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Meanwhile, back at the rugby, the teams are on the pitch in their tracksuits anthem jackets and we’ll soon have a game to watch.
“Have you seen Blade Runner? Is this a joke??? Seriously, how can you ask this question?” demands Francesco.
Well, that didn’t take long, did it?
“I have seen Blade Runner,” says Gary Smith, “but as someone who hasn’t, do you attract an inordinate number of people who froth at the mouth with a scary amount of enthusiasm? It is a good film, but it is also very cultish and seems to be a magnet for a certain type of genteel obsessive”
I’ve never had that response, Gary, at least not yet…
Pre-match Reading
Ollie Hassell-Collins has kept his place this week, and you read more about him and his unique stylings here…
Officials
There was some of the usual controversy in the two matches yesterday, here’s who is looking to achieve the completely reasonable and not at all daft demands from the viewing public that all decisions are 100% right today.
Referee: James Doleman (New Zealand)
Assistant Referee 1: Mathieu Raynal (France)
Assistant Referee 2: Tual Trainini (France)
TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)
Have you seen Blade Runner? I’m told it’s good. Let me know about this, any films you’ve never got around to watching, or any thoughts on the match if you must on the email Lee or via a tweet
Teams
Steve Borthwick makes some major changes in the backs, most notably moving captain Owen Farrell to 10 and putting the most recent long-term incumbent, Marcus Smith, on the bench. This brings in Ollie Lawrence and Henry Slade as a fresh centre partnership, with the outside backs unchanged. Record men’s cap holder Ben Youngs leaves the squad entirely as Alex Mitchell provides scrum-half back-up from the bench, and exciting wing Henry Arundell is back among the subs. In the pack, Jack Willis replaces Ben Curry at openside, who is out of the 23.
How many of these moves indicate a permanent change of approach will be seen as the tournament progresses.
Italy have added Edoardo Padovani and Marco Riccioni to the starting XV, with Pierre Bruno and Simone Ferrari making their way to the bench
ENGLAND: Freddie Steward; Max Malins, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Ollie Hassell-Collins; Owen Farrell (captain), Jack van Poortvliet; Ellis Genge, Jamie George, Kyle Sinckler, Maro Itoje, Ollie Chessum, Lewis Ludlam, Jack Willis, Alex Dombrandt
Replacements: Jack Walker, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Nick Isiekwe, Ben Earl, Alex Mitchell, Marcus Smith, Henry Arundell
ITALY: Ange Capuozzo, Edoardo Padovani, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Tommaso Menoncello; Tommaso Allan, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Marco Riccioni, Niccolò Cannone, Federico Ruzza, Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro, Lorenzo Cannone.
Replacements: Luca Bigi, Federico Zani, Simone Ferrari, Edoardo Iachizzi, Jake Polledri, Manuel Zuliani, Alessandro Fusco, Pierre Bruno
Preamble
A symbol of our times is the dubious social media phenomenon “DHOTYA” - the Didn’t Happen Of The Year Awards, where nominations are taken for events shared on Twitter and the like that people doubt have occurred. An example might be a parent who states their four-year-old suggested, unprompted, that the world should try anarcho-syndicalism after seeing their friend in school with holes in their shoes or something. Some believe this has led to a toxic environment, where the first reaction to any inspiring or amusing story or statement is to accuse people of lying.
Well, we’re having none of this toxic debate around here, so here’s a list of things that have most definitely never happened:
Me watching Blade Runner
Adele pronouncing the word “love” correctly in a song
James Martin not looking smug while cooking
Italy beating England at Rugby Union Football
It is that final point that Kieran Crowley’s visitors to Twickenham today will be trying once more to address; with last week’s near heroics vs France suggesting the Azzuri are in their best position to do so for years. However, this forgets not only the history of results, but also the nature of them, because no matter how poor England look (and they didn’t look that poor last week, let’s be honest) they always batter Italy. Flat-track bullies nonpareil.
Despite all the genuine positives around Italy at present, winning here is a tall order.
Just imagine if they did, though…
English (US)