England Six Nations Squad 2025

[Geordie]

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.

To be fair you dont see De Allende, Danty or Aki doing that too much either.....

I dont think anyone is saying its just a straight forward switch. Most would prefer to see an actual 12 coming through and really making that position their own (Atkinson, Hartley, Ojomoh etc)....but what people are saying is in an absence of actual 12s with the current trend skills set or even putting their hand up with consistently excellent performances, then Earl is an interesting option.

 

[Which Tyler]

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

I wouldn't say it's mad. He wouldn't be my choice, but... wasn't he the first person ever to score a try in each round (with only Sela doing it in the 5N)?
Okay, so Bielle-Barre did the same a few hours later; but it's not "mad" to reward that record.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Still think there were better players for England

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

T. Curry should be on the shortlist

 

[Geordie]

I thought Ben was even better than Tom in many of the games he played. Bens finally put in the performances to show he is absolutely worthy of an England starting spot.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Freeman took his tries very well, but ran for about 40 metres combined for the lot of them. Otherwise he was decent, but not overly influential. But a historical landmark's going to get you on the list.

I think our stars were really the guys up front who laid the platform. Probably really got to be someone who started them all so T Curry with an honourable mention for Earl. I'd also give a very big shout out to Stuart. But I think the best English performances were from B Curry.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, Turry and Stuart are the two I'd have ahead of him (Turry being my pick for the voting list)
I think Chessum and Burry were both better, too, but probably didn't rack up enough minutes to be in full contention for player of the tournament

 

[Which Tyler]

Still think there were better players for England

Yes, but A] that doesn't make it mad, and B] you can have more than one nominee per country.

Let's face it, the award should go to Bielle-Barre; whilst the rest of the list is "honourable mention"
If you score a hattrick in a match, but don't even get an honourable mention when the commentator is awarding PotM - then... well, then you'd be pretty unique

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

What did people think of Itoje's first campaign as skipper?

Like Borthwick it's 4 wins out of 5, but could easily have been 2.

For the most part he managed the refs pretty well which is a big step forward (and definitely from the pre George era).

Personal performances were good if not stellar, blighted as always by pens. Didn't understand why he / we were so passive in lineouts in the first couple of games or what on earth we were playing at v Sco.

I guess my perennially mixed feelings are summed up quite well in that he's probably simultaneously won the Lions captaincy while losing his status as our premier lock to Chessum.

 

[Geordie]

What did people think of Itoje's first campaign as skipper?

Like Borthwick it's 4 wins out of 5, but could easily have been 2.

For the most part he managed the refs pretty well which is a big step forward (and definitely from the pre George era).

Personal performances were good if not stellar, blighted as always by pens. Didn't understand why he / we were so passive in lineouts in the first couple of games or what on earth we were playing at v Sco.

I guess my perennially mixed feelings are summed up quite well in that he's probably simultaneously won the Lions captaincy while losing his status as our premier lock to Chessum.

I think theyve been learning this 6n, and i hope theyve worked a few things out.As you say it could have been two wins. The biggest thing about Itoje is hes stopped all the stupid jumping and hollaring after every penalty etc. Hes showing a real maturity now. He played very well.

The coaches now have a chance to take a group of players away in the summer missing the spine of the team and experience and see if the systems they are building work still.

 

[LIONSxv]

To be fair you dont see De Allende, Danty or Aki doing that too much either.....

I dont think anyone is saying its just a straight forward switch. Most would prefer to see an actual 12 coming through and really making that position their own (Atkinson, Hartley, Ojomoh etc)....but what people are saying is in an absence of actual 12s with the current trend skills set or even putting their hand up with consistently excellent performances, then Earl is an interesting option.

I've seen Aki spread the ball plenty of times for Ire. Danty I don't rate anyway and De Allende is good distrubtor
The problem I have with names like Earl and Steward is that people think because they can carry well and tackle hard it's a good fit for IC. Your IC is crucial to your defensive shape which allows the 13 to act as a pivot. Defending in the centres is nothing like work a backrower will do. It's much more nuanced and tactical, than smash, ruck, jackal

 

[Lé Ddanno]

What did people think of Itoje's first campaign as skipper?

Like Borthwick it's 4 wins out of 5, but could easily have been 2.

For the most part he managed the refs pretty well which is a big step forward (and definitely from the pre George era).

Personal performances were good if not stellar, blighted as always by pens. Didn't understand why he / we were so passive in lineouts in the first couple of games or what on earth we were playing at v Sco.

I guess my perennially mixed feelings are summed up quite well in that he's probably simultaneously won the Lions captaincy while losing his status as our premier lock to Chessum.

Definitely an upgrade on George and Farrell. Plays 80, doesn't annoy the ref while seeming to ask the right questions, seems to motivate the side well e.g. having a quick chat with CCS when Chessum went off (this happened frequently).

 

[Saintjay]

What did people think of Itoje's first campaign as skipper?

Like Borthwick it's 4 wins out of 5, but could easily have been 2.

For the most part he managed the refs pretty well which is a big step forward (and definitely from the pre George era).

Personal performances were good if not stellar, blighted as always by pens. Didn't understand why he / we were so passive in lineouts in the first couple of games or what on earth we were playing at v Sco.

I guess my perennially mixed feelings are summed up quite well in that he's probably simultaneously won the Lions captaincy while losing his status as our premier lock to Chessum.

That's the golden question will Faz accept the flak if he doesn't pick an Irish captain.

I think from a media profile and name recognition basis most media and sponsors would love it to be Itoje.

I think he's in with a good shout but not sure Faz will risk the potential grief.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

That's the golden question will Faz accept the flak if he doesn't pick an Irish captain.

I think from a media profile and name recognition basis most media and sponsors would love it to be Itoje.

I think he's in with a good shout but not sure Faz will risk the potential grief.

How often have lions had captains that weren't also the captain of the nation the grass coach previously coached?

I think when it comes to the lions captain, it's usually from whichever country makes up the bulk of the players, so it would likely be Irish.

 

[Geordie]

Doris Captain, Itoje VC is a very good leadership team who also lead by example on the pitch with consistently high performances.

 

[Geordie]

I've seen Aki spread the ball plenty of times for Ire. Danty I don't rate anyway and De Allende is good distrubtor
The problem I have with names like Earl and Steward is that people think because they can carry well and tackle hard it's a good fit for IC. Your IC is crucial to your defensive shape which allows the 13 to act as a pivot. Defending in the centres is nothing like work a backrower will do. It's much more nuanced and tactical, than smash, ruck, jackal

Its all hypothetical at the moment.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

How often have lions had captains that weren't also the captain of the nation the grass coach previously coached?

I think when it comes to the lions captain, it's usually from whichever country makes up the bulk of the players, so it would likely be Irish.

The last 3 under Gatland had Welsh skippers but you've then got a gap back to 93 with Hastings and Geech.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

That's the golden question will Faz accept the flak if he doesn't pick an Irish captain.

I think from a media profile and name recognition basis most media and sponsors would love it to be Itoje.

I think he's in with a good shout but not sure Faz will risk the potential grief.

Neither's been captaining that long. In the 6N Itoje was leading a team on the up while Ire stagnated - not all to do with the individuals of course, but the associations are pretty powerful.

I guess there are a couple of things that might clinch it for Itoje. Firstly, he has 2 tours under his belt whereas Doris has no idea what it entails yet. In a short tour there's not time to learn, you have to hit the ground running. Plus Itoje simply has a bigger standing in the world game - not to diss Doris at all, but he hasn't got that status or appeal.

It'll probably be Tuipulotu