Match thread

Bones

@Catogrande that back row is going to get shat on around the park and the front row will be folded at scrum time. Has the hooker ever even thrown in to a lineout before?

Dodge

I'm at the point where I simply don't trust the coaching team, did i want changes, yes of course, do i think these are the right ones? No idea, he's changed so many but hasn't really solved the problems i wanted him too:

re backs:

  • Don't rate Spencer at this level anymore (if ever)
  • Pleased about Finn Smith
  • centres are just a jumble now, with no real idea of the best combo, not sure why Ojomoh was sent back to Bath, I don't know if Freeman is a centre but at this stage, he's needs to just be given a consistent run and stop buggering him about.
  • Murley is good but its harsh to bring a green winger onto the end of a green and jumbled back line
  • if Furbank is fit i'd like to have seen him at least on the bench but ideally start. I don't think Daly is good enough to start anymore.

re Forwards:

  • how bloody lucky are they?
  • I hope Genge has fronted up to his complete lack of engagement in the last 2 weeks, he's going to get marmalised in the scrum
  • George was the only option at 2, LCD must have pics of SBs mum - all i hear about this bloke is how good he is at whatever he chooses to focus on, golf, play station etc, shame he hasn't bothered to focus on throwing a rugby ball.
  • Itoje - no idea where his head is at tbh, hope its in the game on Saturday, happy enough with Coles.
  • Back row, still lacks a big lump but will be stronger around the park than last week

bench - meh.

I am very worried about Brex and Menoncello just walzing through the middle. I am worried about the scrum. I am worried we're an unfit, unfocussed shambles. Italy by 7

Catogrande

@Bones said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:

@Catogrande that back row is going to get shat on around the park and the front row will be folded at scrum time. Has the hooker ever even thrown in to a lineout before?

OIP.ulVYMZKZyWgqYJOjCd6AcwHaHa.jpeg

Bones

@Catogrande this will not happen until the most retarded way of naming a team is halted or I am unalived.

Catogrande

@Bones

Good to see that you're no quitter.
<sigh>

MiketheSnow

Come on Italy

Bones

Genge completely plays the ref. Walks around completely, but had already pressured the ref beforehand.

Bones

Oh man, terrible by Ioane.

Bones

Should have gone for the corner.

England to score off the kickoff.

Victor Meldrew

Melon-Liqueur scores a superb try under the posts,

Some stunning tries so far this WE

Bones

Ref losing his patience with England. Too much yapping?

jimmyb

Please please please do it Italy

Bones

Too early, England to score two more tries and win comfortably.

Bones

P.S. Mennoncello can have my babies.

Bones

Love it, Pollock and Smith come on. The first thing Smith does is secure a ruck, the first thing Pollock does is wave a ball past from flyhalf.

Bones

Italy not quite with the smarts yet. Several opportunities to play for the scrum which would take up a couple of minutes and don't take it.

Bones

That looked suspiciously in the side....

Victor Meldrew

Take a kick for goal...

jimmyb

Surely that’s it

Bones

Olimpico will be a fucking brilliant place to be right now. Outside the stadium will be an experience.

pooler fan

Fabulous stuff, well done Italy

W32

Is it just me or did the refs in both this game and the France game favor the underdog?

W32

But, fantastic result for Italy! Well done

jimmyb

Well this will make the Italian missus happy

Bones

Just imagine if England named a front row instead of a back row and vice versa. They might not lose to the perennial wooden spooners.

Anyway, long live Borthwick.

MN5

Crumbs, this is quite the result isn’t it ?

Great to see the pillock Pollock on the losing side again.

Well done Italy.

England were woeful, not able to beat a mediocre Italian team. The forwards were okayish but the backs were toothless. Worst backline of the competition, IMO.

Jet

Razor needs to take a long hard look at himself that he let this England team give the Allblacks such a towelling.

Italy 12 Menoncello is a big strong fast handful

Bones

@Jet said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:

Razor needs to take a long hard look at himself that he let his England team give the Allblacks such a towelling.

If only someone had pointed out that razor was just lucky his opposition were coached by Borthwick in his first series in charge.

Jet

@Bones said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:

@Jet said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:

Razor needs to take a long hard look at himself that he let his England team give the Allblacks such a towelling.

If only someone had pointed out that razor was just lucky his opposition were coached by Borthwick in his first series in charge.

And we went fucking life and death with them. Barely beat them.

And were a George ford missed pen (off the post) and drop goal away from losing the year before in Twickers.

The warning signs regarding Razor were there from day 1.

Bones

England no 8 winning the world cup after that scrum pen is a great look right now.

Victor Meldrew

@kidcalder said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:

Italy 12 Menoncello is a big strong fast handful

He's world class, as is Garbisi and Negri. The IRF have really got their act together with player development.

MN5

@kidcalder said in 2026 6N - Italy v England:

Italy 12 Menoncello is a big strong fast handful

He's class. Very similar to Damien De Allende. Seems to be able to do it all. Should dominate that position for the next 10 or so years.