England 6 Nation squad 2024

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

You're obsessed!

I feel it's stewards agent trying to generate market hype

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I'd rather we found a genuine 12, so that Lawrence can play 13, and Freeman can play wing.
Sorry, what am I thinking? Playing people in their specialist positions - it'll never work!


9. Mitchell - then a battle between JVP, Warr & Quirke
10. FSmith / Ford / MSmith - I'd have them in that order, but there's nothing really in it - almost an embarrassment of riches.
11. Freeman - then there's a host of promising wings, just have to trust the coaches here.
12. ??? - currently, a battle between Dingwall, Ojomoh, Hartley and Kelly, and that would appear to be the coaches' pecking order, hopefully one or two of them will be considered "ready" in time for the summer.
13. Lawrence - then a battle between Slade, Joseph, and a few others
14. Feyi-Waboso - then there's a host of promising wings, just have to trust the coaches here.
15. Steward / Furbank - can be pretty much a horses for courses selection, then probably someone like Hodge or De Glanville behind them.

TBH, it's almost as much about what the players are empowered to do as much as which individuals. Not to mention how the forwards are going.

As far as possible I'd stick with the same team against France. Personally I'd have a preference for M Smith and Steward but players should have the shirt until they play themselves out of it, get hurt or someone else makes a really compelling case for it.

Saturday's was a very good performance, although in the cold light of day maybe not really one for the ages - it was nowhere near as authoritative as the 19 SF which was a total close out in a high stakes knock out game, this was a scrape over the line at home. Nonetheless those players did very well and deserve another crack.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Yeah I wouldn't change anything outside of injuries

 

[Rinkadink]

Yeah I wouldn't change anything outside of injuries

I'd start M. Smith and have F. Smith on the bench (if fit, Ford on bench if not) but other than that, see how it goes for a second week in a row.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I mean people give Ford **** but yet praise the attacking rugby we played whilst he was on the pitch


He had a bad kicking day but Marcus has them aswell

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

K Brookes was in the 23 shirt for Toulon last week.

Our saviour at 12?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I mean people give Ford **** but yet praise the attacking rugby we played whilst he was on the pitch


He had a bad kicking day but Marcus has them aswell

Yeah, neither's Iceman

Ford had taken a lot of flak in earlier games, and rightly.

But here, as you say. As it stands though it's more exception than rule. Let's see what France brings.

 

[Jimbo]

I mean people give Ford **** but yet praise the attacking rugby we played whilst he was on the pitch


He had a bad kicking day but Marcus has them aswell

Yeah that's fair, having a hard running 12 on your shoulder offering a genuine threat will always allow you to play an attacking game, he has looked pretty rough for Sale this season but after that Ireland game deserves a place at the weekend.

 

[Which Tyler]

Pepper for CCS
View attachment 19306

A call up just to train for a week is not to be sneezed at.
I'm sure Silly Bollocks will put him through the mill in training.

 

[BrokenWing]

I mean people give Ford **** but yet praise the attacking rugby we played whilst he was on the pitch


He had a bad kicking day but Marcus has them aswell

The only one I really got annoyed by was the drop goal attempt with penalty advantage, but I'd have felt the same if he'd slotted it. You have to be backing yourself for the three so why not have a bit more ambition?

 

[Jimbo]

The only one I really got annoyed by was the drop goal attempt with penalty advantage, but I'd have felt the same if he'd slotted it. You have to be backing yourself for the three so why not have a bit more ambition?

Equally, appreciate it was last play of the game Smith could of continued for the try knowing a pretty easy pen was on offer.

 

[BrokenWing]

Equally, appreciate it was last play of the game Smith could have continued for the try knowing a pretty easy pen was on offer.

I'm not talking about that one, I understand why you'd drop to win in the last 30 seconds. There was a George Ford one with penalty advantage which was scuffed along the ground.

 

[Jimbo]

I'm not talking about that one, I understand why you'd drop to win in the last 30 seconds. There was a George Ford one with penalty advantage which was scuffed along the ground.

I realise you weren't, I was hence using equally, I was more making the point that I'm being equally as critical of Smith doing it whilst accepting it was last play of the game but with a pen in hand, only a few meters out which would have got the bonus point, I am however being hyper critical and do understand why when all is said and done.

 

[Scotty]

Id start the same 23 but swap Smith and Ford, id like to see Smith get a shot.

I really think a back 3 of IFW Furbank Freeman is one to carry this team as all 3 are quick with the wingers strong in the carry and Furbank as an extra playmaker.

Also i want Freeman to stay as a winger rather than 13. He is good enough and has the attributes to be a good 13 yet i like how he is a strong carrier who doesnt stay ln his wing but goes searching for work like an extra centre. IFW also looks for work and is strong in the carry. Both also seem good indefence and are not lacking pace.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

K Brookes was in the 23 shirt for Toulon last week.

Our saviour at 12?

I WASN'T SERIOUS

 

[Which Tyler]

Meh, I've no problem with going for a drop goal when you get a penalty advantage, especially if there's nothing much on and you're trying to up the tempo.
Ford's was a terrible attempt, but these things happen when it's a snap decision.

I get the argument of "go for the try or don't bother doing anything" when you get advantage, but there's a lot to be said for A] keeping the threat in the opposition's minds as something they need to cover, and B] taking the 3 points very quickly, and getting on with the game without letting up the pressure (if the kick succeeds).

I think a certain (far from all) of the reason it's being criticised so much is that A] it missed, and B] it was Ford doing it, and he seems to be being the villain of the piece now there's no Farrell around.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

B] it was Ford doing it, and he seems to be being the villain of the piece now there's no Farrell around.

Northern Racism

 

[Which Tyler]

Northern Racism

Ah, well, fair enough then. I'll stand down.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Meh, I've no problem with going for a drop goal when you get a penalty advantage, especially if there's nothing much on and you're trying to up the tempo.

Agree with that.

Although if Steward had been playing, the other advantage staple of the cross field kick would have been on and yielded at least a 75% chance of a try……

 

[Rugbyfan564]

'Manu Tuilagi is likely to leave Sale Sharks at the end of the season to move overseas, Telegraph Sport understands, bringing his long England career and time in English rugby to an end.

The England centre, 32, is ready to end his four-year spell at Sale with the club struggling to create enough salary cap room to keep Tuilagi beyond this season.

While Tuilagi's departure is not yet confirmed, it is understood that a significant change in circumstances with Sale's cap would be required for Tuilagi to somehow stay, which is viewed as an unlikely prospect.

Sale have in fact already lined up a replacement for next season to take Tuilagi's place in the squad, with talks underway '

Manu Tuilagi poised to end England career with Sale exit amid salary cap concerns

Centre likely to move overseas at end of Sharks’ deal this summer and bow out with 59 caps after 13 years as an international

www.telegraph.co.uk

Why has he selected him when the spot in training could be used by someone available next year.