England 2025/26

[big ginger 8]

Yep. I think Porter is out for Ireland and Furlong’s fitness can’t really be counted on these days.

I hadn’t read about France, but they have quality 9s in abundance. Even without Dupont and Lucu, Le Garrec and Serin are very good players for example.

Our starting and sub loosehead are both looking like they'll be out for the tournament. Third choice is only back from injury. Bealham's out for a few weeks, Baird is out for the tournament, Hansen is out, Keenan is touch and go and there's a bunch of guys who are only back. It's just rugby.

 

[BPM]

Thumb up for the ‘It’s just rugby’ comment not the injuries!

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Not a great look for Blamire considering carrying is meant to be his point of difference.

Good stuff from Oghre. Didn’t have him down as being a particularly good lineout thrower but the stats sure say otherwise. Would like to see him involved over Dan.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He's been very good since he joined Bristol, it's been the making of him

I'd have George, LCD and Oghre in the EPS for the 6N
Dan I wouldn't even have in the A squad (too experienced) - leave him at Saracens until he can prove his darts and defence are good enough

Blamire's lineout looks much better at Tigers but the rest of his game looks muted compared to at falcons - not sure if it's because he's no longer big fish in a small pond anymore in that pack?

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Last night’s game doesn’t count for much but that’s 3 consecutive MOTMs for Barbeary. With Willis out of the picture and CCS inconsistent at club level at any rate, is he starting to get on Borthwick’s radar?

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Last night’s game doesn’t count for much but that’s 3 consecutive MOTMs for Barbeary. With Willis out of the picture and CCS inconsistent is he starting to get on Borthwick’s radar?

I can’t see it, he’s just not ‘that’ good. Yeah three mom awards but he needs to improve week on week for a while to show he’s ready for the next step up.

Oh and he needs to sort himself out. Looks like a sack of potatoes. If he took diet and s&c seriously would 100% improve him as a player. The fact he hasn’t really does mean he’s lazy and that fo me is not an intentional.

 

[higgik]

View attachment 25356
Not a great look for Blamire considering carrying is meant to be his point of difference.

Good stuff from Oghre. Didn’t have him down as being a particularly good lineout thrower but the stats sure say otherwise. Would like to see him involved over Dan.

Think Telegraph article is trying to big him up before game v old club.

 

[higgik]

I can’t see it, he’s just not ‘that’ good. Yeah three mom awards but he needs to improve week on week for a while to show he’s ready for the next step up.

Oh and he needs to sort himself out. Looks like a sack of potatoes. If he took diet and s&c seriously would 100% improve him as a player. The fact he hasn’t really does mean he’s lazy and that fo me is not an intentional.

Attitude is that he is comfortable where he is, and don't think he would add value to our current BR choices.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Definitely playing much better ATM than I've seen him in a while

Not sure whether it's enough though, he doesn't really seem to be in SBs plans/the type of 8 SB would pick - Earl, Pollock, Curry, Ilione he ain't

Do think route one power is something that's lacking in the pack, outside of Genge, though - wouldn't be against him being in the EPS as a horses-for-courses pick

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

He's been very good since he joined Bristol, it's been the making of him

I'd have George, LCD and Oghre in the EPS for the 6N
Dan I wouldn't even have in the A squad (too experienced) - leave him at Saracens until he can prove his darts and defence are good enough

Blamire's lineout looks much better at Tigers but the rest of his game looks muted compared to at falcons - not sure if it's because he's no longer big fish in a small pond anymore in that pack?

Blamire's defence has been insane for Tigers though genuine workhorse
I guess at Tigers we are using him like an actual hooker especially from a ruck POV

Rather he didn't go with saxons either tbh England's line out coaches seem pants.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Definitely playing much better ATM than I've seen him in a while

Not sure whether it's enough though, he doesn't really seem to be in SBs plans/the type of 8 SB would pick - Earl, Pollock, Curry, Ilione he ain't

Do think route one power is something that's lacking in the pack, outside of Genge, though - wouldn't be against him being in the EPS as a horses-for-courses pick

Yep, that’s exactly what I was getting at. And given the current bomb squad type approach, someone who can smash it up for 30 minutes might not be a bad option up the sleeve (& IIRC @Which Tyler said his 80 minute fitness was looking better anyway).

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Yep, that’s exactly what I was getting at. And given the current bomb squad type approach, someone who can smash it up for 30 minutes might not be a bad option up the sleeve (& IIRC @Which Tyler said his 80 minute fitness was looking better anyway).

Is he any better than CCS who is similar to the smash it up kind of 8. The games I’ve watched CCS he seems to be poor at the basics still unfortunately.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Alfie is clearly not Borthwick's style
He likes grafters more than anything it's pretty clear.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Is he any better than CCS who is similar to the smash it up kind of 8. The games I’ve watched CCS he seems to be poor at the basics still unfortunately.

Don’t know, but agree the CCS can make basic errors. He is a better line out option though. Also got to be a huge mindset difference in playing for Quins and Bath atm, which CCS will be doing very well to park at international level.

I’m not totally advocating Barbeary, but just wondering whether he’s moved up the pecking order a bit. CCS ought to be the next big unit option but I don’t think SB is wholly convinced yet and his club form doesn’t seem to be consistent from what I’ve seen / read.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

Fisilau playing fantastic rugby on both sides of the ball at the moment and stylistically fits Borthwick’s idea of an 8 much more than CCS or Barbeary. Has also always stood out for England A while Barbeary has been pretty anonymous when playing for them. Would love to see him involved (am admittedly biased though).

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

CCS and Lawrence are two players who it really feels like they are blowing their chances. Big international performances being followed up with poor club form.

With Barbeary, I think players have natural weights, training and styles etc they are comfortable with and perform better when in that zone. If Barbeary can deliver internationally and can prove he can deliver internationally as he is then I'm not for changing it.

I remember years ago when Lancaster decided all our forwards needed to be lighter and more mobile than they already were. It resulted in a big drop off in power with minimal increase in mobility. I'm not in favour of us repeating this.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

CCS and Lawrence are two players who it really feels like they are blowing their chances. Big international performances being followed up with poor club form.

With Barbeary, I think players have natural weights, training and styles etc they are comfortable with and perform better when in that zone. If Barbeary can deliver internationally and can prove he can deliver internationally as he is then I'm not for changing it.

I remember years ago when Lancaster decided all our forwards needed to be lighter and more mobile than they already were. It resulted in a big drop off in power with minimal increase in mobility. I'm not in favour of us repeating this.

I agree with this as a general rule. However, in Barbeary’s case I feel he still isn’t reaching the heights he did when he first broke through, and back then he was in visibly much better shape. Both more muscular and considerably leaner. Therefore don’t think it’s outrageous to suggest that he could do with spending a little less time in the pub and a bit more time in the gym.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Like everything it’s who do you drop for him also?

Back row is just one of those positions we have mad depths

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

T. Curry, Underhill, Earl, Pepper, Pollock, Fisilau, CCS would be my crop for this 6N.

When fit B. Curry would come in for either Fisilau or CCS.

Give Barbeary another chance to make an impact in the A games.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

back then he was in visibly much better shape

Disagree with that, back when he burst on the scene he looked like an amateur player and his drop in form coincided with him saying he was stopping drinking and takeaways and taking conditioning more seriously

He needs the bulk for his play style