England 2024/25

[Geordie]

I couldnt care a jot if hes a cocky [email protected] long as his performances back it up...which they are at the moment.

As mentioned...second season syndrome will be very interesting.

Hes got some BIG competition for that England back row..
Hes not getting past Tom Curry, Ben Curry made the step up to top class international (IMO) this 6n, Earl is the powerhouse engine who is one of the first names on SBs sheet...add in others with differing skill sets like Kenningham whos bossing it this season, Pepper who just looks the complete 7 for me, CCS & WIllis for 8 ....and Mr Underhill....then he has a good battle ahead of him.

I would probably take him on the England tour. IF Earl or Tom Curry didnt make the lions, id love them to have a summer off and recharge the batteries.

The competition is only going to help England in the long run.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Oh and if he genuinely can get under opposition skin then that's a big plus in my book. High level shithousery is underrated.

Of his competition, unfortunately I suspect Underhill's race is close to being run. And maybe Chessum is a further complication at 6.

 

[BrokenWing]

He's got under Steven Jones' skin so he's doing something right.

 

[Saintjay]

I don't think it's just a Pollock thing. There's been a decent amount of moaning about try celebrations as well. Which I just find odd.

 

[Geordie]

Oh and if he genuinely can get under opposition skin then that's a big plus in my book. High level shithousery is underrated.

Of his competition, unfortunately I suspect Underhill's race is close to being run. And maybe Chessum is a further complication at 6.

Yeah Underhill is not looking great.

I thought Chessum was the Lawes repalcement...but im just not sure now. His performances at lock when hes been available have been top class...meaning you can have a smaller more all round flanker like we currently are employing...and bring in power like CCS, Hill at 6 if required.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Chessum could be a world class lock or a great flanker in my opinion. He covered 6 when we needed him to and maybe if we play SA we bring him in at 6 for some ballast but he's been outstanding at lock, why change that, it's where he plays week in week out (when fit).

When we've got everyone fit how can anyone make an argument to say Turry is better than Chessum at 6 or Chessum is better than Turry at 6.

We are blessed with options.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Chessum could be a world class lock or a great flanker in my opinion. He covered 6 when we needed him to and maybe if we play SA we bring him in at 6 for some ballast but he's been outstanding at lock, why change that, it's where he plays week in week out (when fit).

When we've got everyone fit how can anyone make an argument to say Turry is better than Chessum at 6 or Chessum is better than Turry at 6.

We are blessed with options.

It's a blessing and a curse. SB's going to have to be very clear thinking to navigate this.

I'm with you on Chessum. He's as good a proxy for Lawes at 6 as you'll get. But I also think he's our premier lock and should now stay there. He's better there and we need him there more.

 

[Geordie]

It's a blessing and a curse. SB's going to have to be very clear thinking to navigate this.

I'm with you on Chessum. He's as good a proxy for Lawes at 6 as you'll get. But I also think he's our premier lock and should now stay there. He's better there and we need him there more.

This tour is coming at a good time actually...as after our 3 top locks (Chessum, Itoje. Martin) there has been a drop off.

But with Chessum and Martin, prone to injuries recently, this tour could be a good place to start and look at our locks and build a bit of quality depth.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Martin out for the season.
Imagine Chessum will tour with Lions.

Could maybe see the back 5 squad being
4. Hill, Tizard
5. Coles, Lockett
6. CCS, Kenningham
7. Pollock, Curry
8. Willis, Dombrandt/Alfie

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Martin out for the season.
Imagine Chessum will tour with Lions.

Could maybe see the back 5 squad being
4. Hill, Tizard
5. Coles, Lockett
6. CCS, Kenningham
7. Pollock, Curry
8. Willis, Dombrandt/Alfie

Wasn't Arthur Clarke called up to the main squad?

So it would be 4. Clarke 5. Coles?

I don't rate Tizzard and personally at the moment don't think Lockett is England quality. CCS, Curry, Willis is what I'd start with. Then have pollock on the bench for impact.

