England 2024/25

[LIONSxv]

Or he cant compete with the fact his older brothers are in France and French is their first language etc etc. Plus as Oly said...he has a claus in his contract also. So it really is an unknown.

Lets just focus on the kids this side of the water getting the experience they need and Kpoku will make his mind up.

Being outstanding at 18 year old doesnt always transfer to being outstanding in the seniors eithe.r

Been 6 foot 8 and 19 stone is a plus at 18. As is been the outstanding lock at the WC. Chessum was a beanpole at 18

 

[Rugbyfan564]

The Rugby Football Union is set to make a record loss which could approach £40m when its end-of-year accounts are published in the next month. (Daily Telegraph)

England are working to improve Tom Curry's tackle technique to lower his risk of concussion. (The Times)

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

RAW RUGBY: Devastating new video proves the hype is real around Joel Kpoku | Rugby Onslaught

amp.rugbyonslaught.com

Reminds me of this

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The Rugby Football Union is set to make a record loss which could approach £40m when its end-of-year accounts are published in the next month. (Daily Telegraph)

Such a clickbait ***le:

It is understood that the RFU's finances are planned in four-year cycles based on the timing of the men's World Cup. There is an expectation at Twickenham that the fourth year – in this instance, 2024 – will always be loss-making due to fewer home matches, meaning reduced revenue and increased costs associated with attending a World Cup. Planning takes place to ensure that the RFU is able to invest all revenues back into rugby consistently over a four-year period.

One source told Telegraph Sport that an operating loss had been "expected and planned" and were actually the results of over-performance compared to budget owing to "disciplined financial control".

Sources believe that, generally, the governing body is in a strong financial position with no debt and a "robust" cash position.

 

[Geordie]

Been 6 foot 8 and 19 stone is a plus at 18. As is been the outstanding lock at the WC. Chessum was a beanpole at 18

It certainly is a plus.

But what happens when the smaller lads catch up in size. They often have to develop the skills quicker and then beef out. So much can happen. Hes one to watch most definitely so it will be interesting how he develops and where he goes.

Look at Lewis Chessum.
Captained the U20s and looked like the next coming through...finally a monster at 6'9. Then injury hit and hes lost about a year of rugby at a critical point in his development.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Such a clickbait ***le:

Apparently they only lost £10 million for the year covering 2019 and the last World Cup. So it's a big increase in that.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Apparently they only lost £10 million for the year covering 2019 and the last World Cup. So it's a big increase in that.

Yet did better than predictions

 

[Crash Hamster]

he has a claus in his contract also

Home by Christmas..?

 

[LIONSxv]

It certainly is a plus.

But what happens when the smaller lads catch up in size. They often have to develop the skills quicker and then beef out. So much can happen. Hes one to watch most definitely so it will be interesting how he develops and where he goes.

Look at Lewis Chessum.
Captained the U20s and looked like the next coming through...finally a monster at 6'9. Then injury hit and hes lost about a year of rugby at a critical point in his development.

I watch a lot of U20s and Kpoku is in a different league athletically to Chessum.

 

[Half Pint]

OK so this weekend's game is a complete dead rubber, the least hotly-anticipated game since the WRC 3rd place playoff, and cannot possibly prove anything either way.
But - much as I've been on Bostik's case lately - I've got a funny feeling England could sneak the 2025 6N.

Opening 2 games are Ireland away and France home. Likely to win-one-lose-one. (my money's on winning a tight game in Dublin). Then the other three games are should-wins. Ireland will help us out by beating France in Dublin in round 4.
And then going into the last game in Cardiff, England have an idea of how many points will be needed to win the tournament on points-difference.

Part of me hopes that none of this comes true, England lose every game, SB walks, and we have a chance to get a proper coach instead.

 

[Geordie]

I watch a lot of U20s and Kpoku is in a different league athletically to Chessum.

Different roles require different athleticism...
Anyway...lets see how he develops.

 

[Reiser99]

Different roles require different athleticism...
Anyway...lets see how he develops.

I know there is a bit of difference between 4 & 5, but not that much.

 

[AlRums]

England v Japan: Marcus Smith getting 'better and better'

Fly-half Marcus Smith is getting "better and better" at having a deeper understanding of Test rugby, says England assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Booboobang]

Yet did better than predictions

I mean sure, but predicting loses of greater than 40 million is a terrifying prospect for rugby. Esepcially when they are now outlaying more on central contracts and have nothing planned to help the domestic game...

Kind of like being told you might lose two legs but only losing one.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I mean sure, but predicting loses of greater than 40 million is a terrifying prospect for rugby.

That's just 25% of their 4 year cycle though - apparently the other three were better than expected so the 4yr cycle was a success

Apparently every side other than the host nation makes big losses during a RWC year

Just feels like a clickbate ***le, no one in the know seems concerned about any of it

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

How many concussions has T Curry had?

Just read it's 5 in 2 years. Same article also said he flew home from Aus in 2022 after suffering 3 in 6 months, are those on top?

I guess concussion can be a bit of a catch all term covering different severities, but allied to his other injuries you've got to wonder if we've already seen the best of him. More importantly, are there serious concerns for his welfare?

 

[Reiser99]

How many concussions has T Curry had?

Just read it's 5 in 2 years. Same article also said he flew home from Aus in 2022 after suffering 3 in 6 months, are those on top?

I guess concussion can be a bit of a catch all term covering different severities, but allied to his other injuries you've got to wonder if we've already seen the best of him. More importantly, are there serious concerns for his welfare?

He's becoming another George North, but younger and more likely to get another concussion as a forward too.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

If only Tom had a brother or something like that we could play instead?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

How many concussions has T Curry had?

Just read it's 5 in 2 years. Same article also said he flew home from Aus in 2022 after suffering 3 in 6 months, are those on top?

I guess concussion can be a bit of a catch all term covering different severities, but allied to his other injuries you've got to wonder if we've already seen the best of him. More importantly, are there serious concerns for his welfare?

And let's not forget that Underhill's had more than his share of concussions too.

Maybe knowing what we now know, the "kamikaze kids" epithet doesn't sit particularly comfortably. I hope both are fine in the long term.

 

[Scotty]

Has anything come out as to why Underhill was selected for the NZ and Aus game? Just no reason other than SB didn't pick him?