This. I would be wary of making more changes. That looked, on paper, about as good a side as could have been selected to me, if the side can remain pretty stable for a couple of weeks and get used to playing together, that's the best way to improve what is, in essence, a scratch side at this point.

Thing is, the whole idea of introducing the ETS (Elite Training Squad) was that the players would spend more time together during the year, work on combinations etc. Then you introduce a handful of players from outside the ETS, switch people into positions they haven't played in a while and wonder why it all looks like it was put together on the bus to the ground.

That said, I suspect this England side will look much better with some genuine opposition - and the French (ten minute bit of bluster in the second half when the cues were already on the rack aside) aren't going to provide that either now or for the foreseeable.

I agree. But even if they'd all been in the ETS all year, there's no real substitute for playing matches is there? If they keep some stability and get through yesterday and the Wales match in one piece they'll be much the better for the big games. We'll need to be a cohesive unit to at least give the Aussies some sort of run for their money at Wembley.

i agree.

Nah...get Kirke in (three successive Leeds' coaches can't be wrong)