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England 2024/25

I think Marcus will start at 10. Mitchel at 9 gives him a nice managing player around him.

We just need to find a proper 12.
 
Times also suggests Jack Kenningham should be looked at.
 
I think it would be madness to have Marcus Smith as starting 15 for England in the 6 nations. Especially against Ireland. Your also asking who's covering 10 and 15 if either get injured. Unless you're looking at Freeman as the back three cover.

Might as well say to all the England qualified fullbacks. "Your not good enough and this guy who isn't a fullback is better at it and more trusted than you".
 
Northmire looked useful tonight, very strong carries.
It's difficult to make a statement after playing us. We were pretty poor last night as Quins really weren't at their best and strolled past us. We just don't have the quality.

I'm not sure what impact Northmore would make at international level. He's predominantly a 13 aswell.
 
Times also suggests Jack Kenningham should be looked at.
Kenningham is developing into a brilliant player. He's probably the least lauded of our back row players but is consistently excellent - great tackler, very good at the breakdown (almost always slows the ball down at the very least and I think he's currently top for turnovers in the league), carries well, links well and a good lineout forward. What's not to like?

He was immense last night.

He reminds me of Mark Wilson - one of this really good all-round flankers who flies under the radar, but could thrive at test level.
 
It's difficult to make a statement after playing us. We were pretty poor last night as Quins really weren't at their best and strolled past us. We just don't have the quality.

I'm not sure what impact Northmore would make at international level. He's predominantly a 13 aswell.
Northmore is quick, strong and skilful, but his biggest strength is his rugby brain/feel for the game. He's got an excellent awareness of space and good decision-making and I think that could translate well to test rugby if he was given a chance.

Even after a few games at 12, he looks like he's picking better lines and timing his runs better. Quins attack isn't looking brilliant, but if we persevere with Northmore Beard at 12 and 13, I think it will come good. I'm not suggesting that should be a partnership for England, but if they carry on playing together, who knows?
 
I think it would be madness to have Marcus Smith as starting 15 for England in the 6 nations. Especially against Ireland. Your also asking who's covering 10 and 15 if either get injured. Unless you're looking at Freeman as the back three cover.

Might as well say to all the England qualified fullbacks. "Your not good enough and this guy who isn't a fullback is better at it and more trusted than you".
I can't see Smith starting at 15 for big games, I see him moving from 10 to 15 to give us an attacking edge later in the game. Tbh you lose alot having Smith at FB in terms of the underhigh balls and other things but what you gain is an all out attacking player who is a fast and a great play maker and dangerous runner. I think a full game vs someone like Ireland he'd get exposed but for 20 min to put a game to bed he can add something.

While Steward has his issues and defencive issues he deserves to start vs Ireland, he's in very good form an looks to have developed his game
 
Northmore is quick, strong and skilful, but his biggest strength is his rugby brain/feel for the game. He's got an excellent awareness of space and good decision-making and I think that could translate well to test rugby if he was given a chance.

Even after a few games at 12, he looks like he's picking better lines and timing his runs better. Quins attack isn't looking brilliant, but if we persevere with Northmore Beard at 12 and 13, I think it will come good. I'm not suggesting that should be a partnership for England, but if they carry on playing together, who knows?
I haven't watched enough Quins games but he looked reasonable enough at 12. Him and Lawrence as 12 and 13 doesn't seem a terrible combo, a fair bit of power and speed in the midfield. Not sure how he's been in his other games.
 
I haven't watched enough Quins games but he looked reasonable enough at 12. Him and Lawrence as 12 and 13 doesn't seem a terrible combo, a fair bit of power and speed in the midfield. Not sure how he's been in his other games.
Pretty good I think. Quins back line has been stuttering but I think a lot of that is slowly adjusting to life post Andre, rather than poor individual performances. Northmore and Beard have both been decent, but the combination hasn't clicked yet.
 
Northmore is quick, strong and skilful, but his biggest strength is his rugby brain/feel for the game. He's got an excellent awareness of space and good decision-making and I think that could translate well to test rugby if he was given a chance.

Even after a few games at 12, he looks like he's picking better lines and timing his runs better. Quins attack isn't looking brilliant, but if we persevere with Northmore Beard at 12 and 13, I think it will come good. I'm not suggesting that should be a partnership for England, but if they carry on playing together, who knows?
I've always said the 12 imo doesn't have to be a highlight reel type of player. Just a guy who can do all the basics of the position really well and have a bit in the top 2 inches.

Beard impresses me alot.
 
I've always said the 12 imo doesn't have to be a highlight reel type of player. Just a guy who can do all the basics of the position really well and have a bit in the top 2 inches.

Beard impresses me alot.
Thats Dingwall, but people keep saying he's not got an X factor about his game which is very true. He's a true player which you need between Marcus and Lawrence.
 
Kenningham is developing into a brilliant player. He's probably the least lauded of our back row players but is consistently excellent - great tackler, very good at the breakdown (almost always slows the ball down at the very least and I think he's currently top for turnovers in the league), carries well, links well and a good lineout forward. What's not to like?

He was immense last night.

He reminds me of Mark Wilson - one of this really good all-round flankers who flies under the radar, but could thrive at test level.
Wilson is an excellent comparison. Just pure glue for the back row that lets the other two show their USP
 
Chisholm is a funny one. He's usually very good but his various injuries mean that he's never really been able to establish himself as a genuine starter.

Picking a back row combination from Dombrandt, CCS, Evans, Kenningham and Chisholm is more of a horses for courses affair. A nice problem to have.

Kenningham has probably played his way into mine though, whether that's at 6 or 7. Just a great player.
 

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