England 2025/26

[Vieux Talonneur]

One thing very few have mentioned was the weather which wasn’t really conducive to great running rugby. No idea whether that was behind the selection of Ford, Freeman, Steward and Roebuck, but the intent was pretty clear.

We should have expected to win this fairly easily though. Aus are on a silly treadmill and have already had to peak for both Lions and Championship in the last few months. Plus they’d also just flown in from Japan and were without a few key players. It would have amazing if they hadn’t been totally flat.

Pack was fine if not stellar. Bench unsurprisingly had a lot more impact. We left a few points out there but will be better for the hit out. The whole Autumn will stand or fall on the ABs. Whether we go with similar back line and back row combinations remains to be seen.

Roebuck and Earl did well. And Pepper looks full of potential.

 

[Geordie]

I think theyre ueing the kicking tactics well, and the kick chase is very good. We have wingers and full backs who are VERY strong in these areas.

Once Blackett gets the other aspects of attack moving, then it will give England huge options, the ability to mix it up and make them a very difficult side to defend against.

Interesting to hear that Calhouri was specifically called up so they could use him as the Soua'lli problem. I like to hear there using the squad well.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Freddie Steward is unable to train today due to hand injury.

 

[Scotty]

Freddie Steward is unable to train today due to hand injury.

Now it's no longer harsh on Steward i wonder what we will do? MSmith is not the answer for me.

Freeman, allowing Lawrence at 13
Arundell is another option although I'd prefer him at 23 and have a 5/3.

What i think will happen is MS at 15, Lawrence to 13 and Freeman to 14 with Roebuck at 23.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Arundell hasn't played 15 for years and he was terrible the last time he did play there for Racing - despite going OK on the wing for Bath I wouldn't want to shoehorn him in at 15 for an International game
I hope it's Freeman but I feel like it's inevitable it'll be Marcus Smith, it's a bit like the Theo Dan situation where SB has embarrassed himself so much trying to make it happen he'll keep plugging away

Does seem mad we've not had a look at TdG as a Furbank backup - they're the closest in skillsets of the options we have


Though I bet Steward actually plays - he dislocated a finger on Saturday which is gonna be sore, but a week on anti inflammatories and then a painkiller before the game and he'll be able to play

 

[Saintjay]

Furbank is 29 and made of glass. So I'd like to see a younger 15 looked at. Hendy for example (crazy he's only s year younger than Steward) but tend to think it's on the things to worry about after the RWC list.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Once Blackett gets the other aspects of attack moving, then it will give England huge options, the ability to mix it up and make them a very difficult side to defend against.

That's the key point. Keeping the opposition guessing and playing what's in front of you kind of stuff.

Still feels a bit either / or at the moment, but Blackett probably has as good a chance as anyone to unlock it.

 

[Geordie]

Interesting A team squad named

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Interesting A team squad named

....which is?

 

[Rugbyfan564]

....which is?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

There's a lot to like in there

Don't see the point in Roots, though - he's playing really well, but feels a wasted spot in a development side

Atkinson again
Hodge but no Hendy as well

 

[BPM]

A couple of surprises there but pleased for Harding. Not sure how Michelow makes it after a few mins of game time including a red card?

Where is Will Joseph?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

A couple of surprises there but pleased for Harding. Not sure how Michelow makes it after a few mins of game time including a red card?

Where is Will Joseph?

****, didn't even realise no WJ!

Mapletoft is in charge of the side so I guess he's leaning heavily on guys he knows more

 

[BPM]

Sure but where are the Brackens? Englefield over Charlie is odd and Elliott over Jack is strange given the former has yet to play this season.

 

[BPM]

Still, there's a decent 23 in there. I'd go with:

1. Iyogun
2. Jibulu
3. Fasogbon
4. Batley
5. Bamber
6. Roots (c)
7. Pearson
8. Fisilau
9. MacParland
10. Benson
11. Hassell-Collins
12. Ma'asi-White
13. Ojomoh
14. Radwan
15. Hodge?

16. Tuipolotu 17. Haffar 18. Sela 19. Richards 20. Harding 21. Englefield 22. Atkinson 23. Caluori

 

[BPM]

Just read the actual press release. Batley is captain which I quite like.

 

[Scotty]

Where is Will Joseph?

Gloucester unfortunately

 

[Which Tyler]

Iyogun
Haffar

Blamire
Jibulu
Tuipulotu

Fasogbon
Knight
Sela

Bamber
Batley
Richards
Sodeke

Fisilau
Harding
Michelow
Pearson
Roots


Englefield
McParland

CAtkinson
Benson

Kerr
Ma'asi-White
Ojomoh

Caluori
Elliott
Hall
Hassell-Collins
Radwan

Hodge

 

[Which Tyler]

Bath hat on, and I get the omission of Reid, mostly because England have so many backrowers who could at least do a job internationally. Michelow isn't one of them though (nor Roots, but that's a closer call).
Utterly baffled that TdG can't even get into a wider A-squad. There simply must be something negative about him that I'm not seeing. I'd probably have him in the senior squad (given absences of Furbank, Daly & Carpenter), and certainly ahead of Hodge, Hendy, Hall & Calouri.

Obviously, I'm pissed off for Ojomoh, but I'd rather he started for EngA than simply sat out the weekend.

 

[BPM]

Could it be possible that there’s a stand-by group for the seniors? Unless Oghre and Joseph are injured, it seems strange to ignore them entirely.