England 2024/25

[Vieux Talonneur]

My tongue was literally protruding from my cheek, it hurts

My guess is that it literally wasn't.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

My guess is that it literally wasn't.

I spent so much time trying to spite you

 

[Geordie]

I've read that he has no job to go to, which makes it even worse.

That said, sounds like it's odds on that he'll be getting a call from the Lions.

Yeah he'll be a lions coach I would think

But have no fear we have El Abd and Wigglesworth...

 

[BrokenWing]

I assume El Abd will STILL be coaching in France come the six nations so still won't be giving England his full attention.

 

[Geordie]

Yeah he'll be on dual positions still until the summer I would imagine.

 

[Becca]

Yeah he'll be on dual positions still until the summer I would imagine.

That's just ridiculous, isn't it ?

 

[Geordie]

That's just ridiculous, isn't it ?

It certainly is. It's not the best scenario when your D coach isn't able to give his full attention to the role.

 

[Saintjay]

If Felix Jones ends up with the Irish National setup I will be royally ****** off. I'm not sure if the blame is with RFU and it's culture, the way it negotiates contracts, the way Borthwick runs his team or Jones himself not honouring a contract, but no way should England be losing a good coach like that to a close rival mid cycle.

I'm going out on a limb with the issue being the coaching set up and England. Clearly he didn't like something. I'm sure the truth will come out in the end. The guy seemed OK with what ever SA were doing. Still winning things makes a difference.

No point in keeping someone who doesn't want to be there. Pointless paying an employee on gardening leave. I'm also guessing he'd have the same employment rights as everyone else.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Itoje could become captain according to Ruck.co.uk

Steve Borthwick could name new England captain for the 2025 Six Nations - Ruck

England’s 59-14 demolition of Japan offered some respite after a torrid autumn campaign, but the underlying problems remain impossible to ignore. Join the RUCK’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news…

www.ruck.co.uk

It's Ruck….

I did say a while back to give it to him as a bit of a sink or swim gamble, but given what we've seen in the latter part of games since George started getting subbed early I really don't think it's a great idea now.

Who else though? Chessum did a bit pre injury at Tigers which was interesting. Genge has ruled himself out for me. If you wanted to go totally left field a la Carling, then how about Mitchell? Obviously nailed on and a big influence on the team, but I've not got a clue whether he'd be remotely suited….even if not skipper is he an obvious leader at Saints? And while I prefer a forward, a couple of those little blighters wearing 9 have lifted the RWC and there's a French guy who's fairly handy.

Suspect we'll probably see George again though.

And with Chiefs having ditched the blitz (and seemingly defence in general) does that mean the argument for Slade falls away?

 

[Lé Ddanno]

That's just ridiculous, isn't it ?

Absolutely unbelievable. We're meant to be a tier 1 nation ffs

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

We need to look at club captains, guaranteed starters etc but to be honest the England team is a little bit of a muddle so not sure who from the forwards is guaranteed right now.

Underhill loved and dropped and back, no central contract.
Curry - always injured
Earl - attitude might be an issue, has he ever captained?
Itoje - jury out
Martin/ Chessum - who starts and either have leadership?
Genge - nope he's a child
CCS - too raw

No other starters

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is the jury really out on Itoje?
Regardless of peoples opinions on him I'd say he's probably the first name on the teamsheet, seen nothing to suggest otherwise from SB

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Is the jury really out on Itoje?
Regardless of peoples opinions on him I'd say he's probably the first name on the teamsheet, seen nothing to suggest otherwise from SB

I think we're talking about captain, not player.

 

[Saintjay]

It's England whole issue in a nut shell. It's hard enough to decide a good captain. Let alone agree who's in the nailed on starting XV.

At the moment 100% nailed on starters are probably down to 5-7 players and it's been that way for awhile.

Surely the Captain has to be one on the new contract players.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I think we're talking about captain, not player.

Ah,

Well he's been second choice since George took over, and captains Saracens now, so I'd say he's easily next in line

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

Ah,

Well he's been second choice since George took over, and captains Saracens now, so I'd say he's easily next in line

Realistically who else apart from Itoje, thought he's found some form again as well.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Ah,

Well he's been second choice since George took over, and captains Saracens now, so I'd say he's easily next in line

I meant jury out as he's captained England during the times we fall apart.

So as a captain he's looking pretty rubbish at captaining but then it might be slightly unfair.

So jury still out at the moment. Might be second in line but then meh.

 

[Which Tyler]

The answer's obvious.
Let's do a Carling, and appoint a youngster who could be skipper for a decade
If they're good enough, they're old enough, so Connor Treacy. U18s captain, has played U20s internationally, #8 is the best position to captain from.

Job done.

 

[Saintjay]

The real answer is Henry Pollock. Lots of plastic energy according to some. The new rugby Jesus to others.

Can play 8 so ticks that box.

Job done.

 

[Which Tyler]

The real answer is Henry Pollock. Lots of plastic energy according to some. The new rugby Jesus to others.

Can play 8 so ticks that box.

Job done.

It's nearly christmas; he'll be last year's toy, soon enough