England 2025/26

[BPM]

Knowing SB I would imagine it'll be Dombrandt if he's deemed fit enough (missed today's game with a "minor injury" - not sure how minor)
If not then probably Chick

Dombrandt picked up a knock vs. Tigers in round 2. Not serious so given that he’s a squad regular, I assume he’ll get the call.

Chick can’t be far off though. It’s impressive to join a club and immediately start captaining the side.

 

[Which Tyler]

@Saintjay

How did Saracens bag a development agreement with England? Or does that apply to everyone.

Pretty sure it's "England asked if they could include him, outside the EPS agreement; Sarries agreed"

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Dombrandt picked up a knock vs. Tigers in round 2. Not serious so given that he's a squad regular, I assume he'll get the call.

Chick can't be far off though. It's impressive to join a club and immediately start captaining the side.

Idk I think Chick is just viewed as an excellent club man which is why he's a very good captain choice

He's no where near the best player in the saints squad, he's just someone the coaches will know will always put in his all and give a minimum 7 out of 10. Just his 10/10 game isn't international standard and at 29

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Is Carpenter out for a long time? I know he missed Sarries game with an ankle injury. He was looking pretty good at the start.

Not sure - commentary mentioned he rolled his ankle in training but not heard anything beyond that,
Hopefully the club do an injury update on media day like they used to, but I'm not holding my breath

 

[Geordie]

So will CCS focus on 8 now or is the 6/ lock project still on going and England have to find yet another 8.

I do prefer a big unit at 8 , id rather that we didn't look at an Earl/ Pollock / Fisilau size 8s. But that's just my preference.

Do we actually have any other big sized 8's.

Apparently Tom Willis deal is insane and they actually wanted him now.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Guess they could go for Barbeary but they've never shown much interest and I'm not sure how well his game would translate into being an international starting 8

I'd like to see Ilione starting there in the A games (tbh I'd have him on the bench over Pollock, but never gonna happen)

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Ilione in due course.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/tom-willis-england-bordeaux-steve-borthwick-pdjwkkbkq

'Willis never felt truly backed by the England coaches and was frustrated to be substituted early in Six Nations games last season, though he was told he would have been England's starting No8 this autumn, as he was in the summer Tests against Argentina and the United States.'

'Aside from Willis's defection, Borthwick has other concerns. Tom Curry, who had wrist surgery after the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia, and Elliot Daly, who broke an arm on the same trip, are not expected to be fit for the Wallabies match on November 1.'

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I'm sorry but what more does he want?
Dude took an England central contract proceeds to feel he wasn't truly backed...leaves with an extra 160K and not having to risk injury

 

[BrokenWing]

Surely as a contract, that has to be paid back?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Borthwick saying that Caluori could be in line for some game time in the AIs.

Don’t care how much talent he’s got. Way too soon to even be talking in those terms. It’s not like we have a shortage of other promising wings to get game time into.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Surely as a contract, that has to be paid back?

They don’t sign a physical contract according to the Times. So there doesn’t seem to be a legal way to cancel it.

 

[BrokenWing]

They don't sign a physical contract according to the Times. So there doesn't seem to be a legal way to cancel it.

Well that seems ******* dumb and open to abuse.

 

[LIONSxv]

I'm sorry but what more does he want?
Dude took an England central contract proceeds to feel he wasn't truly backed...leaves with an extra 160K and not having to risk injury

It's just a really poor excuse to justify himself for not wanting to play for his Country

 

[Saintjay]

Borthwick saying that Caluori could be in line for some game time in the AIs.

Don't care how much talent he's got. Way too soon to even be talking in those terms. It's not like we have a shortage of other promising wings to get game time into.

Strange things to say just when your best 8 said he never felt truly backed.

 

[Ddanno]

They don't sign a physical contract according to the Times. So there doesn't seem to be a legal way to cancel it.

Verbal and implied contracts are legally enforceable. Tough to prove a breach of them, you often only look for an order for specific performance (i.e. finish the job). So unlikely to work in this situation.

Well played RFU. You misfeasant morons.

 

[OllyM97]

Tom Willis should be ashamed of himself. Turning your back on your country, in your prime, when you are first choice is unforgivable. He should never be near another England squad, even if he comes back to the Prem. You’ve made your bed, now you should have to lay in it.

 

[Geordie]

Guess they could go for Barbeary but they've never shown much interest and I'm not sure how well his game would translate into being an international starting 8

I'd like to see Ilione starting there in the A games (tbh I'd have him on the bench over Pollock, but never gonna happen)

Interesting I wondered if he'd be a great option for 6. He has all the attributes with additional bonus of being a tremendous jackal.

I think Barbeary was clearly one they were hoping for a few years back but just has materialized. Not an option I would look at now.

CCS would look the obvious, but he has so much of his game to work on. Just means we're back to a lightweight 8 for the time being..and need to bulk up the flanks...

 

[Geordie]

They don't sign a physical contract according to the Times. So there doesn't seem to be a legal way to cancel it.

Or uphold it?

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I don't have a problem with someone choosing to abandon a potential England career in favour of more money, that's their choice. I do have a problem with agreeing to a central contract and then making up some BS excuse about not being supported enough. There are plenty of players with WAY more right to feel they were treated poorly by England than him.

Dunn is the top of the list but it has plenty of names