England Six Nations Squad 2025

[Which Tyler]

Maro Itoje appointed new England captain for Six Nations

EXCLUSIVE BY NIK SIMON: Steve Borthwick confirmed Mail Sport's exclusive story on Tuesday and revealed George will continue to operate as Itoje's understudy.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Shows central contracts could become even more of a mess if Cowan-Dickie starts ahead of not one but two centrally contracted players

Regardless of your repeated assertions, central contracts were never a guarantee of playing time, and were never supposed to give any player a bump in their chances of selection.

 

[MarkyH]

I've no doubt the A squad will excite me more :/

 

[Wasps92]

Yet another England squad selected with no inside centres. Its like the position doesn't exist in England.

I'm sick to death of it.

Would love to hear Borthwick's reasons why. It must be over 10 years since England had a proper 12.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Regardless of your repeated assertions, central contracts were never a guarantee of playing time, and were never supposed to give any player a bump in their chances of selection.

No, although the RFU will rightly take a hammering if they're shelling out £160K or whatever on fringe players who seldom feature.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

No, although the RFU will rightly take a hammering if they're shelling out £160K or whatever on fringe players who seldom feature.

And inflaming tensions with clubs if they requesting rest, treatments etc of players they don't then use.

 

[Wasps92]

It's just utterly boring as expected from the head coach.

Lack of IC is astonishing, not one other tier one nation would do that. Ojomoh has been round the squads long enough, is playing well and isn't a kid anymore. Atkinson playing well week in week out. Even Kelly who is not in the conversation anymore got binned when he was playing well. Even Hartley who is back from injury has never got a look in but is clearly someone who is a 12 and can be worked with. Northmore being playing 12 too. Lining up with Beard.

Slade doesn't even play in the centres anymore, and while I'm not against him in the squad its already peeved me off that he was straight back in for the AIs despite not playing any games, then looked rusty in tight games.

What's next? Fullback. Daly. His time has gone. Lets teach Carpenter the playbook, or Glanville. I don't mind Steward in there (I'm still a huge fan) but Borthwick doesn't have a clue about his 15s identity. I've no doubt he wants Smith to cover there, but he's not a 15. He doesn't play there.

Forwards. Glad to see some new old props in. But eventually picking Willis who will no doubt be binned for Dombrandt who just hasn't show international quality. It's a wasted squad space that could go to a proper 6 in Pearson or an *apprentice player like Pollock. Or even a Pepper.

We're not in transition. We have enough players for us to pick 3 decent teams. But Borthwick just wants to pick a mess. It reminds me of Man Utd just randomly hoping players work together. There is no identity to the team and Borthwick is still acting like he's only been in the job 1 month.

Anyway. Come on England.

Brilliant post.

 

[Geordie]

It's just utterly boring as expected from the head coach.

Lack of IC is astonishing, not one other tier one nation would do that. Ojomoh has been round the squads long enough, is playing well and isn't a kid anymore. Atkinson playing well week in week out. Even Kelly who is not in the conversation anymore got binned when he was playing well. Even Hartley who is back from injury has never got a look in but is clearly someone who is a 12 and can be worked with. Northmore being playing 12 too. Lining up with Beard.

Slade doesn't even play in the centres anymore, and while I'm not against him in the squad its already peeved me off that he was straight back in for the AIs despite not playing any games, then looked rusty in tight games.

What's next? Fullback. Daly. His time has gone. Lets teach Carpenter the playbook, or Glanville. I don't mind Steward in there (I'm still a huge fan) but Borthwick doesn't have a clue about his 15s identity. I've no doubt he wants Smith to cover there, but he's not a 15. He doesn't play there.

Forwards. Glad to see some new old props in. But eventually picking Willis who will no doubt be binned for Dombrandt who just hasn't show international quality. It's a wasted squad space that could go to a proper 6 in Pearson or an *apprentice player like Pollock. Or even a Pepper.

We're not in transition. We have enough players for us to pick 3 decent teams. But Borthwick just wants to pick a mess. It reminds me of Man Utd just randomly hoping players work together. There is no identity to the team and Borthwick is still acting like he's only been in the job 1 month.

