England 2025/26

[Which Tyler]

It's these meaningless trophies (see also Mandela Challenge, Garibaldi Cup, Edmund Hillary Shield etc) that saw the Raeburn Shield idea germinate in the early-00s.

England defended it today to extend their run to 8 matches (10 being out longest)

 

[NickBD]

What do we think the team will be next week?

Not sure you can drop anyone from the forwards. I'd keep it the same even with T Curry back, nurse his injury no need to play him 80 mins let him have 25 for now.

The backs, it didn't really click did it. I think only Roebuck and Mitchell had good games. Ford was ok. Rest either anonymous or didn't have great games. People won't like it but if they want Freeman at 13 he's gonna have to start. He needs minutes at 13 dropping him after 1 average game would be silly. I think Borthwick will stick with the same backs with maybe F Smith in at 10 to get some familiarity with the Northampton midfield. I personally would go with the Bath centres and Freeman on the wing.

 

[Which Tyler]

9. Mitchell
10. FSmith
11. Feyi-Waboso
12. Ojomoh
13. Lawrence
14. Freeman / Roebuck
15. Steward / Freeman

22. Spencer
23. Roebuck / Arundell

Wouldn't change the starting pack, would would be interested in getting CCS (if fit) into the bench, but can't see myself dropping anyone from today to make that space

 

[Scotty]

9. Mitchell
10. FSmith
11. Feyi-Waboso
12. Ojomoh
13. Lawrence
14. Freeman / Roebuck
15. Steward / Freeman

22. Spencer
23. Roebuck / Arundell

Wouldn't change the starting pack, would would be interested in getting CCS (if fit) into the bench, but can't see myself dropping anyone from today to make that space

So no 10 cover or are you saying Ojomoh emergency 10 cover?

 

[Which Tyler]

So no 10 cover or are you saying Ojomoh emergency 10 cover?

Ojomoh or Spencer (probably the latter, as he'd be coming on fresh), alongside patented English Arrogance of "it's only Fiji"

I'd prefer to have a 5:3 bench, but with the inevitable 6:2, something has to give, and you have to be more allowing of what flexibility there is available

 

[Ddanno]

Gawd I wish they'd outlaw 6:2 (and 7:1 just to annoy that **** Rassie)

 

[Which Tyler]

Gawd I wish they'd outlaw 6:2 (and 7:1 just to annoy that **** Rassie)

How about a 4:4 and just run them off their feet

 

[BPM]

Fast and loose vs. Fiji probably isn’t a good idea. They may not be at their best, but they’re still a dangerous team and it would be foolish to take it too lightly.

I wouldn’t expect much to change TBH. Judging a new back division with a new attack coach and 3 training sessions after one game seems a little harsh. There’s no doubt it looked clunky, but I would argue that’s to be expected.

Incidentally, is the A squad named tomorrow? Very curious to see who gets in.

 

[Saintjay]

Finally got a chance to watch the game. Defence better than attack. Weather didn't lend itself to an attacking game so England kicked more. Credit to Ford for playing the conditions. England were never going to play like the Barbar's.

Steward getting criticised but taking kicks that are being contested in the ******* down rain, isn't exactly easy.
Aus were awful and really narrow. Didn't help Freeman at 13, was just ok. Which has pretty much been England's midfield for years. As is getting turned over when we break, always seem slow to react. Spencer seemed very scripted would like to see him play more but again not the match for it.

So overall 6/10.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Obano and Lockett called up in place of Ojomoh and Calouri.

Pretty gutted to see Ojomoh drop out. Not really sure what Lockett is going to add to the squad.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Was just trying to work out what the changes are

Ojomoh dropping out is very disappointing if it's not injury related

Not that keen on Lockett either, this season, tbh

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Think Ojomoh is also going to the A squad.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Being in the EPS doesn't mean you can't play in the A game, players drop down

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Lockett is an odd one. He’s very average in the prem and isn’t a big player, nor super mobile so no niche there.

Wonder if he’s considering Coles at 6 and just wants another lock in the squad.

Annoyed that ojomorph has been dropped. I didn’t expect Many changes but thought Ford and Steward deserved to be dropped and Freeman moved back to the wing (but then we have 3 class wingers). Overall if Ford just puts more useless kicks to Fiji we are going to struggle. I cannot for the life of me understand England’s obsession with kicking short and challenging for possession. Just play proper rugby instead like every premiership team.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Lockett is an odd one. He's very average in the prem and isn't a big player, nor super mobile so no niche there.

Wonder if he's considering Coles at 6 and just wants another lock in the squad.

Annoyed that ojomorph has been dropped. I didn't expect Many changes but thought Ford and Steward deserved to be dropped and Freeman moved back to the wing (but then we have 3 class wingers). Overall if Ford just puts more useless kicks to Fiji we are going to struggle. I cannot for the life of me understand England's obsession with kicking short and challenging for possession. Just play proper rugby instead like every premiership team.

To drop Frod would mean Farrell would need to come back or there being no third fly half.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

To drop Frod would mean Farrell would need to come back or there being no third fly half.

Drop from the 10 shirt.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

I'm usually not a fan of stuff it up the jumper rugby but Fiji absolutely love chaotic rugby. As individuals, they are incredibly powerful and skilled. It's normally the team level and tactics that let them down. I think we play it relatively safe and let the forwards put pressure on Fiji. they tend to buckle and then their discipline goes. Fiji won't have such an answer to the forwards, they would need to simply front up to them as a cohesive unit. If we play fast and loose, that suits them and doesn't suit us.

 

[Scotty]

View attachment 24952

With Ojomoh and Caluori out, Obano and Lockett in. It seems odd a 12 and 14 for 1 and 4.

So now the only 12s are Dingwall and Lawrence(not a 12), so is it Dingwall Freeman, Dingwall Lawrence or Lawrence Freeman?

We cant not have Lawrence IMO, would also be ridiculously harsh on him given his form in the Prem.

 

[NotTooAmused]

Midfield will have their work cut out for them against Fiji!