England Six Nations Squad 2025

[BPM]

Earl could very well go on the lions.

I would prefer an actual 12 to come through. Now if thats Dingwall, Atkinson then fine, but Olly Hartley is the one ive pinned my hopes to. 6'5 big unit, runs great lines, very good hands in contact (offloading etc)...we just need to see that come together at Prem level and then international. Id push for a bigger squad and take a few centres thats for sure.

Hartley needs an uninterrupted run of games. I know he's coming back from injury but being a bit part player isn't going to give him the platform he needs.

 

[Geordie]

Hartley needs an uninterrupted run of games. I know he's coming back from injury but being a bit part player isn't going to give him the platform he needs.

Yeah exactly...its not ideal for developing a young lad. But hes at a very good club so fingers crossed.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

We've also got to remember why Earl's being considered there - it's because he brings an exceptional combination of power and pace and could possibly regularly get us going forward. To get the shirt, all the other names being bandied about also need to provide some really exceptional attributes - which might be similar to Earl or completely different but they need to bring a USP. And show it over an extended period of time.

We talk about 'glue' players but the best 2 examples I can think of who got that epithet are Richard Hill and Kruis - neither of whom did the glamorous stuff but both of whom made players around them look better. But they weren't average or sort of OK, as I'd say Dingwall is, both were good enough to be World XV players. Might be being unfair on Dingwall there, but let's see if he gets the chance to prove himself against proper opposition.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah exactly...its not ideal for developing a young lad. But hes at a very good club so fingers crossed.

Until SB tells Sarries they can't play him there because he wants Earl to play 12 for them

 

[Geordie]

We've also got to remember why Earl's being considered there - it's because he brings an exceptional combination of power and pace and could possibly regularly get us going forward. To get the shirt, all the other names being bandied about also need to provide some really exceptional attributes - which might be similar to Earl or completely different but they need to bring a USP. And show it over an extended period of time.

We talk about 'glue' players but the best 2 examples I can think of who got that epithet are Richard Hill and Kruis - neither of whom did the glamorous stuff but both of whom made players around them look better. But they weren't average or sort of OK, as I'd say Dingwall is, both were good enough to be World XV players. Might be being unfair on Dingwall there, but let's see if he gets the chance to prove himself against proper opposition.

Exactly this. Most teams have a powerhouse 12 these days...De Allende, Bundee Aki, Danty...guys who can carry men over the gainline from a standing start. Its an invaluable thing to have, and we just dont have that. So with a surplus of back rowers i dont blame SB for exploring the option of Earl in that role...hes explosive, powerful, fast...he has the ideal skill set. And as mentioned above...the best of Marcus at 10 is with a 12 just like that.

i also agree...if you are gonig to be a glue player at 12 you have to be exceptionally good. Conrad Smith was mentioned as an example (though he was a 13) and thats a good example.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Sleightholme has had ankle surgery.

 

[Becca]

Sleightholme has had ankle surgery.

That's a shame for him.

 

[LIONSxv]

I find it hard to believe that you just convert a 7 into an IC. The intricacies of defending at IC is very different to a poaching back row. It's a specialist position
Ball in hand should be fine, although I've yet to see Earl whip a 20 m pass out to his wing.