[2023 Six Nations] England Squad

[BPM]

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

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.

Yeah. I was about to say the same re. Walker.

I'd argue the need for him to stay with England is greater too given how light we are at hooker. To be a viable option he needs to be trusted with more than 5mins. I think staying in camp is the best way to build that trust along with the relationship/timing with lifters and jumpers.

 

[Scotty]

So is SB just looking for experience for the WC in less experience positions and then hopfully have a rebuild after.

Even out of form id not worry about may being a liability, ford over Smith i dont i dont agree with tbh, though as said before Ford needs time in camp to get up to speed and is experienced enough to be good without much gametime. Though id hope Smith is back for France tbh.

Rest of the squad im happyy with

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Yeah. I was about to say the same re. Walker.

I'd argue the need for him to stay with England is greater too given how light we are at hooker. To be a viable option he needs to be trusted with more than 5mins. I think staying in camp is the best way to build that trust along with the relationship/timing with lifters and jumpers.

Take your point, but training ad finitum is no substitute for match pressure.

I can only assume that training hasn't gone brilliantly so Borthwick is viewing him as a last resort option.

Remaining on the bench v Sco, 7 mins v Ita and 20 seconds v Wal in a position where early subs are routine, screams of nothing else than a big lack of confidence in Walker. Irrespective of the match situations.

 

[Booboobang]

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

Then why did he hire smiths attack coach? I agree with you, but just such an odd choice to hire evans and then play this style.

 

[BPM]

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.

I don't think Malins and OHC have been 'that bad', but I don't think they've been that good either, which is why the door is open for someone like May.

I know he's not in great form, but we're about to play the two best sides in the competition and I can understand why May's experience, defensive positioning and aerial game might be tempting.

 

[AlRums]

The Steve Borthwick verdict on his first three England matches

England boss Steve Borthwick has given his verdict on his first month of matches in charge of a team he claimed wasn’t good at anything.

amp.rugbypass.com

 

[BrokenWing]

Borthwick explains leaving Marcus Smith out of latest England squad

England head coach Steve Borthwick has explained why he felt it best to omit Marcus Smith from this week’s fallow week training camp.

www.rugbypass.com

"We are blessed we have got some fantastic fly-halves in this country, with Owen and his ability to play at 12 as well"

 

[LIONSxv]

Borthwick explains leaving Marcus Smith out of latest England squad

England head coach Steve Borthwick has explained why he felt it best to omit Marcus Smith from this week’s fallow week training camp.

www.rugbypass.com

"We are blessed we have got some fantastic fly-halves in this country, with Owen and his ability to play at 12 as well"

Eddie Jones mark II. Seemingly has a complete blind spot for Faz. He is playing poorly at FH but is a very poor 12. He has no attributes to play 12 other than his passing.
His tackling is at best suspect, his running game is non existent and for a bloke of his size doesn't carry well. Even his kicking from hand has been poor.
I suppose he does fit the game plan of ignoring 3-1s in the oppositions 22 to instead kick a high ball

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Not really 6N but article on Launchbury in the Times saying he's determined to go to the RWC and get his England place back.

Good. More strength in depth we have the better. If he's anything like, he'll warrant a trip across the Channel in September. Whether he can regain a starting slot is another matter although there should always be room for a bit of ballast in the row.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Wouldn't mind seeing a fully fit Launchbury with Chessum

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Would love to see a fit and firing Launch in there, but is it possible?
Out injured atm, Japanese season is short/ends quite early - when's he going to prove form and fitness?

He'll be hoping there's an injury in a top prem side and he can come in as a joker for the last few rounds of the season

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Wouldn't mind seeing a fully fit Launchbury with Chessum

Me too.

Read a piece on Itoje recently where he was saying that his role had changed and he was being asked to hit more rucks and generally do more grunt work, so becoming less likely to come up with the big plays. I could see that emphasis with players like Launch, Kruis or Isiekwe, but Itoje's a different kettle of fish. If you take that wholly at face value (not entirely sure I do) then you're effectively neutering his USP which was precisely to come up with those big momentum or match shifting moments.

 

[Everyday EggChaser]

Would love to see a fit and firing Launch in there, but is it possible?
Out injured atm, Japanese season is short/ends quite early - when's he going to prove form and fitness?

He'll be hoping there's an injury in a top prem side and he can come in as a joker for the last few rounds of the season

He is due to join quins for next season but any chance to get him in earlier will be welcomed!

 

[g6mcg]

Me too.

Read a piece on Itoje recently where he was saying that his role had changed and he was being asked to hit more rucks and generally do more grunt work, so becoming less likely to come up with the big plays. I could see that emphasis with players like Launch, Kruis or Isiekwe, but Itoje's a different kettle of fish. If you take that wholly at face value (not entirely sure I do) then you're effectively neutering his USP which was precisely to come up with those big momentum or match shifting moments.

He definitely is performing that role, presumably because you don't have a decent tighthead lock. Even a big unit like Hill wasn't that effective at clearing out.

Not dissimilar to Ryan a few years ago - widely seen as a catastrophic loss of form but really a change in role. Can't get the highlight plays if you're doing the donkey work!

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Hopefully won't effect anything….

Jack Willis leaves England camp over Toulouse injury crisis

Jack Willis has left England’s Six Nations training camp to answer a back-row crisis at his club, Toulouse

www.theguardian.com

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Hopefully not. He has Earl or B. Curry to cover or even start Lawes at 6 and switch Ludlum to 7. Would prefer Willis though.

 

[Geordie]

Launchbury isnt the same player we all think of these days. i think all the Injuries have put pay to that...id rather put everything in to getting Kruis out of retirement for one last bash.

But as thats unlikely also...stick with where we are at the moment and then immediately post world cup look at the batch of kids coming through.

 

[Teddington Logic]

Oh dear Borthers that didnt quite work out as planned

 

[Teddington Logic]

Thought the comment was great - "When you have talent like that outside you, just get the ball to them"

This has been a fundamental principal of rugby for ever, but has been ignored by England for decades

Borthwick has a little bit of a conundrum now and needs to plot his course of action quite carefully

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

If you can get behind the paywall there's an interesting, well argued piece from David Walsh in today's Sunday Times on Itoje. Contributions from Jim Hamilton and Dalaglio.

Concluding line pretty much sums it up.

"And of course he's still good enough to play for England. The only thing is he's not the Maro Itoje we expected him to be".