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England Six Nations Squad 2025

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)

Only 13 of the 23 from the RWC semi are even in the 36 man squad. Of those:

Guaranteed starters: Mitchell, Itoje, Genge, Martin, Chessum & Lawrence. In 23 these were split evenly between bench and starter.

Probable starters: T Curry & Earl although neither at peak. George who I reckon could lose his place over the tournament. Steward thanks to injury.

Probable bench: Dan

Unlikely to make match day squads: Ford, Daly

We have many problems, but lack of change really isn't one of them.
 
With the exception of the lack of a true 12, I like the squad.
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I know you can't always read too much into things like this, but I do feel as though the makeup of this squad suggests that Chessum will be playing lock rather than 6. If he was in as a lock I reckon Isiekwe would be in there over Dombrandt.
 
I know you can't always read too much into things like this, but I do feel as though the makeup of this squad suggests that Chessum will be playing lock rather than 6. If he was in as a lock I reckon Isiekwe would be in there over Dombrandt.
Hasn't Coles been predominantly Lock for Saints this season rather than playing 6 aswell?

Ted Hill is the interesting one for me. Honestly didn't think we'd see him so what is SBs thoughts for him.
 
Hasn't Coles been predominantly Lock for Saints this season rather than playing 6 aswell?

Ted Hill is the interesting one for me. Honestly didn't think we'd see him so what is SBs thoughts for him.
Ted Hill is exactly the kind of player that Borthwick likes (though maybe the data says different) so its surprising he has taken so long to pick him.
 
I know you can't always read too much into things like this, but I do feel as though the makeup of this squad suggests that Chessum will be playing lock rather than 6. If he was in as a lock I reckon Isiekwe would be in there over Dombrandt.
Isiekwe is going to the camp but as part of the rehabilitation list due to a shoulder injury.
 
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Hasn't Coles been predominantly Lock for Saints this season rather than playing 6 aswell?

Ted Hill is the interesting one for me. Honestly didn't think we'd see him so what is SBs thoughts for him.
Coles has played like maybe 2 games at 6 in about 4 years now.

But this season he's spent most of it injured or coming back from injury before getting a different one.
 

George disappointed to lose captaincy.

He seemed too jolly to be captain material.

Not someone you could take seriously.

You've got to be an automatic pick. Virtually overnight George went from indispensable to early subbed and with LCD back in form and Dan the obvious dynamic bench option, it's quite possible he may lose a spot in the 23 before long. Age obviously not on his side either.

Results obviously not great on his watch, although I'd be really interested to see a comparison of results v scorelines when he went off.
 
You've got to be an automatic pick. Virtually overnight George went from indispensable to early subbed and with LCD back in form and Dan the obvious dynamic bench option, it's quite possible he may lose a spot in the 23 before long. Age obviously not on his side either.

Results obviously not great on his watch, although I'd be really interested to see a comparison of results v scorelines when he went off.
Also as a Hooker he's also not on the pitch the full 80.
 
OK, but let's be fair here. Farrell was always going to be retained for the RWC.

George was a good choice to take the role on a short term basis - age always meant that it would be a short-ish run. Arguably, we could have gone straight to Itoje, but I don't really think Borthwick's done anything badly wrong here.


George disappointed to lose captaincy.

He seemed too jolly to be captain material.

Not someone you could take seriously.
Not sure I agree with with this at all. He's had a great career and is very well respected. He's also good at talking to refs in a way Owen never could.

The problem is the fact that he can't be effective for longer than 50-55mins. It's very normal for front rows to come off at that point in a game, but it's more problematic when your skipper is one of them.
You've got to be an automatic pick. Virtually overnight George went from indispensable to early subbed and with LCD back in form and Dan the obvious dynamic bench option, it's quite possible he may lose a spot in the 23 before long. Age obviously not on his side either.

Results obviously not great on his watch, although I'd be really interested to see a comparison of results v scorelines when he went off.
This is the key point for me. England have been a better side when he's on the pitch. We fade later on in games where his leadership is needed.

The smart choice IMO is to use George's leadership skills in the last 30. He might not be an impact sub in the traditional respect, but he could absolutely be an asset in preventing our all too frequent final quarter collapse.

Let's say it's a tight game vs. Ireland, France or Scotland and a late clutch throw might be the difference maker in winning or losing. I'd much rather George is taking it than Dan.
 
Coles has played like maybe 2 games at 6 in about 4 years now.

But this season he's spent most of it injured or coming back from injury before getting a different one.
Thanks for clarifying...so hes a lock pure and simple.

Hope he gets over these injuries.
 

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