England 2025/26

[Which Tyler]

but then you've got 3 specialist 12s and only 1 specialist 13, plus Dingwall, Ojomoh, Atkinson and Lawrence would be a very green selection of centres.

Do we?
I'd say that Atkinson is our only specialist IC, and Lawrence our only specialist OC (once Slade is removed from the conversation) - and even then, OL requires air quotes around "specialist"
Dingwall has played 2/3 of his rugby at OC, and Ojomoh has played 1/3 of his OC - which screams "bilateral" to me, rather than "specialist".

Yes, that stable of 4 is a bit green; but give them 2 years to develop, and I'm not worried about that.
For now (taking out Slade), we don't really need to look beyond those 4 either, even if we do consider FD and MO to be primarily ICs - if we're considering Daly and Freeman to be valid options at OC.

The likes of Maasi-White, Woodward, Hartley, Joseph etc can wait until after the RWC - barring a pretty horrendous run of injuries in the midfield

 

[Geordie]

Well Ojomoh certainly made an impression. Showed alot of skill but also had the added size to carry in traffic.

His one flaw was getting isolated a little too much...But thats something he will learn very quickly and i certainly cant criticize the fact he was actually trying to run at people and gaps.

Suddenly England have a few varying options in the midfield who've now proven can go well against top tier teams... regardless of not being "specialized"
Dingwall
Slade
Ojomoh
Lawrence
Atkinson

Cover
Daly
Freeman
Earl

 

[Scotty]

Well Ojomoh certainly made an impression. Showed alot of skill but also had the added size to carry in traffic.

His one flaw was getting isolated a little too much...But thats something he will learn very quickly and i certainly cant criticize the fact he was actually trying to run at people and gaps.

Suddenly England have a few varying options in the midfield who've now proven can go well against top tier teams... regardless of not being "specialized"
Dingwall
Slade
Ojomoh
Lawrence
Atkinson

Cover
Daly
Freeman
Earl

I'm liking the cohesion of
mitchell FSmith
Ojomoh Lawrence

All 4 attacking minded players.

 

[Geordie]

I'm liking the cohesion of
mitchell FSmith
Ojomoh Lawrence

All 4 attacking minded players.

Yeah definately, but this is where things are changing...as Atkinson was mr Consistent over a number of seasons, and was very good in Argentina.
They'll need a strong defensive leader in there aswell...who takes that role?

Suddenly SB has a selection headache of the better kind.

 

[Scotty]

Yeah definately, but this is where things are changing...as Atkinson was mr Consistent over a number of seasons, and was very good in Argentina.
They'll need a strong defensive leader in there aswell...who takes that role?

Suddenly SB has a selection headache of the better kind.

Not saying he is a defensive leader but Ojomoh did well in defence is thought? I don't remember him taking a backwards step or being our of position, especially having never played with Ford and Slade before

 

[Saintjay]

Pretty sure Borthwick was heavily praising Daly to the heavens in the week. Fully expect bar injury for him being a fixture till the RWC. Question is where he's seen in the order and where he plays.

“I always think those smart players can keep playing even later in their careers, because they have such intelligence about the game. I think Elliot’s in that category

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'm not writing Daly off, cause he's looked washed before and came back to have a string of really high level performances, but I'm struggling to see where he fits into the side atm - one kick chase aside he was poor yesterday (which is understandable considering he's not played in months, tbf)

If everyone's fit and on form he's nowhere near a starter anywhere from 11-15 for me

Maybe if they start Smith at 15 and want a 6:2 bench, he could be in the 23 shirt as we wouldn't need 10 cover?
Not against him being in the EPS as he's a lot of experience and is handy as a late drop in in a number of positions, but yeah

 

[Geordie]

Not saying he is a defensive leader but Ojomoh did well in defence is thought? I don't remember him taking a backwards step or being our of position, especially having never played with Ford and Slade before

Absolutely, and to be fair to all the midfielders its been a area of strength. Cant remember us having too many problems over the four games whoever was in there, so clearly the defensive work is coming good. But you still need that one leader in there, so it will be interesting to see who eventually rises to that.

And then obviously the attack needs to work aswell...

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Arg broke through a few times yesterday.

Hard to argue against 4/4. But look behind those headlines and there was a tired /weakened Aus, Fij who we’d expect to beat at home, Arg which we did our best to chuck away and probably the worst NZ team in living memory.

Lots of positives and individual progression but no real statement performances. Not wholly sure how the Pom Squad will stack up against the big boys of RSA and Fra but mostly going well so far.

