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.

 

[Which Tyler]

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.

Anyone who thinks it IS that simple, needs to have a look at Sam Burgess' international union career again.
I don't see a particular reason to repeat the experiment 10 years later

 

[BPM]

Oh yeah, the challenge of switching from 7/8 to 12 shouldn't be at all underestimated. Hence why I said I'd only be supportive if it's done with full commitment at club level.

Freeman at 13 is definitely a simpler solution to adding a bit of physicality to midfield, which means we can use the more subtle 12s we have.

 

[BPM]

Anyone who thinks it IS that simple, needs to have a look at Sam Burgess' international union career again.
I don't see a particular reason to repeat the experiment 10 years later

I share your reservations but I don't think it's an entirely fair comparison. Burgess was also changing code so was learning the sport, let alone two positions. He also seemed like the type who thought he would just rock up and magically do it. I suspect it would be quite a different exercise with Earl.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Haven't we learned that "not too distant future" means "the next game"?

Thankfully Earl will be on the Lions tour so it wont be the next England game.

 

[LIONSxv]

Anyone who thinks it IS that simple, needs to have a look at Sam Burgess' international union career again.
I don't see a particular reason to repeat the experiment 10 years later

I forgot about that debacle. My subconscious scrubbed it from my mind

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Thankfully Earl will be on the Lions tour so it wont be the next England game.

Which means it be against Australia in November instead.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

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.

Excellent. For every time they work 7 or 8 times they just slow things down and give more time for the defenders to get on the recipient. Drawing defenders on the carry or pop passes are more likely to take defenders out of the game, and those Earl can do.

But your point totally stands. I'm not wholly behind the idea, but I can understand why SB is toying with it as no pretenders have really been banging down the door making an unanswerable case to be picked.

 

[Lé Ddanno]

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.

He wanged one left to right to Marcus on Saturday (right before Marcus shanked it out on the full but let's not dwell on that)

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Freeman (along with LBB, Menoncello & Kinghorn) nominated for player of the tournament. Personally thought T. Curry was our standout player but Freeman not at all undeserving and it's hard to argue too much when he scored a try in each game.

Think LBB is guaranteed to get the win regardless.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ergh I thought Freeman had a slow start to the tournament

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah that's mad,
I mean he had a good tournament, obviously, but I'd have a few ahead of him for England

 

[Saintjay]

All backs, the forwards union need to start a campaign.

Best forward - either of the Curry brothers.

Best back - Freeman. Purely on my bias.