England 2024/25

[Ddanno]

There must be something Borthwick has seen about OHC off-field that he doesn't like. He picked him for those 2 six nations game, OHC barely got a touch of the ball, and then he was never picked again. I hope its not the fingernails.

He (or Wiggler maybe - he's surely got a decent sway in this department) does seem to have an issue with some of the backs that we routinely admire on here. OHC, Radwan, S Atkinson, Murley, Roebuck, Carpenter could all have a few gripes imo, whether that's through being ignored entirely or not getting a chance a little sooner when their form was immense.

Still, at least he's nowhere near EJ in sticking with the old guard and randomly discarding people.

Wish he'd finally call time on Slade though...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He picked him for England A vs Ireland A so it's not like he's discarded him

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

There must be something Borthwick has seen about OHC off-field that he doesn't like.

Yeah that’s the thing - we never see any of the off field stuff, but you’d assume word would leak out if anyone really was in total duckhead territory.

Probably more the spreadsheet saying no.

 

[Which Tyler]

There must be something Borthwick has seen about OHC off-field that he doesn't like.

Painted fingernails.

Now, where's that "Toxic Masculinity in Sports" thread gone?

 

[Rugbyfan564]

He (or Wiggler maybe - he's surely got a decent sway in this department) does seem to have an issue with some of the backs that we routinely admire on here. OHC, Radwan, S Atkinson, Murley, Roebuck, Carpenter could all have a few gripes imo, whether that's through being ignored entirely or not getting a chance a little sooner when their form was immense.

Still, at least he's nowhere near EJ in sticking with the old guard and randomly discarding people.

Wish he'd finally call time on Slade though...

Some hints having paid for Slade upfront it would put pressure on the whole new system not taking someone on central contract.

 

[Ddanno]

Some hints having paid for Slade upfront it would put pressure on the whole new system not taking someone on central contract.

Aye, I keep forgetting about those. Who could have thought they'd be a bit of a double edged sword.

 

[Scotty]

Really glad to see IFW back fit and if fit I'm happy for him to get gametime off the bench, I just hope he hasn't been rushed back. Guess we will see for Chiefs and he will have more time in training before the tests to see if he's ready.

Be happy with IFW and Paul Brown-Bampoe (PBB) FOR Chiefs, he's way off England but he can get there.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Tom Pearson getting further and further away from the England squad feel he could benefit from a move.

Could see him being a really good fit at a club like Bristol, who desperately need a jackler and proper open side to replace Tom Young.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah Bristol definitely need a good 7, you'd have thought it'd be something they'd target considering they love a counter attack

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

He’s not near the conversation yet, but will be v interested to see if L Chessum can now kick on at Tigers. Not the first, and won’t be the last, to get a lot of early hype but I’m generally in favour of 6’9” locks.

Pearson’s an interesting one. I’d have thought Saints should’ve suited him but maybe he does need a fresh start. Positionally I’ve wondered if he might be more suited to 8.

Isiekwe seemed to get a pretty good reception from the Saints fans the other day. Guess he must have made some kind of impression on them - at 6 IIRC.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Will Stuart, Tommy Freeman, Tom Curry and Maro Itoje all nominated for England Men’s Player of the Season. Has to be Curry imo.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, Biased but he's been consistently the best this season

If there were an award for most improved it'd be Stuart - his form this season compared to his previous international caps is night and day

 

[McTallshort]

Tom Pearson getting further and further away from the England squad feel he could benefit from a move.

Could see him being a really good fit at a club like Bristol, who desperately need a jackler and proper open side to replace Tom Young.

Or a French club. He's no reason to stay in the premiership

 

[Ddanno]

Yeah, Biased but he's been consistently the best this season

If there were an award for most improved it'd be Stuart - his form this season compared to his previous international caps is night and day

Be nice for a forward to get one of these for once

 

[Geordie]

He's not near the conversation yet, but will be v interested to see if L Chessum can now kick on at Tigers. Not the first, and won't be the last, to get a lot of early hype but I'm generally in favour of 6'9" locks.

We have a clutch of 6'8 and 6'9 lads coming through...hopefully a few push on.

Ben Bamber (24)- Already a regular in the Sale side - 6'9
Jr Kpoku (19)- 6'8, 19st
Olamide Sodeke (19) - 6'9, 19st
Tom Burrows (19) - 6'8, 17st

Amongst the others like Arthur Clarke (23), whos tiny at 6'7 and 19st...

 

[Geordie]

If there were an award for most improved it'd be Stuart - his form this season compared to his previous international caps is night and day

Yeah hes made a few people eat their hats. A pleasant surprise, positive work by Baths coaches

 

[BrokenWing]

Yeah hes made a few people eat their hats. A pleasant surprise, positive work by Baths coaches

To be fair, he could be terrible at rugby but if someone that size told me to eat my hat, I'm eating my hat.

I’d possibly ask if some sauce was out of the question, but ultimately that decision lies with him.

 

[Which Tyler]

To be fair, he could be terrible at rugby but if someone that size told me to eat my hat, I'm eating my hat.

I'd possibly ask if some sauce was out of the question, but ultimately that decision lies with him.

You're intimidated by someone, merely because they're (significantly) larger than you....
I can see why you played wing, not SH

 

[BrokenWing]

You're intimidated by someone, merely because they're (significantly) larger than you....
I can see why you played wing, not SH

You’ve seen that step, there is no escape.

 

[Which Tyler]

You've seen that step, there is no escape.

I suppose, if you're also Broken, then you can't outrun a prop anymore