England Squad 2026

[TRF_Olyy]

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.

Heyes robbed

I get the Ferrari pick but Heyes played a game more than him and was part of the best scrum in the tournament (which comfortably beat the Italian scrum)

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

I get the Ferrari pick but Heyes played a game more than him and was part of the best scrum in the tournament (which comfortably beat the Italian scrum)

In fairness Ferrari was absent for that game. May have been a different story if he’d been around.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

In fairness Ferrari was absent for that game. May have been a different story if he’d been around.

He played 50mins, it was the Wales game he missed

 

[TommiG88]

Six nations rugby officialView attachment 25737

Hmmmm voted by fans I assume?

Heyes over Ferrari
Jalibert over Russell

Are the 2 clear ones for me. Feel France could be unrepresented

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

He played 50mins, it was the Wales game he missed

Ooohh my name’s Olyy and I know everything.

Take a day off

 

[TommiG88]

Ooohh my name’s Olyy and I know everything.

Take a day off

Seconded

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ooohh my name’s Olyy and I know everything.

Take a day off

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Ooohh my name’s Olyy and I know everything.

Take a day off

You don't make... Wait, WTF?
100,025,406 posts!
By taking days off

Holy **** dude, take a day off!

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

 

[BrokenWing]

You don't make... Wait, WTF?
100,025,406 posts!
By taking days off

Holy **** dude, take a day off!

If I didn’t know better, I’d say there was a scam, or possibly scamola going on

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Olyy is actually valley commando in disguise this whole time!

He’s getting double post counts for his various accounts.

 

[Ddanno]

HEY! YOU GUYS LEAVE OLYY ALONE

 

[Geordie]

This summer farcical tournament
4 July 2026 - South Africa v England, Joburg
11 July 2026 - Fiji v England - Liverpool
18 July 2026 - Argentina v England - Santiago del Estero

So im assuming, the team that flies to SA will play the game then fly to Argentina, meanwhile the Fiji game will be a complete different almost A side? They're surely not going to fly all the way back to the UK for a game then back again to Argentina?

 

[Scotty]

This summer farcical tournament
4 July 2026 - South Africa v England, Joburg
11 July 2026 - Fiji v England - Liverpool
18 July 2026 - Argentina v England - Santiago del Estero

So im assuming, the team that flies to SA will play the game then fly to Argentina, meanwhile the Fiji game will be a complete different almost A side? They're surely not going to fly all the way back to the UK for a game then back again to Argentina?

I hope they do have a strong A team for Fiji, I get it could count as a loss if we loose meaning losing to SA and Fiji but get say

Quirke Ford Murley(if IFW fit in SA/arg) Ojomoh Slade Arundell Carpenter

Leaves our first team fresh for the 2 games and gets minutes into players ready to step up.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Really is an absolute shambles of a comp when you see the fixtures written down like that

 

[Geordie]

Really is an absolute shambles of a comp when you see the fixtures written down like that

Couldnt agree more.

 

[Geordie]

I hope they do have a strong A team for Fiji, I get it could count as a loss if we loose meaning losing to SA and Fiji but get say

Quirke Ford Murley(if IFW fit in SA/arg) Ojomoh Slade Arundell Carpenter

Leaves our first team fresh for the 2 games and gets minutes into players ready to step up.

I just think it would be utter madness to have the full first team (minus any rested ones) fly to Jo'burg, then back to UK then back to Argentinain for 3 games....

We would have to use most of the A squad also. Thats a good thing against what would probably be a strong Fiji side. Test them out.

I honestly couldnt care if we lose this tournament its meaningless.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

I just think it would be utter madness to have the full first team (minus any rested ones) fly to Jo'burg, then back to UK then back to Argentinain for 3 games....

We would have to use most of the A squad also. Thats a good thing against what would probably be a strong Fiji side. Test them out.

I honestly couldnt care if we lose this tournament its meaningless.

At least the UK and SA are in the same timezone. Surely the tournament wouldn't let anyone have that much squad rotation?

 

[Ddanno]

At least the UK and SA are in the same timezone. Surely the tournament wouldn't let anyone have that much squad rotation?

Same timezone, but massive altitude difference

 

[Geordie]

At least the UK and SA are in the same timezone. Surely the tournament wouldn't let anyone have that much squad rotation?

Yeah but a 11-13 hour flight or something each way isnt ideal.

Surey they would have to allow a good squad rotation.

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Same timezone, but massive altitude difference

And attitude difference

 

[higgik]

The whole international fixture list is a disaster.
1) one international window in September and October
2) 8 weeks with 2 weeks rest or travel.
3) 4 year cycle
A) RWC
B) Lions
C) Nations League
D) Regional Champs

Nations League top 2 from each Regional Champs into single venue tournament, (6 teams)

Regional Champs Euro/Africas, Americas, Asia/Pacific

 

[Rinkadink]

There's simply too many international fixtures. Matches are not special any more and is ruining pro rugby beneath it.

At least we are back to proper rugby this weekend.

 

[ChicagoKid]

There's simply too many international fixtures. Matches are not special any more and is ruining pro rugby beneath it.

