England 2024/25

[Rugbyfan564]

'Vunipola's Test retirement increases the likelihood of a rookie loosehead being blooded during the Six Nations, though Steve Borthwick is hopeful that Ellis Genge and Joe Marler will be fit. Beno Obano has looked sturdy for Bath. Tarek Haffar, the dynamic Northampton Saint, is understood to have attended this week's camp. Fin Baxter of Harlequins and Phil Brantingham of Newcastle Falcons are also rated highly. All three would-be debutants are highly exciting prospects, mobile and strong.'

 

[Geordie]

If you surround them with some experience then a rookie at LH is not a problem and welcome...we need to blood a few of these.

1.Obano V Baxter
2. George
3. Cole

Brantingham would be a bench option..or maybe a A game option.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

1.Obano V Baxter
2. George
3. Cole

Brantingham would be a bench option..or maybe a A game option.

Personally see it much more as 1. Obano 17. Brantingham vs Baxter (with Brantingham marginally ahead)

 

[Geordie]

Yeah possibly...but Beno is 29 with an injury history...SB might think sod it...and bring through a couple of youngsters with the old boys at hooker and tighthead.

 

[Geordie]

Freeman has to be in the squad...abd probably should be starting.

 

[BPM]

Personally see it much more as 1. Obano 17. Brantingham vs Baxter (with Brantingham marginally ahead)

I think it's pretty even between Baxter and Brantingham, but I agree, Obano should be starting.

Seems like Haffar has made a good impression so could be a good shout for the A squad.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

29 not that old for a prop, though - easily got a RWC cycle in him

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Yeah 29 is plenty young enough to make the next World Cup. Agree that the injury record is a concern though.

I think it's pretty even between Baxter and Brantingham, but I agree, Obano should be starting.

Seems like Haffar has made a good impression so could be a good shout for the A squad.

Yeah completely agree it's pretty much neck and neck between Baxter and Brantingham. Like I said personally I'd give the marginal edge to Brantingham right now but wouldn't be at all disappointed to see Baxter instead.

I do find it a little odd that Haffar seems to be very much in Borthwick's thoughts. He's specifically name checked him a couple of times now. But from what I can tell he's the same age group as Baxter and Brantingham yet only has 1 prem start to his name and is behind another very young looshead at Saints; Iyogun. He seems like a handy enough player but just think he's a strange guy to repeatedly single out as a prospect.

 

[Geordie]

29 not that old for a prop, though - easily got a RWC cycle in him

He could..or Baxter / Brantingham could make 2 or 3?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

He could..or Baxter / Brantingham could make 2 or 3?

When it comes to World Cups I think it's probably best to take them one at a time.

 

[Geordie]

When it comes to World Cups I think it's probably best to take them one at a time.

To be honest I'd rather not even think about the world Cup.. I prefer to build a team for the next competition...6n..simmer, AIS etc...evolve the team and the world Cup shpuld look after itself.

But if you have the chance to put a few youngsters in...who you can develop and then take the chance...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He could..or Baxter / Brantingham could make 2 or 3?

Just cause Obano is (hypothetically) first choice it doesn't mean everyone else is iced for 4 years

To be honest I'd rather not even think about the world Cup.. I prefer to build a team for the next competition...6n..simmer, AIS etc...evolve the team and the world Cup shpuld look after itself.

Obano a no brainer then, surely?
Best of the three, as it stands

 

[Geordie]

Just cause Obano is (hypothetically) first choice it doesn't mean everyone else is iced for 4 years


Obano a no brainer then, surely?
Best of the three, as it stands

Did I say he'd be Iced?

And did you read the last part I wrote?

Stick with Marler , Genge then Brantingham and Baxter coming through.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Don't really understand your argument at all tbh, you're contradicting yourself in these two

He could..or Baxter / Brantingham could make 2 or 3?

To be honest I'd rather not even think about the world Cup.. I prefer to build a team for the next competition...6n..simmer, AIS etc...evolve the team and the world Cup shpuld look after itself.

But if you have the chance to put a few youngsters in...who you can develop and then take the chance...

 

[Geordie]

Don't really understand your argument at all tbh, you're contradicting yourself in these two

I think its quite clear.
Genge and Marler are the first choice and not out long term.

Obano might be the best at the moment but doesn't have much improvement in him unlike Baxter and Brantingham who do and aren't far away from Obano now.

The two senior players will be back soon...so blood one of the young boys and then Marler and Genge will be back.

Is that difficult to understand?

 

[BPM]

I don't think it's that contentious either way.

Obano has proved over a good period of time that he is a very good loosehead. But for his injuries, I think he's have had a decent amount of caps.

I'm always a little cautious with young props. We've had a good few who looked highly promising at 22 only to look nowhere near test level by 27/28. Let's use Paul Hill as exhibit A. I'd rather we introduce them slowly rather than rush.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

******* hell the front row is uhhhh
.. interesting, now. Really hoped we would be looking at not Jamie George for 80 ******* minutes a little bit.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

******* hell the front row is uhhhh
.. interesting, now. Really hoped we would be looking at not Jamie George for 80 ******* minutes a little bit.

Hooker hasn't been affected at all?

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Eddie Jones ruined the hooker and SH positions really. But then in his defence, SB has not trusted his back up hookers either.

 

[BPM]

As I said before, McGuigan is the biggest head scratcher for me. He's dropped off a little recently, but at Newcastle he was easily one of the best hookers in the Premiership even in a struggling side.

Blamire may still come good, but realistically all of the caps he, Dunn, Langdon, Dolly and Walker have acquired should really have gone to McGuigan.

Rather than the token minutes most of those got, he could have been a genuine and far less injury prone alternative to LCD with plenty of caps by now.