England 2024/25

[Rugbyfan564]

Suspect with the enhanced contracts they will be pressure to play as many of those 17 as possible. Clubs are not going to be keen on RFU control over players they not actually using. As well as not wasting money when under pressure having to pay players to do nothing.

England’s ‘landmark deal’ is failing to have desired impact

Professional Game Partnership was supposed to be game-changing for Steve Borthwick’s team but so far it’s proven underwhelming

www.telegraph.co.uk

Bill Sweeney and Tom Ilube told RFU jobs ‘not tenable’ by former chief executive

Francis Baron says there is outrage over CEO and chairman receiving pay rises while overseeing skyrocketing debts and falling TV revenues

www.telegraph.co.uk

Alex Mitchell on course for Six Nations following complicated neck injury

Northampton Saint has returned to training and should be back playing long before England kick off campaign against Ireland in February

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Daly (useful utility cover)

5 years ago, maybe - think we(/Borthwick) really need to move past the idea of Daly

Speed gone, goal kicking gone, injury record poor - he can play multiple positions but not as good as others can play singular ones
Better to have a winger or centre there, because Smith can (and probably will) cover 15 from the pitch and in your scenario you've got Freeman who can shift out one

Feel like the media narrative of "CANNON OF A LEFT BOOT" is what's carrying him, despite his long range efforts being poor recently

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

5 years ago, maybe - think we(/Borthwick) really need to move past the idea of Daly

Speed gone, goal kicking gone, injury record poor - he can play multiple positions but not as good as others can play singular ones
Better to have a winger or centre there, because Smith can (and probably will) cover 15 from the pitch and in your scenario you've got Freeman who can shift out one

Feel like the media narrative of "CANNON OF A LEFT BOOT" is what's carrying him, despite his long range efforts being poor recently

Yeah, wasn't sure on that one. No complaints if we move on.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

Isn't Hendy a bit of a beanpole?
Rapid but I'd never associate size with him

Looking forward to the 6N, meeting the target of 4 wins is unlikely. Ire away first up is the obvious banana skin although we do have 3 at home and Wal should be beatable anywhere.

Who would we like to see? I'd go:

1. Genge. A bit reluctantly, but who else?

2. LCD. It'll be George

3. Stuart. Improving.

4. Itoje

5. Martin

6. Chessum

7. Underhill

8. CCS

We can talk about footballers and balance in the pack all we want but it's clear that serious physicality still matters at this level. This lot should be able to provide some go forward while hitting very hard in defence. Hard to think of a much better set piece unit although George's darts are probably still marginally better than LCD's and Isiekwe's probably our top guy in the air although Chessum returning largely covers that off.

9. Mitchell

10. M Smith

11. Sleightholme

12. Lawrence. Reluctantly, but who else?

13. Freeman. Punt, but worth trying

14. IFW

15. Furbank, although far from convinced.

Not totally sure on bench but maybe something like: Baxter, Langdon, Davison (let AOF loose next year), Earl, T Curry, JvP, F Smith, Daly (useful utility cover).

Also assumes everyone's fit which is unlikely.

I like the bench you have chosen to be honest. Bench lacked any firepower this autumn and it is increasingly becoming a bigger, more important part of test matches. I would have Spencer in for JVP, feel like Spencer didn't really do anything wrong to deserve being dropped, JVP doesn't look good at test level IMO. Daley on the bench offers some experience, would like to see more of Roebuck this 6n. Like Freeman but not sure about him at 13, solid team though.

 

[Geordie]

Isn't Hendy a bit of a beanpole?
Rapid but I'd never associate size with him

6'3 and 15 stone...and will easily add another 1 to 2 stone on that frame.
But we'll see how his game develops with Saints. Scored a try on the weekend v Coventry using his power and pace.

Plenty of options...we're relying on SB to identify the right ones for the journey

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

6'3 and 15 stone...and will easily add another 1 to 2 stone on that frame.

I think that build's pretty much spot on TBH. Bit of height for the high ball, weight should mean he's solid enough in contact and be able to bust tackles once he gets going. But not so heavy as to reduce his pace, or probably more importantly, agility. I'm all for our backs being powerful but for those out wide that should be a secondary trick.

Just one thought. Lot more to any position than sheer physical attributes, but are we missing the threat of some sheer gas? Mitchell and M Smith are probably around the fastest in their positions, but not sure that applies to the outside backs. Definitely not the midfield, and while Sleightholme, IFW, Freeman and Furbank are all quick, none seem to be total sprinters like peak Watson and May who at their peak you'd have backed against anyone. Isn't Earl supposed to be about the fastest over 20m?

 

[Scotty]

I think that build's pretty much spot on TBH. Bit of height for the high ball, weight should mean he's solid enough in contact and be able to bust tackles once he gets going. But not so heavy as to reduce his pace, or probably more importantly, agility. I'm all for our backs being powerful but for those out wide that should be a secondary trick.

Just one thought. Lot more to any position than sheer physical attributes, but are we missing the threat of some sheer gas? Mitchell and M Smith are probably around the fastest in their positions, but not sure that applies to the outside backs. Definitely not the midfield, and while Sleightholme, IFW, Freeman and Furbank are all quick, none seem to be total sprinters like peak Watson and May who at their peak you'd have backed against anyone. Isn't Earl supposed to be about the fastest over 20m?

I thought Sleightholme was very quick? Or quickest of them. Tbh though I sprinter is great but if there is next to no space being made by the centres