England Six Nations Squad 2025

[Saintjay]

What's the line from Gladiator something like "People should know when there conquered".

Being better at the sport that we gave the masses is just bloody rude.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Not sure it's "everyone".
Just Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France and Australia.

Don't think it's us anymore at all, the reverse actually. Probably have to go back to the Kidney days for Ireland's best performance in a calendar year being against England and 2021 for that to apply to the 6n. England have consistently raised their game to play us over the past few years.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Don't think it's us anymore at all, the reverse actually. Probably have to go back to the Kidney days for Ireland's best performance in a calendar year being against England and 2021 for that to apply to the 6n. England have consistently raised their game to play us over the past few years.

Nothing to do with green shirts and everything to do with the psychology powers of Ewels and Steward.

This year's win was the only one in the last 5 where we haven't had a losing margin of at least 13. So if that's raising our game…..

 

[BPM]

It's a good narrative, but is that really a thing now, bar perhaps the first 5 minutes after the anthems? Maybe more for the fans than the players, although that might filter through a bit?

If Wal are bang up for it, its probably more because they'll be desperate to salvage something from their championship rather than the opposition being in white shirts.

For Wales and Scotland it definitely is. The only reason it's not so much for Ireland these days is because they are good enough to beat us without being fuelled by hate.

The Scots are too at the moment, but they're still annoyed about Longshanks.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

'Sam Underhill is now a major doubt to play any part in the Six Nations, with Bath confirming that the England flanker requires surgery on his ankle' Nkt sure he will ever play for England again.

Meanwhile Ollie Chessum is set to skip the training camp to get more playing minutes. Not sure that's the best idea.

 

[Jimbo]

Feels like it's mainly Scotland in the six nations who love the English scalp, that for sure filtered down to the players in the last decade, Hogg insufferable at times, outside of that Australia were fairly desperate as we'd had their no since our home WC group exit in 2015, the recent loss to them might have diminished that for a while.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Feels like it's mainly Scotland in the six nations who love the English scalp, that for sure filtered down to the players in the last decade, Hogg insufferable at times, outside of that Australia were fairly desperate as we'd had their no since our home WC group exit in 2015, the recent loss to them might have diminished that for a while.

Speaking of Hogg, I think his attitude went beyond just being anti-English as shown by his recent issues...

 

[Geordie]

Ok so back row...

8:
Willis firing...surely starts at 8.

6
CCS v Curry v curve ball - Kenningham (Yes I know hes really a 7)

7
Earl v Pepper.

Or do you see it differently ...Pearson?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

CCS has dropped down the pecking order at Quins hasn't he?

I wouldn't be surprised at T.Curry, Earl, Willis and CCS on the bench, but B.Curry is in significantly better form than Tom and Earl

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

.

CCS has dropped down the pecking order at Quins hasn't he?

I wouldn't be surprised at T.Curry, Earl, Willis and CCS on the bench, but B.Curry is in significantly better form than Tom and Earl

Willis and B Curry definitely in form, but genuinely don't know what SB will do. Suspect he wouldn't want to start both v Ire on international experience grounds.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

With the new contracts already causing issues with IFW I can't see others on them not being used on the basis of form.

 

[BPM]

CCS has dropped down the pecking order at Quins hasn't he?

I wouldn't be surprised at T.Curry, Earl, Willis and CCS on the bench, but B.Curry is in significantly better form than Tom and Earl

CCS had a couple of ropes games and looked tired/out of sorts. Chisholm came in, played really well and has kept the shirt. I doubt it's a long term thing of 'dropping down the pecking order', but we have great options and Wilson has picked on form.

 

[BPM]

Ok so back row...

8:
Willis firing...surely starts at 8.

6
CCS v Curry v curve ball - Kenningham (Yes I know hes really a 7)

7
Earl v Pepper.

Or do you see it differently ...Pearson?

Yes lad.

Kenners is a 6.5 in the time-honoured tradition of his dad Chris Robshaw.

Joking aside, he's just a very good flanker who has a bit of everything, including a great attitude. Obviously I might be wrong, but we could throw him in against Ireland and he's the sort of guy that would already look like he's got 30 caps. As I said before, he reminds me of Mark Wilson. I would 100% have him in the squad and if he's given a shot, he will surprise people.

 

[BPM]

Feels like it's mainly Scotland in the six nations who love the English scalp, that for sure filtered down to the players in the last decade, Hogg insufferable at times, outside of that Australia were fairly desperate as we'd had their no since our home WC group exit in 2015, the recent loss to them might have diminished that for a while.

