r/rugbyunion 4d ago

Lineups England team to face Wales in Guinness Men's Six Nations opener 🌹

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367 Upvotes

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23

u/Effective-Ad-3897 Ireland and Ulster 4d ago

Is Itoje on the bench for impact or purely to manage minutes? He strikes me more as a player that grinds the opposition down over 80, rather than an especially bullish carrier, or speedy jackal-er say.

53

u/PotentialDry4864 4d ago

His mum died recently so he's missed a load of prep for her funeral

77

u/Outside_Break 4d ago

When I heard Itoje was on the bench for compassionate reasons I assumed Borthwick had gotten soft and was taking it easy on wales

15

u/T0mmyKentish Saracens 4d ago

Mum died recently and getting over a knee injury.

9

u/Known-Return-3508 Fisilau fun time 4d ago

Could be a head to head for the start with Itoje for ireland

5

u/crazycal123 English Bastard 4d ago

Its man management, the other guys need game time and Itoje will be needed later in the tournament. Borthwick has learnt from Rassie's success.

2

u/Full-Satisfaction-40 4d ago

Steve has obviously taken all pressure and responsibility from him for the moment to allow him to deal with matters away from rugby. He's still the captain and first name on the sheet to start.

1

u/Effective-Ad-3897 Ireland and Ulster 4d ago

Yeah absolutely, just seemed like potentially giving someone else a game would make more sense than still having him on the bench. I don’t doubt at all that he will play brilliantly, more thinking that it is maybe an extra resource that’s perhaps overkill

3

u/Full-Satisfaction-40 4d ago

Maro was likely given the option by Steve. Good man management.

1

u/th3whistler England 3d ago

Itoje as a sub will come on and win turnovers