One thing I didn’t get was Ford - we know what he can do. And while v good against NZ, he was much less so yesterday. Surely the time would’ve been much better invested in F.

But overall we end the year in much better shape than we started it. With that comes reset expectations and looking forward I think we’d have to regard it as a disappointment if we don’t go to Paris in the final round of the 6N hunting a GS.

 

[Geordie]

Arg broke through a few times yesterday.

Hard to argue against 4/4. But look behind those headlines and there was a tired /weakened Aus, Fij who we'd expect to beat at home, Arg which we did our best to chuck away and probably the worst NZ team in living memory.

Lots of positives and individual progression but no real statement performances. Not wholly sure how the Pom Squad will stack up against the big boys of RSA and Fra but mostly going well so far.

One thing I didn't get was Ford - we know what he can do. And while v good against NZ, he was much less so yesterday. Surely the time would've been much better invested in F.

But overall we end the year in much better shape than we started it. With that comes reset expectations and looking forward I think we'd have to regard it as a disappointment if we don't go to Paris in the final round of the 6N hunting a GS.

Well you cant make a better statement than winning 4/4.

Dont forget we were missing a clutch of players who would be up for selection for this game, in fact you could probably make a good team with those unavailable. and we're not the finished article yet by a country mile. Still positions in the squad to be finalised (midfield, hooker, locks, full back ) etc etc.

The 6n will be a massive test now of where we are, especially Ireland and France.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Andrew Strawbridge has left the coaching setup - not sure if preplanned/end of contract?

Ironically skills coach is probably where Wigglesworth is best suited, maybe that's his next reshuffle

 

[Reiser99]

Credit has to be given for winning 11/12, but realistically only 2 were against top 4 opposition. If England want to be world cup contenders then they need to win the 6Ns to back this up. 4/5 should be minimum if that's where they want to be.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Andrew Strawbridge has left the coaching setup - not sure if preplanned/end of contract?

Ironically skills coach is probably where Wigglesworth is best suited, maybe that's his next reshuffle

He was initially a consultant in the 24 6N. In April 24 he was described as having been made a permanent member of the coaching team.

 

[Crash Hamster]

Hendy.

I reckon he'd be an ideal 15 in this side. Hopefully he gets a go in the senior squad.

 

[Which Tyler]

Hendy.

I reckon he'd be an ideal 15 in this side. Hopefully he gets a go in the senior squad.

I just don't see it with Hendy - glass canon type of player - fantastic as a third winger, but I'm really not confident with him under the high ball, tackling, making the play for someone else, picking the right moments to join, or particularly comfortable with him under the high ball.
I'm sure he can get there, but he's kinda the opposite of the "well rounded player" that we think Borthwick is (IMO rightly) looking for.

If we want a 3rd winger at full back, then I'd have Hendy and Hodge fighting it out for 2rd choice, behind Freeman and then Arundell

 

[higgik]

He's still hot and cold for me. He can control games well, but also suck the energy out when you need tempo. I do feel he gives the backs some negative mentality by not trusting them enough.

Always seen Ford as more of an enigma than M Smith.
He can look completely at ease in one moment, then look like a deer caught in headlights next.
Yesterday his kicking from hand was ponderous, and he looked like he didn't really know the playback.

 

[higgik]

I'm liking the cohesion of
mitchell FSmith
Ojomoh Lawrence

All 4 attacking minded players.

My choice for start of 6N.
Add in Roebuck, Freeman and Furbank we have an exciting backline.

22 Spencer or Quirke if fit
23 Smith M

 

[higgik]

I just don't see it with Hendy - glass canon type of player - fantastic as a third winger, but I'm really not confident with him under the high ball, tackling, making the play for someone else, picking the right moments to join, or particularly comfortable with him under the high ball.
I'm sure he can get there, but he's kinda the opposite of the "well rounded player" that we think Borthwick is (IMO rightly) looking for.

If we want a 3rd winger at full back, then I'd have Hendy and Hodge fighting it out for 2rd choice, behind Freeman and then Arundell

He doesn't offer the extra playmaker role, that is necessary nowadays.

 

[Saintjay]

Just don't see Freeman starting at 15 for England anytime soon.

Just pray Faz junior doesn't decide he fancies an England return. Then I'd love to see what Borthwick decides. A Ford, Farell axis might give Borthwick serious wood.

 

[Geordie]

There wont be huge changes for the 6n. He'll be simply hoping he gets everyone back fit and on form...maybe even the likes of George Martin etc.