England 2024/25

Lé Ddanno · 2025-03-25T21:03:05+0000

BPM said:
Sleightholme likely to be out after surgery.

Mitchell didn't have a brilliant 6N but I still think he'll make the Lions squad. Even if he doesn't, I don't see JvP leapfrogging him.

I'd like to see:

1. Baxter
2. LCD (or George)
3. Heyes
4. Coles
5. Martin
6. CCS
7. B. Curry
8. Willis
9. JvP
10. Ford
11. Murley
12. Dingwall
13. Beard
14. Roebuck
15. Furbank

16. Dan
17. Rodd
18. AOF
19. Hill
20. Pollock
21. Randall
22. Ojomoh
23. Hendy

A lot depends on how big the Lions squad is. If Farrell takes a big group I could see both Smiths and both Currys going. Possibly even some surprise calls like CCS.

If that's the case, I'd have Furbank covering 10 and take Hendy and Carpenter because I don't think Charlie Atkinson or Bailey are quite there.

Quite like that. I really want Willis and Beard to get a proper shot

BPM · 2025-03-25T21:23:01+0000

Geordie said:
I'm not much of a fan of Pearson to be honest. Think there's much better players competing with him.

Tom Curry Will be a lion but Ben Curry was outstanding when he started getting time so could he go as a lion? Is Earl an option with his ability to play Flank, 8 (and 12 )

Then that leaves CCS, Pepper, Kenningham, Hill, Pollock, Willis..

Not sure on Barbeary...and Underhills back playing?

Would you look at Bamber or is he a prem player only?

Bamber has potential, but I don't think anyone who hasn't been at least included in a recent A squad or at a stretch, the U20s has much chance of a place on tour. Their only chance would be if there are several missing in their position through a combination of Lions call-ups and injuries.

Seb Atkinson is the obvious miss, but beyond that, there isn't really anyone who stands out as having missed out?

You could make a good case for Will Evans, but unfortunately for him, there's a huge list of very good back row players ahead of him.

Don't Skip Leg Day · 2025-03-25T21:37:51+0000

Pearsons form is meh, very hit or miss this season. He fades in and out of games and can be a 90% player but also 50%.

Lé Ddanno · 2025-03-25T22:00:54+0000

Don't Skip Leg Day said:
Pearsons form is meh, very hit or miss this season. He fades in and out of games and can be a 90% player but also 50%.

Yeah I think the spices have the edge on him right now (Burry and Pepper). CCS is going as 6 I reckon

TRF_Olyy · 2025-03-25T22:09:06+0000

I'd definitely take Barbeary

Sacrilegious to say on here but I don't think I'd take Underhill, and don't think SB will take him

Pieter Steph du Teague · 2025-03-25T22:30:52+0000

I know he doesn't have much of a USP but personally think Fisilau has massively outperformed Barbeary every time they've played together for England A.

Geordie · 2025-03-25T22:35:23+0000

TRF_Olyy said:
I'd definitely take Barbeary

Sacrilegious to say on here but I don't think I'd take Underhill, and don't think SB will take him

I agree I wouldn't take Underhill either...

Geordie · 2025-03-25T22:36:45+0000

Don't Skip Leg Day said:
Pearsons form is meh, very hit or miss this season. He fades in and out of games and can be a 90% player but also 50%.

Has that not been the case from day one with him.

Geordie · 2025-03-25T22:54:40+0000

Excluding who will go on Lions or rested...

1. Baxter
2. George
3. Heyes
4. Clarke/ Coles
5. Martin
6. Kenningham
7. Ben Curry
8. Tom Willis

9. JVP
10. Ford (Both Smiths away)
11. OHC
12. Dingwall
13. Beard
14. Roebuck
15. Hendy

16. Dan / Langdon/ Blake
17. Rodd
18. Opoko-Fordjour / Fasogabon
19. Clarke / Coles whoever doesn't start.
20. CCS
21. Randall
22. Furbank
23. Daly

TRF_Olyy · 2025-03-25T22:54:43+0000

Pieter Steph du Teague said:
I know he doesn't have much of a USP but personally think Fisilau has massively outperformed Barbeary every time they've played together for England A.

Fair point,
I'd take either tbf - we need to up our 8 stocks like how we've steadily built a very strong stable of 7s

Vieux Talonneur · 2025-03-26T00:25:03+0000

SB seems to have settled, at least for now, on 2 open sides at flanker, so surely it makes sense to continue that - we have plenty of options. Playing CCS at 6 changes the dynamic, unless SB's plan A all along was Chessum which he was prevented from seeing due to injury.

I think CCS will mainly end up at 8 anyway. Let him fight that out with Willis.

I like Barbeary's style a lot, but I've never thought that he's really suited to the international game in the back row. Maybe he was just over hyped as a kid and there's nothing wrong in being a good club player. But can't help wondering if he's ever thought about changing position.

Lé Ddanno · 2025-03-26T03:29:28+0000

Vieux Talonneur said:
I like Barbeary's style a lot

Crikey

Outside the "Now Then Now Then" look I don't think he'll make it to the international team. He's quite poor in defence and generally overrated

BrokenWing · 2025-03-26T07:02:11+0000

Lé Ddanno said:
Crikey

Outside the "Now Then Now Then" look I don't think he'll make it to the international team. He's quite poor in defence and generally overrated

He doesn't look like Jimmy Saville

Don't Skip Leg Day · 2025-03-26T07:18:26+0000

He could try hooker….

Ragey Erasmus · 2025-03-26T07:28:51+0000

BrokenWing said:
He doesn't look like Jimmy Saville

I think he meant calm down calm down, the Scousers by Harry Enfield

Lé Ddanno · 2025-03-26T08:23:58+0000

Ragey Erasmus said:
I think he meant calm down calm down, the Scousers by Harry Enfield

Yep, my bad

Geordie · 2025-03-26T09:24:51+0000

Vieux Talonneur said:
SB seems to have settled, at least for now, on 2 open sides at flanker, so surely it makes sense to continue that - we have plenty of options. Playing CCS at 6 changes the dynamic, unless SB's plan A all along was Chessum which he was prevented from seeing due to injury.

I think CCS will mainly end up at 8 anyway. Let him fight that out with Willis.

I like Barbeary's style a lot, but I've never thought that he's really suited to the international game in the back row. Maybe he was just over hyped as a kid and there's nothing wrong in being a good club player. But can't help wondering if he's ever thought about changing position.

It does seem that way. But the most complete and experienced players are our 7s at the moment so makes sense, and that doesnt look like changing as the only real heavyweight 6 is CCS, who as you say may well move to 8. Chessum is looking set as a lock now in my opinion.

mikebrownsauce1512 · 2025-03-26T09:32:55+0000

Geordie said:
Back row is a difficult one. Kenningham is just a class act but Ben Curry came alive internationally this 6n and will be there, and Pepper is gonna be special. Add in Pearson etc and suddenly it's a difficult one.

Personally i think Kenningham is better than Pearson.

BPM · 2025-03-26T09:33:15+0000

TRF_Olyy said:
I'd definitely take Barbeary

Sacrilegious to say on here but I don't think I'd take Underhill, and don't think SB will take him

I feel sorry for Underhill. He's so good every time he plays and then injuries inevitably knock him back down into the chasing pack.

If Ben Curry's not a Lion I'd genuinely consider him as skipper so taking Underhill for the bench feels like a waste. Harsh on Sam, but I think there's more to be gained form taking Kenningham, Pepper and Pollock instead.

Geordie · 2025-03-26T09:37:02+0000

mikebrownsauce1512 said:
Personally i think Kenningham is better than Pearson.

I agree...and by quite a distance now.

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