[2023 Six Nations] England Squad

[Jimbo]

Lawrence has been playing 12 as a 12 should imo. I wouldn't mind trying him at 13 with a different 12 but he had been performing well enough to not be dropped. Likewise with Ludlam. On paper they may not be our ideal choices but they keep delivering on the pitch on the day when it actually matters. The same cannot be said for the like of Slade, Farrell, JVP etc

I completely agree, based on what I've currently seen from him it was more on the assumption that Kelly comes straight in (not saying I would do it that way but could see it happening !) either way have a player adept at 12 and 13 is certainly handy for WC etc.

 

[Rinkadink]

LTTP but

Hows Groves doing with Sharks?

Charlie Rice (Bristol academy lock) got player of the match in that prem cup game that Olyy was referring to. Rice is not ready for international rugby yet but in a few years the potential is there? He's done well at age grade IIRC and a hefty 120kg already.

 

[Geordie]

LTTP but

Charlie Rice (Bristol academy lock) got player of the match in that prem cup game that Olyy was referring to. Rice is not ready for international rugby yet but in a few years the potential is there? He's done well at age grade IIRC and a hefty 120kg already.

120kg already...hes a big lad then.

 

[Geordie]

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 98 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 12 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 15 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 46 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 75 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 65 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 97 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 17 caps)
David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 59 caps)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens, 77 caps)
Jack Walker (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Jack Willis (Toulouse, 8 caps)
BACKS
Henry Arundell (London Irish, 5 caps)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 104 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
George Ford (Sale Sharks, 81 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 10 caps)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 72 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 3 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 54 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 10 caps)
Anthony Watson (Leicester Tigers, 53 caps)

"The performance against Wales was pleasing in a number of important respects. It was good to see the hard work the squad have put in on the training field reflected in a deserved and hard-won victory.

"Reduced fallow week squad numbers, injuries and our wish for some players to have valuable game time minutes with their clubs, means that the squad gathered in Brighton has a slightly different feel to it. We are very pleased to welcome back Jonny May.

"The players and coaches alike are looking forward to another three days of focused training, before the full squad meets back up back at Pennyhill Park on Sunday, in anticipation of our continued preparations for the remainder of what is proving to be a magnificent Six Nations tournament".

 

[McTallshort]

No problems with Ford coming back, just got a problem with which fly half has been dropped to accommodate

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Does this mean Borthwick will revert to Ford-Farrell 10/12 partnership and drop Lawrence? That would be a massive shame.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I know it's a bye week so you can't read too much into the squad but very weird not to have Rodd in there - surely they'd want to do more testing/train him more/give him pointers etc. This, to me, looks like they've written him off and he's just there to hold tackle bags

Kinda get them recalling May if they want to see if he's still up to international standard...but there's multiple other wingers who should be there ahead of him
If Watson were crocked I could understand them looking for another experienced head, but he's not so...

 

[Which Tyler]

Does this mean Borthwick will revert to Ford-Farrell 10/12 partnership and drop Lawrence? That would be a massive shame.

If he does, I'm blaming you!

 

[BPM]

Might be wishful thinking, but there is a possibility Quins requested Smith and Marchant for 'The Big Game' given it's in the 'fallow week'. Smith has only played 4 times for us all season.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

of both fly half's I would say Ford would be the one needing most game time.

I said it when Borthwick first signed he doesn't play Marcus smith style rugby.

France I reckon we will see
10. Ford
12. Faz
13. OL

 

[BPM]

I know it's a bye week so you can't read too much into the squad but very weird not to have Rodd in there - surely they'd want to do more testing/train him more/give him pointers etc. This, to me, looks like they've written him off and he's just there to hold tackle bags

Kinda get them recalling May if they want to see if he's still up to international standard...but there's multiple other wingers who should be there ahead of him
If Watson were crocked I could understand them looking for another experienced head, but he's not so...

Personally I think the inexperienced wingers have actually highlighted May's value. Even if he's out of form, I'm confident he would have been markedly better in terms of positioning and overall nous than either of OHC and Malins. I'd have backed him to finish Malins' tries, had more involvement than OHC and have been a lot more reliable defensively than either.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Personally I think the inexperienced wingers have actually highlighted May's value. Even if he's out of form, I'm confident he would have been markedly better in terms of positioning and overall nous than either of OHC and Malins. I'd have backed him to finish Malins' tries, had more involvement than OHC and have been a lot more reliable defensively than either.

Fair points,
I've not watched Gloucester much this season but the last time I did he looked a bit washed - time isn't kind to players who play the way he does (speed/agility focused) but then i think the last time I did see him was his return, or close enough to it, from injury so that might have impacted

 

[Geordie]

He actually said hes left people out to get much required gametime...i would imagine Marcus Smith is one of those.

 

[BPM]

Sort of … but then why drop him for someone who has had even less game time?

If I'm being optimistic, I'd say it's because Ford needs time in camp (which is true if he's going to play a part). That's the only reasoning that holds water.

 

[Geordie]

Hes not dropped...hes been released for gametime...and Ford can get used to a few of the plays and calls etc.
Same as Murley
I wouldnt read too much in to this squad.

 

[Teddington Logic]

SB has now said explicitly that he has not picked a squad for next week yet and he just wants the players released to have game time (could argue some of that is on him). But surely in that case he would of released back Walker and Arundell as well?

Of course Ford needs game time as well. Having him with the squad to learn plays would make sense, other than for the fact that Nick Evans has also gone back to Quins for the fallow week as per the contractual arrangement between Quins and England.

Cant see the point of Tuilagi being there

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

If ford is being brought in to get used to calls etc over game time doesn't that in itself suggest Smith place is up for grabs?

Otherwise why bring ford in to get used to calls just yet?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Maybe they're worried Arundell will break if he plays too much - he was covered in all sorts of strapping on the weekend

Walker should be getting game time for sure - how longs he gone without a proper lineout or scrum?

Tuilagi might as well be there to hold tackle bags and run defensive drills etc., not like he's up to much else for the next few weeks

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Maybe they're worried Arundell will break if he plays too much - he was covered in all sorts of strapping on the weekend

This, and he also came into camp late so may still be getting up to speed with things.

Walker should be getting game time for sure - how longs he gone without a proper lineout or scrum?

Agree with this but the issue is that it's pretty difficult to do any meaningful scrum training if you've only got one hooker in the squad.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I might be very limited here but I didn't think Malins and OHC had been that bad. I think Watson was always a shoe in but can't see May being better than our other options. He's not playing better than the other from what I've seen.