England 2025/26

[Geordie]

Agree Fisilau at 8 over CCS .and probably over Barbeary aswell. He's much more Borthwick style but he looks like he's bulked up a bit which has made him more physical/explosive and taken him up a level. (IMO)

Daly will probably be the 15.

And Heyes, Davison, (Sela/Fasogabon) at 3.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Looks like Radwan's has surgery on an ankle/foot injury, based off his Instagram story, so that's him out of contention on the wing

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Also apparently squad named on Friday, so we'll lock this thread down when it is

 

[Scotty]

Agree Fisilau at 8 over CCS .and probably over Barbeary aswell. He's much more Borthwick style but he looks like he's bulked up a bit which has made him more physical/explosive and taken him up a level. (IMO)

Daly will probably be the 15.

And Heyes, Davison, (Sela/Fasogabon) at 3.

I'd agree on form and am a fan of Fisilau, CCS is an odd one though strong carrier, beast of a tackler and unplayable on his day as well as being able to cover lock...but his form seems up and down and (for England at least) he seems to be done by 50min.

I'd say at 8 fisilau is ahead on form I'd say potential they are even. But very very different and I really want CCS to come good.

 

[BPM]

Looks like Baxter will miss the Wales game with a minor foot injury.

That is a big loss. However, I rate Rodd and Obano so it’s not a total disaster. I think the current pecking order is correct, but I can see an upside in them getting more game time.

The most interesting piece may be whether Genge starts or not? Given the tighthead situation, I’d probably have him on the bench so that he comes on with the inexperienced player on the other side of the scrum. Wales probably start with Assiratti - I’d like to think Rodd or Obano can handle him quite comfortably. If they stick with Griffin in the 18 shirt, I’d fully expect Genge to dominate.

I think Baxter’s industry and effectiveness in defence will be missed, but Obano or Rodd are possibly a little more impactful in the loose.

Hopefully we’ll have him back for Scotland.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Looks like Baxter will miss the Wales game with a minor foot injury.

That is a big loss. However, I rate Rodd and Obano so it’s not a total disaster. I think the current pecking order is correct, but I can see an upside in them getting more game time.

The most interesting piece may be whether Genge starts or not? Given the tighthead situation, I’d probably have him on the bench so that he comes on with the inexperienced player on the other side of the scrum. Wales probably start with Assiratti - I’d like to think Rodd or Obano can handle him quite comfortably. If they stick with Griffin in the 18 shirt, I’d fully expect Genge to dominate.

I think Baxter’s industry and effectiveness in defence will be missed, but Obano or Rodd are possibly a little more impactful in the loose.

Hopefully we’ll have him back for Scotland.

Hopefully Baxter will be back quickly.

Why not rest Genge altogether? With all due respect (i.e none) it’s Wales and this would be a very silly match for him to get hurt in. Obano and Rodd are plenty good enough for this and thinking about RWCs / genuine injury crises, it would be good to get some time into both.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Not sure if Obano will get selected tbh - he's had a few opportunities before and missed out through discipline or injury, just feels like it's not gonna happen for him
I reckon they go for Iyogun, who is having a great season

Compared to last year's 6N squad:

Fin Baxter --> Iyogun (when Baxter is back I'd still keep Iyogun in, either as an extra player or coinflip Baxter vs Rodd)
Ellis Genge
Joe Heyes
Asher Opoku-Fordjour --> Sela/Fasogbon (Sela is having a much better season but Fasogbon has more exposure to the England setup)
Bevan Rodd
Will Stuart --> Davison


Would've considered Street, as he's generally been good this season, but he was terrible vs Glasgow (a lot of Sarries were, tbf, but he was directly against a player he'd come up against in the 6N and was completely dominated) and looks to have gotten injured too

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Not sure if Obano will get selected tbh - he's had a few opportunities before and missed out through discipline or injury, just feels like it's not gonna happen for him
I reckon they go for Iyogun, who is having a great season

Compared to last year's 6N squad:

Fin Baxter --> Iyogun (when Baxter is back I'd still keep Iyogun in, either as an extra player or coinflip Baxter vs Rodd)
Ellis Genge
Joe Heyes
Asher Opoku-Fordjour --> Sela/Fasogbon (Sela is having a much better season but Fasogbon has more exposure to the England setup)
Bevan Rodd
Will Stuart --> Davison


Would've considered Street, as he's generally been good this season, but he was terrible vs Glasgow (a lot of Sarries were, tbf, but he was directly against a player he'd come up against in the 6N and was completely dominated) and looks to have gotten injured too

I don’t have a strong view on who should be the back ups to Genge and Baxter but this is a great opportunity to get some low risk really good time into someone. The longer Genge can put up his feet on the bench, the better.

On Fasogbon, is he playing badly personally or is he just being dragged down by playing in a cr*p team? Flip side, is Sela looking better as he’s playing in a winning team with a v strong pack? Borthwick will also have to think along similar lines with CCS and M Smith.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Personally, IMO - his conditioning looks poor and his scrummaging has regressed (or probably more likely: people are more aware of him now so don't get caught off guard but how big/powerful he is)

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Personally, IMO - his conditioning looks poor and his scrummaging has regressed (or probably more likely: people are more aware of him now so don't get caught off guard but how big/powerful he is)

The Gloucester Glow up as they say in the industry (I say it, just me)

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Hopefully we’ll have him back for Scotland.

I think his last Quins game was 14th Dec v Bayonne. Scotland’s 14th Feb. Don’t know what Baxter’s record is recovering from injury but that’s a long time out to be just thrown straight into that.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

England do love throwing players right back in after injury, though, so would be par for the course