At least we are back to proper rugby this weekend.

There are too few international matches. This isn’t even an opinion, it’s a simple fact.

The demand for T1 international tests is why prices are going up and sellouts happen within minutes and hours.

The springboks vs All Blacks game in Baltimore sold out within a few hours with the average ticket around $500. I tried buying Six Nations tickets and they are pricey even for Americans.

The international game is the only thing that generates sufficient cash flow and net profit.

 

[Saintjay]

There are too few international matches. This isn’t even an opinion, it’s a simple fact.

The demand for T1 international tests is why prices are going up and sellouts happen within minutes and hours.

The springboks vs All Blacks game in Baltimore sold out within a few hours with the average ticket around $500. I tried buying Six Nations tickets and they are pricey even for Americans.

The international game is the only thing that generates sufficient cash flow and net profit.

Can be cheaper to do a weekend in Rome than Edinburgh or London for the six nations.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Times had an interview with Joe Owen which I thought was a bit of an odd one.

I know he made the A squad but does that signal that he’s properly on Borthwick’s radar?

I’d never really watched him closely enough to form a view. Did pay a bit of attention to him in yesterday’s match against Tigers, bit of a mixed bag but something there and it sounds like he has some serious wheels when carrying in the open. Bit like Chessum he’s got an even bigger younger brother on the way up too.

@Rinkadink and others, any views on him? Could he go further? Is he a genuine lock / 6 option?

 

[Rinkadink]

Yes, he is the real deal at both lock and 6. Will be overlooked because Bristol but he is something special. Still learning but just gets better and better, his ceiling will be very, very high. Owen is the natural replacement for Steve Luatua in the squad (and has been selected over him until the recent injury crisis), if that's any indication of his current status and potential. Proper wheels BTW, has gassed pro wingers on multiple occasions. There are a couple more interesting academy products coming through as well but obviously earlier in their development. Batley is the one who is should have be doing the lock thing with England multiple times by now. Owen is definitely ready to be included in the training squads at the very least and I think it's a bit short-sighted that he hasn't. Or possibly Borthwick's and RFU's slightly troublesome history with both the club itself and the "YOU'RE LYING PAT" beef with Lam?

Bristol were not at their best v Tigers, very rusty with lots of injury returnees, multiple key players missing, and the like. Next few games will be interesting. Oghre is the one that sticks out most as he's still performing at a crazy level yet inexcusably ignored. Harding as well to a lesser extent but at least England's 7/8 position is well stacked so I totally understand it. Ibitoye when back to match fitness (long time out with Hamstring surgery) would be a good replacement for when IFW is out , he just makes stuff happen and puts in the work elsewhere such as resourcing rucks, stepping in at 9 and has moved to 15 cover a few times during matches. Plus no worries about defence any more. England lack that X-factor spark in the backs sometimes and I am sure he would provide it, although his style is the antithesis of spreadsheet rugby structures. If England decide they want to play more like that France game then calling up a handful of well-suited Bristol players seems logical.

 

[Geordie]

Oghre is the one that sticks out most as he's still performing at a crazy level yet inexcusably ignored.

With that in mind....whos the ones to take over from George and LCD...?

Oghre is playing exceptionally well but i just cant help thinking his size will go against him at international level. Im thinking Craig Wright and Kepu are the two likely front runners...

Theo Dan (25) - 5'10 , 16.7st
Nathan Jibulu (23) - 6', 17.5st
Gabriel Oghre (28)- 5'8, 16.2st
Kepu Tuipolotu (20) - 6', 18st
Craig Wright - (21) - 6', 17.5st
Seb Blake (24) - 6'1, 18st
Sansom Adejimi (24) 5'10, 16'9

 

[BPM]

Oghre isn’t much smaller than Dan but is significantly better at the set piece. I’d have him in.

However, as you say Tuipolotu, Wright and Jibulu are probably the next batch and are all bigger, heavier men. The issue there is that none of them are first choice at club level.

That’s where Oghre and Langdon should have a theoretical edge. On the flip side, if we’re starting with George or LCD, I suppose you could argue that the three I mentioned above are more used to an impact role from the bench.

 

[Geordie]

Oghre isn’t much smaller than Dan but is significantly better at the set piece. I’d have him in.

However, as you say Tuipolotu, Wright and Jibulu are probably the next batch and are all bigger, heavier men. The issue there is that none of them are first choice at club level.

That’s where Oghre and Langdon should have a theoretical edge. On the flip side, if we’re starting with George or LCD, I suppose you could argue that the three I mentioned above are more used to an impact role from the bench.

Yeah Oghre is probably the standout hooker in the league at the moment, but i just wonder how he transfers to the international level only being 5'8 and just over 16 stone. Thats not big for a centre let alone a front rower. Im happy to be corrected and would definitely have had him in the squad to see how he goes.

As you rightly say many of the others arent actually first choice for their teams...so all very much a work in progress and some have work to do on their core skills....their darts for example.

We should still have George and LCD around till the world cup...in some capacity, so hopefully at least one or two of the above list will have pushed on...