England 2024/25

[Rugbyfan564]

'Head coach Mark Mapletoft has confirmed his match week squad for England Men A's encounter with Australia A on Sunday 17 November (14:00 kick-off) at the Twickenham Stoop.
Arthur Clark, Hugh Tizard and Will Muir, who scored in the team's 91-5 victory over Portugalin February, have been added to the squad to face Rod Seib's side.
Mapletoft has also invited former U20 Men's players Tarek Haffar and Sean Kerr, as well as current U20 Elite Player Squad members Tom Burrow, Charlie Griffin and Angus Hall, to train with the team.
Bath Rugby prop and recent World Rugby U20 Championship winner, Vilikesa Sela, has left the squad through injury and will return to his club to rehabilitate. '

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Frustrating that Dingwall is captain as that means he likely starts at 12 - unless he goes 13 and Ojomoh 12

Surprised at no Asher

Prehaps Borthwick needs him for the seniors - even if it's as a reserve incase of a last minute withdrawal on Saturday.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Also don't see the point in adding Muir - this is supposed to be a development side

 

[Which Tyler]

I mean... I'm pleased for Will, but... isn't this supposed to be primarily a development squad?
A place for youngsters to get a chance to impress, get used to different coaching etc?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I'd like to think it's those identified as next cabs off the rank behind those in the senior squad regardless of age. Plus you always need some older heads in a game like this. You can invest a bit in youth, but these are by definition 3rd or 4th choices at best, so kids don't need to be rushed.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Prehaps Borthwick needs him for the seniors - even if it's as a reserve incase of a last minute withdrawal on Saturday.

Hope not.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

shame Carnduff has had a injury after the JRWC i reckon he is destined for an England cap

 

[Which Tyler]

I'd like to think it's those identified as next cabs off the rank behind those in the senior squad regardless of age. Plus you always need some older heads in a game like this. You can invest a bit in youth, but these are by definition 3rd or 4th choices at best, so kids don't need to be rushed.

We were expressly told that wasn't the case this year - it's part of the development pathway between junior and senior internationals; predominantly players in the 20-25 age bracket.
Now, the addition of one older player doesn't really change that, but it's still disappointing - especially in the position where it's easiest to throw in a young tyro, of whom we have plenty (albeit with the obvious choices already included).

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Sean Kerr training with the A squad, which is a good sign for Quin's future at centre

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

We were expressly told that wasn't the case this year - it's part of the development pathway between junior and senior internationals; predominantly players in the 20-25 age bracket.
Now, the addition of one older player doesn't really change that, but it's still disappointing - especially in the position where it's easiest to throw in a young tyro, of whom we have plenty (albeit with the obvious choices already included).

Missed that. Fair enough then.

(But I'd question that logic….).

And I hate the word pathway.

 

[Which Tyler]

Missed that. Fair enough then.

(But I'd question that logic….).

And I hate the word pathway.

sidewalk?

 

[BMatt]

"England players and coaching number two Richard Wigglesworth have had no contact with Felix Jones ahead of Saturday's clash with South Africa despite his inside knowledge of the Springboks."

Felix Jones' England situation has taken another awkward twist

England players and coaching No2 Richard Wigglesworth have had no contact with Felix Jones ahead of Saturday’s clash with South Africa.

www.rugbypass.com

I can't wait for the autobiographies to come out. What the hell happened?

 

[Rugbyfan564]

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

"England players and coaching number two Richard Wigglesworth have had no contact with Felix Jones ahead of Saturday's clash with South Africa despite his inside knowledge of the Springboks."

Felix Jones' England situation has taken another awkward twist

England players and coaching No2 Richard Wigglesworth have had no contact with Felix Jones ahead of Saturday’s clash with South Africa.

www.rugbypass.com

I can't wait for the autobiographies to come out. What the hell happened?

The people making decisions at the RFU really need to be in the firing line too. This is an absolute shitshow of contracts and man management.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yes please, we'll have him for when Reed inevitably is asked to move to a Scottish side

Would imagine he'd be eyeing up a Bristol or a Quins or a Bath type side though, their style of play would appeal to a league player much more

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Herbie Farmworth is top of my list

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

And for every Sua'ali'i there's a Barrie-Jon Mather. Won't get too excited just yet.

 

[Which Tyler]

If we're going hunting in league, then:
A] Can we really compete with NRL on salaries? Their salary cap looks to be double ours, after all.
B] Shouldn't we be looking to Super League's promising youngsters? Entice them over as U18 / U20s, or at most U23, and have plenty of time to learn the new code, AND be eligible for a significant pay-rise. Grab a superstar, and you're more likely to get a Burgess situation where they're rushed into the national side without being ready, and only stay for a short time to satisfy their own ego.

How many league converts have we had? a=how many have been as big in Union?
If we're going for a superstar, than at the very least, look at someone who's early rugby was in union - like Sua'ali'i

It's not like the idea of converting between the codes is a new one, with no lessons to be learned.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

If we're going hunting in league, then:
A] Can we really compete with NRL on salaries? Their salary cap looks to be double ours, after all.
B] Shouldn't we be looking to Super League's promising youngsters? Entice them over as U18 / U20s, or at most U23, and have plenty of time to learn the new code, AND be eligible for a significant pay-rise. Grab a superstar, and you're more likely to get a Burgess situation where they're rushed into the national side without being ready, and only stay for a short time to satisfy their own ego.

How many league converts have we had? a=how many have been as big in Union?
If we're going for a superstar, than at the very least, look at someone who's early rugby was in union - like Sua'ali'i

It's not like the idea of converting between the codes is a new one, with no lessons to be learned.

1) NRL salaries are high compared to SH rugby and Super league. I think they are roughly similar to our wage structure they. The highest paid NRL player is on less than the highest paid prem player

2) we do, Herbie Farnworth had offers at academy level from Sale, Bath, Leicester, Sarries and a couple others

Don't disagree they should have a union background which is where AUS has an upper hand due to most playing both codes.

But let's not act like there are zero successful league converts. Even Myler who wasn't International quality but was massive for Saints was league.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

The people making decisions at the RFU really need to be in the firing line too. This is an absolute shitshow of contracts and man management.

Wiggles saying he doesn't have any idea what Jones is up to doesn't stack up. It might be for contractual or PR reasons that he's playing dumb, but he'll know. Or if he doesn't he ought to be showing a lot more curiosity.

At the moment we've got:

A rookie (at this level) defence coach job sharing with a French club

A proven defence coach who doesn't want to be there, but is being held on to but has been ostracised and is doing who knows what remotely.

A former defence coach turned kicking / skills coach who was also under qualified, doesn't really seem to want to be there and prioritised his speaking tour. But is a fine chap.

Elite.