[2023 Six Nations] England Squad

[Bada-Bing!]

Those are the rumours - Sanderson has said we've tried to resign him (why?) but the numbers aren't right - so unless he takes a reasonable pay cut (on top of the lack of England match fees these days) I can't see it

And seeing as he wouldn't take one during Covid at Leicester it's a given that he won't take one at Sale.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

And seeing as he wouldn't take one during Covid at Leicester it's a given that he won't take one at Sale.

He took one when he renewed, tbf, but England appearance fees tops that up nicely and he was playing whenever he was fit (which was rarely, tbf), but three games for England brings home an extra £75k

 

[LIONSxv]

How do England get Jack Willis and Tom Curry in the same side?

Steve Borthwick will be aware of Wales' penchant to deprive England of line-outs which may lend Jack Willis and Tom Curry an opening

www.telegraph.co.uk

Interesting article. Eddie seems to have forgotten that England best rugby was when he played two proper flankers.

Interesting to note, I thought Ire bossed France at the breakdown. Fra pick their flankers based on carrying and in particular their ability at the line out. Irelands back row is much more balanced with a focus on the all important breakdown

 

[Lé Ddanno]

12ft

12ft.io

De-paywalled

 

[Crash Hamster]

Those are the rumours - Sanderson has said we've tried to resign him (why?) but the numbers aren't right - so unless he takes a reasonable pay cut (on top of the lack of England match fees these days) I can't see it

Didn't he actually say "We keep trying to get him to resign", which puts a whole new slant on it?

 

[Geordie]

it would be very harsh is Willis was dropped after Sunday...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

12ft

12ft.io

De-paywalled

He's not even coach anymore and his decisions still **** me off,
Not picking Curry/Willis because you're scared about the lineout is just dumb as hell


Willis spot isn't on the line it'll be Ludlam or Dombrandt that'll be under pressure - tbh I could see them going Curry, Willis, Ludlam
Lawes is an interesting one - can't see Itoje getting dropped (even though knowing his spot isn't assured would probably lift his game), but no way Chessum should be, he's been our best forward over the first two rounds - Lawes on the bench as lock sub?

 

[Geordie]

Id keep them the same...
Willis to empty the tank for 50 mins...

Then have either bring Lawes on at 6 and move Ludlum to 7
Or Bring Curry on as an actual 7 and go for Wales breakdown,.

Dont forget we dont have much time between now and the WC....

This 6n....then 3 warm up games in August...
Wales v England: Principality Stadium, Cardiff. Saturday 5th August 2023. Kick-off: TBC
England v Wales: Twickenham Stadium, London. Saturday 12th August 2023. Kick-off: TBC
England v Fiji: Twickenham Stadium, London. Saturday 26th August 2023. Kick-off: TBC

Then World Cup September...

So, very little time to chop and change...

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Those warm ups do not spark joy. Unless Wales somehow have a proper renaissance in the next 6 months they aren't a side that will tell us anything. They're even more disjointed than us

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

J Willis should be a given, but I have no idea who I'd select alongside him. Possibly just depends who's been going best in training.

Lawes has been out a fair while, but he does tend to hit the ground running after injury. Play him, which few would object to other than on fitness grounds, and you don't have to worry about other line out options in the back row - Earl's gone OK from the bench, maybe a wild card line breaking 8? That's probably the realms of fantasy but there are options.

One day really want to see the Willis boys together - they both bring a bit of the snap and bite that we lack.

 

[Geordie]

J Willis should be a given, but I have no idea who I'd select alongside him. Possibly just depends who's been going best in training.

Lawes has been out a fair while, but he does tend to hit the ground running after injury. Play him, which few would object to other than on fitness grounds, and you don't have to worry about other line out options in the back row - Earl's gone OK from the bench, maybe a wild card line breaking 8? That's probably the realms of fantasy but there are options.

One day really want to see the Willis boys together - they both bring a bit of the snap and bite that we lack.

