England 2024/25

[Which Tyler]

What kind of stats though because some stats are boosted or hindered based on who you play for.

A stato would be well aware of that, and almost certainly not using the sort of stats that you or I would have access to (or even necessarily think of).

IIRC it was Borthwick who got Eddie focussing on (something like) the time to be freestanding after any contact (whether tackler, ball carrier, ruck, maul, scrum, lineout or whatever, presumably with different requirements for each, and different flavours for each)

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

I agree that Marcus has necessarily got the best out of the team. However, in the AIs in particular, he got a very ropey platform from the forwards which massively limited his options. I don't think we had a particular problem getting the backline moving at the end of the 6N or in NZ but I think we really missed Mitchell's speed of delivery and sniping threat to keep defences guessing. In the AIs Marcus had to pull rabbits out of hats and then gets criticised for being 'too individual'. I suspect Fin, Ford or most other 10s would have had similar struggles but probably wouldn't have had the flair/ability to conjure anything up and quite possibly failed to get us beyond the gainline or just kicked away possession. We'll never know but IMO, England would almost certainly have scored less points without Marcus' ability to create something out of nothing.

The other thing I find weird is the claim that Marcus only creates for himself. Total rubbish. Take Walker's try at the weekend as a prime example: he uses his individual skills to create space and will usually pick out the best supporting runner. That's no different for England. If anything, I feel like we should be criticising other England players for not being alive to the opportunities Marcus creates. It's not like he's just starting playing the way he does.

But by all means, let's blame our only bright spot.

The Harlequins players are on the same wavelength as Smith but the England players are not always.

 

[higgik]

The Harlequins players are on the same wavelength as Smith but the England players are not always.

Harlequins, when playing well, have a very simple set up.
Players run lines off the carrier, expecting the offload. Smiths job is to pick the right 1st carrier into the soft shoulder.
If he cannot see the gap, he gives it to the 'option' of a strong carrier to create the next phase.
If the gap is for him, he goes for it, with others also following the gap.
Recently they have been trying to develop this and struggling.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

England fringe players who could force way into Six Nations squad

The promising Asher Opoku-Fordjour and Henry Pollock are among those hoping to force their way into Steve Borthwick’s squad later this month

www.thetimes.com

Mentions Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Bevan Rodd, Henry Pollock, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Tom Pearson. Tom Willis, Raffi Quirke, Alex Lozowski, Luke Northmore, Fraser Dingwall, Oscar Beard, Joe Cokanasiga,

 

[Which Tyler]

Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Bevan Rodd, Henry Pollock, Ted Hill, Guy Pepper, Tom Pearson. Tom Willis, Raffi Quirke, Alex Lozowski, Luke Northmore, Fraser Dingwall, Oscar Beard, Joe Cokanasiga,

AOF: probably will, but hopefully not. No problem with him attending training sessions as an apprentice, but he has a child's bones.
BR: already in the squad, so doesn't really need to force his way in
HP: would love to have him as an apprentice, but I'd want him to have more senior rugby in his brain before making any match-day squads
TH: Borthwick doesn't like him, probably based on his stat.s
GP: a good option, but is there room for him?
TP: a good option, but is there room for him?
TW: should have been in the squad already (for Dombrandt)
RQ: all potential, barely any realisation, just back from lengthy injury - let him develop outside of the spotlight for a bit (Is Mitchell available?)
AL: yep, should be there already, an upgrade on Slade, and someone who can play 12 inside Lawrence
LN: not sold on him, feels more like desperation to find someone, anyone
FD: not sold on him either, but higher up the pecking order than Northmore
OB: probably the best option of these 3, but behind AL for me
JC: no thanks

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Bit odd that they didn't mention hooker given they did an interview with LCD a couple of days ago in which they said how well he's going now he's more or less got two functioning arms again.

I'd have him over Dan in a match day 23 and before his problems he was in a proper dust up with George for the starting shirt. George will be 35 later this year and seldom plays more than 50 now for club or country. Subbing your captain so early isn't helpful and before you shout Kolisi at me, he's surrounded by on field leaders the likes of which we don't have.

We've got 2 hookers on central contracts but before the year's out I could see neither as the starting 2. This might get interesting.

 

[Geordie]

1 month till our first game in the 6n and is it bad to say I'm more interested by the summer tour
I have little faith in an away game v Ireland

 

[Geordie]

We've got 2 hookers on central contracts but before the year's out I could see neither as the starting 2. This might get interesting.

Yeah definitely....

