England v Fiji - 8/11/2025

[OllyM97]

Hoping Borthwick makes a few changes and gives game time to some of the wider squad - however I'd still keep a good core of experience in there. Fiji always have a big game in them and did beat us the last time they played at Twickenham so we'll need to be a bit careful.

Here's what I'd like to see:
Opoku-Fordjour
Cowan-Dickie
Genge
Itoje
Coles
Cunningham-South
Curry
Pollock

Quirke
Fin Smith
Feyi-Waboso
Freeman
Dingwall
Roebuck
Marcus Smith

Bench:
Baxter, Dan, Stuart, Chessum, Earl, Mitchell, Ford, Arundell

You don't need the 6-2 split against Fiji.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Hopefully the real winner is rugby and therefore Fiji against Borthwick and his boring band of posh boys.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Caluori (why not)

Not being in the squad is a pretty reasonable "why" tbf

 

[OllyM97]

Hopefully the real winner is rugby and therefore Fiji against Borthwick and his boring band of posh boys.

Maybe Wales should try a bit more of this “boring” stuff, they might actually win some games .

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Hopefully the real winner is rugby and therefore Fiji against Borthwick and his boring band of posh boys.

Genge would be annoyed you’d called him posh. He’s got a real class issue and is stuck in the 1910s I think.

 

[OllyM97]

Not being in the squad is a pretty reasonable "why" tbf

Was just testing…. . That’s why I normally stick with slagging off the team that Borthwick picks rather than doing my own!!. In that case then I’d stick with IFW and Roebuck to start. Arundell on the bench.

 

[Welsh Exile]

Genge would be annoyed you'd called him posh. He's got a real class issue and is stuck in the 1910s I think.

I like Genge to be fair. Got a Welsh mrs as well so he’s definitely a top bloke.

 

[Geordie]

I think there'll be one eye on this team being close to the one named for NZ...but i also think he'll not want to play a open 7's style game against Fiji.

I expect more of the same, continue to impress with the purposeful kicking game, with aggressive chasing, winning the ball back etc, and see gradual improvements in the attack with Blacketts system.

 

[Scotty]

I'd like to see Fin get a start, Lawrence get a start and 5/3. Dont even mind Baxter, George and Hayes start again and Genge LCD Bench to save them for NZ and gaint more experience for Baxter and Hayes.

I'd also start Dan, unpopular opinion maybe but if he is going to continue to be picked he needs to get gametime. if we lose George or LCD we don't have an experienced replacement.

 

[Geordie]

I'd like to see Fin get a start, Lawrence get a start and 5/3. Dont even mind Baxter, George and Hayes start again and Genge LCD Bench to save them for NZ and gaint more experience for Baxter and Hayes.

I'd also start Dan, unpopular opinion maybe but if he is going to continue to be picked he needs to get gametime. if we lose George or LCD we don't have an experienced replacement.

I think this is a good point. Its critical that back up players gain experience.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Genge would be annoyed you'd called him posh. He's got a real class issue and is stuck in the 1910s I think.

Apparently if you walk past him in a top hat, he instinctively tries to take his flat cap off, looks at the floor and, whilst fondling his air-flat cap, mutters "good day sir, lovely weather innit? Beggin your pardon for bein in your way, ave a nice day".

 

[Welsh Exile]

I won't have any bad words said against Genge. No Smellis, no chip on his shoulder rubbish. He's fighting the class war. Go well, comrade.

 

[Welsh Exile]

I’ve just read England have banned the man of the match award as it’s insensitive.

I can’t believe I’m in full agreement with the RFU that no England player should ever win a man of the match award.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Borthwick's face when someone suggests running with the ball rather than kicking it:

(Two cents rugby channel, happened to pause the video at this exact moment).

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Apparently if you walk past him in a top hat, he instinctively tries to take his flat cap off, looks at the floor and, whilst fondling his air-flat cap, mutters "good day sir, lovely weather innit? Beggin your pardon for bein in your way, ave a nice day".

 

[Saintjay]

Apparently if you walk past him in a top hat, he instinctively tries to take his flat cap off, looks at the floor and, whilst fondling his air-flat cap, mutters "good day sir, lovely weather innit? Beggin your pardon for bein in your way, ave a nice day".

All I can think of is Dick Van Dyke in Mary Poppins now.

Gaw blimey Mary, I'm but an 'umble chimney sweep.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/freddie-steward-injury-marcus-smith-full-back-8s2vhq7rl

Looks like Marcus Smith might replace Freddie Steward.

Borthwick not announcing the team till Thursday this eeek.

 

[spartan32]

https://www.thetimes.com/sport/rugby-union/article/freddie-steward-injury-marcus-smith-full-back-8s2vhq7rl

Looks like Marcus Smith might replace Freddie Steward.

Borthwick not announcing the team till Thursday this eeek.

Rather see a chance taken on someone else at 15. Why not Arundel, maybe even Roebuck given his excellent aerial performance last week, then put Freeman back where he belongs (because he ain’t a centre) and play proper centres in the centre. All this nonsense of Earl at centre is frustrating and must be really frustrating for the proven crop of lads in the squad who have already proved their worth in that position. I have no problem with training and preparing for situations where you may need to put someone like Earl out of position because of injury, red card etc. but to actually play the game that way is silly.

Feel like we should give both Smiths a decent run out at 10 on Saturday. Start Fin, where ‘em down a bit, then bring on Marcus when legs are tired to play his running game. I’d like to see Spencer get a start and may as well put Quirk on the bench to get him game time as well.

There are all sorts of combos we could deploy in the forwards that would be effective so why not give lads who’ve been left out some time on the pitch as well?

Fiji are no laugh overs and must be respected. England need to put down a serious marker on Saturday to ensure readiness to the ABs the following week.

 

[Geordie]

It'll be:

9 Ford
10 F.Smith
11 Waboso
12 Earl
13 Freeman
14 Pollock
15 Roebuck

22/ 23 M. Smith - Covers 9 - 15

 

[Scotty]

When is the team announced? Early again?