England Squad 2026

[Quel Carreleur]

Don't they usually play the other way round?

Yes - Ojomoh is a bilateral centre, Lawrence really isn't.
If he's not good enough in his actual position, with no real alternative; then he's definitely not good enough in his worse position with better alternatives.

For the summer, I'm looking forward to combining Atkinson, Ojomoh and Marchant and playing around with them (I'd start SA nd MO, with JM on the bench)

 

[Saintjay]

Unlike Borthwick, tofu has more range. It absorbs flavour and is extremely adaptable.

True Borthwick strikes me as a black hole for joy.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

True Borthwick strikes me as a black hole for joy.

Borthmentor.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Yes - Ojomoh is a bilateral centre, Lawrence really isn't.
If he's not good enough in his actual position, with no real alternative; then he's definitely not good enough in his worse position with better alternatives.

For the summer, I'm looking forward to combining Atkinson, Ojomoh and Marchant and playing around with them (I'd start SA nd MO, with JM on the bench)

Irrespective of individual merits we can’t keep mucking about with the midfield. In the last 14 6N and AI matches we’ve fielded the same 10, 12 & 13 twice in a row just 3 times. And never 3 times in a row. Something like 10 individual players have been involved as starters. Some clarity of thought is desperately needed. Marchant and the mullet will complicate things further but surely SB or whoever just needs to pick his men and bloody well stick to them. Continuity and understanding is a thing….

For the record, the where the music stops selections:

MS, HS, OL
FS, HS, OL
FS, HS, OL
FS, FD, OL
FS, FD, TF
GF, FD, TF
FS, FD, OL
GF, FD, OL
GF, MO, HS
GF, FD, TF
GF, FD, TF
GF, FD, OL
FS, SA, TF
FS, SA, TF

If you want to include the summer tour there were 3 more new combos and an 11th player.

GF, SA, HS
GF, SA, LN
GF, MO, LN

 

[Geordie]

Is like to see Seb Atkinson just given a good run at 12. He really could be what we're looking for. He just needs time at this level ..games.

13 is the issue. I'm torn at the moment. Lawrence is out of the picture for me. But Im struggling between Ojomoh and Freeman...and that's without Marchant in the picture.

I think Freeman WILL make a VERY good 13 at intentional level, powerful runner and a strong edge defender......he just needs time and to be playing there for Saints week in week out.

Ojomoh is a playmaker..and learning from one of the best with Fin at Bath. His game v Argentina showed just what he could bring to this team....which does puzzle me why he's not been involved.

Whichever it is...they need to pick the midfield and let it develop.

Look at the Italy midfield...they've played 30-40 games together for Italy ..plus a ton of games for their club. Familiarity takes time.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

 

[TRF_Olyy]

There's nothing to gain having him play in the tinpot cup,
Get the minutes into Pepper and Pollock and call up Ilione in his stead - he's more than experienced enough to just slot back in when next required

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Those constant changes at 12 and 13 only confirm (in my head) my bias that Borthwick doesn’t actually know what he’s doing and is out of his depth.

Such a shame to see a brilliant crop of players hamstrung by shitty coaches.


On the rugby POD Goode made a few statements about a squad rebellion about the style of play before the France game. Said he spoke to a few players in the camp. No idea if that is real or just made up to sell a story that fits his (and my) narrative though.

 

[Geordie]

Those constant changes at 12 and 13 only confirm (in my head) my bias that Borthwick doesn’t actually know what he’s doing and is out of his depth.

Such a shame to see a brilliant crop of players hamstrung by shitty coaches.


On the rugby POD Goode made a few statements about a squad rebellion about the style of play before the France game. Said he spoke to a few players in the camp. No idea if that is real or just made up to sell a story that fits his (and my) narrative though.

I'm not sure I agree with that about 12 & 13. He's tried Lawrence, he's proven to have issues, he's given Dingwall a good run. He's not physical enough, hes given Slade the shirt, most people criticised that.

Hopefully we have a midfield now that has the required skills set and Just needs to play together and gain experience.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Those constant changes at 12 and 13 only confirm (in my head) my bias that Borthwick doesn’t actually know what he’s doing and is out of his depth.

Such a shame to see a brilliant crop of players hamstrung by shitty coaches.


On the rugby POD Goode made a few statements about a squad rebellion about the style of play before the France game. Said he spoke to a few players in the camp. No idea if that is real or just made up to sell a story that fits his (and my) narrative though.

I'm not sure I agree with that about 12 & 13. He's tried Lawrence, he's proven to have issues, he's given Dingwall a good run. He's not physical enough, hes given Slade the shirt, most people criticised that.

