England 2024/25

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Wait, really?
I presumed it was on one of the rest weeks, how weird

Nope. England will be away in Scotland that weekend. So I think we'll see 14 players called up to the squad that week. That way England can take their usual 23 + 2 TRs to go to the Scotland game and leave the A squad with 23 + 2 to play in Twickenham. Total of 50 players in camp that week.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Nope. England will be away in Scotland that weekend. So I think we'll see 14 players called up to the squad that week. That way England can take their usual 23 + 2 TRs to go to the Scotland game and leave the A squad with 23 + 2 to play in Twickenham. Total of 50 players in camp that week.

Ah I get it now.

Could potentially mean we get established players in the A game though which is rather pointless though - theoretically is Spencer leapfrogs Care, or LCD Langdon, the latter will play in the A game in those circumstances?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Could potentially mean we get established players in the A game though which is rather pointless though - theoretically is Spencer leapfrogs Care, or LCD Langdon, the latter will play in the A game in those circumstances?

Almost certainly will do. But in all honesty I don't hate that or think it's entirely pointless. As long as the squad is mostly development players then having the odd experienced head around to steer the ship probably won't be such a bad thing.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Almost certainly will do. But in all honesty I don't hate that or think it's entirely pointless. As long as the squad is mostly development players then having the odd experienced head around to steer the ship probably won't be such a bad thing.

Yep, the A team will naturally have a younger bias but should be about next cabs off the rank for the senior set up whether those are 20, 25 or 30.

The A team need regular fixtures and should also be set up to play in the same way as the senior team even if that's dull and ugly. IFW tearing it up in a Saints style A team would tell us nothing if all the senior wings do is chase high kicks.

That's all predicated on an element of being joined up. It'll never catch on.

Article in the Times about the amount of information Borthwick got before appointing George. To most it was a no brainer mainly on the grounds there was no-one else and he's one of the few guaranteed his place. Not good enough for our Borthers - nope, he undertook a full "network analysis" and seems inordinately proud of the amount of info he obtained. It's just got to be a joyless environment.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

It saddens me that Adam Radwan not getting selected in an England squad is no longer surprising enough to warrant comment or any newspaper reports.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Article in the Times about the amount of information Borthwick got before appointing George. To most it was a no brainer mainly on the grounds there was no-one else and he's one of the few guaranteed his place. Not good enough for our Borthers - nope, he undertook a full "network analysis" and seems inordinately proud of the amount of info he obtained. It's just got to be a joyless environment.

I'm hoping Jamie George will help in that respect. Strikes me as a captain that will run a more fun and inclusive camp than Farrell and act as a balance to Borthwick - which should suit a squad with so many fresh faces.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I'm hoping Jamie George will help in that respect. Strikes me as a captain that will run a more fun and inclusive camp than Farrell and act as a balance to Borthwick - which should suit a squad with so many fresh faces.

Let's hope so although a lot of the new faces will just be pleased to be there and will either lap up everything they hear or, at least, won't challenge it.

That's why the leadership of the senior players and open mindedness of the coaching team are so important.

 

[BPM]

Yep, the A team will naturally have a younger bias but should be about next cabs off the rank for the senior set up whether those are 20, 25 or 30.

The A team need regular fixtures and should also be set up to play in the same way as the senior team even if that's dull and ugly. IFW tearing it up in a Saints style A team would tell us nothing if all the senior wings do is chase high kicks.

That's all predicated on an element of being joined up. It'll never catch on.

Article in the Times about the amount of information Borthwick got before appointing George. To most it was a no brainer mainly on the grounds there was no-one else and he's one of the few guaranteed his place. Not good enough for our Borthers - nope, he undertook a full "network analysis" and seems inordinately proud of the amount of info he obtained. It's just got to be a joyless environment.

I actually thought he 'network analysis' piece was quite good. It would probably have revealed who might be quietly influential and will definitely have identified who the real leaders are.

 

[Becca]

Sport isn't supposed to be run by spreadsheets.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I actually thought he 'network analysis' piece was quite good. It would probably have revealed who might be quietly influential and will definitely have identified who the real leaders are.

Maybe, but leaders are always obvious even if their style is quieter.

What I have liked about Borthwick is the way he seemingly keeps up a dialogue with players.

Also Roots was recommended by Richard Hill after watching him in a Premiership Cup match. SB's line was pretty much if "a back rower's good enough for Richard Hill he's good enough for me". Hallelujah to that. Good data used well can help, but nothing beats expert instinct.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Is Northmore viewed more as a 12 option going forward after his injury for Quins?

 

[Geordie]

One of my pals is a saints fan and season ticket holder....and he insists most of the Saints fans do view Dingwalls first choice position as a 12. He also said he does look like hes put some muscle on...but generally he hits harder than what his frame might suggest. He wants Dingwall starting at 12 with Lawrence at 13...and Freeman at 14.

 

[Saintjay]

At least we know the reason of some of the stranger Borthwick decisions. Computer says No.

Listening to the BBC, Chris Ashton pointing out Steve Borthwick identified a reason for Saints success this year......they kick it more.

 

[Crash Hamster]

At least we know the reason of some of the stranger Borthwick decisions. Computer says No.

Listening to the BBC, Chris Ashton pointing out Steve Borthwick identified a reason for Saints success this year......they kick it more.

And there's me thinking it was a much improved defence allied to a scintillating attack putting the ball through hands to score some of those whaddyacall'ems...

Guess that's why I'm a full-time cartoon hamster...

 

[BrokenWing]

Wait, really?
I presumed it was on one of the rest weeks, how weird

That would have made more sense...

To me anyway

 

[ncurd]

Statistical analysis is great you can learns tons from it. What's really important though is presenting and explaining the data correctly so wrong conclusions can't be attained.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Harry Mallinder also going to try NFL as a kicker / punter. On the bottom of the international pathway list

 

[BrokenWing]

Managed to go two years without playing a game for the club

Edit: He was binned by them last year, so what's he been doing for the last 9 months?

Edit Edit: I suppose the same as he was doing for the previous two years, nowt.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Harry Mallinder also going to try NFL as a kicker / punter. On the bottom of the international pathway list

At least he won't have to tackle.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

One of my pals is a saints fan and season ticket holder....and he insists most of the Saints fans do view Dingwalls first choice position as a 12. He also said he does look like hes put some muscle on...but generally he hits harder than what his frame might suggest. He wants Dingwall starting at 12 with Lawrence at 13...and Freeman at 14.

Im surprised to learn that Fraser Dingwall is only 24. I thought he had been around for years.