England Six Nations Squad 2025

[Ragey Erasmus]

If Daly doesn't slot a drop goal from behind our own posts, I will be disappointed.

 

[Geordie]

Well pictures from camp released clearly show Slade training...

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Well pictures from camp released clearly show Slade training...

Marcus Smith to be benched for England's Six Nations clash with Italy

Mail Sport understands that Marcus Smith is to be demoted to a bench role against Italy at Twickenham on Sunday, while Slade is in danger of being omitted from the match-day 23 altogether.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Slade dropped entirely. Dingwall to start. Yet another article that feels like it's been briefed by writers by someone who doesn't like M Smith

 

[BrokenWing]

SB playing the long game so when Slade gets a ban in the future he can say he would have released him back to Exeter in the fallow week. 4D chess from Borthwick.

 

[Geordie]

It's a descent lineup.

We get to see how Lawrence can lead the defence. It's one big question mark over him.

Can Dingwall cope against two very good and physical centres.

The bench is massively impactful!

 

[Rugbyfan564]

'There has been some confusion surrounding this - and we are expecting clarity from Steve Borthwick soon - but the early word from England is that Henry Slade is fit to play.
In which case, the Exeter centre has been dropped entirely in favour of Saints' Fraser Dingwall.'

 

[BPM]

Pleased for Dingwall. I really hope Marcus comes on and makes a point. He's been absolutely shafted and it sucks.

Really not sure on a 6:2 either …

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Pleased for Dingwall. I really hope Marcus comes on and makes a point. He's been absolutely shafted and it sucks.

Really not sure on a 6:2 either …

If it's a close match I'm not sure he will get on early enough to make a difference.

Hard to see him starting many matches going unless F Smith is unavailable. He will be the permanent bench cover for him.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

Glad we have a 12 at 12 tbf and plays regularly with F. Smith, hopefully he goes well.

 

[BPM]

If it's a close match I'm not sure he will get on early enough to make a difference.

Hard to see him starting many matches going unless F Smith is unavailable. He will be the permanent bench cover for him.

Again, I'm not sure where this level of absolute certainty comes from re. Fin Smith? He's been decent so far, but 2 games is nowhere near enough for him to have cemented his place IMO.

As I've said before, if he proves to be the best option, fair enough, but people are talking like that's definitely the case after two games in which he's been good for approximately 1 half and no more than fine for the rest of it.

 

[Geordie]

Glad we have a 12 at 12 tbf and plays regularly with F. Smith, hopefully he goes well.

If he plays there. I'll be interested to see where him and Lawrence are actually standing for much of the game and on what plays.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Steward now clearly fouth choice. Be interesting to see if he even gets called up for the Argentina tour - doesn't seem like he will.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Borthwick speaks

On Marcus Smith...

It's brilliant for England to have such high-quality players. You'll have seen Elliot's impact off the bench and I'm looking forward to seeing Marcus Smith off the bench against tiring defenders, in space.

On Fraser Dingwall...

Over a long period of time, there's consistency of selection and that Slade-Lawrence partnership has done things very well. But we also need combinations and depth and Fraser has a relationship with Fin, and he's worked hard with Ollie Lawrence in training. I'm excited to see him go well. He's been a consistent performer in the Premiership.
They have all been selected because they're high-quality and I want them to bring that onto the pitch. Fraser is smart, intelligent and he makes those around him play better because of his presence. That's what I'm asking him to do this week in an England shirt.

On Jamie George's 100th cap...

Jamie continues to be a phenomenal player for English rugby. In the last two games, he's been terrific. Now, I'm asking him to do that from the start of the game.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

How long did Slade extend for at Exeter. Presumably he won't get a second year of an EPS unless he was on a longer deal. Nobody seems to know when players were promised they would get an EPS deal.

 

[LardFingers]

If feels like SB is engaging in playful negotiation with the online dissenters (i.e. a lot of us in this and other forums).

His latest trick is to say OK you win I'll drop Slade but in exchange I'm dropping Marcus ha ha ha eat me!

 

[BrokenWing]

Not a great look to drop a player you've implied is invaluable.

Sort of gives you the idea that Borthers doesn't really have a plan.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

I think Marcus Smith has been set up to fail by Steve Borthwick. Played at fullback in the expectation that he wouldn't perform well there so Borthwick could have an excuse to drop him. He has been eased out of the team in a planned process. He was never a Borthwick style player.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Marcus Smith faces ultimate test of character after he is dropped by Steve Borthwick

England’s maverick back is already at a crossroads in an international career that started with so much promise

www.telegraph.co.uk

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

He needs to really just take his time when he comes on tbh - the classic online crowd will be will be on his back for the smallest mistake, so don't force anything and relax.

Tbh, can see Borthwick bringing him on for 10 seconds though.

Really am coming to the stage where I'd almost be rather we had a poor end to this tournament and all got put out of our misery with this nonsense. It's ****, and terrible to watch.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

Really am coming to the stage where I'd almost be rather we had a poor end to this tournament and all got put out of our misery with this nonsense. It's ****, and terrible to watch.

Abso ******* lutley. I want him and his horribly unqualified lieutenants gone