England 2024/25

[McTallshort]

They are getting rid of the overseas player rule?

 

[McTallshort]

No no wait! Stefon Armitage is getting picked at 7?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

They are getting rid of the overseas player rule?

Could actually see it being this tbf

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Eddie Jones joining as defence coach.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Oversees rule wouldn't really help England though.

 

[BPM]

Really? I'd have reservations about the long term effects of scrapping it, but from an immediate POV, we'd be most likely adding Marchant, Willis, Sinckler, Arundell, Kpoku and Ribbans to the squad. A couple of those would have a good chance of making the starting XV and the rest would all have a good shout of making the 23. I'd say that will help …

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I would only be adding Willis and Marchant to that squad, idk how Sinckler is doing these days but being away from England is prob a good thing.


It's still imo not enough to be making other teams worried

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I would only be adding Willis and Marchant to that squad

I'd probably have Junior Kpoku in - but if not now then having him available in general, for the future, would be a big boost
The others I'm not arsed on - are we really wanting to kill the premiership for the sake of calling up Dave ******* Ribbans?


The press have been banging the drum for a while and making a huge deal about Willis so could see them spinning the idea as a massive positive for English rugby

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

My gut says Kpoku is waiting to see if France pick him by next RWC rather than just wanting to stay in France

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I would only be adding Willis and Marchant to that squad, idk how Sinckler is doing these days but being away from England is prob a good thing.

Apparently he's been in pretty good form.

My guess is that this is one of the RL boys coming over.

Although there is an article behind the Mail paywall about England bracing to spend big on a new coach with an inset picture of Gatland…..

 

[BPM]

I would only be adding Willis and Marchant to that squad, idk how Sinckler is doing these days but being away from England is prob a good thing.


It's still imo not enough to be making other teams worried

Marchant would be immediately into my side at 13. I'm not 100% sure what I'd do with Willis but he's definitely be in my 23.

Retaining Kpoku should be a priority.

Sinckler has been doing very well in France and looks to be back on the right track.

IMO Ribbans is better than Isiekwe, Ewels or any other lock currently in the mix.

I'm not sure the fall out worth it for this group but we also need to think about the likely possibility of more top players making overseas moves.

Tricky one, but my initial post was really just in response to @don't Skip Leg Day's post of 'would it really help?'.

 

[BPM]

Apparently he's been in pretty good form.

My guess is that this is one of the RL boys coming over.

Although there is an article behind the Mail paywall about England bracing to spend big on a new coach with an inset picture of Gatland…..

Yeah - could be. Dom Young would possibly fit their description.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

Surely players from clubs that went under should just be allowed to be selected for England under circumstances, its not like they moved to France because they didn't want to play in England.

 

[Which Tyler]

Surely players from clubs that went under should just be allowed to be selected for England under circumstances, its not like they moved to France because they didn't want to play in England.

First contract in France - yeah; beyond that, nope, they've removed themselves from international contention.
IIRC, they were all given a year's grace, which was probably too short (but had its own logic), but the moment they renew that French contract, they've decided to stay in France, rather than challenge for England selection.

Personally, I wouldn't select anyone who's retired from international rugby, whether they showed that by holding a press conference, announcing their retirement (internationally, or club), or by moving to France / Japan / South Africa

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, Willis was a starter for England while at Toulouse, but then chose to renew knowing that it'd remove him from contention
Arundell did the same

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

Personally I think it would be better for the English game if they dropped the overseas rule now we only have ten teams in the league.

 

[Geordie]

Yeah - could be. Dom Young would possibly fit their description.

As a centre, fb or winger?

Im not sold on bringing him in. Hes on £300k already i think over there in Oz. We have some very talented young wingers coming through.

Back 3 in my opinion is not nearly as big an issue as other positions in the team

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Marchant would be immediately into my side at 13. I'm not 100% sure what I'd do with Willis but he's definitely be in my 23.

Retaining Kpoku should be a priority.

Sinckler has been doing very well in France and looks to be back on the right track.

IMO Ribbans is better than Isiekwe, Ewels or any other lock currently in the mix.

I'm not sure the fall out worth it for this group but we also need to think about the likely possibility of more top players making overseas moves.

Tricky one, but my initial post was really just in response to @don't Skip Leg Day's post of 'would it really help?'.

TBH I'm all in favour of scrapping it. I simply want the best national team….and the stronger that it is, the more the wider game benefits.

Central contracts mean top players will play for their clubs less anyhow. Plus with our player base, squad sizes and only 10 Prem teams a few losses should be easily absorbed and give chances to new talent. Plus as we've seen with Willis and are seeing with Sinckler playing in a different environment may well improve or reinvigorate them.

Realistically the only overseas option is France and that's not a total free for all as there are limits on the number of overseas players they can play.

This can also be controlled by the back door - "play where you like but to be considered for England you have to be available for X training days / weeks and play no more than Y club matches". X and Y being numbers that would be totally unpalatable to French clubs.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

TBH I'm all in favour of scrapping it. I simply want the best national team….and the stronger that it is, the more the wider game benefits.

Central contracts mean top players will play for their clubs less anyhow. Plus with our player base, squad sizes and only 10 Prem teams a few losses should be easily absorbed and give chances to new talent. Plus as we've seen with Willis and are seeing with Sinckler playing in a different environment may well improve or reinvigorate them.

Realistically the only overseas option is France and that's not a total free for all as there are limits on the number of overseas players they can play.

This can also be controlled by the back door - "play where you like but to be considered for England you have to be available for X training days / weeks and play no more than Y club matches". X and Y being numbers that would be totally unpalatable to French clubs.

Agree, big decisions need to be made for English rugby.

 

[BPM]

As a centre, fb or winger?

Im not sold on bringing him in. Hes on £300k already i think over there in Oz. We have some very talented young wingers coming through.

Back 3 in my opinion is not nearly as big an issue as other positions in the team

Well having watched him play he would only be a winger IMO which as you say isn't a priority. If it were, I'd rather have Arundell back - at least he wouldn't have the adaptation of a code switch.