England Six Nations Squad 2025

[BPM]

I think Marcus Smith has been set up to fail by Steve Borthwick. Played at fullback in the expectation that he wouldn't perform well there so Borthwick could have an excuse to drop him. He has been eased out of the team in a planned process. He was never a Borthwick style player.

Interesting theory, I’m not sure I’d credit him with being that Machiavellian though.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

The media are loving it - feels like some of them really want Marcus Smith to have a big downfall.

 

[Geordie]

I don't think SB wants shot of Marcus at all. He absolutely understands how good he is ..but he probably also understands that a cavalier 10 doesn't win you much at 6n level.

Whilst Fin Russell isnt the runner like Marcus, he's a similar off the cuff player..but Scotland had no other options so have spent the time to develop him. Now he's one of the best in the world.

Marcus is seen to do too much himself whereas Fin Smith "supposedly" let's the team do the work. We still need to see that really come through ....

It almost feels like a Mehrtens v Carlos Spencer scenario...where the maverick unbelievably skilled Spencer didn't start the games.

As for 15...Marcus is not a 15. But Steward is not fancied, Carpenter not, not many others so Daly is back. I personally think that's a backward move but is why I tend to defend SB more than I should as it highlights the status of the Prem at the moment. A poor development tool for international rugby .

 

[Rugbyfan564]

It sounds like Borthwick wants his players to be at as few clubs as possible and therefore the more dominating club players will have a stronger chance of getting starting places going forward.

Unless F Smith is absent entirely M Smith won’t start again under Borthwick.

 

[IT157]

It sounds like Borthwick wants his players to be at as few clubs as possible. He has effectively admited so today.

Makes sense with cohesion.

 

[BPM]

The media are loving it - feels like some of them really want Marcus Smith to have a big downfall.

Yep. A certain Mr Jones has undoubtedly produced a copious amount of juice over this lineup which makes it all the more irritating.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

I wouldn't be surprised if vs Wales he is dropped entirely and Ford is on the bench instead.

Yep. A certain Mr Jones has undoubtedly produced a copious amount of juice over this lineup which makes it all the more irritating.

It feels like some at the RFU are happy as well.

 

[TopTen2003]

Marcus Smith is unlucky not to play- hasn't done much wrong at 10 and done his best in his opening attempts as a 15. however what a bloke to have on a bench. His fresh legs against tired defenders is an asset to us. Can see how Fin Smith suits a Borthwick game plan more than Marcus but it's great to have a maverick available off the bench.

What's the verdict on Dingwall? Could he be the midfield foil we've been waiting on?

Think these are two very important games for Borthwick and an upset in either should spell the end.

 

[Saintjay]

It sounds like Borthwick wants his players to be at as few clubs as possible and therefore the more dominating club players will have a stronger chance of getting starting places going forward.

Unless F Smith is absent entirely M Smith won't start again under Borthwick.

Then Borthwick needs to get a goddamm suit on and say thank you to Sam Vesty.

Even I'm not mad enough to think the Saints backs are all the best in England.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

So in the 4th game of the championship we’ll be on our 3rd starting FB and 3rd midfield combination. None of it injury enforced and it’s not exactly like Daly or Dingwall had been exactly smashing the door down, demanding selection.

 

[Flankers' paradise]

For all we know, these could be 'squad rotation' rather than part of a strategic overhaul and HS and MS revert for the final round

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

For all we know, these could be 'squad rotation' rather than part of a strategic overhaul and HS and MS revert for the final round

I’d put a pretty reasonable amount of money on that not being the case. There’s a time and a place for rotation and experimentation and this isn’t it.

Dropping Slade on form is fair enough. But the whole M Smith thing is just bizarre and in any event I suspect Furbank will walk back in once fit. FB no4.

I alluded to it earlier but I suspect things won’t be rosy between Sinfield and SB. Smith to 15 was Sinfield’s idea and he was in the press a few days ago saying it would be wrong to abandon it now….which is exactly what SB has done. KS is probably hacked off and SB will (rightly) not be happy about an underling speaking to the media with a message that he clearly wouldn’t have authorised.