Anyway. Come on England.

I actually dont view it as boring. Theres individual quality all over. Theres youth...meaning more youth like Pollock / Pepper can wait until the Summer tour which will be tough anyway.

Theres a handful of "he should be ins or why is he in" but in general most people would pick the majority of this squad if asked. The big issue is the coaches making the most of the players they have and playing the right game...tactics etc.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I actually dont view it as boring. Theres individual quality all over. Theres youth...meaning more youth like Pollock / Pepper can wait until the Summer tour which will be tough anyway.

Theres a handful of "he should be ins or why is he in" but in general most people would pick the majority of this squad if asked. The big issue is the coaches making the most of the players they have and playing the right game...tactics etc.

Yeah, the player base is what it is. There are always a few marginal calls, but most would have picked 90% of the same players.

The tune the coaches then get out of those players is another matter.

A squads are always more exciting as that's where the new and shiny can be blooded at little risk.

 

[MarkyH]

^^

We have a good base and I know there's a few marginal calls. I'm sure I'd pick 80/85% of the squad . But its also completely lacking in positions we really really need. And shows little endeavour in positions where we're re-picking tried and tested.

 

[MarkyH]

I actually dont view it as boring. Theres individual quality all over. Theres youth...meaning more youth like Pollock / Pepper can wait until the Summer tour which will be tough anyway.

Theres a handful of "he should be ins or why is he in" but in general most people would pick the majority of this squad if asked. The big issue is the coaches making the most of the players they have and playing the right game...tactics etc.

I get this, but the lack of 12. An old head at 15 who's not really been round that many squads recently. A number 8 that hasn't done anything. 4 players who play at 13.

Like I said above the core doesn't have to be ripped out. But surely relying on Dingwall, Daly, Dombrandt, Slade could easily offer Ojomoh, Carpenter, Pearson, Atkinson. We already have experience in the squad so it's time to build surely. I don't even see his selections as safe, just boring.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Not sure why people are moaning, there are two 12s in the squad….Earl and Freddie Steward

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Also on our locks, Chessum, Martin and Coles are all injured. So we are rocking up with just Itoje as the one with actual game time and a run of games.

Or maybe we'll see Hill in the row.

 

[Saintjay]

Not sure why people are moaning, there are two 12s in the squad….Earl and Freddie Steward

Working on the basis Steward isn't Borths preferred fullback. You might be onto something........but let's not tempt fate.

 

[Geordie]

I get this, but the lack of 12. An old head at 15 who's not really been round that many squads recently. A number 8 that hasn't done anything. 4 players who play at 13.

Like I said above the core doesn't have to be ripped out. But surely relying on Dingwall, Daly, Dombrandt, Slade could easily offer Ojomoh, Carpenter, Pearson, Atkinson. We already have experience in the squad so it's time to build surely. I don't even see his selections as safe, just boring.

I think 12 is a concern. I personally would have had Atkinson in the squad, at least to run the rule over him. He hasnt been in any squads though...even A games which is a concern to me.
Theres other positions where i query the selection but im not there with the stats assessing the players.

I dont get Dombrandts selection for example...but the stats must back him up.
Pearson is a jurys out for me....plays ok but still in and out of games a little too much. But hes getting better.
Carpenter absolutely should be in...over Daly.
Slade is a quality player but ive never consistently seen it replicated for England. I cant see him being in the England camp for much longer.
Ojomoh has been discussed already.

Theres probably 4/5 selections that cause some debate...which isnt a huge amount really.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Also on our locks, Chessum, Martin and Coles are all injured. So we are rocking up with just Itoje as the one with actual game time and a run of games.

Or maybe we'll see Hill in the row.

All our locks can also play 6, which also hints at a bit of an imbalance.

No to Hill in the row.

 

[MarkyH]

I think 12 is a concern. I personally would have had Atkinson in the squad, at least to run the rule over him. He hasnt been in any squads though...even A games which is a concern to me.
Theres other positions where i query the selection but im not there with the stats assessing the players.

