[2025 Six Nations] Ireland vs England - 01/02/25

[Vieux Talonneur]

Who….

Started in England's 5th worst defeat

Was on the bench for the 6th worst

Captained us in the 7th worst

Coached us to our heaviest ever home defeat?

Answers on a postcard to S Borthwick, c/o RFU, Twickenham.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Who….

Started in England's 5th worst defeat

Was on the bench for the 6th worst

Captained us in the 7th worst

Coached us to our heaviest ever home defeat?

Answers on a postcard to S Borthwick, c/o RFU, Twickenham.

He has serious hammers though.

 

[dirty harry]

Team's up
England:
1 Genge
2 Cowan-Dickie
3 Stuart
4 Itoje
5 Martin
6 T Curry
7 B Curry
8 Earl

09 Mitchell
10 M Smith
11 Murley
12 Slade
13 Lawrence
14 Freeman
15 Steward

16 Dan, 17 Baxter, 18 Heyes, 19 Chessum, 20 Cunningham-South, 21 Willis
22 Randall, 23 F Smith

With the greatest of respect, is this really the best Rngland can produce currently?

So many of these players have gaping flaws, it's tough to see an England team like this. I expect this of small nations like Wales, Ireland and Scotland, but England teams over the years have overwhelmingly shown strengths, not glaring issues.

Someone called Marcus Smith recently a talisman for England, I nearly spat my drink out laughing.

Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of talent and power in that team, but it just seems lacking with the England teams of old.

I like the front row, Itoje is obviously quality, but the back row looks a bit unbalanced, I don't like the half back partnership, and I think Slade and Lawrence has been tried and found wanting.

Freeman and Steward seem to be lacking top class pace...

I think England are in the position to spoil this season, not really compete for the championship

 

[TRF_Olyy]

With the greatest of respect, is this really the best Rngland can produce currently?

So many of these players have gaping flaws, it's tough to see an England team like this. I expect this of small nations like Wales, Ireland and Scotland, but England teams over the years have overwhelmingly shown strengths, not glaring issues.

Someone called Marcus Smith recently a talisman for England, I nearly spat my drink out laughing.

Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of talent and power in that team, but it just seems lacking with the England teams of old.

I like the front row, Itoje is obviously quality, but the back row looks a bit unbalanced, I don't like the half back partnership, and I think Slade and Lawrence has been tried and found wanting.

Freeman and Steward seem to be lacking top class pace...

I think England are in the position to spoil this season, not really compete for the championship

Who would your side be?

 

[dirty harry]

Who would your side be?

I'd like to see a bit more balance in the back row, certainly a ball carrier. I see why you would play 2 fetches against Ireland, but it concedes that Ireland are the power team, it shows weakness IMHO.

I'd have liked to have seen Isiekwe with Itoje.

Sadly I think Mitchell is prob the best of a bad bunch, I'd have gone with Ford at 10 though, with Fin behind.

I like Slade, but I don't understand the obsession with left footed kickers, it's like 6N coaches have to fit players into their tactics, instead of adapting their tactics to what's available. I'm not sure who else is available at 12, but I'd rather see a proper 12 with Slade outside. Seeing Aki, and Tuipilotu excel at 12, maybe Lawrence could too.

I'd have gone more attacking back 3, Freeman, Furbank and Roebuck probably.

But that's not my point, even with my changes this is not a balanced well rounded team, some of the best teams of all time from England included every skillset, some really well rounded players and a positive confident selection policy.

Seeing England select based on another teams strengths just feels sad to me

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I'd have liked to have seen Isiekwe with Itoje.

So would I but he's injured.

But your wider point absolutely stands that it's a team / squad without a fear factor and very few world XV candidates. There are probably only 2 or 3 selections you can quibble with. Although what the coaches do with those players is another matter.

 

[Scotty]

Who….

Started in England's 5th worst defeat

Was on the bench for the 6th worst

Captained us in the 7th worst

Coached us to our heaviest ever home defeat?

Answers on a postcard to S Borthwick, c/o RFU, Twickenham.

So he's due a big bonus then?

 

[dirty harry]

So would I but he's injured.

