonds would have to match that.

Eddie has also spoken of wanting Farrell at 12 to "manage the game" for Marcus, presumably leaving him free to make and find the space (the same division of labour that Danny and Marcus have here), which obviously wouldn't work with Simmonds (or Manu). I am not sure I can see that move as more than a last quarter tactical shift, at least in the short term. (Though oddly, I would have loved to see them do that with a fully fit Clifford, who definitely did have the distribution).

Smithy seemed to manage the game against the world champions well enough without Farrell holding his hand, it's just patronising guff from Jones rather than admit he doesn't want to drop his golden child.

Smithy seemed to manage the game against the world champions well enough without Farrell holding his hand, it's just patronising guff from Jones rather than admit he doesn't want to drop his golden child.

If you listen to Squidge he says DC manages our games not Marcus. In fact when you have absorbed that and then watch Quins play he is largely right.

Would Andre Esterhauzen be a foward or back if he was brought through the English system. My thinking is that he would be made a forward and back row.

The likes of Sam Simmonds could defo work at 12.

Centers never pass to each other anymore, or so Eddie says. So you need athletes in all positions.

We lack a Esterhuizan type centre, we just do not produce them unless you count Tuilangi, who was an import and pretty exceptional.

Perhaps they are all playing back row.

Would Andre Esterhauzen be a foward or back if he was brought through the English system. My thinking is that he would be made a forward and back row.

The likes of Sam Simmonds could defo work at 12.

Centers never pass to each other anymore, or so Eddie says. So you need athletes in all positions.

We lack a Esterhuizan type centre, we just do not produce them unless you count Tuilangi, who was an import and pretty exceptional.

Perhaps they are all playing back row.

I actually think you're spot on that there probably have been potential English answers to Esterhuizen that have ended up in the back row - but asking an 8 to switch to 12 at international level is, in my mind, more likely to be an unmitigated disaster than a stroke of genius, particularly with defence in mind as I mentioned above.

It does feel like there has been a breakthrough in thinking around the merits of a proper unit at 12 (who doesn't neglect skills training) in recent seasons though and I'm hopeful we'll see some meaty centres with a well-developed all round game coming through Prem academy pipelines in the next few years. I'm excited to see how Lennox Anyanwu develops for us in particular...