He big, hes bad and he plays down in Barf....

 

[Crash Hamster]

Lawes on the bench as lock sub?

Then coming on in the back row anyway, if the first two games are anything to go by...

 

[Crash Hamster]

Those warm ups do not spark joy. Unless Wales somehow have a proper renaissance in the next 6 months they aren't a side that will tell us anything. They're even more disjointed than us

No, they really don't, especially as the away side will pick their second team for 'game time'.

 

[LIONSxv]

I'd play either Curry, Hill, J Willis or my preference would be Willis,Dombrandt, Curry
After the WC Mercer comes into the reckoning who for me outside of Doris is best all round 8 in Europe ATM. Carrys well, quick has great feet a good line out option and is good at the ruck

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I'd play either Curry, Hill, J Willis or my preference would be Willis,Dombrandt, Curry
After the WC Mercer comes into the reckoning who for me outside of Doris is best all round 8 in Europe ATM. Carrys well, quick has great feet a good line out option and is good at the ruck

I think the timing of Mercer's contracts allow him to be available for the RWC.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

He took one when he renewed, tbf, but England appearance fees tops that up nicely and he was playing whenever he was fit (which was rarely, tbf), but three games for England brings home an extra £75k

Yeh if he's dropped by England and not getting the appearance fees that's gonna factor big time into his negotiations with Sale. So as you said not gonna take a pay cut or derisory raise. All pointing to him leaving for France or Japan.

Commercial value appearing for England is so big to players with such short careers.

 

[LIONSxv]

I think the timing of Mercer's contracts allow him to be available for the RWC.

If that's the case he should be selected as soon as possible (warm up games) . He has everything you want in a modern day 8 and is a lineout option (if that is a concern for borthwick)

 

[Scotty]

I think the timing of Mercer's contracts allow him to be available for the RWC.

I do get and broadly agree with the rules to play in England to play for England but dont see why SB shouldnt be allowed to pick him in preperation for the WC given he's signed for a prem club.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I get it, tbf - if they say you can play for England if you're abroad but have signed for a prem club next season then you could get players exploiting that, like say Itoje signs for a Japanese club post RWC but also signs a new deal at Saracens to start straight afterwards - should he be eligible or not?

I think just leave it as is - if you're currently contracted to a club outside of the Premiership you're not eligible, as soon as that season ends then you're fair game.
We've only had one foreign based player since the days of Wilko at Toulon and it already caused issues with training/our opening round side - plus it's going to impact recovery/training this week as Willis will be back in France tomorrow/Thursday and playing again this weekend

 

[Scotty]

I get it, tbf - if they say you can play for England if you're abroad but have signed for a prem club next season then you could get players exploiting that, like say Itoje signs for a Japanese club post RWC but also signs a new deal at Saracens to start straight afterwards - should he be eligible or not?

I think just leave it as is - if you're currently contracted to a club outside of the Premiership you're not eligible, as soon as that season ends then you're fair game.
We've only had one foreign based player since the days of Wilko at Toulon and it already caused issues with training/our opening round side - plus it's going to impact recovery/training this week as Willis will be back in France tomorrow/Thursday and playing again this weekend

Im of the opposite side of this argent tbh, why shouldn't a player like itoje be allowed a sabbatical, provided he resigns before he goes for the same club and that if he chooses not to comeback he must repay the england money, so why not. Must have x amout of caps. Stop it being exploited by limiting oversea players using this scheme to 2 per in the EPS.

These English players give a lot and also players like itoje/billy it could help them refind form.

Also say players like Mercer/Kpoku who are uncapped(or under x amount) yes aboard they shouldnt be allowed to play but soon as they sign(provided they are come back never season to the prem) they can but as above must pay back England fees if they dont return

Few of you might not agree which is fine and it would be a big change but i think its a good idea to maximise resourse and allow players to make the most of what is a short career, and reward experienced players with a chance to play abroad for one season whilst in their prime without giving up their England career. And maybe coming back better for it.