England 2024/25

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Happy with that tbh, super happy for Beard, though a little surprised. CCS is interesting, the bloke clearly has potential but I'm not sure he's Eng ready yet tbh

 

[Rugbyfan564]

'Alfie Barbeary, is omitted but Telegraph Sport understands the No 8 could still feature in the championship pending the outcome of his disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.'

'George Martin, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Raffi Quirke and Jack van Poortvliet are included as part of a rehabilitation group.'

 

[Scotty]

Has anyone got it sorted by positions? Makes it so much easier.

Im actually pretty happy, thought Barbs would be in, CCS a surprise but maybe seeing what he can do as he is a prospect. Waboso happy for him, not sure he's ready but is very much a good talent. And Beard is still out of nowhere for me, isnt he behind Esterhuizen and Will Joseph for first choice at quins? Roots is a very physical player and nationality aside he could be good for England.

Need to have a better look at it all though.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Position breakdown:
LP: Genge, Marler, Obano
HK: Cowan-Dickie, Dan, George
TP: Cole, Heyes, Stuart
LK: Chessum, Coles Isiekwe, Itoje
FL: Curry, Earl, Pearson, Roots, Underhill
N8: Cunningham-South, Dombrandt
SH: Care, Mitchell, Spencer
FH: Ford, F. Smith, M. Smith
IC: N/A
OC: Beard, Dingwall, Lawrence, Slade
WG: Daly, Feyi-Waboso, Freeman, Roebuck
FB: Furbank, Steward

Initial thoughts are that there's a lot to like and a lot not to like.

My main positives:
- Overall there's quite a fresh look to the squad. A lot of new faces and a lot of in-form players.
- A young tighthead brought in for Sinckler.
- No Vunipolas.
- No Cokanasiga.
- No Malins.

Negatives:
- LCD over Langdon.
- I don't love that Roots is included. Obviously the fact that he's not particularly English but also that I'm not sure he's justified it on form.
- Cunningham-South over Barbeary (edit: apparently Barbeary may be included at a later date pending his disciplinary outcome) or Mercer.
- Not a single specialist 12.

Overall though you can make a very decent 23 out of that squad.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

And Beard is still out of nowhere for me, isnt he behind Esterhuizen and Will Joseph for first choice at quins?

He's been great whilst Joseph has been out and can play wing too tbf, that may have helped him

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

My guess at positions
1. Marler, Genge, Obano
2. George, Dan, LCD
3. Cole, Stuart, Heyes
4. Itoje, Coles
5. Chessum, Isiekwe
6. Pearson, Roots, CCS,
7. Underhill, Curry,
8. Earl, Dombrandt
9. Mitchell, Spencer, Care
10. Ford, Smith, Smith
11. Daly, IFW
12. Lawrence, Dingwall
13. Slade, Beard,
14. Freeman, Roebuck
15. Steward, Furbank

I reckon the first team will be
1. Marler, 2. George, 3. Cole, 4. Itoje, 5. Chessum, 6. Pearson, 7. Underhill, 8. Earl
9. Mitchell, 10. M.Smith, 11. Daly, 12. Larewnce, 13. Slade, 14. Steward, 15. Furbank
16. Dan, 17. Obano, 18. Stuart, 19. Isiekwe, 20. Dombrandt, 21. Spencer, 22. Ford, 23. Freeman

 

[Welsh Exile]

Boooooooo Feyi Waboso Boooooooooo

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

'Alfie Barbeary, is omitted but Telegraph Sport understands the No 8 could still feature in the championship pending the outcome of his disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.'

'George Martin, Manu Tuilagi, Anthony Watson, Raffi Quirke and Jack van Poortvliet are included as part of a rehabilitation group.'

Makes sense he's gonna get banned tbh so seems like CCS is prob an apprentice until Alfie might be available.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Boooooooo Feyi Waboso Boooooooooo

If only yours rules encouraged him to stay and study outside of wales, would've been a great LRZ replacement

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Makes sense he's gonna get banned tbh so seems like CCS is prob an apprentice until Alfie might be available.

