England Six Nations Squad 2025

[TRF_Olyy]

It's all got the same energy as The Sun counting down the days until the actress who played Hermione became 18

 

[Rinkadink]

the vast majority probably won't really care beyond a wistful "well of course I'd prefer it he'd been born over here, but….".

Right... BJVR has spent a similar amount of time as IFW in England, who also wasn't born in the country. Here we are though.

Obviously I'd prefer the England team to all be born within the sound of the Bow bells and be called Tarquin Double-Barrelled

Can't agree with this. Sooner that's all in the bin, the better.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

SB should take a long hard look at him

In the rear view mirror as he leaves him in the woods to fend for himself after pretending he's giving him a lift to Pennyhill Park

 

[Rinkadink]

 

[BPM]

I'm a little more sanguine on Van Rensburg.

Obviously I'd prefer the England team to all be born within the sound of the Bow bells and be called Tarquin Double-Barrelled. But….

It's still a big if that he might even be eligible so it could be a total moot point. But the railing should be against the rules, not the player or England coaches.

And IF he does become eligible, SB should take a long hard look at him (a) would he improve the team - really quite likely (b) would he upset group dynamics - might be a risk, but probably unlikely after the first 10 minutes and (c) how will Twickenham and the shires react - if he is the missing piece of the jigsaw that helps us become more successful and attractive to watch the vast majority probably won't really care beyond a wistful "well of course I'd prefer it he'd been born over here, but….".

I guess the other thing for me is that right now it wouldn't be a marginal call between him and all the other potentials for that shirt. Different matter for say Vermeulen who, if he could make a difference, it would be marginal at best.

I hear you, but AFAIK, he isn't eligible for another year. Using that time to focus on developing Atkinson or Ojomoh would be a far better solution than waiting for a talented mercenary to be available.

Right... BJVR has spent a similar amount of time as IFW in England, who also wasn't born in the country. Here we are though.


Can't agree with this. Sooner that's all in the bin, the better.

FWIW, I was always against courting IFW as well, but that ship has sailed.

This isn't about jingoism or politics but we clearly have a different view on what a national team should be.

Moreover, with our resources and structure, we shouldn't need to rely on players developed by other unions.

 

[Which Tyler]

It's all got the same energy as The Sun counting down the days until the actress who played Hermione became 18

This - but less creepy.

Once he's eligible, then fine, have a look. But courting him and helping him do the paperwork to become eligible a full year ahead of time is the (well, my) issue here.

 

[BPM]

Let me put another way … last Saturday, a Kiwi who passed to a South African who passed to an Englishman for a Scotland try …

That's what International rugby has become and it's BS.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

IFW moved so he could play rugby and further his studies. Not because he couldn't get into his home countries team and wanted to be a merc though.

 

[BPM]

Good point

 

[Flankers' paradise]

I would be less against JVR playing for England if he'd been a younger player who'd came overseas to play in England specifically because he wanted to be in England (UK). I'm not so keen that he didn't leave SA until he was 24, then spent a year in another country (Japan) before coming to Irish. He's realistically had more of his career than has left. Being a very good journeyman doesn't entitle you to international recognition. In the time between now and his potential eligibility one of our younger 12s could have a handful of caps, getting engrained into the system before spending the next decade there

 

[BPM]

Exactly. This is precisely the point I was making re. Atkinson/Ojomoh/Hartlwy etc.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Quick, someone start complaining about Jack Willis being unavailable, I've almost bingo'd

 

[Which Tyler]

Quick, someone start complaining about Jack Willis being unavailable, I've almost bingo'd

The great "English rugby should / shouldn't select overseas based players" discussion.

Here you go - have at it; but pretty please, can we isolate the discussion to this thread, so that everyone else can quietly ignore it.

www.therugbyforum.com

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I would be less against JVR playing for England if he'd been a younger player who'd came overseas to play in England specifically because he wanted to be in England (UK). I'm not so keen that he didn't leave SA until he was 24, then spent a year in another country (Japan) before coming to Irish. He's realistically had more of his career than has left. Being a very good journeyman doesn't entitle you to international recognition. In the time between now and his potential eligibility one of our younger 12s could have a handful of caps, getting engrained into the system before spending the next decade there

@Which Tyler got it right when he said that he should be considered if and when eligible but that nothing should be done by Eng to help smooth that pathway.

Clearly he's now a mature player but looking at the numbers he's played as much first class rugby over here as everywhere else. Might not be long term but if eligible he would be around for the next RWC if 12 remains a problem position.