England Six Nations Squad 2025

[Geordie]

So onto France.

like Martin but he's not currently having the impact he initially did.

Surely Earl at 8 has run its course. He's not in the greatest form and I think he's been found out a little. We need more heft there - Willis is the Prem form horse,

No competition in the front row and Itoje's nailed on.

Behind I really have no idea. ?

Agree.
George Martin just isn't bringing that power and grit we hoped. Smashing things in attack and defence. So if he's not producing then change tact and Chessum in the row and bring power in to the back row with Willis.

Earl off the bench.

Front row is a worry for me....some of Fasogabon, Fordjour, Sela, Iyogun, Haffar need to go on the summer tour. And Langdon what's the issue with him? He's heads and shoulders above Theo Dan!

Backs...problems that we were aware of.

12 ....
10 Smith v Smith will become more of a talking point I think...
15 Steward just isn't doing anything to make that shirt his.
14 What do to with Freeman. Opinions seem to divide on him yesterday...I thought he was excellent others didn't. But maybe he needs moved at this level. Maybe 15 or 13 needs to be discussed.

And the tactics...
Is going out all guns blazing and then crawling to the line the best option?

 

[higgik]

So onto France.

The 3 open sides was a qualified success and it could never be more than that. Competitive at the breakdown but compromises elsewhere.

Not got many minutes in his legs, but surely Chessum comes in. Probably at 6 but wouldn't discount him in the row - like Martin but he's not currently having the impact he initially did.

Surely Earl at 8 has run its course. He's not in the greatest form and I think he's been found out a little. We need more heft there - Willis is the Prem form horse, although I didn't really notice him yesterday. CCS isn't the complete footballer but he brings natural power and we already know that he can give go forward at this level and land some big hits.

No competition in the front row and Itoje's nailed on.

Behind I really have no idea. But just one observation - the best teams in this tournament really, in very different ways, dance to the tunes of their 9s. Don't really have to say much more on Dupont, while I'd say JGP is Ireland's most important player. Mitchell is clearly our best option. But when was the last time an English 9 was a really dominant force?

BR needs to be Hill, Curry B and Willis

 

[higgik]

Agree.
George Martin just isn't bringing that power and grit we hoped. Smashing things in attack and defence. So if he's not producing then change tact and Chessum in the row and bring power in to the back row with Willis.

Earl off the bench.

Front row is a worry for me....some of Fasogabon, Fordjour, Sela, Iyogun, Haffar need to go on the summer tour. And Langdon what's the issue with him? He's heads and shoulders above Theo Dan!

Backs...problems that we were aware of.

12 ....
10 Smith v Smith will become more of a talking point I think...
15 Steward just isn't doing anything to make that shirt his.
14 What do to with Freeman. Opinions seem to divide on him yesterday...I thought he was excellent others didn't. But maybe he needs moved at this level. Maybe 15 or 13 needs to be discussed.

And the tactics...
Is going out all guns blazing and then crawling to the line the best option?

For either then we need running options at 12 and 13, as well as active wingers. Basically needs to be lots of running lines and they pick the option.
That is what Ireland did last night, they created confusion in the defence and exploited the space.

 

[Geordie]

For either then we need running options at 12 and 13, as well as active wingers. Basically needs to be lots of running lines and they pick the option.
That is what Ireland did last night, they created confusion in the defence and exploited the space.

Slade isn't either of them... though Lawrence played well in parts.

We have wingers who can play the game we need them to....experience will be an issue but that has to be built up.
I also think Carpenter needs to be looked at for 15 and as I said above maybe consider Freemans position in the backline.

 

[Geordie]

We're lacking some real bruising physicality... someone who can change the momentum of a game with a huge hit or carry. Underhill does this...
That's what I expect from Martin but he's just not doing this at all.

So do we need to look at Ted Hill?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Momentum changing hits only change momentum if the rest of the team are buoyed by it
There were plenty of hits yesterday that drove back Irish attackers

Wouldn't be against Hill coming in but it should be him vs CCS for a spot, really - unless they drop Earl from the 23, start Chessum in the backrow and have Hill covering lock from the bench

Calls to drop Freeman are ridiculous

I find it strange how the reaction to the game yesterday is so much stronger than the reaction to many of our previous games that were far far worse

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Momentum changing hits only change momentum if the rest of the team are buoyed by it
There were plenty of hits yesterday that drove back Irish attackers

Wouldn't be against Hill coming in but it should be him vs CCS for a spot, really - unless they drop Earl from the 23, start Chessum in the backrow and have Hill covering lock from the bench

Calls to drop Freeman are ridiculous

I find it strange how the reaction to the game yesterday is so much stronger than the reaction to many of our previous games that were far far worse

Because it's the hope that kills.