And not the Welsh? You sure about that?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

And not the Welsh? You sure about that?

Obviously there's some history, but as far as the players are concerned it can't be much more than another game.

In the professional era, emotion is dialled down as it's a bar to discipline, execution and process. The players all know each other anyway - most of the Welsh team play for Gloucester and being professional means that you don't get head to head coal miner vs city trader class wars. Some might thrive off slights to their forebears of several generations ago, but the days of Phil Bennett rhetoric are gone. Maybe there's a bit more feeling in the stands, for the majority 'hatred' is probably more pantomime than vitriol. These days it's not like the players or fans just leave their locality once a year, people now routinely travel for work and play.

 

[dirty harry]

Obviously there's some history, but as far as the players are concerned it can't be much more than another game.

In the professional era, emotion is dialled down as it's a bar to discipline, execution and process. The players all know each other anyway - most of the Welsh team play for Gloucester and being professional means that you don't get head to head coal miner vs city trader class wars. Some might thrive off slights to their forebears of several generations ago, but the days of Phil Bennett rhetoric are gone. Maybe there's a bit more feeling in the stands, for the majority 'hatred' is probably more pantomime than vitriol. These days it's not like the players or fans just leave their locality once a year, people now routinely travel for work and play.

This is all true, but it's not quite as simple as that.

Underdog mentality means they have to step out of the execution, process and cool head mindset sometimes...

I promise you players when under the cosh don't half play on the rivalry train, use any advantage they can get, the Welsh, Scots and Irish will all pull the 'not today England' card at differing times.

Currently the Welsh should be starting most games with a prayer lol

 

[Geordie]

Yes lad.

Kenners is a 6.5 in the time-honoured tradition of his dad Chris Robshaw.

Joking aside, he's just a very good flanker who has a bit of everything, including a great attitude. Obviously I might be wrong, but we could throw him in against Ireland and he's the sort of guy that would already look like he's got 30 caps. As I said before, he reminds me of Mark Wilson. I would 100% have him in the squad and if he's given a shot, he will surprise people.

There's a serious dilemma in that back row now.

As mentioned form 7's (6.5) is probably B. Curry and Kenningham.
Earl is your explosive carrier who's covered brilliantly at 8 but surely Willis MUST start there.
So where does that leave Earl?

CCS is understandably having a dip but he's a young kid who's still developing his strength and fitness. It was bound to happen.

Do Pollock and Pepper come in to the conversation at all. I think they're Summer discussions but if one was to be selected I'd be looking at Pepper, he's just a class act and very rounded.

There's also Pearson, Tom Curry, Does Chessum get the get time he needs?

Dombrandt surely isn't part of this anymore?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I mean does Earl have to start? He's been in poor form the last couple of international periods and not really been setting the world alight at Saracens either
I'd say he's burnt through his credit in the bank at this point and should have to prove he deserves to start
For me he's on the bench covering the whole backrow atm

Leave Pollock in the u20s for this 6N and then look at bringing him in in the summer

I like Pearson but his form has been erratic - looks to be getting better now though, wouldn't be against him at 6 tbh

 

[Geordie]

I mean does Earl have to start? He's been in poor form the last couple of international periods and not really been setting the world alight at Saracens either
I'd say he's burnt through his credit in the bank at this point and should have to prove he deserves to start
For me he's on the bench covering the whole backrow atm

Leave Pollock in the u20s for this 6N and then look at bringing him in in the summer

I like Pearson but his form has been erratic - looks to be getting better now though, wouldn't be against him at 6 tbh

No Earl doesn't have to start. Your right he hasn't been firing for England of late, but he is experienced now at this level (for whatever that counts for)

If your going on form would you start an internationally inexperienced back row as say:

6 Tom Curry
7 Ben Curry
8 Tom Willis

Or even
6 Kenningham/ Pearson
7 Ben Curry
8 Willis

 

[BPM]

The back row should always be about balance.

Despite the fact that they play in different positions, I think Underhill's injury potentially increases Willis' chances. It creates an opportunity to use him in tandem with Earl and mitigate any inexperience with familiarity. However, to round out the trio, I either think you need T. Curry's industry or Chessum's lineout prowess at 6. Picking CCS with Earl and Willis probably wouldn't have the same balance as they all like to carry.

Personally, I'd go with Chessum and T. Curry or a Curry combo on the flanks with Willis at 8 and Earl on the bench for impact.