 

[Geordie]

Martin out for the season.
Imagine Chessum will tour with Lions.

Could maybe see the back 5 squad being
4. Hill, Tizard
5. Coles, Lockett
6. CCS, Kenningham
7. Pollock, Curry
8. Willis, Dombrandt/Alfie

Would Arthur Clark be considered if fit?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Surely Isiekwe's in the lock conversation. If Hill is J then OK, but not T as a lock.

I'd have CCS and Willis fighting it out for the 8 shirt. I wouldn't be taking Dombrandt as not taken past chances nor Barbeary who I think is a bit one dimensional.

Possibly need to bear in mind that the full team's going a bit more down the 2 (or 3) open side route. Not clear if that's the plan or circumstance but if that's the intention then this side should mirror that.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

I'd stick Isiekwe in the same column as Dombrandt- plenty of chances but never shows international class on the pitch. Makes more sense to give a chance elsewhere, just don't ask me who!

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

It's great having this level of competition and I hope we manage it to the fullest to get the most of it. I personally feel if we have plenty of players competing for positions, we didn't be afraid to rotate through them. Not in a chopping and changing way but in a way it managing workload and distributing the experience. It will make us much more resilient to injuries and other enforced changes.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I'd stick Isiekwe in the same column as Dombrandt- plenty of chances but never shows international class on the pitch. Makes more sense to give a chance elsewhere, just don't ask me who!

For some reason I can't find it, but a little while ago I did some stats which showed he'd only had the equivalent of 2.5 full matches, mostly in cameos below 15 minutes….or something like that.

Not saying he's the best thing since sliced bread, but although he's been around a while he's never really had a proper chance. I'd certainly rank him above some of the other names mentioned anyway.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Surely Isiekwe's in the lock conversation. If Hill is J then OK, but not T as a lock.

I'd have CCS and Willis fighting it out for the 8 shirt. I wouldn't be taking Dombrandt as not taken past chances nor Barbeary who I think is a bit one dimensional.

Possibly need to bear in mind that the full team's going a bit more down the 2 (or 3) open side route. Not clear if that's the plan or circumstance but if that's the intention then this side should mirror that.

I might be wrong, but I don't view Turry as an open side, in that when he plays 6, he plays like a 6 but he can also cover 7 because he's good at the breakdown.

I think Sales only fan @TRF_Olyy can probably share more insight but I view Turry as a 6 when he plays 6.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Surely Isiekwe's in the lock conversation. If Hill is J then OK, but not T as a lock.

I'd have CCS and Willis fighting it out for the 8 shirt. I wouldn't be taking Dombrandt as not taken past chances nor Barbeary who I think is a bit one dimensional.

Possibly need to bear in mind that the full team's going a bit more down the 2 (or 3) open side route. Not clear if that's the plan or circumstance but if that's the intention then this side should mirror that.

I mean if we are looking at Hill as emergency lock cover IMO he needs some starting time there

Same size as Petti

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Maybe they'll play CCS at lock - he did, what, 60? 70mins? vs Wales, and then started there for Quins

I don't like it but I could see them going for it off the bench, especially as it'd ease the logjam in the backrow

Isiekwe has 16 caps with an average of 23 mins, though that's dragged up quite a lot by the few starts he had in 2021,
I'm still a big fan but can concede that there's obviously something they're not that keen on and he's never going to be a major player for England.
That said I could see him touring this summer as he's a very good lineout operator (especially defensively) and we'll be missing Itoje
I'd feel a lot better about an Isiekwe/Coles pairing than throwing in Tizard or Lockett

J.Hill could tour for similar reasons, and fair play he's playing well atm, but rumours are he's off to France next season so even though he'd technically be available I don't think they'd take him if that's announced

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

then started there for Quins

He only did like 5 minutes there though before injuries meant he switched back to 6

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I mean if we are looking at Hill as emergency lock cover IMO he needs some starting time there

Same size as Petti

Don't disagree, but we shouldn't be looking at him to cover lock in the first place.