[2023 Six Nations] England Squad

[Duck a l'Orange]

What's great Hooker is that the new batch coming through all look huge and yet incredibly mobile with work rate.

In a few years...
4 Alfie Bell - 6'8 / Lewis Chessum - 6'9
5 Ollie Chessum 6'7
6 Ted Hill 6'5 / George Martin 6'6
7 Jack Willis 6'3 or T.Curry 6'2
8 Zac Mercer 6'4

Now that's a big back 5 with mobility..

One time, just one time, I would like an England player to pick up Eben Etzebeth by the collar and not vice versa.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

One time, just one time, I would like an England player to pick up Eben Etzebeth by the collar and not vice versa.

Definitely not 10 minutes of free photoshop, genuine picture.

 

[AlRums]

Tom Curry out for up to 6 weeks, injured in England training

Cheers Borthers!

England flanker Curry to miss rest of Six Nations

England's Tom Curry will miss the rest of the Six Nations after suffering another hamstring injury.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Scotty]

Gutted TCurry is injured as i really wanted to see a Willis Curry Dombrandt back row, i think it is really balanced. The only positive is that TCurry is the player who least needs the gametime given how experienced he is compared to the rest. Still wanted that back row

 

[Lé Ddanno]

A few hours late, but Ludlam doesn't kick away a ******* overlap. He draws the defender and puts the outside man away for the try.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

A few hours late, but Ludlam doesn't kick away a ******* overlap. He draws the defender and puts the outside man away for the try.

So you're advocating Ludlam at 12 over Farrell? I've heard worse ideas tbf.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Was referring to Earl, but you make an excellent point

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Borthwick wants RFU to review selection policy

England head coach Steve Borthwick urges the Rugby Football Union to rethink its overseas selection policy so he can pick his strongest team.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Reiser99]

Personally there still needs to be some kind of rule. Not sure about a cap limit. Maybe 3-5 overseas players per squad?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Personally there still needs to be some kind of rule. Not sure about a cap limit. Maybe 3-5 overseas players per squad?

Somewhere between zip and nada would be good

 

[Geordie]

Who is abroad that would make the side stronger? Or is he alluding to after the exodus after the world cup?

 

[TommiG88]

Who is abroad that would make the side stronger? Or is he alluding to after the exodus after the world cup?

I think he's alluding the exodus. As there's currently Launchbury and that's about it?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think he's alluding the exodus. As there's currently Launchbury and that's about it?

Think technically Launchbury is available as he's only abroad due to Wasps going under (so same as Willis) - players like Langdon, Oghre etc. are also in the same boat
Really it's only Mercer atm that's unavailable (and F.Burns)

But yeah, like you said: Post RWC is a different matter (though I think it's only really LCD who will be a blow on our plans - but we've got Langdon going to Saints, and Dolly hopefully will come through his injury all guns blazing, so they should soften the blow)

 

[Crash Hamster]

I'm not sure that letting players play abroad (certainly in France) while remaining eligible for England is a bad thing; don't French clubs have a 'domestic' quota and a salary cap, albeit higher than in England?

I doubt we'd lose more than a handful and a lot of those may be fringe players (who may improve thanks to the exposure to French rugby.)

Some may choose not to go for personal reasons; some may be highly paid marquee players in England; some might lose out on contracts to South Africans, kiwis etc.

I'm not sure the Premiership is weakened by losing Dave Ribbans. I really rate him, but there are others who could fill his shoes.

 

[Geordie]

Think technically Launchbury is available as he's only abroad due to Wasps going under (so same as Willis) - players like Langdon, Oghre etc. are also in the same boat
Really it's only Mercer atm that's unavailable (and F.Burns)

But yeah, like you said: Post RWC is a different matter (though I think it's only really LCD who will be a blow on our plans - but we've got Langdon going to Saints, and Dolly hopefully will come through his injury all guns blazing, so they should soften the blow)

Im really hoping Blamire pushes on aswell...got all the attributes

 

[Geordie]

I'm not sure that letting players play abroad (certainly in France) while remaining eligible for England is a bad thing; don't French clubs have a 'domestic' quota and a salary cap, albeit higher than in England?

I doubt we'd lose more than a handful and a lot of those may be fringe players (who may improve thanks to the exposure to French rugby.)

Some may choose not to go for personal reasons; some may be highly paid marquee players in England; some might lose out on contracts to South Africans, kiwis etc.

I'm not sure the Premiership is weakened by losing Dave Ribbans. I really rate him, but there are others who could fill his shoes.

I want more England or English players to go abroad...simply because it will enhance them as players...or should.

Someone like Joel Kpoku at Lyon now is a good example...

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I want more England or English players to go abroad...simply because it will enhance them as players...or should.

Someone like Joel Kpoku at Lyon now is a good example...

This, I can't think of players off the top of my head who came back from time abroad worse than they were when they left.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

This, I can't think of players off the top of my head who came back from time abroad worse than they were when they left.

Probably because they don't tend to come back if they don't improve. If the cycle is : not being picked for Eng --- leave to france/Sr --- Come back when potential of Eng caps , they will of course be better when they come back.

People like George Merrick are probably worse now than they were when they left, as is Ibitoye.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Players might have improved that same amount if they were to move to a different environment in the premiership though.

You can't say that X player only improved over the 3 years was due to them playing abroad. A new environment helps but they can get that moving from one club to another here.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Sorry that this is in the wrong thread but I wasn't sure where to put it. Im reading Martin Bayfield's autobiography and he talks about the 1995 world cup quarter final victory over Australia and reveals that they sent a spy into the Australian training sessions who revealed to England every single move the Australians used in the game and all the lineout codes. Why has a bigger deal not been made of this??!