Will be interesting to see whether M comes on at 10 or 15. Suspect Plan A is probably the latter.

 

[BPM]

He needs to really just take his time when he comes on tbh - the classic online crowd will be will be on his back for the smallest mistake, so don't force anything and relax.

Tbh, can see Borthwick bringing him on for 10 seconds though.

Really am coming to the stage where I'd almost be rather we had a poor end to this tournament and all got put out of our misery with this nonsense. It's ****, and terrible to watch.

That probably assumes he’s coming on at 10 though which (unfortunately) I doubt. I would expect him to come on for Daly at around 60mins.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

For all we know, these could be 'squad rotation' rather than part of a strategic overhaul and HS and MS revert for the final round

I think Borthwick would have hinted at that rather than it be widely reported as the death kneel of MS career as a starter and for HS career as a whole.

 

[Flankers' paradise]

Borths**t hasn't said anything really other than what he looks forward to seeing from MS/FD, he's never tended to discuss things like rotation or experimentation in such terms. He won't speak openly about negative attributes mid-tournament at least but he may want to avoid MS defending against Capuozzo early on. He's also aware that Italy are more likely to run out of gas in the final 10 than the teams we've already played so he can talk about bringing MS on for that reason and not look like he's talking rubbish. I wouldn't be surprised to see him starting again v Wales.
The media have always been sensationalist, when MS first came onto the international scene it was about the end of Ford's career yet he's still knocking about. The reality is we now have a luxury not every team has which is 2 high quality operators at 10 and SB is trying to find the best ways to utilise both

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Borths**t hasn't said anything really other than what he looks forward to seeing from MS/FD, he's never tended to discuss things like rotation or experimentation in such terms. He won't speak openly about negative attributes mid-tournament at least but he may want to avoid MS defending against Capuozzo early on. He's also aware that Italy are more likely to run out of gas in the final 10 than the teams we've already played so he can talk about bringing MS on for that reason and not look like he's talking rubbish. I wouldn't be surprised to see him starting again v Wales.
The media have always been sensationalist, when MS first came onto the international scene it was about the end of Ford's career yet he's still knocking about. The reality is we now have a luxury not every team has which is 2 high quality operators at 10 and SB is trying to find the best ways to utilise both

Given Daly's history I really wouldn't want him facing Capuozzo either.

Still don't get the rationale behind just 17 central contracts unless SB is just uncertain on too many. Less than half of the match day squad are on them - 10 starters plus Smith on bench. Dan, Ford & Slade not selected and IFW, Furbank and Martin injured.

 

[Which Tyler]

Borths**t hasn't said anything really other than what he looks forward to seeing from MS/FD, he's never tended to discuss things like rotation or experimentation in such terms. He won't speak openly about negative attributes mid-tournament at least but he may want to avoid MS defending against Capuozzo early on. He's also aware that Italy are more likely to run out of gas in the final 10 than the teams we've already played so he can talk about bringing MS on for that reason and not look like he's talking rubbish. I wouldn't be surprised to see him starting again v Wales.
The media have always been sensationalist, when MS first came onto the international scene it was about the end of Ford's career yet he's still knocking about. The reality is we now have a luxury not every team has which is 2 high quality operators at 10 and SB is trying to find the best ways to utilise both

Oh stop trying to be reasonable - can't you tell we're going all in on the hyperbole, and that being dropped to the bench for one match means the final nail in a player's career?

 

[BrokenWing]

According to Jamie George on the BBC podcast, Steve is the one picking them up for not playing heads up rugby, and it’s THEM that revert to the kick fest tactics….

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

According to Jamie George on the BBC podcast, Steve is the one picking them up for not playing heads up rugby, and it's THEM that revert to the kick fest tactics….

I can’t agree with that. Mitchell is heads up rugby and he literally did a box kick every 3 phases.

 

[BPM]

Yeah. I don’t buy that at all.