England 2024/25

[BPM]

Ah, but do we have the HC for it, though?

In fairness to Borthwick, I haven’t had a major issue with most of his selections. The issue has been more the tactics. However, I was very impressed with how we played on the summer tour - it was a good blueprint for balancing a more inventive (and effective) attack with a solid, stifling defence.

 

[Ddanno]

Borthwick likes making the pegging awkward.

Just relax, hit the amyls a bit and use lots of lube.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Assuming we have a fit crop of centres, I'll be very interested to see who he picks.

Atkinson seems to have really impressed in Argentina so it would be great to see him get a run at 12 in some really challenging fixtures. If he can hold his own vs. Australia and NZ in particular I think we will have an answer to one of our perennial questions.

Hopefully, that would mean 13 is open for Lawrence. IMO, he's yet to truly arrive at test level but that might be largely due to being asked to play like a crash 12. I think he and Atkinson could be a very good partnership. Also, if Marchant returns next season and Freeman wants to be considered as a centre, it would be good to have had Blackett working on a system that is focused on more of a running threat at 13. Lawrence is much more of that ilk than Slade or Dingwall.

Agreed. But again depends how closely SB is going to stick to the centrally contracted players (and what’s the point of having them if he doesn’t?).

Agree Atkinson *should* get first shot at 12, but the contracted players who can play centre are Daly, Freeman, Lawrence and Slade. Slade being the fly in the ointment as realistically he’s only ever going to be a 13 and at his age there’s no point paying for a contract if he’s not going to play.

So Lawrence and Slade it is.

(Maybe rashly ignoring F Smith, Earl, Pollock…..).

 

[Ddanno]

Agreed. But again depends how closely SB is going to stick to the centrally contracted players (and what's the point of having them if he doesn't?).

Agree Atkinson *should* get first shot at 12, but the contracted players who can play centre are Daly, Freeman, Lawrence and Slade. Slade being the fly in the ointment as realistically he's only ever going to be a 13 and at his age there's no point paying for a contract if he's not going to play.

So Lawrence and Slade it is.

(Maybe rashly ignoring F Smith, Earl, Pollock…..).

Rashly?

If you suggest Earl or Pollock at 12 again I'm pretty sure we can find enough forum members to have you sectioned

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Oh, will you all stop pontificating? Stuart says that numbers on shirts don’t matter.

https://archive.ph/dptDM

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Rashly?

If you suggest Earl or Pollock at 12 again I'm pretty sure we can find enough forum members to have you sectioned

Had just deleted that and replaced. You can now section Barnes instead.

 

[Geordie]

12 Atkinson
13 Lawrence

That'll do. Everyone else needs to prove it by being better week in week out for their club.

And see how Lawrence can do in that 13 defensive role!

 

[Saintjay]

12 Atkinson
13 Lawrence

That'll do. Everyone else needs to prove it by being better week in week out for their club.

And see how Lawrence can do in that 13 defensive role!

If i hear "Week on week, keep getting better" from Faz or Borthwick i'll section myself.

 

[BPM]

Agreed. But again depends how closely SB is going to stick to the centrally contracted players (and what's the point of having them if he doesn't?).

Agree Atkinson *should* get first shot at 12, but the contracted players who can play centre are Daly, Freeman, Lawrence and Slade. Slade being the fly in the ointment as realistically he's only ever going to be a 13 and at his age there's no point paying for a contract if he's not going to play.

So Lawrence and Slade it is.

(Maybe rashly ignoring F Smith, Earl, Pollock…..).

I strongly suspect Slade is still centrally contracted because he was on a longer initial deal. I don’t necessarily think it means Borthwick is obliged to pick him.

Of the list you mentioned Daly and Freeman can play centre, but both rarely do and have been used more in the back three with England.

I can understand Atkinson missing out on a central contract, but Borthwick has singled him out for praise on several occasions so I think he’s out himself in a good position.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I strongly suspect Slade is still centrally contracted because he was on a longer initial deal. I don't necessarily think it means Borthwick is obliged to pick him.

Of the list you mentioned Daly and Freeman can play centre, but both rarely do and have been used more in the back three with England.

I can understand Atkinson missing out on a central contract, but Borthwick has singled him out for praise on several occasions so I think he's out himself in a good position.

Oh agreed but those shelling out £160K or whatever are going to expect that those contracts are given to people who are actually, you know, going to play.

 

[Saintjay]

Oh agreed but those shelling out £160K or whatever are going to expect that those contracts are given to people who are actually, you know, going to play.

Would be a hard sell to my boss. Right you asked for X,Y,Z which we are now paying for, and you used something else.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Nice

 

[Ddanno]

Nice x2

 

[BPM]

Would be a hard sell to my boss. Right you asked for X,Y,Z which we are now paying for, and you used something else.

True, but they also have to trust the head coach with making the best selection choices and Slade over Atkinson wouldn’t be that …

 

[Ddanno]

True, but they also have to trust the head coach with making the best selection choices and Slade over Atkinson wouldn't be that …

I'm going to go spare if we see Lawrence + Slade again when Dingwall and Atkinson are kicking the door down to be playing 12

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Byron McGuigan: England open talks to add Sale coach to set-up

Byron McGuigan, who worked on England's successful summer tour, could return to Steve Borthwick's set-up after the Rugby Football Union opens talks with Sale.

www.bbc.co.uk

Hopefully Forshaw left Tigers so he could come back to us after a few months in hiding

 

[Which Tyler]

Not sure if this has been posted yet: https://www.rugbypass.com/news/england-closing-in-on-lee-blackett-deal/

Warrington Wolves - Gleeson departs assistant coaching role

The place to get all your Warrington Wolves news and info

warringtonwolves.com

2+2=?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Maybe he'll bring Burgess back with him!

 

[Ddanno]

Maybe he'll bring Burgess back with him!

What have I said about Candymanning people back?