England XV vs France XV - 21/06/25

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Presumably because with the 6:2 someone in the starting team needs to cover 10.

Really glad to see Atkinson starting after being snubbed for so long.

Tbf Atkinson is only 23, not like he's been in the wilderness for as long as some

 

[Ddanno]

Is the France side not out yet? I'm not having much joy finding it

I'm told it's being announced tomorrow

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

A couple of >2m locks, a 6 at 6, a 7 at 7 and an 8 at 8. Let's hope it's contagious. What's not to like? Apart from a back rower covering lock.

Is it me or has Baxter had a quietish year? Obvs now cemented as Quins 1 and Eng 17 but I don’t recall seeing or reading about too many games where he’s been standout. Less second season syndrome, maybe more solid but marked?

 

[Scotty]

Good team, my take is SB is keeping George, Ford and Slade for experience in key positions. We have out lineout thrower, playmaker and defensive leader experienced then new or fringe or second choice players throughout(bar IFW but he is coming back from injury and needs gametime)

Quite excited about this one.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

A couple of >2m locks, a 6 at 6, a 7 at 7 and an 8 at 8. Let's hope it's contagious. What's not to like? Apart from a back rower covering lock.

Is it me or has Baxter had a quietish year? Obvs now cemented as Quins 1 and Eng 17 but I don't recall seeing or reading about too many games where he's been standout. Less second season syndrome, maybe more solid but marked?

Solid but marked I think. There's shiny new prop toys (AOF and Fasogbon) to get excited over, so getting less attention I think

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

A couple of >2m locks, a 6 at 6, a 7 at 7 and an 8 at 8. Let's hope it's contagious. What's not to like? Apart from a back rower covering lock.

Is it me or has Baxter had a quietish year? Obvs now cemented as Quins 1 and Eng 17 but I don't recall seeing or reading about too many games where he's been standout. Less second season syndrome, maybe more solid but marked?

Dudes a prop, not every prop needs to be a fancy carrier

He’s been a rock for quins from what I have seen

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Dudes a prop, not every prop needs to be a fancy carrier

Couldn’t agree more.

But haven’t seen / heard much about him being dominant in the tight either. By marked I was actually more meaning opposing props taking him seriously.

 

[IT157]

This is a really solid team/squad. Happy with the selection.

 

[Ddanno]

"Borthwick revealed that Dombrandt has been training in the centres and will cover midfield as well as back row, with Quirke and the versatile Oscar Beard the only two specialist backs on the bench."

Ok....

 

[TRF_Olyy]

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Dombrandt too fluffy for back row nevermind centre

 

[Geordie]

What's the crack with Borthwick and Dombrant. There's obviously something that he sees in him that he desperately wants to see on the pitch but it's just not happening and I don't think it's likely to.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Tbh if anyone was going to be at centre, not got a huge issue with it being Dombrandt. He's defo got the hands, and almost certainly has the vision. He often links up in the backline for Quins.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Tbh if anyone was going to be at centre, not got a huge issue with it being Dombrandt. He's defo got the hands, and almost certainly has the vision. He often links up in the backline for Quins.

Offensively sure but defensively would much rather either Pepper or preferably Kenningham. Much more lateral movement.

 

[Which Tyler]

"Borthwick revealed that Dombrandt has been training in the centres and will cover midfield as well as back row.

Offensively sure but defensively would much rather either Pepper or preferably Kenningham.

Worth noting - Ted Hill actually plays that role for Bath, and trains for it week-in, week-out.

OK, so he's probably still knackered from last weekend, but would still seem like the more obvious option

 

[Ddanno]

Worth noting - Ted Hill actually plays that role for Bath, and trains for it week-in, week-out.

OK, so he's probably still knackered from last weekend, but would still seem like the more obvious option

Certainly beats Pepper, Kenningham or Dombrandt in that role

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

We have actual centres who can play centre. I know it’s not trendy but perhaps someone who plays a position every week would be quite good at it.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Also got players who've played lock their entire life too

But nah, backrowers for every position!
Dread to think what the side would look like if Burry were fit - drop Beard and have Pepper on the bench covering wing too?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

We have actual centres who can play centre.

We do?

 

[Geordie]

Also got players who've played lock their entire life too

But nah, backrowers for every position!
Dread to think what the side would look like if Burry were fit - drop Beard and have Pepper on the bench covering wing too?

I wonder what they're thoughts are on the back up locks. It doesnt look good if they're bringing Isiekwe back in when they could be playing Arthur ?