England 2024/25

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Ilione about 6ft 2 from what I have seen of him but got a wingspan of prob 10ft

Honestly he would make a good number 8 as I said I feel he's a natural 6 but suspect he could play anywhere in the back row with similar returns

 

[Rugbyfan564]

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

LP: Baxter, Iyogun, Rodd
HK: Dan, George, Langdon
TP: Davison, Heyes, Opoku-Fordjour
LK: Clark, Coles, Ewels, Isiekwe
FL: Cunningham-South, Hill, Kenningham, Pepper, Underhill
N8: Dombrandt, Willis
SH: Quirke, Spencer, van Poortvliet
FH: Atkinson, Ford
IC: Atkinson, Ojomoh
OC: Beard, Northmore, Slade
WG: Feyi-Waboso, Muir, Murley, Roebuck
FB: Carpenter, Steward

Have to assume that Curry's been kept out by his injury. But any news on Dingwall? Surely has to have picked up a ****le or something.

A little disappointed at no Fasogbon but at the same time it's understandable not to rush him. Davison's been excellent for Northampton so I'm not upset to see him involved.

Also a bit surprised at Muir coming in for Sleightholme but makes sense with how little rugby Sleightholme has played.

With none of Bailey, Donoghue or Furbank included I imagine Slade may be being looked at as 10 cover.

Edit: Curry, Dingwall, Furbank and Randall all on the rehab list.

Batley, Lawrence, Lozowski, Martin and Sleightholme on the not considered list.

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Wonder how much of this squad is making it Underhill's last banned game by including Tigers and Bath players?

I'm sure that was originally not the plan

 

[TRF_Olyy]

So Bath and Leicester players are eligible for the XV game? Cause if not there's only one 9

 

[Ddanno]

Oof we look very callow in the tight five and the centres. I doubt France will throw much at this (or even can since the T14 is still having a final) but they might pull a surprise or two.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Wonder how much of this squad is making it Underhill's last banned game by including Tigers and Bath players?

I'm sure that was originally not the plan

I'm not sure that's how it works. Even if none were not included they were theoretically able to be.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm not sure that's how it works. Even if none were not included they were theoretically able to be.

No

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

I'm not sure that's how it works. Even if none were not included they were theoretically able to be.

Not really - if Bath players weren't available, the only way it would be counted is if the RFU magic'ed up some communications with Bath saying that Underhill was an exception and going to be picked from before when his ban was confirmed

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Not really - if Bath players weren't available, the only way it would be counted is if the RFU magic'ed up some communications with Bath saying that Underhill was an exception and going to be picked from before when his ban was confirmed

But could they say they were all all available to be selected but for sporting reasons none have been selected for the 23.

 

[higgik]

I wouldn't complain. I do think his pace gets a bit too much attention - it's nice to have but it's still about the 5th thing I'm after in a 6 after tackling, clearing out, being a ******* nuisance and grabbing the ball when it's available. Actually make it six things because setpieces. Luxury giraffe is back on the menu boys.

Depends on the 7 and 8 surely.
If 7 is the dog like Curry or Underhill, you need a line out option and some pace to get out wide to cover.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I think we all need to see Hills new season stats before we jump to any conclusions and even then the team strategy may penalise Hill (by putting him out wide all the time so he does get through less work).

His pace is always going to be a bonus and not something to pick on by itself. But if he has the pace along side all the stats like hitting and carrying hard it's a bonus to embrace. But as long as he doesn't hang out on the wing all the time like Tim 'wana be a winger and can't actually do any proper work' Croft.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

you need a line out option

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

I think we all need to see Hills new season stats before we jump to any conclusions

What do you mean sorry?

In the reg season, his tackle percentage, volume and turnover frequency were all below a lot of his competitors.

Idk what's happening in training, but it sounds like a defence work rate issue as per the numbers I've got

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

What do you mean sorry?

In the reg season, his tackle percentage, volume and turnover frequency were all below a lot of his competitors.

Idk what's happening in training, but it sounds like a defence work rate issue as per the numbers I've got

As in I wanted to see his stats for the whole season. I know we saw them before but a revised set would be good…unless they are available somewhere online.

 

[McTallshort]

I think we all need to see Hills new season stats before we jump to any conclusions and even then the team strategy may penalise Hill (by putting him out wide all the time so he does get through less work).

His pace is always going to be a bonus and not something to pick on by itself. But if he has the pace along side all the stats like hitting and carrying hard it's a bonus to embrace. But as long as he doesn't hang out on the wing all the time like Tim 'wana be a winger and can't actually do any proper work' Croft.

"If you have a player with the athletic abilities of Tom Croft why would you want him stuck at the bottom of a ruck?" Ian McGeegen

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

"If you have a player with the athletic abilities of Tom Croft why would you want him stuck at the bottom of a ruck?" Ian McGeegen

"Because he's a friggin flanker" Pieter Steph du Teague

 

[Rugbyfan564]

The Telegraph have said Steve Borthwick visited Owen Farrell while he was in Paris,

Owen Farrell bares his soul: I just want to be happy

Exclusive interview: Former England captain wants to fall in love with the game again and does not rule out an international return

www.telegraph.co.uk

International rugby? Who knows what I'll feel like in six months'

Now that he is back in England, he is qualified to represent his country again, and the question hangs in the air. Does he want to play for England again? Steve Borthwick went to visit him in Paris.

"My only real thought so far is getting back to being happy and enjoying what I am doing and love my rugby again," he adds. "Getting back to Saracens and the Premiership has been my only real thought so far."

It is an understandable position, but what is clear is that his decision in 2023 was not a retirement from international rugby.

"Who knows what I will feel like in six months or a year's time," he adds. "The key behind all of it is that I am determined to be happy.

"I have changed. Not in a way that is unrecognisable from before. But I have changed. I have looked at myself a lot and am still doing now. This is what makes me so determined to get it right."


Sounds like there is a chance he wlll be involved in the Autumn or Six Nations then.

 

[Ddanno]

Bike on a Christ please no

 

[Geordie]

I really think that would be a big backward step.