England 2024/25

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Could definitely get on board with ditching Atkinson for Carpenter in that case.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Atkinson is never a test quality player unfortunately.

 

[Ddanno]

Atkinson is never a test quality player unfortunately.

There are too many Atkinsons, I was about to have a pop at you for dismissing Seb

 

[MarkyH]

Reading good things about Paul Brown-Bampoe in Exeter. Talk on BBC that he could be a surprise inclusion in the summer tour. Big lad, scores tries. That's about all I know. Any Exeter fans got an opinion

Premiership Rugby: Bristol's big day, Leicester's 10 hunt and Ben Earl's centre spot

Leicester's race to find a fly-half, Bristol's trek across the border and Paul Brown-Bampoe's stand-out form are all setting tongues wagging in the Premiership.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Reading good things about Paul Brown-Bampoe in Exeter. Talk on BBC that he could be a surprise inclusion in the summer tour. Big lad, scores tries. That's about all I know. Any Exeter fans got an opinion

Premiership Rugby: Bristol's big day, Leicester's 10 hunt and Ben Earl's centre spot

Leicester's race to find a fly-half, Bristol's trek across the border and Paul Brown-Bampoe's stand-out form are all setting tongues wagging in the Premiership.

www.bbc.co.uk

Tons of raw talent and a genuinely freakish athlete. In time I think he could be a real asset to England. However, this is his first year of pro rugby and it shows. His defence, positioning, etc. have all come a long way this season but think he'd get shown up badly at international level the way he is right now.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, very much a glass cannon atm - I'd be happy to see him in the XV/A games but would be very nervy about him being with the seniors

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Good article on my man Ilione
https://archive.ph/7Kv6v

Mental hours he is putting in, will be interesting when he can just focus on rugby full time.

Might not be a Pollock in terms of the sound bites and highlights but I rate him really highly

 

[Geordie]

Good article on my man Ilione
https://archive.ph/7Kv6v

Mental hours he is putting in, will be interesting when he can just focus on rugby full time.

Might not be a Pollock in terms of the sound bites and highlights but I rate him really highly

Jeez his putting the hours in isnt he! Would you give him a run out in the XV's games?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Playoff side players can't play in the XV game (think that's why it's a XV game rather than an A game?)

 

[Geordie]

Playoff side players can't play in the XV game (think that's why it's a XV game rather than an A game?)

Ah yes of course...

 

[BPM]

Annoying as we could have done with the opportunity to take a look at Donoghue, Woodward, Ilione and a couple of others.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Is it the same ruling for players who are part of a playoff side squad but don't actually make the 23 for their knockout games? As presumably 1 (or maybe even both) of Bailey and Donoghue aren't going to make the Bath 23 for the knockouts. Seems silly that they wouldn't be allowed to play the XV game if they haven't actually played any rugby in weeks.

 

[BPM]

Yeah, it covers everyone. I guess to allow for travelling reserves etc.

It will be interesting if Bath, Tigers, Sale and Gloucester make the top 4 as that leaves us without most of the options we have for 10.

I doubt Marcus would be considered so it would leave Benson as the only real contender, unless we want to **** the Scots off and pick Burke?

 

[Flankers' paradise]

If we're talking about going down the Benson route then surely Louie Johnson would be in contention as well

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Is it the same ruling for players who are part of a playoff side squad but don't actually make the 23 for their knockout games? As presumably 1 (or maybe even both) of Bailey and Donoghue aren't going to make the Bath 23 for the knockouts. Seems silly that they wouldn't be allowed to play the XV game if they haven't actually played any rugby in weeks.

They might be travelling reserves and therefore still unavailable but you raise a good point.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

They might be travelling reserves and therefore still unavailable but you raise a good point.

Unless I'm getting my dates mixed up then the XV game is a full week after the final, no?

 

[Which Tyler]

They might be travelling reserves and therefore still unavailable but you raise a good point.

I was going to say something similar, but decided against.
I'd also add that - how often have England been interested in a club's 3rd choice (at best) player to have a look at internationally?

The Welsh? yeah, I mean, they capped Archie Griffin after all, but England aren't generally that desperate (and it's only coming up now as we're looking to see who backs up Ford behind Smith and Smith, whilst Furbank's injured, Farrell's away and we want a look at someone other than Atkinson or Slade - so explicitly a youngster to be 8th choice at best.

Unless I'm getting my dates mixed up then the XV game is a full week after the final, no?

They'll still want to get together to train and strategise.
Which is why the squad changes week on week - a broad squad from the lower 6; then add the SF losers, and finally the finalists for the actual touring squad

 

[BPM]

If we're talking about going down the Benson route then surely Louie Johnson would be in contention as well

Has he even played for Saracens?

Benson hasn't played much but he has played (and done well).

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Tons of raw talent and a genuinely freakish athlete. In time I think he could be a real asset to England. However, this is his first year of pro rugby and it shows. His defence, positioning, etc. have all come a long way this season but think he'd get shown up badly at international level the way he is right now.

Yeah, he makes Pollock look experienced.

Churning out athletes has never really been a problem for us. Churning out savvy rugby players has.

 

[Geordie]

Has he even played for Saracens?

Benson hasn't played much but he has played (and done well).

So the question...is it better to rush off to a better club at 19/ 20 or stay at a worse club and actually play week in week out?

Its not healthy playing in a side getting humped every week but then again surely playing premier ship games week in week out is what they need...

Hopefully if the deal goes through they won't be in a rush to leave in the future.

Benson is probably gonna be the option for the XV games. Or Brett Common ..sorry I'll get my coat