England 2024/25

[TommiG88]

Something something Jamie Roberts best 12 ever something something only ever perpendicular to the try line.

Borthwick? Is that you?

 

[mkersyshull]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jake-white-marcus-smith-was-lucky-to-stay-on-for-60-minutes/

Thought this is interesting. I just don't see M Smith as ever going to lead an international team to be successful.

 

[IT157]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/jake-white-marcus-smith-was-lucky-to-stay-on-for-60-minutes/

Thought this is interesting. I just don't see M Smith as ever going to lead an international team to be successful.

Yeah I agree with what he said. This is a terrific piece. With the exception of the Caleb Clarke accidentally knocking on part.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

A 'smiling' Jones saying he's unaware of Care's book.

George proving he has a future in the diplomatic corps. Delicate use of language, recognising Care's view and also making it clear that the England camp hasn't always been as collaborative and open as it is now.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Yeah I agree with what he said. This is a terrific piece. With the exception of the Caleb Clarke accidentally knocking on part.

And him saying that George is so important to England that he plays virtually every minute - that's so 2023. If you're putting pen to paper get your basic facts right.

In the last 6 games against Japan and the minnows of Ireland, Fra and NZ x 3 George hasn't gone past the 54th minute.

And on that, captain being hooked while big games are in the balance isn't great. Oh and while we're on the subject of our poor last quarters, has Itoje taken over the armband on most of those?

 

[BrokenWing]

I disregarded his opinion when he drew comparisons to NFL teams not replacing their quarterbacks.

 

[West Country Wail]

Captain Hasbeen

 

[mkersyshull]

I disregarded his opinion when he drew comparisons to NFL teams not replacing their quarterbacks.

But how often were Wilkinson/Carter/Sexton/Pollock replaced?
Also, the list reinforces my mind that M Smith isn't going to be a world leading 10. It might be bias but I think F Smith has a higher ceiling

 

[BrokenWing]

That's got more to do with Borthwick and his replacement by numbers strategy than Smith.

 

[higgik]

Still think with Furbank at 15, we do not need Slade at 12. Better to have a bigger runner at 12 to help create space

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Interesting stats in the Times.

In 50 Borthwick era scrums the wild, reckless liability that is Marler did not concede a single penalty. Is he still one of our best 2 LHs at this level? Of course he is.

Our 2 worst offenders are today's starters. Genge penalised once every 12 scrums and Stuart once every 10.

With Tupou at TH the Aussies get a pen on their own feed 22% of the time. But he also concedes a few - his sheer size means quite a few go down which then becomes a bit of a lottery on who gets penalised.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Be interesting to see the changes next game
Hope we bring in Curry for Curry and don't start Dombrandt/shift Earl to 7

Would quite like to see Underhill/Curry/CCS

Ford for Finn Smith,
Furbank for Steward

Shame Marler didn't retire pre-EPS so we had Iyogun in from the start or something - bench props have looked poor two weeks in a row

 

[Reiser99]

Who's injured for next week?

Curry definitely. How about Feyi-Waboso?

 

[jordiev]

Shame Marler didn't retire pre-EPS so we had Iyogun in from the start or something - bench props have looked poor two weeks in a row

This is big, baxter is what it is young guy still developing but if cole offers nothing there he is a waste of a spot

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Who's injured for next week?

Curry definitely. How about Feyi-Waboso?

Forgot about him going off - was getting a lot of treatment

Sleightholme to start and Furbank on the bench, in that case (though if Smith is covering 15 I'd go for Roebuck, especially considering these new aerial laws)

 

[Rugbyfan564]

I think it would be better for him to wait till Thursday to announce the squad but he won't.

 

[Reiser99]

Be interesting to see the changes next game
Hope we bring in Curry for Curry and don't start Dombrandt/shift Earl to 7

Would quite like to see Underhill/Curry/CCS

Ford for Finn Smith,
Furbank for Steward

Shame Marler didn't retire pre-EPS so we had Iyogun in from the start or something - bench props have looked poor two weeks in a row

Who is on the bench, because you seem to think that CCS isn't an 80 minute player and I can't remember the last time Underhill played 80 at international level? You have Earl and Dombrandt or shift Itoje to 6? Martin also went off early today.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Who is on the bench, because you seem to think that CCS isn't an 80 minute player and I can't remember the last time Underhill played 80 at international level? You have Earl and Dombrandt or shift Itoje to 6? Martin also went off early today.

Earl the perfect bench option IMO

 

[Reiser99]

Earl the perfect bench option IMO

Yeah, but if Underhill, CCS and Martin can't play 60 minutes how do you sub them all off or who stays on?

 

[BrokenWing]

I haven't seen anything from Dombrandt that would indicate he belongs at this level.