A decent first half and then getting completely walloped in the 2nd. Yeah we got a couple of late scores when the game was dead which got us a LBP and put some undeserved gloss on the scoreboard, but in reality we were just swept away once Ireland got their sh*t together. Before those late scores it was something like 22 unanswered points.

It's just been the classic one step forward and two back hallmark of this regime.

Let's see what Fra brings but it's odd on we're scrapping with Sco for 3rd / 4th again.

7 defeats in our last 9 matches.

 

[Crash Hamster]

Or we need a little experience still. Ireland have the highest average age. I think Dingwall is only 25 so not exactly an OAP.

Oh I agree entirely; I had previously said

Looking at an inconsistent kid is pretty much what the A team is for. I'd be more than happy if Dingwall got the gig should Slade be injured, but there's not a lot of point in giving him the A team spot.

so for clarity:

If Dingwall replaced Slade the side may be better for it.

In my opinion, playing Dingwall (25) in the A game is a waste of a space because he has demonstrated that he could do a fine job at full international level. The A team spot should be given to someone younger with a possibly higher ceiling, to give them experience pending a promotion. The stated aim of teh A team was to act as a bridge between the U20s and the full international side.

You're pushing against an open door, my friend.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

When SB fires up his spreadsheets for France he'll notice that…..

The discipline needs to be sorted. We can moan all we like about the ref, but at the end of the day, it looks like another we managed to get on the wrong side of. Conceding 11 pens, 2 free kicks and a yellow isn't going to help win many matches. The only players to concede more than one pen were the captain Itoje and vice captain Genge.

Slade conceded one turnover and missed 4 out of 10 attempted tackles. Mitchell also conceded a turnover and only completed 3 of 9 attempted tackles.

Freeman conceded 3 turnovers with LCD and Itoje conceding 2 each. The only other multiple offender was Earl who conceded 2 and missed 3 of the 10 tackles he attempted.

Standout in defence was B Curry with a perfect completion of 18. Itoje completed all 15 of his and Martin all 14 of his.

Stuart was recorded with just 2 metres run, Martin just 1 and zero from Itoje. Your big guys have to make more impact than that.

Source:

Ireland vs England - Player Statistics - Six Nations 2025 - 1 Feb, 2025 - ESPN

Get a summary of the Ireland vs England, Six Nations 2025 1 Feb, 2025 rugby match.

www.espn.co.uk

 

[higgik]

We're lacking some real bruising physicality... someone who can change the momentum of a game with a huge hit or carry. Underhill does this...
That's what I expect from Martin but he's just not doing this at all.

So do we need to look at Ted Hill?

Hill offers everything of CCS but with a brain, so why not!!!!
He is a lineout option, fast enough to keep up in attack, and has good D.
A BR of Hill, Curry B, Willis would have the balance in D, but also great options in attack.
This complimented by a power and pace midfield, such as Ojomoh and Lawrence would get a better balance.

 

[Crash Hamster]

When SB fires up his spreadsheets for France he'll notice that…..

The discipline needs to be sorted. We can moan all we like about the ref, but at the end of the day, it looks like another we managed to get on the wrong side of. Conceding 11 pens, 2 free kicks and a yellow isn't going to help win many matches. The only players to concede more than one pen were the captain Itoje and vice captain Genge.

Slade conceded one turnover and missed 4 out of 10 attempted tackles. Mitchell also conceded a turnover and only completed 3 of 9 attempted tackles.

Freeman conceded 3 turnovers with LCD and Itoje conceding 2 each. The only other multiple offender was Earl who conceded 2 and missed 3 of the 10 tackles he attempted.

Standout in defence was B Curry with a perfect completion of 18. Itoje completed all 15 of his and Martin all 14 of his.

Stuart was recorded with just 2 metres run, Martin just 1 and zero from Itoje. Your big guys have to make more impact than that.

Source:

Ireland vs England - Player Statistics - Six Nations 2025 - 1 Feb, 2025 - ESPN

Get a summary of the Ireland vs England, Six Nations 2025 1 Feb, 2025 rugby match.

www.espn.co.uk

Ollie Lawrence's stats seem to confirm that he had a good game. I hope he's now settled into the role. 12 tackles, none missed, metres, 6 defenders beaten.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Ollie Lawrence's stats seem to confirm that he had a good game. I hope he's now settled into the role. 12 tackles, none missed, metres, 6 defenders beaten.

Just play him in the shirt he's best suited to.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

We're lacking some real bruising physicality... someone who can change the momentum of a game with a huge hit or carry. Underhill does this...
That's what I expect from Martin but he's just not doing this at all.

So do we need to look at Ted Hill?

Forgot he was even in the squad TBH.

He's got a lot of the right attributes, but he's a 6 or nothing and it would be chucking yet another name into the mix.

Roots started the last 6N, then Chessum took over, then CCS had a run and yesterday Curry. Would feel nuts to try someone else unless they'd made an overridingly compelling case.