Hopefully we have a midfield now that has the required skills set and Just needs to play together and gain experience.

Dingwall looked fine when Smith played 10 but looked poor after he was left to cover fords defence.

I’d argue that although Lawrence hasn’t set the world alight in defence, neither has Freeman at 13. Neither has been stuck with and worked on, they have not even got more than one game in a row to improve. That screams chopping and changing. He’s never given a pairing a run of games to improve. What makes you think he’ll do that now.

 

[BPM]

I don’t want to defend Borthwick, but retaining a pair of centres for more than a couple of games has rarely been possible.

A good chunk of those changes have been enforced rather than tactical.

Lawrence, Dingwall and Atkinson have all picked up injuries when they looked set for a run of games.

What makes it worse is that the core group of 6 centres we’re drawing from (those above plus Freeman, Slade and Ojomoh) are all quite different which means that changing the personnel also changes the style of play needed to use them properly.

It’d be tough on the players on the fringes, but I feel like we need to define what we want from our midfield and identify a group that can easily step into it rather than asking players to drop into a system that negates their strengths and exposes their weaknesses.

For example, if we want our 12 to fix the defence and play out of the back, then Atkinson, BJvR and possibly RMW (maybe in time) would be the most obvious choices. If we want more of a playmaking 12, it suits Ojomoh or Dingwall a bit more with Woodward as a potential option coming through.

At 13, if we want more of a running threat, then it’s Freeman, Lawrence or Marchant (maybe Joseph if he can stay fit). If it’s a playmaker, then Ojomoh, Dingwall or Slade (preferably not).

Then we need to pick a 10 that suits them. For me, Fin Smith is the most versatile as he can work with either set-up. Ford and Marcus aren’t suited to the playmaker type of midfield.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

It’d be tough on the players on the fringes, but I feel like we need to define what we want from our midfield and identify a group that can easily step into it rather than asking players to drop into a system that negates their strengths and exposes their weaknesses.

Exactly this. Injuries happen, but you can’t keep on reinventing the wheel. Players have to be able to slot in with minimal disruption.

I was actually pretty happy with the midfield we ended up with - F, Atkinson and Freeman. There’s potential there, and as you say the mullet and Marchant wouldn’t be dissimilar replacements. Reasonably direct so I actually think M would be able to play alongside them OK too.

But just formulate a plan and stick to it as far as possible. It’s a wider question - what is our identity?

 

[BPM]

Marcus could definitely play with the more direct options. Less so with the playmaking 12 set up.

It’s probably toughest on Dingwall who has mostly been pretty good. He’s shown that he is good enough if used correctly, but for me, the best justification for selecting him is if we’re going with a full Saints midfield (probably plus Furbank if fit). If not, I don’t think he offers as much as the other options on an individual level.

 

[Geordie]

Exactly this. Injuries happen, but you can’t keep on reinventing the wheel. Players have to be able to slot in with minimal disruption.

I was actually pretty happy with the midfield we ended up with - F, Atkinson and Freeman. There’s potential there, and as you say the mullet and Marchant wouldn’t be dissimilar replacements. Reasonably direct so I actually think M would be able to play alongside them OK too.

But just formulate a plan and stick to it as far as possible. It’s a wider question - what is our identity?

Id be happy to roll with that midfield...but that does mean we need the playmaking 10 and 15 duo. So if Furbank isnt fit, we need to decide who that 15 is. Marcus, De Glanville? A.NOther.

Its why im torn with the idea of Ojomoh in there because he is a playmaker, which opens the door for a more direct runner at 15.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

There's nothing to gain having him play in the tinpot cup,
Get the minutes into Pepper and Pollock and call up Ilione in his stead - he's more than experienced enough to just slot back in when next required

Totally this.

Just wonder how much top rugby he’s really got left in him, especially given the way he plays. He’s been playing internationally since 2017 and got a couple of Lions tours under his belt. In the last 2 or 3 years he’s had the hip which was a big one, then the wrist and now the calf. Hope he can get right back but everyone can only take so much. Quite often sportsmen who excel young as he did stop totally excelling at a relatively young age too.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Agree in general but the calf was a collapsed maul in the warmup, not just his body breaking down (like everything else)

 

[Geordie]

Do you "rest" a couple of players...or go full strength. We cant be sending a novice side to South Africa....but some players havent stopped playing rugby for along time. Surely someone like Maro, maybe Ben Earl (just for examples) could do with a rest. It gives an opportunity to see who we have who can step in their shoes...against the best. Or is that just asking for a hiding.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Do you "rest" a couple of players...or go full strength. We cant be sending a novice side to South Africa....but some players havent stopped playing rugby for along time. Surely someone like Maro, maybe Ben Earl (just for examples) could do with a rest. It gives an opportunity to see who we have who can step in their shoes...against the best. Or is that just asking for a hiding.

