England 2025/26

[TRF_Olyy]

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

Apparently he's fit this week but England have said they want him straight into the 6N camp in two weeks instead of him getting game time - he's got a central contract so unless he's too injured to train he'll be in the squad even if he can't play the initial games (which I think he can now - not that I'd necessarily select him after such a small out of play in the last few months)

 

[Reiser99]

Ireland use central contracts to manage their players' fitness. We use it to flog dead horses.

 

[Pieter Steph du Teague]

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

Agree with this sentiment but there are levels to it.

^^ This is what “bulky” Barbeary used to look like when he was playing his best rugby.

^^ This is him when he got leaner and took his conditioning more seriously. Agree that this didn’t suit him and he lost a lot of what made him special.

^^ This is what “bulky” Barbeary now looks like. Even compared to the original bulky Barbeary he’s noticeably larger, and for lack of a better word, plumper. I agree that he needs bulk to play his game but he’s gone too far to the opposite end of the spectrum from when he really leaned down to now just being too beefy. Also just doesn’t look anywhere near as muscular as he originally did.

Obviously that’s mostly opinion based but I think the pictures give a decent idea of how much his physique has changed from when he first made an impact.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

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.

I mean even then would Alfie necessarily be above the likes of Ilione, Hill, Pearson, Kenningham

Honestly you know who is underrated (don’t let @Rinkadink see me hyping up a Bristol player) Fitz Harding.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Agree with this sentiment but there are levels to it.
View attachment 25358
^^ This is what “bulky” Barbeary used to look like when he was playing his best rugby.
View attachment 25359
^^ This is him when he got leaner and took his conditioning more seriously. Agree that this didn’t suit him and he lost a lot of what made him special.
View attachment 25360
^^ This is what “bulky” Barbeary now looks like. Even compared to the original bulky Barbeary he’s noticeably larger, and for lack of a better word, plumper. I agree that he needs bulk to play his game but he’s gone too far to the opposite end of the spectrum from when he really leaned down to now just being too beefy. Also just doesn’t look anywhere near as muscular as he originally did.

Obviously that’s mostly opinion based but I think the pictures give a decent idea of how much his physique has changed from when he first made an impact.

Don't forget that horizontal stripes are very fattening, maybe he just has a fashion problem.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Didn't realise Steward was proper injured (commentary just said he's seeing a specialist and it's probably a medium term injury)

If Furbank is out too (not sure when he's due back) who plays 15 in the 6N?
Surely not M.Smith?
Daly? He could chop and change with Freeman at 13

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Billy Searle at 10 and Ford at 15?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Billy Searle at 10 and Ford at 15?

Only room for one scab nose in the England set up, Borthwick would get too jealous of Searles fresh injury

 

[Not Mike Brown's Sock]

Tyrone Greeeeeen!

Joking.... Kind of

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Pearson….

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

TdG?