England 2024/25

[Jimbo]

I mean Ben Young's for example imo got a lot more hate from England fans than Farrell, he just didn't get any hate from other nations

Youngs was almost consistently **** though, Leicester dire for a good chunk of time when he built his England caps, all whilst Sarries were winning or competing for everything in site, there were plenty of alternative SHs not getting a look in we had no 12 options, either way regardless of performance the abuse Faz and Barnes have had recently is absolutely unacceptable and has to stop!

 

[Reiser99]

Is it so better without Farrell??…smith and ford haven't exactly set the world on fire when starting..I'd say in recent years Englands best performances(which have been few and far between)have been with Owen sorry Owen Farrell at 10…I'll always say a 10 is only as good as his forwards and England World Cup aside just couldn't front up in the forwards.And to be honest the England forwards available now have more potential than the England backs to be world class players in my opinion but come up short

Care to name a few, I could say back that when he's picked constantly to play then he's involved in good and bad performances regardless, so then it becomes more about percentages. Generally with Farrell playing we haven't played well.

Again, I don't entirely blame Farrell. I feel he is the product of an overcoached system that started with Jones and Borthwick hasn't really changed. England in general at the moment are pretty dog shite. That doesn't support your argument though that Farrell is playing well for England.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

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Youngs was almost consistently **** though, Leicester dire for a good chunk of time when he built his England caps, all whilst Sarries were winning or competing for everything in site, there were plenty of alternative SHs not getting a look in we had no 12 options, either way regardless of performance the abuse Faz and Barnes have had recently is absolutely unacceptable and has to stop!

Sarries was also relegated for severely breaking the cap which no doubts helps building a winning mentality

 

[Jimbo]

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Sarries was also relegated for severely breaking the cap which no doubts helps building a winning mentality

stop the hypocrisy already, Leicester cheated, just not to the same extent but were monumentally poor whilst doing so, it was Sarries cheating that saved your team from legitimate relegation, only to win the ***le shortly afterwards, I'll sympathise with other teams who have struggled whilst staying in the salary cap but not those that also breached it!

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

stop the hypocrisy already, Leicester cheated, just not to the same extent but were monumentally poor whilst doing so, it was Sarries cheating that saved your team from legitimate relegation, only to win the ***le shortly afterwards, I'll sympathise with other teams who have struggled whilst staying in the salary cap but not those that also breached it!

Mate maybe I read that the wrong way but I read that being relegated (like saints were) helps build a winning mentality and you get to blitz a league for a year.

That's how I read it anyhow. I loved the year in the championship and I'm sure you did to. It was fun and nice not to worry every game like I do these days

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Not entirely sure where to put this but I've gone with in here as he's an English ref but I'm sure there's a more appropriate place,

Tom Foley has stepped down from international refereeing. He'll continue to ref domestically.

 

[Reiser99]

Not surprised after receiving death threats.

Rugby World Cup referee Tom Foley receives death threats

Television match official Tom Foley wants social media platforms to do more to tackle online abuse.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Everyday EggChaser]

Will Joseph looking good. He seems to have a bit more size and power than JJ did

 

[Geordie]

Will Joseph looking good. He seems to have a bit more size and power than JJ did

We could be in a scenario where we have Lawrence, Joseph and potentially Freeman fighting for that 13 spot.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

We could be in a scenario where we have Lawrence, Joseph and potentially Freeman fighting for that 13 spot.

I'm guessing Freeman shoots back to wing once we've got some fit centres again. We've had a load of injuries which has forced him playing there.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Not surprised after receiving death threats.

Rugby World Cup referee Tom Foley receives death threats

Television match official Tom Foley wants social media platforms to do more to tackle online abuse.

www.bbc.co.uk

Death threats, surely not when reffing a South Africa game.

Remember South Africans are the victims here, they can't possibly ever do anything wrong.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Death threats, surely not when reffing a South Africa game.

Remember South Africans are the victims here, they can't possibly ever do anything wrong.

I don't think it's South Africans. I've heard a fair few cases of kiwis getting pretty nasty.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I don't think it's South Africans. I've heard a fair few cases of kiwis getting pretty nasty.

But we are told that the kiwis are always so humble and what not.

Guessing some stereotypes are falling down here

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

We could be in a scenario where we have Lawrence, Joseph and potentially Freeman fighting for that 13 spot.

Really want to see Lawrence develop into a genuine 12 / 13 option. I think he's capable and it would give us so many more options.

In other news Smith saying its taken him a while to hit his 10 straps after pretty much training and playing exclusively at 15 for 6 months. Unless he plays there for Quins (he won't) that experiment should be abandoned.