But your wider point absolutely stands that it's a team / squad without a fear factor and very few world XV candidates. There are probably only 2 or 3 selections you can quibble with. Although what the coaches do with those players is another matter.

ThisnEngland team reminds me of the French team of the 2010s..

There's some decent players there, they'll be competitive, but ultimately there are as many flaws as there are strengths.

 

[Scotty]

I'd like to see a bit more balance in the back row, certainly a ball carrier. I see why you would play 2 fetches against Ireland, but it concedes that Ireland are the power team, it shows weakness IMHO.

I'd have liked to have seen Isiekwe with Itoje.

Sadly I think Mitchell is prob the best of a bad bunch, I'd have gone with Ford at 10 though, with Fin behind.

I like Slade, but I don't understand the obsession with left footed kickers, it's like 6N coaches have to fit players into their tactics, instead of adapting their tactics to what's available. I'm not sure who else is available at 12, but I'd rather see a proper 12 with Slade outside. Seeing Aki, and Tuipilotu excel at 12, maybe Lawrence could too.

I'd have gone more attacking back 3, Freeman, Furbank and Roebuck probably.

But that's not my point, even with my changes this is not a balanced well rounded team, some of the best teams of all time from England included every skillset, some really well rounded players and a positive confident selection policy.

Seeing England select based on another teams strengths just feels sad to me

I really never see why people want Isiekwe in? Martin and itoje are a good pair, I'd rather Martin tbh.

Best of a bad bunch? I mean we havnt got world beaters like Dupont or JGP but Mitchell has earned his place and played v well. You make him sound like he's average yet body of the rest.

I get what you say about not played to other teams strengths rather than play to your own but I kind of get this and then with Chessum, CCS and Willis yo come on and change the game tbh I was worried but tbh I like it.

Slade as a Chiefs fan I'd drop him till he regains some form, it's Lawrence that would be 13 and a real 12. But if Slade is playing he's best at 13 so it's tough.

Back row Furbank injured and Steward is in form and the right pick, I hope we play to his strengths and not let players get 1 on 1 with his. I rate Roebuck but Murley is a very attacking player, on a side note I never realised till this week he played flanker till he was 16.

The only place that isn't balanced for me is back row and that's a specific tactic to stop Irelands phase play and fast ball. I get it.

All in all I'm happy with the team and quite positive(don't think we are favourites and think Ireland are stronger and alot more experienced) but we can won this one.

 

[Dean Cooperfield-West]

I fancy Ireland for this but that's only because the 6N is your world cup. It's all you can win. When it comes to a big boy tournament your crumble

We're too busy focussing on the World Cup and competitions that matter

 

[Yulia]

No cake and definitely no thong, but ...

View attachment 22770

Looks more like a parody on Dieux du Stade tbh

 

[BMatt]

No cake and definitely no thong, but ...

View attachment 22770

If England regain the Calcutta cup there will be a statue of this outside Twickenham.

 

[Saintjay]

I fancy Ireland for this but that's only because the 6N is your world cup. It's all you can win. When it comes to a big boy tournament your crumble

We're too busy focussing on the World Cup and competitions that matter

Which other competitions are they then?

Because by that logic England have won f#ck all of note for over twenty years.

 

[Geordie]

The summer tour will be the place to prioritise fixing the centres.
12
Atkinson
Waghorn
Hartley
Ojomoh

13
Beard
Lawrence
Joseph
Maybe Freeman??

 

[higgik]

The summer tour will be the place to prioritise fixing the centres.
12
Atkinson
Waghorn
Hartley
Ojomoh

13
Beard
Lawrence
Joseph
Maybe Freeman??

If Marcus is 10, then there needs to be strong running centres, who can run good lines off his shoulder.
So, Northmore, Atkinson or Hartley for me.
13 Joseph, Beard, Freeman.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Waghorn? Who's played 12 one time in the Prem?

 

[Scotty]

If Marcus is 10, then there needs to be strong running centres, who can run good lines off his shoulder.
So, Northmore, Atkinson or Hartley for me.
13 Joseph, Beard, Freeman.

Has Joeseph been injured for quite a while? I rated him quite alot. Hopfully he can do well. I don't even hate Lawrence at 12 but I just want someone who actually plays there.