England v Fiji - 8/11/2025

[Geordie]

Yes. 100%. When he was at Wasps, he was lauded as the next big thing and was described as 'better than Itoje at this age …' or something like that. It was supposed to be a bit of a coup when Bristol picked him up.

Agreed on Ewels. However, I don't think Borthwick sees him as 'emergency back up'. He was very good in Argentina and really showed the value of his experience. He's rightly behind Itoje, Chessum, Martin and Coles, but when we're discussing depth, I think he's more than decent for 5th choice.

We'll need to see what happens with George Martins injuries. Hes missing alot of rugby. Sale trying to sign him next summer as hes out of contract will be an interesting one?

Is Coles ever going to threaten a regular starting spot in this side? Im just not convinced. Happy to be proven wrong though.

 

[BPM]

Coles is a very good player. Sure he’s not as good as Itoje or Chessum, but I’d argue that’s more to do with them being genuinely excellent.

 

[Geordie]

Coles is a very good player. Sure he's not as good as Itoje or Chessum, but I'd argue that's more to do with them being genuinely excellent.

I agree hes a very good player, i want to see how good he can be. Can he genuinely challenge Chessum or Itoje for a starting spot on merit. The jury is still out.

But as i said previously my concern is the depth of the lock situation. But like the front row, the 19-21 year old group could really be the saviours in a year or two.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

RFU expecting 15k empty seats
Not exactly surprising considering the ticket prices (think the cheapest is £72)
Later kickoff won't have helped either, for anyone travelling a distance by train

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

RFU expecting 15k empty seats
Not exactly surprising considering the ticket prices (think the cheapest is £72)
Later kickoff won't have helped either, for anyone travelling a distance by train

I’ve had to stay over which adds a massive sum to the journey due to the kick off time, very frustrating.

On Chessum and Itoje, they are top international players, I’d almost say world class. So Coles being a very good prem player and getting good internationally has unfair comparisons when the starting two locks are that good. Still would like to see some more of those younger locks coming though but there’s plenty of talent there.

 

[wombles]

Really looking forward to the AI's this weekend, and this one promises a huge amount! Fiji are on the up and should not be underestimated for one second! They play a style that is fun to watch and when it comes off is mightily effective, and -thanks to the formation of the Fijian Drua in super rugby they are developing more and better plyers. If England are ever so slightly off this could be a tight match that could go either way. This is just a good marker of England's progress as any other AI test this year, and I cannot wait for it!

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

RFU expecting 15k empty seats
Not exactly surprising considering the ticket prices (think the cheapest is £72)
Later kickoff won't have helped either, for anyone travelling a distance by train

Just stupid.

 

[Geordie]

RFU expecting 15k empty seats
Not exactly surprising considering the ticket prices (think the cheapest is £72)
Later kickoff won't have helped either, for anyone travelling a distance by train

Didnt realise it was 5.40 kick off. Ill miss it.

 

[Geordie]

As an international winger Freeman should have the skill level to step in to 13 and go OK. I mentioned on here Marcus Smith should be picked at 15, months before he was and was ridiculed. Like I'd suggested sticking Joe Marler there.

The All Blacks and Wallabies have no issue moving players around. The likes of Beale, O'Connor, Cooper have played pretty much every position in the back line bar 9. Michael Hooper and David Pocock were centres before being moved to the back row.

Freeman probably doesn't have the skill level to play 13, but that's a failing within the UK rugby system as opposed to a player that just was not skillful enough. There's too much pigeonholing in British rugby. He's a winger and that's where he will stay... and you can see this with selections like Stewart.

Can you imagine trying to sell the idea to Borthwick and co putting a winger at 15... "but he's not a full back!" If you are playing wing at international level and you can't play 15 there's something seriously wrong with your setup. This isn't Sunday pub rugby where you're unsure your wingers can't catch high balls so you can't stick them at 15...

Why doesnt he? What skill is he missing?

 

[Zed]

Why doesnt he? What skill is he missing?

I don't actually know. Just going off all the comments about him being a winger. I only saw the highlights,

 

[Saintjay]

I don't actually know. Just going off all the comments about him being a winger. I only saw the highlights,

He's 24 and played across the back 3 for Saints, around 15 games at centre and similar if not more at full back i believe.

Far from just a winger.

 

[Geordie]

I don't actually know. Just going off all the comments about him being a winger. I only saw the highlights,

Ahh gotcha.

 

[NickBD]

Outside on M Smith at 15 I'm happy with this.

 

[Geordie]

Well thats an interesting team

 

[TRF_Olyy]

More rotation than expected,
if it weren't for Smith at 15 then I'd quite like it

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Smith’s there through necessity, but otherwise a back line in their correct positions, a balanced back row and 2 tall locks. Whatever next?

Wonder if that’s signalling Heyes is first choice TH?

 

[Wasps92]

Tired of this Marcus Smith at 15 ******** tbh.

 

[Ddanno]

RFU expecting 15k empty seats
Not exactly surprising considering the ticket prices (think the cheapest is £72)
Later kickoff won't have helped either, for anyone travelling a distance by train

It's absolute madness. 72 knicker for a seat in the gods against Fiji - not to sound disrespectful (although I sound disrespectful) but it was never going to draw the max crowd and certainly not at that price.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Smith's there through necessity, but otherwise a back line in their correct positions, a balanced back row and 2 tall locks. Whatever next?

Wonder if that's signalling Heyes is first choice TH?

I don't know if Heyes is 1st choice per se, but going forward I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him paired more often with Genge, while Stuart is paired more often with Baxter.

Genge and Stuart are both awesome ball carriers, but probably aren't exactly what you'd call nuts and bolts props. Whereas Baxter and Heyes aren't going to make as much of dent with ball in hand but both have high work rates, tackle well, smash rucks, etc. I think it makes a lot of sense to balance their individual strengths and weaknesses by pairing one of each type of prop with the other, ie. Genge with Heyes, Baxter with Stuart. That way it doesn't really matter which pairing starts and which one benches; the two pairings should be able to maintain a consistent tempo throughout the 80 mins.

 

[Scotty]

Tired of this Marcus Smith at 15 ******** tbh.

I'm not a huge fan of it but with Steward and Roebuck out I kind of get it. The only other option is Freeman 15 and Arundell 14 and Smith 23 who would likely come on at 15.


Other than that I'm pretty happy tbh.