 

[Saintjay]

Really want to see Lawrence develop into a genuine 12 / 13 option. I think he's capable and it would give us so many more options.

In other news Smith saying its taken him a while to hit his 10 straps after pretty much training and playing exclusively at 15 for 6 months. Unless he plays there for Quins (he won't) that experiment should be abandoned.

Now that you've said that Borthwick is definitely going to crack on with it. It's the one thing he can evidence as having an original idea and let's him put innovator on his C.V

 

[Scotty]

Really want to see Lawrence develop into a genuine 12 / 13 option. I think he's capable and it would give us so many more options.

In other news Smith saying its taken him a while to hit his 10 straps after pretty much training and playing exclusively at 15 for 6 months. Unless he plays there for Quins (he won't) that experiment should be abandoned.

Given he wasnt getting England gametime at 10 ive no doubt the experiment was good for him and it wasnt a total failure but with Faz now out of the picture, he need to be a 10 and develop as a 10 who can play the kicking game to pin teams back but then actually has the talent to turn it on.

I think he needs a run in the 6n as first choice 10, i have no issue with him being onfield 15 cover for Steward but he isnt a 15 except for emergencies.

With Lawrence i want him at 13 tbh he's quick powerful and runs good lines to beat defenders.

Who is our 12 and who are our wingers? Really not sure who id take.

 

[Geordie]

Given he wasnt getting England gametime at 10 ive no doubt the experiment was good for him and it wasnt a total failure but with Faz now out of the picture, he need to be a 10 and develop as a 10 who can play the kicking game to pin teams back but then actually has the talent to turn it on.

I think he needs a run in the 6n as first choice 10, i have no issue with him being onfield 15 cover for Steward but he isnt a 15 except for emergencies.

With Lawrence i want him at 13 tbh he's quick powerful and runs good lines to beat defenders.

Who is our 12 and who are our wingers? Really not sure who id take.

Yeah totally agree. Ive never really been sold on Smith...but now...just put him in the driving seat and tell him to run the show. Tactical and game management then open up when its on.

The midfield will be interesting. Lots of talented but as of yet unproven youngsters. SB needs to pick a couple and stick with them. Apparently Fraser Dingwall has been impressive...maybe Saints fans can confirm that one.

We also need to be making sure we bring Steward in to the line more like he does or has done for Tigers. Hes a big powerful guy...he can break the gainline...and create space for good support runners.

And then Freeman. A temporary injury cover at 13...but hes excelling...so is that his main position....

 

[Saintjay]

Yeah totally agree. Ive never really been sold on Smith...but now...just put him in the driving seat and tell him to run the show. Tactical and game management then open up when its on.

The midfield will be interesting. Lots of talented but as of yet unproven youngsters. SB needs to pick a couple and stick with them. Apparently Fraser Dingwall has been impressive...maybe Saints fans can confirm that one.

We also need to be making sure we bring Steward in to the line more like he does or has done for Tigers. Hes a big powerful guy...he can break the gainline...and create space for good support runners.

And then Freeman. A temporary injury cover at 13...but hes excelling...so is that his main position....

I think Freeman is technically a full back who can play wing and centre. If he prefers Smith as a full back still it'll be a **** take.

I'd also have a look at Ollie Sleightholme for wing, Furbank is also going well. That's purely with my Saints one eyed biase. England have a few options for young wingers if Borthwick chooses them.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Yeah totally agree. Ive never really been sold on Smith...but now...just put him in the driving seat and tell him to run the show. Tactical and game management then open up when its on.

The midfield will be interesting. Lots of talented but as of yet unproven youngsters. SB needs to pick a couple and stick with them. Apparently Fraser Dingwall has been impressive...maybe Saints fans can confirm that one.

We also need to be making sure we bring Steward in to the line more like he does or has done for Tigers. Hes a big powerful guy...he can break the gainline...and create space for good support runners.

And then Freeman. A temporary injury cover at 13...but hes excelling...so is that his main position....

Dingwall always plays well although he's normally more a 13 rather than 12. The thing id say is that he's a great defensive leader and great tackler but I don't know if he's too small for an international centre.

 

[Geordie]

I think Freeman is technically a full back who can play wing and centre. If he prefers Smith as a full back still it'll be a **** take.

I'd also have a look at Ollie Sleightholme for wing, Furbank is also going well. That's purely with my Saints one eyed biase. England have a few options for young wingers if Borthwick chooses them.

Sleightholme is one of my favorite wingers in the prem. if fit...he MUST be looked at.

Well Tana Umaga was a winger..but became a great centre...i keep hearing that Freeman is playing great..so maybe he might be the same.