Suspect Chessum is SB's preferred option and definitely the closest Lawes proxy.

Hill possibly as a bench option, but not a starter.

 

[Grizwald]

It is the hope that kills you, I was pretty upbeat at the start of tournament. I wasn't expecting England to win it but beating one of Ireland or France and finally breaking the hoodoo against Scotland would have been a step in the right direction.

I think I've been in denial. I've come to the conclusion due to a number of reasons England aren't going to be up to much for a while.

Players: IMO We've got a handful of world class players some who have an asterix next to their name.

Itoje

M Smith* does his game lend itself to International rugby? It's hard to single him out as he's single handly made things happen during the Borthwick era that have kept England in games.

T Curry*: First time against Ireland you could say he's looked back to form. But he's been identified as someone who's minutes need managed due to injuries.

Ben Earl*: He's dropped off since the RWC but class is permanent and all that. Backrow seems to be the one place theirs strength in depth after years of not having any.

I think that's it and even some are debatable. There's then a long list of club to international standard players which I think is the main issue, the players just aren't good enough but give or take this is the best we have.

On the same vain I think we'll see the issues in the player pathway from the Dean Ryan era. There's a gap between what is available now and what came before the current crop of U20's many of who are getting noticed Pollock etc.

Coaching. Post RWC seems to be on the right path then loosing Jones and Walters were big losses. The coaching ticket is B rated at best. Is a part time defensive coach in the second tier of French rugby really the best the RFU can do?

Premiership standard. You can see in the Champions Cup that the English sides are well off Leinster and the best Top 14 sides. The other facet of this is going down to 10 teams and the salary cap means the talent is dispersed over multiple sides so struggling with a lack of cohesion. Was it 12 Leinster players that started for Ireland yesterday? France have the spine of the Toulouse team.

 

[Geordie]

I'm a big fan of Earl but he's not an 8 and it's showing now, so that should be it. It's 7 or nothing.
And you'd have to have a really good argument for him over Ben Curry or Tom at 7.

8 should be Tom Willis v France. Just give him the shirt.

 

[Geordie]

Momentum changing hits only change momentum if the rest of the team are buoyed by it
There were plenty of hits yesterday that drove back Irish attackers

Wouldn't be against Hill coming in but it should be him vs CCS for a spot, really - unless they drop Earl from the 23, start Chessum in the backrow and have Hill covering lock from the bench

Calls to drop Freeman are ridiculous

I find it strange how the reaction to the game yesterday is so much stronger than the reaction to many of our previous games that were far far worse

Hill would be only up for the 6 shirt definitely. However I'd be tempted to drop Earl from the 23. The Currys have shown to be the better choice at the moment.

Then decide which set up of starting and bench cover you go with.....you still need a lock on the bench as Chessum at 6 shouldn't be the lock cover.

If you have Willis, Hill, CCS (with a leash) , Chessum, and fired up George Martin then hopefully there's some big guys with real genuine power and The Currys can work their magic around that.

And if there's a doubt they can manage 80 then fine...set up the subs bench appropriately...

 

[Grizwald]

I'm a big fan of Earl but he's not an 8 and it's showing now, so that should be it. It's 7 or nothing.
And you'd have to have a really good argument for him over Ben Curry or Tom at 7.

8 should be Tom Willis v France. Just give him the shirt.

At this stage I'd play Earl at 12

I think to play him at 8 you need a bigger 6. He alternates with Willis for Saracens, I.e. on attacking scrums he packs down at 8 to get off the base quicker. He's been a consistent performer but has dropped off a few % IMO.

 

[Geordie]

At this stage I'd play Earl at 12

I think to play him at 8 you need a bigger 6. He alternates with Willis for Saracens, I.e. on attacking scrums he packs down at 8 to get off the base quicker. He's been a consistent performer but has dropped off a few % IMO.

This is the issue, for a while he seemed to be the one driving this team...but he's dropped off quite considerably...and I just wonder if he's as good as either curry at the moment on the flank? His point of difference is his pace and explosive running but we've barely seen that so it makes him vulnerable to being left out the 23.

I'm not saying Ted Hill is the answer either. It's been spoken of earlier ...players look top class in the prem but look rather average when they play against the best at this level ..

It's all about the stats and spreadsheets...

 

[Rinkadink]

I think one issue league is too big. Do we need 4-6 super teams instead?

I don't think you're a rugby fan with a comment like that.

the two best teams in the Gallagher got knocked out.

I can tell you don't follow the clubs or domestic pro game closely.

 

[higgik]

Team v France
1 Genge
2 LCD
3 Rodd
4 Itoje
5 Chessum
6 Hill
7 Curry T
8 Willis
9 Mitchell
10 Smith F
11 Freeman
12 Dingwall
13 Lawrence
14 Roebuck
15 Hendy