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This game is sadly a bit of a dead rubber, and Germany will be extremely frustrated to be in this game at all.
Germany started the tournament brightly against Romania, but just couldn’t string enough phases together to get that crucial victory. They came to life in the last 15 minutes of games but had too much of a uphill battle to get anything out of the games. Their discipline has been their Achilles heel and a constantly rotated side has limited any fluidity in the team.
Switzerland have looked fully out of depth, with minor glimpses of what they are able to do. But again discipline and experience at this level has been the missing ingredients for the Swiss. Credit where it is due, they have grown into the tournament after getting that 110 - 0 battering on the opening day. But will have a lot of work to do, to avoid relegation next time round.
Germany make a few changes to the side that lost to Belgium. Luis Ball returns in the row, looking to add some impact around the breakdown where the Swiss have looked shaky. Michael McDonald comes in again at 9 looking to speed up the play and support Christopher Hennig. Hennig retains the 10 shirt for his 2nd appearance at senior level, after a solid enough display last time out. Germany are without Leo Wolf who has really been a stand out performer alongside Shawn Ingle in the tournament. Cameron McDonald completes the McDonald partnership at Full Back, as Nikolai Klewinghaus slots into inside centre. There is plenty of kicking options on the pitch for Germany, and they will look to camp the Swiss in their own half, like the other teams have done in this tournament.
Germany Starting XV (1-15) Jorn Schroder, Andrew Reintges, Cosmo Zymvragos, Hassan Rayan, Luis Ball, Justin Renc, Shawn Ingle, Nico Windemuth, Michael McDonald, Christopher Hennig, Felix Lammers, Nikolai Klewinghaus, Enrich Bulow, Bastian van der Bosch, Cameron McDonald
Germany Replacements (16-23) Mathis Blume, Dustin Mizera, Markus Bachofer, Henning Brockmann, Tim Frauenfeld, Jan Piosik, Robin Plumpe, Edoardo Stella
Switzerland resort to a number of changes again, to find the right formation to close the gap on the seasoned teams in the REC. A number of changes in the pack, will look to bring stability in what has looked like a steady pack. Even at this level. The back line has had a reshuffle with a new centre partnership of Lucas Heinrich and Jeremy To’a. The centre partnership will be targetting a solid defensive back line, but will have the aerial combat coming from the German boot boys.
Even with the results, there are many positives to see and take away from the Swiss this tournament. However, the promotion & relegation every 2 years, does not give them much time to get it all gelled together. With only a 5000 player base within the country, they have done eceptionally well.
Switzerland Starting XV (1-15) Cameron Holenstein, Jack Nelson-Murray, Vincent Vial, Ahmed Kane, Tim Vögtli, Jessy Jegerlehner, Antoine Cramont, Thomas Coignat, Simon Perrod, Jules Porcher, Henry Pharaony, Lucas Heinrich, Jeremy Toa, William Meyer, Harry Stevens
Switzerland Replacements (16-23) Jorn Vögtli, Samuel Sjoberg, Cyril Lin, Maxime Lucon, Thomas McCarthy, Cyril Fluckiger, Jean Morard, Simon Bonvin
Even with the steady progression throughout the tournament, I cannot see Germany not taking this opportunity to make a statement ahead of the next REC. Germany will be looking to save face and show they truly belong at this level, and will win by more than 50 points.
