England 2024/25

[TRF_Olyy]

Poor management by all involved.

Can thank his brother for it - he went to France and the rest of the family followed
Sounds like he had a big falling out with Saracens

 

[Geordie]

What are the genuine options coming through at Lock?

Bamber?
Arthur Clark?
Whats happened to Alfie Bell at Exeter?
Lewis Chessum has stalled due to a long term injury and just getting back...
Ewan Richards?

Are any realistic options a few years down the line?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Isiekwe's still only 26. I'd say he's the best around at restarts which have been a total shambles. Also don't think there's anyone better in the line out, especially attacking opposition ball. He's certainly far more athletic in the air than Martin or CCS and I'd say he's better than Itoje too although Chessum may give him a decent run for his money. He's not a guy you particularly want lurking in midfield but he'll hit rucks hard and make tackles all day long. He's not likely to make the glamour turnovers, but nor is he likely to concede 3 pens per game either. Genuinely big, strong bloke happy to get stuck in to the dirty stuff. For me a bit of a Kruis type although I'm yet to see him back heeling conversions. Disappointing that he's never had a proper run.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Olamide Sodeke at Saracens - Kpoku's second row partner in England u20s
6ft9 and over 19st at 19 years old - looks like he's on loan at Ampthill this season, but played for Sarries in the prem cup

Tom Burrow, at Sale, looks promising - was an injury call up for the u20s this year and trained with England A last week. Only 19, like Sodeke. On loan at Caldy but playing in our prem cup games, and got 5mins in the prem

Isiekwe's still only 26. I'd say he's the best around at restarts which have been a total shambles. Also don't think there's anyone better in the line out, especially attacking opposition ball. He's certainly far more athletic in the air than Martin or CCS and I'd say he's better than Itoje too although Chessum may give him a decent run for his money. He's not a guy you particularly want lurking in midfield but he'll hit rucks hard and make tackles all day long. He's not likely to make the glamour turnovers, but nor is he likely to concede 3 pens per game either. Genuinely big, strong bloke happy to get stuck in to the dirty stuff. For me a bit of a Kruis type although I'm yet to see him back heeling conversions. Disappointing that he's never had a proper run.

Yeah, I'm still on the Isiekwe train - hoping that settling at lock, and getting over his health issues, sees him kick on now
26 is no age for a tight 5 forward
He's a very good lineout operator too, especially defensively - think it was vs Bristol where he stole several in a row and stopped Bristol getting any foothold in the game

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

In terms of locks it's crazy that Martin and Ollie Chessum are 23 and 24

Tuima is 24 and only 2 seasons into his lock stint but looks good
I think we are generally fine for locks going forward


Really the forwards in generally has a lot of promising youngster coming up

 

[Geordie]

In terms of locks it's crazy that Martin and Ollie Chessum are 23 and 24

Tuima is 24 and only 2 seasons into his lock stint but looks good
I think we are generally fine for locks going forward


Really the forwards in generally has a lot of promising youngster coming up

Yeah...definitely...compare to the experience South Africa had in that team last weekend.

 

[Geordie]

Olamide Sodeke at Saracens - Kpoku's second row partner in England u20s
6ft9 and over 19st at 19 years old - looks like he's on loan at Ampthill this season, but played for Sarries in the prem cup

Tom Burrow, at Sale, looks promising - was an injury call up for the u20s this year and trained with England A last week. Only 19, like Sodeke. On loan at Caldy but playing in our prem cup games, and got 5mins in the prem


Yeah, I'm still on the Isiekwe train - hoping that settling at lock, and getting over his health issues, sees him kick on now
26 is no age for a tight 5 forward
He's a very good lineout operator too, especially defensively - think it was vs Bristol where he stole several in a row and stopped Bristol getting any foothold in the game

Ah yes i forget about Sodeke, see how he comes through.

Im just not sold yet on Isiekwe at this level. Hes clearly a very good prem and Euro operator, but hasnt sold it at this level yet. But maybe he hasnt had the run of games to get settled....

 

[BPM]

Joe Bailey (Exeter) was good for the U20s too.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Shame Chessum's not fit as I really wouldn't mind seeing what this back 5 would be capable of:

Isiekwe
Martin
Chessum
Underhill
CCS

Feels pretty balanced. Might lack a little in creativity, but still plenty of go forward, bulk, power, height and a fair bit of abrasiveness. Strong set piece. No turnover kings but I reckon they'd do OK. And overall pretty young.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Iseikwe is a great premiership player but he never seems to step up to international rugby. I get he's only young still but I wonder if he's just not top drawer.

Also I don't think we need to ever worry about locks for some time.

Itoje 30 - so around 4 plus more years left
Martin 23 - 10 plus years left
Chessum 24 - 10 plus years of rugby left
Coles 25 - 9 plus years of rugby left


Coles needs a real run of games to see if he can operate at the top level. He's not had enough chances.

I hate tigers but really Martin and Chessum should be out nailed on 4 and 5 for the next 10 years.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Murley and T.Curry in, Daly and Ewels out

Hill being retained is a good sign

...actual positive changes?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Murley and T.Curry in, Daly and Ewels out

Hill being retained is a good sign

...actual positive changes?

AOF also in.

Why would you bring T Curry back for this? We won't need him, he's had problems, we know what he can do. We'll learn nothing and risk further injury.

 

[Crash Hamster]

Curry for Ewels? Time to dredge out the 'Borthwick thinks he's been picking Dave Ewers all along' joke again....

 

[Rugbyfan564]

AOF also in.

Why would you bring T Curry back for this? We won't need him, he's had problems, we know what he can do. We'll learn nothing and risk further injury.

AOF was in last time as well so didn't need to be added.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Iseikwe is a great premiership player but he never seems to step up to international rugby. I get he's only young still but I wonder if he's just not top drawer.

Also I don't think we need to ever worry about locks for some time.

Itoje 30 - so around 4 plus more years left
Martin 23 - 10 plus years left
Chessum 24 - 10 plus years of rugby left
Coles 25 - 9 plus years of rugby left


Coles needs a real run of games to see if he can operate at the top level. He's not had enough chances.

I hate tigers but really Martin and Chessum should be out nailed on 4 and 5 for the next 10 years.

How many other countries have all their locks who can / have played 6 a fair bit for either club or country? You never saw Retallick, Whitelock or Etzebeth in a back row. Too many generalists, not enough specialists?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Why would you bring T Curry back for this?

Guessing it's cause of EPS change numbers -
Ewels came in for the injured Chessum
Hill came in for the injured Curry
We want to keep Hill now that Curry is fit again so we release Ewels and change Hill's paperwork to be in place of Chessum

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Daly is injured according to the BBC.

Borthwick expected Feyi - Waboso to be back but he hasn't made it back.