 

[Geordie]

1.Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Bevan Rodd
Marler and Cole gone, so is AOF a replacement for Cole and Rodd for Marler. Maybe Rodd can challenge the highly uninspiring Genge. I do think Fasogabon would have had a good chance of that 3rd TH Spot had he been fit...

7.Henry Pollock, Guy Pepper, Tom Pearson
Who do they replace? I honestly think these guys will be looked at on the summer tour.

6.Ted Hill
Not been fancied so I can't see him being selected

8.Tom Willis
Definitely should be picked.

9.Raffi Quirke
The guy is has literally just come back and has a bad record of injuries. Let him see the season through for Sale...maybe consider the Summer tour if he stays fit.

12.Alex Lozowski
Should maybe have been in previously, but has that ship sailed now. Or is he a stop gap 12 until someone comes through. (Atkinson?)

13.Luke Northmore/Fraser Dingwall/Oscar Beard,
Dingwall was tried and not fancied...I really like Beard. He might be an answer but again I think that'll be in the summer.

14.Joe Cokanasiga
I think we have better wingers now to work with.....

I honestly don't think there'll be any major changes to the squad or the match day 15 /23

 

[BPM]

1 month till our first game in the 6n and is it bad to say I'm more interested by the summer tour
I have little faith in an away game v Ireland

OTOH, playing them first is the best opportunity to catch them cold.

They also weren't overly impressive in the AIs and who knows what impact Farrell be in away from camp will have?

I'd still have Ireland as strong favourites, but I think we have an outside shot of pulling off a win.

 

[BPM]

1.Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Bevan Rodd
Marler and Cole gone, so is AOF a replacement for Cole and Rodd for Marler. Maybe Rodd can challenge the highly uninspiring Genge. I do think Fasogabon would have had a good chance of that 3rd TH Spot had he been fit...

7.Henry Pollock, Guy Pepper, Tom Pearson
Who do they replace? I honestly think these guys will be looked at on the summer tour.

6.Ted Hill
Not been fancied so I can't see him being selected

8.Tom Willis
Definitely should be picked.

9.Raffi Quirke
The guy is has literally just come back and has a bad record of injuries. Let him see the season through for Sale...maybe consider the Summer tour if he stays fit.

12.Alex Lozowski
Should maybe have been in previously, but has that ship sailed now. Or is he a stop gap 12 until someone comes through. (Atkinson?)

13.Luke Northmore/Fraser Dingwall/Oscar Beard,
Dingwall was tried and not fancied...I really like Beard. He might be an answer but again I think that'll be in the summer.

14.Joe Cokanasiga
I think we have better wingers now to work with.....

I honestly don't think there'll be any major changes to the squad or the match day 15 /23

Agree on most of this. Joe Heyes has been in good form this season so I can see him taking the 18 shirt with AOF as an apprentice.

I'm not sure that 'Dingwall was tried and not fancied'. I think he is still in the mix and I'd argue that captaining the A side is probably better than being in the senior squad and not making the 23 like Lozowski and Northmore. At least he got to show what he can do in a competitive setting.

 

[Geordie]

Agree on most of this. Joe Heyes has been in good form this season so I can see him taking the 18 shirt with AOF as an apprentice.

I'm not sure that 'Dingwall was tried and not fancied'. I think he is still in the mix and I'd argue that captaining the A side is probably better than being in the senior squad and not making the 23 like Lozowski and Northmore. At least he got to show what he can do in a competitive setting.

Yes Joe has been much better. Stuart has the starting TH spot at the moment..and the other 2 really are wide open ..it could well be Heyes and AOF.

I'm just not convinced that Dingwall can move it up to the international level. Does he have the physicality for it. I kay he completely wrong of course.
Beard is about 6'3 and about 15st and will probably naturally put on some weight.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Don't get the point in only doing two games in Argentina - hope they chuck in one, or two, vs Tier 2 sides while with in South America too

More likely to see a Barbarians game at Twickenham for the £££ though

 

[Geordie]

Don't get the point in only doing two games in Argentina - hope they chuck in one, or two, vs Tier 2 sides while with in South America too

More likely to see a Barbarians game at Twickenham for the £££ though

There's a 3rd game v USA but yes a few local South American games might be good

 

[Which Tyler]

There's a 3rd game v USA but yes a few local South American games might be good

Would be good, if we can swing it, to take a larger party, and give the A-team run outs against Canada, Uruguay and Chile for example.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

There were only two matches in New Zealand plus one in Japan last summer.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, I thought that was stupid too tbf - should've had either a third test, a NZ Maori game or at the very least a Super Rugby game

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

 

[Saintjay]

I always thought his job was to scrum and walk from ruck to ruck. Occasionally leaning on someone for a breather when finaly he got there.