Would have preferred Fisilau if he was gonna bring in an apprentice 8. Playing much better rugby than CCS at the same age.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

We have had less English players than Roots. Heinz for example was eligible just a grandmother.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

'Alfie Barbeary, is omitted but Telegraph Sport understands the No 8 could still feature in the championship pending the outcome of his disciplinary hearing on Wednesday.'

Ah, definitely trying to game the system re: his ban, as if he's in the EPS he's not available for the next round of the prem so it'd eat into the 6N

Raffi being in the squad as walking wounded is a joke

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Would have preferred Fisilau if he was gonna bring in an apprentice 8. Playing much better rugby than CCS at the same age.

I agree I guess CCS size is prob the biggest draw. I reckon Borthwick is hoping he can be his new Vunipola.

Gutted about Martin still I feel most of our scrum wins v SA was down to his power behind Cole.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

- A young tighthead brought in for Sinckler.

Not a very good one, though - should've been Painter

Though, tbf, Heyes is probably still an upgrade on Sinckler

 

[Geordie]

Position breakdown:
LP: Genge, Marler, Obano
HK: Cowan-Dickie, Dan, George
TP: Cole, Heyes, Stuart
LK: Chessum, Coles Isiekwe, Itoje
FL: Curry, Earl, Pearson, Roots, Underhill
N8: Cunningham-South, Dombrandt
SH: Care, Mitchell, Spencer
FH: Ford, F. Smith, M. Smith
IC: N/A
OC: Beard, Dingwall, Lawrence, Slade
WG: Daly, Feyi-Waboso, Freeman, Roebuck
FB: Furbank, Steward

Initial thoughts are that there's a lot to like and a lot not to like.

My main positives:
- Overall there's quite a fresh look to the squad. A lot of new faces and a lot of in-form players.
- A young tighthead brought in for Sinckler.
- No Vunipolas.
- No Cokanasiga.

Negatives:
- LCD over Langdon.
- I don't love that Roots is included. Obviously the fact that he's not particularly English but also that I'm not sure he's justified it on form.
- Cunningham-South over Barbeary (edit: apparently Barbeary may be included at a later date pending his disciplinary outcome) or Mercer.
- Not a single specialist 12.

Overall though you can make a very decent 23 out of that squad.

Ive said previously i think we're about 6 months to a year out from having genuine options there....Ojomoh and Atkinson not really puttig their hand up...Kelly playing 13 and Hartley still learning his trade.

Looks like we'll be having roving centres...moving between 12 and 13 depending on plays and attack / defence.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Not a very good one, though - should've been Painter

Though, tbf, Heyes is probably still an upgrade on Sinckler

Heyes has been better as the season has gone on tbh.
I'm guessing the fact Borthwick and Harrison will know him well will prob swing it.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

What odds would you have got on that squad at the start of the season? Or even yesterday?

A mixed bag, let's see what SB makes of it. Could be exciting or a disaster.

Mercer on the phone to France as we speak.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Mercer shouldn't have signed for Gloucester.
Hmm maybe he can force a move to Tigers next season as Wiese replacement...


Tigers are ****** v Quins missing both cole and Heyes (Our 3rd choice also call up by Scotland )

 

[Scotty]

Ive said previously i think we're about 6 months to a year out from having genuine options there....Ojomoh and Atkinson not really puttig their hand up...Kelly playing 13 and Hartley still learning his trade.

Looks like we'll be having roving centres...moving between 12 and 13 depending on plays and attack / defence.

Switching 12/13 during the game can work and could be a very good option playing to the strengths of both players....

...as long as both players stay fit as you cant chop and change this strategy, one injury and its done. who ever is incharge of attack(not even sure) has a solid game plan that plays to this otherwise it could be a weakness given one of them is always out of position.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

I agree I guess CCS size is prob the biggest draw. I reckon Borthwick is hoping he can be his new Vunipola.

I disagree actually, part of me now thinking that CCS may be there as a "lock style 6" option, despite him not actually being a lock