• Help Support The Rugby Forum :

England 2024/25

This. If we're looking for that type of player, Ibitoye is streets ahead of Radwan now.

With the injury situation, the current pecking order is probably (based on recent squads not necessarily my preference):

Freeman
Sleightholme
Roebuck
Murley
Cokanasiga
Ibitoye (if fit)

However, we typically tend to have one smaller winger (usually IFW) and one big one (Freeman).

If Freeman needs replacing, Roebuck is the obvious choice. If it's Selightholme, Murley makes more sense.
 
His form looks to be picking up a bit recently but I wouldn't have him in contention atm - maybe for the A game if we still have these injuries? Though not sure if 27 is a bit old for that? Then again they played Muir in it

Really, if he wants to be playing for England he should move clubs/have moved clubs - wings are always going to have a tough time in a side like Newcastle are atm
 
Adam has been way off the mark recently, but in fairness when your making highlight reel plays every game to try and save your team thats understandable.
His defence is not half as bad as everyone makes out...is it brick wall.....no its not.

Adam wont play for England again. That ship has sailed and there are much better younger and more rounded wingers.
 
Problem with central contracts, international coach shouldn't be pressuring players to play through something that needs surgery
100%, glad IFW has the balls to make the decision he feels is right for him, Sleeve Bakewell's problems are on his shoulders, not any of the players'
 
By the time he will be back even without surgey it's the on paper easier matches. He won't be fit for Ireland or France no matter what and will struggle for Scotland.

Even Scotland's 22nd Feb, so that would be 2 full months since he'd last played. Rust central.

I guess 2 medics will often give 2 different answers. But I just hope they're looking at the pure evidence rather than being swayed by their respective paymasters.

From IFW's perspective he should be confident in regaining his England place easily enough after any lay off. But if he's in any doubt, the root cause may well be the Lions where, if fit, he'd be right in the mix for the test team. That doesn't happen often, but AF would doubtless want to see him going OK for England first.
 
I appreciate that, but is Waboso THAT much better that he must play. Murley, Sleightholme, Freeman, Roebuck...theres some bloody good young wingers there.

He's taken to test rugby like a duck to water. Few do.

I'd say he's a cut above any of those at the moment TBH. Most pundits have him in their Lions teams, I doubt any of the others would make the plane. Freeman might if he has a stonking 6N, but he can go a bit quiet whereas IFW goes looking to try to make things happen, and often does.

Which isn't to say the others are bad, or that the medics should treat him on anything other than the merit of his injury.
 
This. If we're looking for that type of player, Ibitoye is streets ahead of Radwan now.

With the injury situation, the current pecking order is probably (based on recent squads not necessarily my preference):

Freeman
Sleightholme
Roebuck
Murley
Cokanasiga
Ibitoye (if fit)

However, we typically tend to have one smaller winger (usually IFW) and one big one (Freeman).

If Freeman needs replacing, Roebuck is the obvious choice. If it's Selightholme, Murley makes more sense.
Roebuck is one player I underestimated as I did with Tommy Freeman when people started calling for him, also thought Roebuck was older than 23, I hope he gets good gametime in the 6N especially if IFW is out even if its from 23, him and Steward together least provide strong attacking and defencive kicking options, he needs to do alot IMO to displace Freeman though but he is quicker than I though too.
 
Roebuck is one player I underestimated as I did with Tommy Freeman when people started calling for him, also thought Roebuck was older than 23, I hope he gets good gametime in the 6N especially if IFW is out even if its from 23, him and Steward together least provide strong attacking and defencive kicking options, he needs to do alot IMO to displace Freeman though but he is quicker than I though too.
I think Roebucks a cracking player. I would have no complaints if we had both Carpenter and Roebuck as part of the back 3. Quality young players.
 
I don't understand the raving over IFW. He's played 8 games for England and only won against Italy and Japan. Being in the losing team 6/8 doesn't denote a match winner or a major factor.
 
If rugby were a solo sport, like tennis, for example, then yeah, you'd have a point.
But most teams try to have 15 player on the otichrat any given moment.
 
Biitz defence axed according to the Daily Mail.


Sam Underhill a Six Nations doubt after third ankle injury in seven months according to the Times. Times say both Curry's and Earl can cover and suggest Pepper and Pollack are next in line.
 
Bad news on Underhill, first name on my team sheet. His to do list now probably involves winning prem with Bath followed by a crash course in French.
 

Latest posts

Top