I’d send a complete (or mostly complete) B team to SA. That when when we lose, Borthwick can say it’s a developmental tour and we are resting are best players etc.

The only other option is we take a full strength side, or near full stretch and get battered

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Do you "rest" a couple of players...or go full strength. We cant be sending a novice side to South Africa....but some players havent stopped playing rugby for along time. Surely someone like Maro, maybe Ben Earl (just for examples) could do with a rest. It gives an opportunity to see who we have who can step in their shoes...against the best. Or is that just asking for a hiding.

Edwards was suggesting the other day that France would mix and match.

I hope we follow suit - the whole thing is a contrived load of BS. Jo’burg one week, then back home (Fiji if they’d had a stadium) then Argentina. Great way to prepare, not to mention carbon footprints. And then a 4 month hiatus during which we’ll all be on the edge of our seats awaiting the resumption.

Our top guys need a rest - they don’t need this. Maybe go full throttle v SA as that’s the ultimate benchmark and then tell Itoje, Curry, Earl etc to throw a few beers down their necks in Magaluf or somewhere. Personally I couldn’t care less about this.

 

[Geordie]

Edwards was suggesting the other day that France would mix and match.

I hope we follow suit - the whole thing is a contrived load of BS. Jo’burg one week, then back home (Fiji if they’d had a stadium) then Argentina. Great way to prepare, not to mention carbon footprints. And then a 4 month hiatus during which we’ll all be on the edge of our seats awaiting the resumption.

Our top guys need a rest - they don’t need this. Maybe go full throttle v SA as that’s the ultimate benchmark and then tell Itoje, Curry, Earl etc to throw a few beers down their necks in Magaluf or somewhere. Personally I couldn’t care less about this.

Yeah i agree, it seems a little too much. Its not needed. Theres enough rugby being played.

 

[Becca]

Yeah i agree, it seems a little too much. Its not needed. Theres enough rugby being played.

It’s totally unnecessary.
Most European teams won’t be fielding full strength sides.

 

[Noonz]

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/engl...yers-used-in-the-six-nations-steve-borthwick/

 

[Reiser99]

Yet I can still see Borthwick playing full strength sides. He's too scared of losing and is wasting opportunities by always trying to pick the best 23.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Yet I can still see Borthwick playing full strength sides. He's too scared of losing and is wasting opportunities by always trying to pick the best 23.

Plus every England coach ever seems to live the idea of flogging the favourites until they break. I remember a few years back they did a really of the total number of minutes played and English players dominated the top of the table by quite a distance.

 

[higgik]

Yes - Ojomoh is a bilateral centre, Lawrence really isn't.
If he's not good enough in his actual position, with no real alternative; then he's definitely not good enough in his worse position with better alternatives.

For the summer, I'm looking forward to combining Atkinson, Ojomoh and Marchant and playing around with them (I'd start SA nd MO, with JM on the bench)

Definitely the future.
Marchant good defence, and could play with Furbank at 15.
Ojomoh provides more playmaking skills, so could play a runner at 15, lije Carpenter

 

[Duct Tape]

Fg

Yet I can still see Borthwick playing full strength sides. He's too scared of losing and is wasting opportunities by always trying to pick the best 23.

Exactly.

If the oft cited 11/12 stretch, for what it’s worth, truly counted, then a possible 3 or 4 of 7 in the NC/AI/finals is equally relevant.

He will be all in to avoid that.

 

[Jimbo]

Agreed, Sack off the experienced internationals from this tin pot comp especially the lions, give players who are new like Atkinson some experience, etc. England have proved in that last game they are a capable team is they sort their discipline and are disciplined with fairness, think we ware as close to Admissions that England were pretty roughly treated in that game all around, with that said it was in their hands and if they take care of the ball at the end, they could have won it. That performance alone gives me some hope which was hard to see before that game.

 

[Saintjay]

Not one England player in the six nations team of the tournament. Some dubious calls but I honestly don't think it's much of a surprise.

If we get a few in next year maybe we can spin it as building nicely for the RWC

 

[Brown Bottle]

Not one England player in the six nations team of the tournament. Some dubious calls but I honestly don't think it's much of a surprise.

If we get a few in next year maybe we can spin it as building nicely for the RWC

Which one? I've seen a few - I'm sure Ben Earl was in one of them.

 

[Saintjay]

Which one? I've seen a few - I'm sure Ben Earl was in one of them.

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