England 2024/25

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Great use of two bench players in the England launch photo there.

Umbro was ****. I've only heard bad things about castore, oh joy.

 

[Leonormous Boozer]

Welcome to the family. It's ****.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

At least the logo's better.

Umbro deal was until 2028. Sounds like it was novated across to Castore. Wonder what happened.

 

[BrokenWing]

I think the Umbro/Castore thing has been going on for some time, not just with the England rugby team.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I think the Umbro/Castore thing has been going on for some time, not just with the England rugby team.

I know there was an agreement that Castore could market and supply Umbro stuff but don't know of anything beyond that?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Sorry to add to the hype, but watching Saints yesterday, just how quick is Pollock?

Lot to learn which will come with experience, but physically he looks gifted.

 

[Ddanno]

Looks the pollocks (b) both positively and negatively. He's really annoying, but when he's an England starter I'll be fine with the BS wumerry

Edit: OK fine I'll change the name

 

[Geordie]

Been away so havent seen a huge amount of rugby...has there been any standout performances from any of the 12's? Heard Woodwards name touted for a summer tour spot...but how has Atkinson gone etc?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Atkinson's been playing really well, as has Woodward - both should hopefully tour this summer
IMO Woodward is playing better atm, but would be happy with either starting

RMW playing really well the last few weeks but he'd be one I'd be looking at for the November A game rather than in any genuine contention at this stage

 

[Geordie]

Atkinson's been playing really well, as has Woodward - both should hopefully tour this summer
IMO Woodward is playing better atm, but would be happy with either starting

RMW playing really well the last few weeks but he'd be one I'd be looking at for the November A game rather than in any genuine contention at this stage

Are you starting to change your opinion of RMW?

Surely Atkinson and Woodward can finally give us a decent 12 at this level.

 

[mikebrownsauce1512]

RMW playing really well the last few weeks but he'd be one I'd be looking at for the November A game rather than in any genuine contention at this stage

RMW looked good this weekend

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Are you starting to change your opinion of RMW?

Yeah, his latest run of games he's finally looking good - hands in contact still need a bit of work (he knocked on once or twice on hard carries) but that should come with game time

He was dreadful before, though, so does have ground to make up on the others - hence the A game being the target (though has stuff competition there)

I still think it's gonna be Dingwall at 12 for the main summer tests though (is it two vs Argentina, an A ("XV") game to start the tour and then one vs....USA?)
One of Hartley/Atkinson for the A/XV game (whichever side doesn't make the playoffs) and probably the USA(?) game

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Lee Blackett going to Argentina as Attack coach and Byron McGuigan as assistant coach (maybe Joe El-Abd has to miss the start of the tour due to club duties?)

Steve Borthwick shakes up England coaching set-up with Premiership gurus

Exclusive: Lee Blackett and Byron McGuigan added to backroom team for tour to Argentina and United States

www.telegraph.co.uk

https://archive.ph/PXuIV

Really really happy that Blackett is involved,
What a meteoric rise for Byron as well, he was coaching Rossendale at the start of the season, now touring with England!

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I reckon RMW will move to 13 once RDP leaves

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I reckon RMW will move to 13 once RDP leaves

I hope not, because he looks way better at 12 than 13, but probably right as we've signed that rubbish South African 12 so imagine RMW will be at 13 whenever RdP has to shift to 10 next season - we'd have signed a 13 otherwise as our stocks there are pretty slim

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

I hope not, because he looks way better at 12 than 13, but probably right as we've signed that rubbish South African 12 so imagine RMW will be at 13 whenever RdP has to shift to 10 next season - we'd have signed a 13 otherwise as our stocks there are pretty slim

Yeah consider Louw has only ever started at 12 that was my logic at least

 

[BPM]

Yeah, his latest run of games he's finally looking good - hands in contact still need a bit of work (he knocked on once or twice on hard carries) but that should come with game time

He was dreadful before, though, so does have ground to make up on the others - hence the A game being the target (though has stuff competition there)

I still think it's gonna be Dingwall at 12 for the main summer tests though (is it two vs Argentina, an A ("XV") game to start the tour and then one vs....USA?)
One of Hartley/Atkinson for the A/XV game (whichever side doesn't make the playoffs) and probably the USA(?) game

Yeah, the 'XV' fixture could have an interesting lineup. Depending on who makes the last playoff spot, we could be very light in some positions - particularly if it's Saracens.

Take lock for example - if the play offs include Bath, Leicester, Sale and Saracens, that takes away a lot of the players I would have expected to see in an A side. Isiekwe, Tizard, Ted Hill (yes I know he's not really a lock), Ewels, Johnny Hill and Bamber. Obviously I'm not including the main men like Itoje and Chessum.

From recent squads, that leaves Clark and CCS (who isn't a lock either) as the only recent call-ups, plus Batley and Lockett from the A squads. I guess there's Dun and Owen from Bristol and Munga from Saints but it's pretty slim pickings.

 

[McTallshort]

Twickenham: RFU planning to stay and Chelsea ground-share not ruled out, says Bill Sweeney

RFUs Bill Sweeney reveals union no longer entertaining move away from Allianz Stadium Twickenham; March 2024 brought reports RFU looked at Wembley, while last month Sweeney claimed they may still leave over licensing restrictions; Sweeney fails to rule out Chelsea at Twickenham too

www.skysports.com

 

[BPM]

Yeah, the 'XV' fixture could have an interesting lineup. Depending on who makes the last playoff spot, we could be very light in some positions - particularly if it's Saracens.

Take lock for example - if the play offs include Bath, Leicester, Sale and Saracens, that takes away a lot of the players I would have expected to see in an A side. Isiekwe, Tizard, Ted Hill (yes I know he's not really a lock), Ewels, Johnny Hill and Bamber. Obviously I'm not including the main men like Itoje and Chessum.

From recent squads, that leaves Clark and CCS (who isn't a lock either) as the only recent call-ups, plus Batley and Lockett from the A squads. I guess there's Dun and Owen from Bristol and Munga from Saints but it's pretty slim pickings.

Actually, I forgot Coles.

Thinking about it, you could make a pretty decent selection from Saints and Quins even if you leave out any likely Lions/main England players:

1. Iyogun
2. Langdon
3. Davison
4. Coles
5. Munga
6. Kenningham
7. Pollock
8. Cunningham-South
9. Porter
10. Benson
11. Murley
12. Waghorn
13. Beard
14. Sleightholme
15. Hendy

16. Walker 17. Haffar 18. Green 19. Lockett 20. Dombrandt 21. Evans 22. James 23. Northmore

Not sure I'd pick any Exeter or Newcastle players over those to be honest.

 

[Booboobang]

Yeah, his latest run of games he's finally looking good - hands in contact still need a bit of work (he knocked on once or twice on hard carries) but that should come with game time

He was dreadful before, though, so does have ground to make up on the others - hence the A game being the target (though has stuff competition there)

I still think it's gonna be Dingwall at 12 for the main summer tests though (is it two vs Argentina, an A ("XV") game to start the tour and then one vs....USA?)
One of Hartley/Atkinson for the A/XV game (whichever side doesn't make the playoffs) and probably the USA(?) game

I just dont see the utility of dingwell this summer, good player, would be my current first choice 12, but the summer squad is going to be a developmental team and dingwall is a known commodity. I guess the argument is he has been in and out, and better to just give him the run rather than mess him around further?

No issue regardless, will be nice to have a 12, and its probably just my impatience at wanting to see atkinson, woodward, hartley etc...