England 2023/24

[TommiG88]

I've heard Steward is being dropped to play for Racing 92 this weekend so he can prepare for his impending move in 2027

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I really don't think that any of the French based English qualified players are that much of a loss to England.

Like Willis would really make that much difference compared to until, Curry B, Curry T, Pearson, pepper etc etc

He's a good player but good flankers are never in short supply. Same with the other players, England and sarries much better without overpowering Farrell in there and Henry Arundell isn't as good as our current crop of wingers.

 

[Saintjay]

I've heard Steward is being dropped to play for Racing 92 this weekend so he can prepare for his impending move in 2027

Yeah I did hear they were in the market for a slow moving fullback, who's good in the air and has the turning circle of a HGV.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yeah I did hear they were in the market for a slow moving fullback, who's good in the air and has the turning circle of a HGV.

Ripped you to shreds the other week though

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Dan Lancaster in Racing is a massive lose for English rugby TBF having him in the 2027 squad could win us the RWC

 

[Saintjay]

Ripped you to shreds the other week though

I know but hey never let the truth get in the way of a good rumour.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

On form over the last period J Willis was prob good enough to start. Marchant almost certainly would be in the mix too.

Not Sinckler's biggest fan but I'm not sure I'd ever be picking both Cole and Stuart over him for a 23. Read the other day that he wants to get his act together in France and then get back in the England side.

Lawes obviously took the decision to retire from Eng duty at a logical time but he's still good enough for the 6 shirt. Would he have retired when he did if the French cash wasn't on offer?

Then you have peripherals like Ludlam, Arundell and Ribbans who may well have been in wider squads.

So not a massive impact, but some.

That's ignoring those whose days were done - Farrell, Manu and the Vunipolae who've made logical moves.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Ripped you to shreds the other week though

Just to clarify steward looked like he was still learning to pass in that game. Might have beaten us but doesn't change the fact that steward doesn't have the correct skills for a modern level back nor the correct pace/ mobility.

That could all change though and he's still young. Just shop Kelly off to France, get steward in the 12 shirt and jobs a good un.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Steward's the form 15 in the league atm, tbh

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Steward's the form 15 in the league atm, tbh

lol I mean if slowly running the ball back directly into players is what a form 15 is then you should go and support a team with useless backs….oh wait you do!


I'm trying to be sarcastic and not actually mean by the way. But still steward is not that good.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Be interesting to see if any left out start making plans to go to France soon. Steward's my tip to go soon.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Be interesting to see if any left out start making plans to go to France soon.

Thought there were going to be 25 or 26? More coming or are the rumours about the RFU being unable to afford them true?

If that's all, so few might be divisive and accelerate the player drain.

3 fly halves?? No THPs. Surely you'd want your first choice XV at least to be on these?

More backs than forwards.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Thought there were going to be 25 or 26? More coming or are the rumours about the RFU being unable to afford them true?

If that's all, so few might be divisive and accelerate the player drain.

3 fly halves?? No THPs. Surely you'd want your first choice XV at least to be on these?

More backs than forwards.

More coming (Maximum of 25) but apparently might not be after the six Nations.

 

[Which Tyler]

Doesn't it depend on when their club contracts are up for renewal?

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Doesn't it depend on when their club contracts are up for renewal?

Nope I don't think it does. Some of those only renewed recently while others are nearing expiry. Apparently not everyone has the same length contract.

Underhill another noticeable omission having been involved in every test so far in 2024. .

How many not on a contract will start a test this autumn?

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Theo Dan getting is kinda crazy to me

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Theo Dan getting is kinda crazy to me

Shoes either his importance to Borthwick or a fear he was off to France.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

He's not even good enough for the England team compared to the others. Much better hookers around.

 

[Crash Hamster]

I too find Dan's selection for a contract (and in general) a little odd.

He's the number 2 number 2 for his club; he's certainly talented, but if he retired from rugby or moved to France tomorrow, he would be seamlessly replaced by Langdon or Cowan-Dickie or Oghre or Blamire or Singleton and no-one would notice the difference.

Personally, I think that at least Langdon would be an improvement, but then I could never see what Walker did wrong either.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I still can't forget his defence (or lack thereof) in the RWC