...for the rest of the 6N with an ankle injury.

that is disappointing

And so it begins

Very disappointing - big drop off to the next cab off the rank.

I wonder if that will affect EJ's choice on the wing - maybe he'll now want the more physical presence of Nowell and Coka rather than Splashton.

it's baby rhino time

Stone Genge. Good nick name got to say. Kudos where it is due.

Sinker and Genge well that 2 level headed props.

We’ll have Genge, hasn’t got the temperament to play in this game....l

They'll be dancing in the bars of Cardiff, Edinburgh and Rome

Maro and Mako together are a big loss to England's carrying and tackling game. If Billy goes down at any point, they will be in a world of hurt.

There are some great stories about him; like when he went into his first training session at Tigers (when on loan from Briz) and started getting agro and trying to fight some of the senior players.

Richard Cockerill pulled him aside and said “if you’re going to fight someone, fight me” to which Genge replied “if I fight you, who’s going to coach the session afterwards?”

Attaboy

It is odd, I think, but if you looked back even 4 weeks onto the English thread you'd find a significant proportion of commentators taking a 'yeah but' approach to Mako on the basis of weak scrummaging, poor stamina, someone-else-is-better ism

I think that says more about the rugby knowledge of the posters on there rather than Mako's form and ability.
He is an excellent player.

EJ said Maro would probably be on the bench.

Where did you see that? Everything I read suggested it was a dead-cert that he'd miss both France and Wales. Impressive comeback if so.

I think he does get found out by the very best scrummagers, but around the park (in attack and defence) he's almost without peer at loosehead.

Really? His scrummaging yes but I don't recall any comments that his stamina was poor or other were better overall players. Mako was generally referred to as the best loosehead in the loose. Only his scrummaging was under fire.

Makooooonnneee?