England 2024/25

stus768 · 2025-01-07T10:25:25+0000

Vieux Talonneur said:
Yeah, right decision.

He's also missed something like 3 internationals in the last year due to 2 separate concussions. He's not in the realms of injury prone yet, but could use a change in luck.

Going to negatively impact his chances of going on lions? Hard to see playing for chiefs gets him on the plane.

Don't Skip Leg Day · 2025-01-07T11:14:44+0000

TRF_Olyy said:
He packs down at tighthead

Don't know why sides have started swapping 4 and 5 round, makes no sense

In my head even from 2003, the TH lock wore 4 and the LH lock at 5 so lining up as

1 2 3
5 4

I don't know a time when the 4 played LH lock.

TRF_Olyy · 2025-01-07T11:27:47+0000

Weird though because Maro wears 4 and is definitely a loosehead lock

Not Mike Brown's Sock · 2025-01-07T11:30:37+0000

TRF_Olyy said:
Weird though because Maro wears 4 and is definitely a loosehead lock

Tbh I reckon it's just a personal preference / superstition from young age thing for some players. I think it was May (shock) that was weird about it on the wing too

Rugbyfan564 · 2025-01-07T11:35:09+0000

TRF_Olyy said:
Definitely sounds the better option for him long term

Shame to be going into the 6N missing 2/3 of our first choice back 3 but there's a lot of good back 3 players knocking about atm

My guess is Daly in for Furbank and Murley in for IFW and a first game back 3 of Sleightholme, Freeman, Steward

Shame Hendy's shoulder is effed - if he'd kept up that form he could be in with an outside shout

That's if Sleightholme is fit after his late pre match withdrawal at the weekend due to a Hamstring issue. Telegraph also mention how George Hendry went off with a shoulder issue, that Gabriel Ibitoye is out for sevreal weeks and Will Muir and a hamstring problem as well. So the back three depth is being tested at the moment.

TRF_Olyy · 2025-01-07T11:35:36+0000

Not Mike Brown's Sock said:
Tbh I reckon it's just a personal preference / superstition from young age thing for some players. I think it was May (shock) that was weird about it on the wing too

Yeah, that's true - Tindall/Greenwood in the centres etc.

Numbers don't really matter, I guess - Itoje/Isiekwe definitely pack down at LH/TH though

AngloScotsHybrid · 2025-01-07T12:18:22+0000

Not Mike Brown's Sock said:
Tbh I reckon it's just a personal preference / superstition from young age thing for some players. I think it was May (shock) that was weird about it on the wing too

The numbers usually reflect whether they jump at the front or the middle of the lineout, not where they pack down in the scrum.

Geordie · 2025-01-07T12:46:44+0000

Rugbyfan564 said:
That's if Sleightholme is fit after his late pre match withdrawal at the weekend due to a Hamstring issue. Telegraph also mention how George Hendry went off with a shoulder issue, that Gabriel Ibitoye is out for sevreal weeks and Will Muir and a hamstring problem as well. So the back three depth is being tested at the moment.

Roebuck?

TRF_Olyy · 2025-01-07T12:58:15+0000

I know they've been in the A squad but are injuries to Ibitoye and Muir really testing our depth?
Really rate Muir but he's uncapped, so no different to calling in any other uncapped player - Ibitoye's defence too bad for international, he's not an option in my mind

Back three options in the AIs squad:
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso - Injured, call up Murley
Tommy Freeman
Ollie Sleightholme - potentially injured, no word on how bad the hamstring issue is. On current form I'd bring in Hassel-Collins for him, though wouldn't be against Hendy getting time in camp if his shoulder is OK
Tom Roebuck
George Furbank - injured, they'll probably recall Daly
Freddie Steward

TopTen2003 · 2025-01-07T13:30:12+0000

Tough news for SB given he will be scrutinised on Englands cutting edge in the 6N.

Not popular I know but he does have the Smith at 15 option which I do think gives a point of difference, albeit risk too.

Though having said that, we'd want to see a tighter defence on the back of the AIs.

Geordie · 2025-01-07T14:34:33+0000

TopTen2003 said:
Tough news for SB given he will be scrutinised on Englands cutting edge in the 6N.

Not popular I know but he does have the Smith at 15 option which I do think gives a point of difference, albeit risk too.

Though having said that, we'd want to see a tighter defence on the back of the AIs.

We also have the Carpenter option at 15...

BPM · 2025-01-07T20:00:10+0000

Borthwick is carving a new 15 as we speak. I can see him being in to woodwork to be fair.

Vieux Talonneur · 2025-01-07T20:52:07+0000

Although IFW had decided on surgery, Exeter saying tonight that he's still discussing his options with them and England. Sounds odd, central contract issues?

Sleightholme won't play this weekend but likely to return to training next week although Saints saying he'll be managed very very conservatively given his history.

Squad due to be announced next Tuesday.

Rugbyfan564 · 2025-01-07T20:53:27+0000

Good news as the two Ollie's - Chessum and Sleightholme will both be fit for the Six Nations..

Rugbyfan564 · 2025-01-07T20:58:21+0000

Vieux Talonneur said:
Although IFW had decided on surgery, Exeter saying tonight that he's still discussing his options with them and England. Sounds odd, central contract issues?

Sleightholme won't play this weekend but likely to return to training next week although Saints saying he'll be managed very very conservatively given his history.

Squad due to be announced next Tuesday.

The Times have an article saying he was at England camp yesterday and then decided to have the surgery. I might be misunderstanding it but it seems to be implying Borthwick wants him to wait until after the Six Nations but he doesn't want to risk it.

Geordie · 2025-01-07T21:37:23+0000

Rugbyfan564 said:
Good news as the two Ollie's - Chessum and Sleightholme will both be fit for the Six Nations..

But what does that mean?

I heard Chessum was available for Tigers next game so if he has a few games tine but if he doesn't play between now and the 6n then it's a no for me...
Match Fitness is critical...

Geordie · 2025-01-07T21:38:52+0000

Im pleased he's had or going to have the op. Young lad with a huge future...don't risk it for one tournament.

BrokenWing · 2025-01-07T21:52:00+0000

TRF_Olyy said:
Yeah, that's true - Tindall/Greenwood in the centres etc.

Was this the Bath no 13 tradition, like Guscott and Carling?

Vieux Talonneur · 2025-01-07T22:11:22+0000

Geordie said:
But what does that mean?

I heard Chessum was available for Tigers next game so if he has a few games tine but if he doesn't play between now and the 6n then it's a no for me...
Match Fitness is critical...

Our first match is 1st Feb. Presumably players will be in camp for 10 days or so beforehand which only really leaves 2 European games and you might not play much more than a half coming back from extended injury. I guess players could be released to play in the prem the week before but if they're having to do that to 'prove' fitness then it's a pretty big clue that they're not quite there. And even if the lungs can take it, there's the question of match sharpness and form.

Vieux Talonneur · 2025-01-08T09:03:10+0000

Genuine question. Obviously been in a struggling team, but how's Radwan been playing?

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