I dont get Dombrandts selection for example...but the stats must back him up.
Pearson is a jurys out for me....plays ok but still in and out of games a little too much. But hes getting better.
Carpenter absolutely should be in...over Daly.
Slade is a quality player but ive never consistently seen it replicated for England. I cant see him being in the England camp for much longer.
Ojomoh has been discussed already.

Theres probably 4/5 selections that cause some debate...which isnt a huge amount really.

Which is why it should be completely reasonable to question those 4/5 selections. Of course we would all near enough pick 80/85% of the squad.

My 'boring' remark is a need to question that, and it appears we agree. He's gone conservative when he could've looked at something new or different.

 

[Geordie]

Which is why it should be completely reasonable to question those 4/5 selections. Of course we would all near enough pick 80/85% of the squad.

My 'boring' remark is a need to question that, and it appears we agree. He's gone conservative when he could've looked at something new or different.

Conservative or doesnt trust the youngster to perform in the hugely intense 6n just yet. Ive said many times he'll target the summer tour for more of the kids.

Experience is also critical in these tournaments and we already have a group of young inexperienced players in the backs. Not a huge amount of caps in there really...especially as Ford and Daly probably wont start or even be in the match day squad.

George Ford (98 Caps)
Henry Slade (69 caps)
Elliot Daly (69 caps)
------
Marcus Smith (39 Caps)
Freddie Steward (35 Caps)
Ollie Lawrence (31 caps)
---------
Alex Mitchell (18 Caps) ,
Jack van Poortvliet (16 caps)
Tommy Freeman (15 caps)
Harry Randall (11 Caps),
Fin Smith (6 Caps)
Ollie Sleightholme (5 Caps)
Tom Roebuck (3 caps)
Fraser Dingwall (2 caps)
Oscar Beard (Uncapped)
Cadan Murley (Uncapped)

 

[Saintjay]

Borthwick can't win on gaining caps and experience now. Which is no easy task and is always framed as building for the RWC.

If you're uncapped and make the summer tour you're not looking at a massive amount of caps before the world cup. I'm guessing around 20/25 caps with a summer tour, 2 x six nations and 2 x autumn series, RWC warm ups. That's if a players is in the 23 and injury free every game.

I believe the average for a RWC winning squad is 50 caps per position and apx 5 years of test experience. Which would support the need for settled squads but again that's vs the need for experience. The problem is for England is finding players good enough that are consistent and hold there own position in test match rugby. Who would be in everyone's starting XV with only two or three debatable decisions. Currently England have what 7/8 maybe more.

 

[Geordie]

Borthwick can't win on gaining caps and experience now. Which is no easy task and is always framed as building for the RWC.

If you're uncapped and make the summer tour you're not looking at a massive amount of caps before the world cup. I'm guessing around 20/25 caps with a summer tour, 2 x six nations and 2 x autumn series, RWC warm ups. That's if a players is in the 23 and injury free every game.

I believe the average for a RWC winning squad is 50 caps per position and apx 5 years of test experience. Which would support the need for settled squads but again that's vs the need for experience. The problem is for England is finding players good enough that are consistent and hold there own position in test match rugby. Who would be in everyone's starting XV with only two or three debatable decisions. Currently England have what 7/8 maybe more.

This is the big issue...experience v talented youngsters.

If the experience is playing well, no issue.
If the youngsters are playing much better, then they should come in.

But if neither is standing out...who do you pick? And in several cases we have this stage with many England positions.

 

[Scotty]

If SB had had Ojomoh in in place of say Beard, I think there still would be some debate on the squad but more preferences.

The squad is fine and given injuries and available alternatives I actually do like this squad as a whole

Yes I prob wouldn't have Dombrandt if you have Willis and Earl, and Daly seems passed it a bit to me but no huge issues.

Apart from 4 13s and 0 12's, Slades been playing 10 most of the season and is a 13, Lawrence is prob the form 13 this season playing week in week out with one of the two 12 I'd have in, just pick a 12 even of you don't play Ojomoh vs Ireland thats fine just least have one in the squad to get experience in games 3 4 and 5. Ready for summer tour.