England 2025/26

[Geordie]

Vaguely remember him saying in the past he wouldn't want to coach international rugby, like Mark McCall did
He also signed a new long term contract this season so it's gonna cost big to get him out of that - the Americans won't want the disruption of losing the person they've bought into the plans of

Yeah i guess thats true.

I just like the fact he built a team from nothing, won Prems and Euro titles, that team moved on and hes now rebuilding an new one again.

He also gets the basics right...forward platform then backs.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I just like the fact he built a team from nothing, won Prems and Euro titles, that team moved on and hes now rebuilding an new one again.

For me that's why I'm not sure he'd be good with England - feel like he needs the time to build a culture etc. (which is the reason McCall gave when he said he had no interest in international rugby - you don't get enough time with the players)

 

[Brown Bottle]

Yeah i guess thats true.

I just like the fact he built a team from nothing, won Prems and Euro titles, that team moved on and hes now rebuilding an new one again.

He also gets the basics right...forward platform then backs.

Prems and Euro titles? He won the losers cup, which they qualified for by being rubbish in the "proper" one. And one Prem. I'm not saying he isn't a good club coach but Bath's Prem win was his first success.

 

[Geordie]

Prems and Euro titles? He won the losers cup, which they qualified for by being rubbish in the "proper" one. And one Prem. I'm not saying he isn't a good club coach but Bath's Prem win was his first success.

I thought he won the Main Euro cup? Am i imagining that?

 

[Geordie]

For me that's why I'm not sure he'd be good with England - feel like he needs the time to build a culture etc. (which is the reason McCall gave when he said he had no interest in international rugby - you don't get enough time with the players)

Yeah that might be the case...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Prems and Euro titles? He won the losers cup, which they qualified for by being rubbish in the "proper" one. And one Prem. I'm not saying he isn't a good club coach but Bath's Prem win was his first success.

He's talking about Baxter not JvG

 

[Saintjay]

Listening to Dan Cole and Ben Youngs argue about Bath being very structured under Blackett and that he's a strike play attack coach.

Where's Vesty is more multi-phase. Blackett suits Borthwick because of the emphasis on structure.

 

[Brown Bottle]

He's talking about Baxter not JvG

Ahh... Apologies!

I did actually consider that but decided not to check back.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

TBF, JvG is a pretty good call - if going for someone with minimal international coaching experience (was he even a "coach" for SA or "just" an analyst?)

He wouldn't be my choice, but better than most - I'd trust him to put a decent coaching team together, and to enable them to do their thing.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Cough cough Baxter cough cough


Although I would actually see Mitchell being bought in. Already on the pay role and proven success (even if it is pros vs amateurs).

 

[Reiser99]

Honestly at this stage, I'd just let the players decide themselves. Couldn't be worse.

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Cough cough Baxter cough cough

Gets a horrendous migraine whenever he has to leave Decon

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Cough cough Baxter cough cough

Gets a horrendous migraine whenever he has to leave Decon

I don’t blame him. Every time have to Birmingham or London with work I realise what an actual **** hole this country has become.

My highlight last week was a lady taking a poo in the middle of the path near snow hill station. Lovely.

 

[AngloScotsHybrid]

Maybe being a bit harsh but what does Roebuck actually offer?

He’s on my list of players that arnt international quality or don’t have a point of difference.

As I said maybe a bit harsh but a winger who isn’t massive, doesn’t have top top pace or amazing agility is a waste of a spot.

I was prejudiced against him because he plays for Sale but to be fair he did look quite good in the 6 nations this year.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Borthwick when a player tells him he feels like he's got a slight twinge and might not be able to fully train:

 

[Scotty]

Question is does he leapfrog Spencer?

What do we do vs Argentina? Same backline, and in the forwards has Pollock done any to start? Was suggested on the other thread as

Chessum Martin
Pepper Earl Pollock

Which I don't mind.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Question is does he leapfrog Spencer?

What do we do vs Argentina? Same backline, and in the forwards has Pollock done any to start? Was suggested on the other thread as

Chessum Martin
Pepper Earl Pollock

Which I don't mind.

If pollock starts, why would be change the other backrow? Surely you’d just change pepper and pollock if that’s what you wanted to do and leave the rest be.

We’ve had so much chopping and changing that this probably needs to be left alone.

 

[Scotty]

If pollock starts, why would be change the other backrow? Surely you’d just change pepper and pollock if that’s what you wanted to do and leave the rest be.

We’ve had so much chopping and changing that this probably needs to be left alone.

Because I'd have Chessum over Coles at lock. That's the only change I'd make if Pollock starts.

 

[Geordie]

How did Coles go over the match ?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Think it's hard to really judge anyone on this game as there was essentially no opposition - like it was less than a training run
He was top tackler (but that was only 11 tackles, you'd see that in one half of a real rugby game), 5 carries for 6m
I didn't really notice him out there but I wasn't really paying attention

 

[Geordie]

Think it's hard to really judge anyone on this game as there was essentially no opposition - like it was less than a training run
He was top tackler (but that was only 11 tackles, you'd see that in one half of a real rugby game), 5 carries for 6m
I didn't really notice him out there but I wasn't really paying attention

Yeah very true.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

If pollock starts, why would be change the other backrow? Surely you’d just change pepper and pollock if that’s what you wanted to do and leave the rest be.

We’ve had so much chopping and changing that this probably needs to be left alone.

Because I'd have Chessum over Coles at lock. That's the only change I'd make if Pollock starts.

But you can’t make that change without then changing the 6.

So really what you are asking is to change our backrow composition just to move Chessum to lock? Why? Chessum played well at 6, Coles has been going well at 4 with Martin, the problem lays with 7.

If there was a big 6 lining up to play then yeah let’s get them in but we don’t seem to have one so Chessum is the best 6 and then Coles and Martin can get pushed to the bench when Itoje rocks back up being ineffective again or back in form.

 

[Reiser99]

On the defensive breakdown. I feel there is a specific issue that allows players to be turned over more. They seem to intentionally go to ground before the tackle with the idea that they can then present the ball back quicker. However, this often let's the tackler just pull them to the ground or the support tackler who are then on their feet ready to jackal.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

On the defensive breakdown. I feel there is a specific issue that allows players to be turned over more. They seem to intentionally go to ground before the tackle with the idea that they can then present the ball back quicker. However, this often let's the tackler just pull them to the ground or the support tackler who are then on their feet ready to jackal.

I’ve noticed that as well. Like the thought of getting the ball ripped or held up in contact is more of a worry than trying to break the tackle.

Also noticeable how little we look for the offload compared to other international teams and our Premiership teams.

 

[Saintjay]

We also seem to get held up at least once every game. It might not actually be the case but certainly seems like it.

We don't very often seem to be the team doing the holding up over the line.

 

[Ddanno]

We also seem to get held up at least once every game. It might not actually be the case but certainly seems like it.

We don't very often seem to be the team doing the holding up over the line.

Or the team holding the ball down over the line...

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

No Argentina match thread? Can tell we're all excited for this one.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Takes as long to post about there being no thread as it takes to make a thread, tbf

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Takes as long to post about there being no thread as it takes to make a thread, tbf

I feel like I've watched you have this exact exchange before - done.