First time for age that we're not having pre-tournie training camp - same happened ahead of the AIs, players all available for their clubs - though IIRC they had a 1 day camp to sit in meetings and see the medics
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England 2025/26
- Thread starter TRF_Olyy
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If thats the case I think Rodd will take Sela spot. SB only takes 5 props and Iyogun has been selected in squads before and can play both sides. Burry will take Fislau spot, this might not make sense player for player but you've seen SB squads. How many times does he pick 5 7s with 1 blind side and no 8s. Furbank/Roebuck will be in for Hendy/Carpenter.
This is what I think SB does btw. I still would pick Sela, Seb Atkinson and Carpenter.
Manny Itogun can’t play both sides and Furbank is not back from injury yet.
Oops, my mistake - for some reason I thought he played vs Bordeaux
I think we'll have six props but one of them will be the injured Baxter, if he's due back within the first week or two
Apparently it’s a calf issue which kept him out earlier in the season but this time it’s both calves without a fix.
Worrying for a player his age and coming out of contract.
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Jamie George is retiring next year and I am not sure if he is planning to be willing to go to the World Cup. I am wondering if the timing of this might be linked to the Six Nations squad being announced.
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Yeah, timing is a bit odd. Hard to think 6N selection is an issue although SB does need to get a clear idea of back up hookers.
LCD turns 34 in summer 27. He and George made their debuts within days of each other in 2015, their careers have been entwined and there would be a certain symmetry in them waltzing off into the international sunset together after the RWC. Definite vacancies even if LCD does play on for a bit.
LCD turns 34 in summer 27. He and George made their debuts within days of each other in 2015, their careers have been entwined and there would be a certain symmetry in them waltzing off into the international sunset together after the RWC. Definite vacancies even if LCD does play on for a bit.
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Bamber over Batley is bonkers, and I rate Bamber. Maybe in a few years, but I suspect there will then be conversations over others in the picture as well.
Prop situation will be most interesting IMO. No idea who makes it outside of the available mainstays. Also in the front row, Gabriel Oghre has been by far the best hooker on the spreadsheets/stats but I will be genuinely surprised if he's included.
Prop situation will be most interesting IMO. No idea who makes it outside of the available mainstays. Also in the front row, Gabriel Oghre has been by far the best hooker on the spreadsheets/stats but I will be genuinely surprised if he's included.
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Tough one. Batley is the better player. However, Bamber brings the size and physicality were lacking without Martin.
Better? not much in it IMO - but as you say, they bring different things, and answer different questions.
Being 5 years younger, Bamber has more head-room to improve beyond his current ability as well.
Personally, I'm happy with either, both are playing well enough to deserve a place on merit
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Oghre really needs to get a look in at some point. It feels kinda like we see with Mercer and others where all their stats prove they can deliver but all it takes is someone to say they are too small and that overrides whatever actual performances they put out.
Maybe not for this 6n but I think if he's not even in contention in the following year then borthwick is allowing himself to be less by physical characteristics rather than actual performance.
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Very true, although there’s also a world of difference between being outstanding at club level and handling the international stage.
SB seems to be quite data driven, but we obvs don’t know what metrics he uses.
Also the scrum has turned around into a bit of a weapon against most (maybe not Fra or SA yet) so I can understand that he wouldn’t want to compromise that, although whether Oghre or anyone else actually would I have no idea and there’s probably only one way to find out.
Who realistically is in the picture or even EQ options for this 6n
Seniors - Itoje, Chessum, Coles
Possibles:
Bamber, Batley, Isiekwe, Clark
"A" team Possibles
Lockett, Sodeke, Usher
Dont think ive missed any..? And from that, my personal preferance would be Ben Bamber taking that last lock spot for the 6n.
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I don’t like to bring him up but when is Ewels expected back? He’s been involved every time he’s been available.
Also think there’s a decent(ish) chance that Borthwick tries to solve the back row logjam by selecting 1 of CCS or Hill primarily as a lock given that he’s trusted both to cover there in the past. Hill’s been getting some game time at lock pretty much every week for Bath hasn’t he?
Hope he doesn’t go down that route though.
Also think there’s a decent(ish) chance that Borthwick tries to solve the back row logjam by selecting 1 of CCS or Hill primarily as a lock given that he’s trusted both to cover there in the past. Hill’s been getting some game time at lock pretty much every week for Bath hasn’t he?
Hope he doesn’t go down that route though.
Got an infection in his leg; was described as "quite a bit away" about a week ago.
Certainly doesn't sound like being in contention for the first block of 6N matches
CCS at lock is a weird one because SB repeatedly picked him as reserve lock, but then barely got him on the pitch
I'd much rather us look at him at 8, but who knows
