England 2024/25

[BPM]

Yeah - overall, my gripes are more to do with a few who don’t really warrant inclusion rather than anyone who has missed out.

I would have left out Capstick, Quirke and Northmore. IFW too but for totally different reasons.

 

[Geordie]

At least theres a nice group of young centres to have a look at. Refreshing change.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

So who are the main guys from the final we expect to be in contention?

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

So who are the main guys from the final we expect to be in contention?

Certain:
- George (I know he's not in the final but he's still left to come in if not called into Lions for the rest of the tour)
- Heyes
- Opoku-Fordjour (same as George)
- van Poortvliet
- Spencer
- Steward

Likely:
- Hill
- Underhill (even with the ban I think he goes)
- Ojomoh

Maybe:
- Obano
- Ewels
- Pepper
- Barbeary
- Donoghue
- Bailey
- Hassell-Collins
- Radwan

 

[Geordie]

Is Joe Batley injured?

 

[BPM]

Yeah. I'd agree on that.

Most likely changes IMO are:

George for Oghre
Heyes for Davison
AOF for Kloska
T. Hill for Capstick
Underhill for Kenningham
Pepper for Pearson
Spencer for Porter
JvP for Bracken
Donoghue for C. Atkinson
Ojomoh for Northmore or S. Atkinson

Personally, I don't think IFW should be touring so I'd give his spot to OHC or Radwan.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Knee injury,
Still being assessed but you gotta think of he's not involved in the A game he's unlikely to be involved in the main tour

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Donoghue for C. Atkinson

Can't see that tbh, if Donoghue goes they'll take one fewer at centre or scrum half, considering it's pretty likely Ford gets called into the Lions at some point

I wouldn't be surprised to see Spencer miss out, as sad as that would be (still remains one of my fave players)

Could see Ewels making it as well, sadly

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Yeah I unfortunately struggle to see Lockett touring over Ewels.

 

[MarkyH]

Very pleased to see Curry hasn't been sidelined by injury.

Position breakdown is:
LP: Baxter, Rodd, Iyogun
HK: Langdon, Dan, Oghre
TP: Davison, Fasogbon, Kloska
LK: Coles, Isiekwe, Clark, Lockett, Capstick
FL: Curry, Cunningham-South, Kenningham, Pearson
N8: Willis, Dombrandt
SH: Quirke, Porter, Bracken
FH: Ford, Atkinson
IC: Dingwall, Ma'asi-White, Atkinson
OC: Slade, Beard, Northmore
WG: Feyi-Waboso, Roebuck, Sleightholme, Murley
FB: Carpenter (+ Furbank)

Bracken is a winger no? Unless they've dragged his dad out.

 

[MarkyH]

I'm thinking of the other brother. You're all right and I'm very much wrong

 

[Noonz]

Centre selection looks good but what's up with Olly Hartley? Still too young or is he injured?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Probably just a victim of there being quite a few young 12s around atm and RMW being the new flavour of the week after finishing the season really strongly - don't think age comes into it as RMW is younger and Atkinson is the same age
He's also not first choice at his club atm, which won't help

 

[BPM]

Can't see that tbh, if Donoghue goes they'll take one fewer at centre or scrum half, considering it's pretty likely Ford gets called into the Lions at some point

I wouldn't be surprised to see Spencer miss out, as sad as that would be (still remains one of my fave players)

Could see Ewels making it as well, sadly

Yeah, that’s a fair point.

Borthwick hinted very heavily at Donoghue being involved so I am confident he’s going. Perhaps in addition to Atkinson rather than instead of.

 

[BPM]

Centre selection looks good but what's up with Olly Hartley? Still too young or is he injured?

Hasn’t been particularly good since coming back from injury. Others are rightly ahead of him on merit.

He needs a full preseason and some game time to put himself back in the frame.

 

[Geordie]

Assuming it will be Coles and Clarke for the tour starters...what's your opinions of them?

 

[higgik]

Ballast in the scrum and maul can't be understated, especially when we don't really have a big lump in the backrow

Two athletic locks can definitely work, but I do feel like trying to find a proper backup tighthead lock would be preferable - not sure who that would be though, so would rather two athletic locks who are knocking on the door trialled rather than shoe horning in a bigger lock who doesn't look ready just for the sake of it

But then you need more ballast in BR, which compromises our best players.

 

[Ddanno]

He'd probably be better served taking a surfing holiday in Aus than touring Argentina with England tbh

What an (unwanted) image

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Interview with Steward in today’s Times in which he talks a lot about versatility and how that’s valued by the England set up. Changing the way he plays 15 and how he might look at other positions. He wants to be involved with Eng and will do whatever it takes. Fairly clear that some day, somewhere we’re going to see him in a 12 shirt.

Also saying Chieka’s very good at the man management while others have tended to concentrate more on tactics and game plans. Not near overtly criticising others but there’s a bit of an inference. But who wouldn’t like a coach who strolled into a team meeting with a bottle of rum?

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Henry Arundell joins the training squad.