England 2025/26

[higgik]

I think the pack, set piece and forwards in general are less of an issue.

Refs currently favour the attacking team at the break down so the all out jackal threat is someone what muted.

England have other issues to worry about than who's at lock. It's not like anyone is really setting the world on fire in an England shirt currently.

He's had times where his discipline has been atrocious with his penalties costing the team more than his positives contributed.

Peak Itoje playing on the edge without getting penalised walks in. Brain-dead Itoje giving away repeated stupid penalties definitely doesn't.

When ge has his game head on, he is great, but still struggling to find that point where he is fired up, but not exuberant. Think fatigue did get to him last year and was struggling to find that balance
I often think when he is captain, he is at the right level, as he wants to lead by example, bur has to be responsible with talking to refs

 

[Ddanno]

bur has to be responsible with talking to refs

That's a bit of an acquired skill I think, (probably difficult to switch between match intensity and talking to Sir) and he wasn't great at first, but he really seemed to have settled into it in the last 6N

 

[ChicagoKid]

Here is the best pack for me:

1 Genge
2 LCD
3 Stuart
4 Martin
5 Itoje
6 Curry
7 Pollock
8 Earl

17 George
18 Baxter
19 Hayes
20 Coles
21 Chessum
22 Pepper

• Coles replaces Martin
• Chessum replaces Curry
• Pepper replaces Pollock or Earl

Starting pack is a little light, but the bench impact is immense.

 

[Noonz]

What's the deal with CCS? I didn't pay close attention to Quins last season, but I know they had a stinker. I think CCS had some ill-timed injuries too, but it's disappointing to see he hasn't kicked on.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Pretty much the same as previous years: when he's fully switched on he looks top class, but he drifts in and out of games to a crazy extent

Fully a top 2 inches issue, hopefully the change up in coaching staff, and not getting a sniff of an England cap this summer, gets his head on straight

 

[ChicagoKid]

Pretty much the same as previous years: when he's fully switched on he looks top class, but he drifts in and out of games to a crazy extent

Fully a top 2 inches issue, hopefully the change up in coaching staff, and not getting a sniff of an England cap this summer, gets his head on straight

It's not just a mental issue. He doesn't have great stamina. In the first 10-20 minutes of a match, he can look all-world, but after that he starts to fade fast. I forget which test, but he looked incredible the first 5 or so carries. After that, he lost his explosiveness and faded into obscurity.

That's fine as an impact sub, but it grossly limits his potential.

 

[Geordie]

Here is the best pack for me:

1 Genge
2 LCD
3 Stuart
4 Martin
5 Itoje
6 Curry
7 Pollock
8 Earl

17 George
18 Baxter
19 Hayes
20 Coles
21 Chessum
22 Pepper

• Coles replaces Martin
• Chessum replaces Curry
• Pepper replaces Pollock or Earl

Starting pack is a little light, but the bench impact is immense.

Individually excellent but as a unit that just doesnt inspire me at all.....

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

CCS problem is that his best position is 8. He doesn't have the work rate or defensive know-how as a starting 6.
But Dombrandt is the main 8 for Quins, trouble for England is that Dombrandt isn't International quality but very good club player.

IMO he wshould move I think he wouldve suited Tigers but we got Wainwright now.
I could see Bath maybe looking at CCS.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

CCS problem is that his best position is 8. He doesn't have the work rate or defensive know-how as a starting 6.
But Dombrandt is the main 8 for Quins, trouble for England is that Dombrandt isn't International quality but very good club player.

IMO he wshould move I think he wouldve suited Tigers but we got Wainwright now.
I could see Bath maybe looking at CCS.

Agreed. Always thought he’s got 8 written all over him.

And in the modern 23 man game if you can only get 50 barnstorming minutes from him that’s OK. Better that than try to turn him into something he’s not and negate his strengths.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

IMO he should move

tbf two years at Quins and then a move to either Tigers or Bath, when Wainwright/DDP are out of contract, would make sense - who knows what he'll be like in 2yrs, though.
If he's still not in the England frame he could be looking for a money move abroad

 

[Everyday EggChaser]

Dombrandt has an ACL injury and will be sidelined for a large amount of 26/27 so CCS should be starting 8.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Dombrandt has an ACL injury and will be sidelined for a large amount of 26/27 so CCS should be starting 8.

Of course, in the meaningless game against the French. Horrible for Dombrandt but it does give CCS that chance.

 

[BPM]

Yeah. This should be a big opportunity for CCS.

Dombrandt is a huge loss for Quins but it would be a net gain for us and England if CCS starts to achieve his potential at 8.

It will be an interesting season.

Aside from somehow fixing the discipline issue, Borthwick’s next most important task is surely sorting out the hooker situation.

After that it’ll be interesting for to see whether either of the returning internationals (Lawes and Marchant) rejoin the squad. Personally I think both are likely but harder to know with Lawes given his age and year at a lower level.

I doubt we want to add too many new faces. However, Ilione is definitely a player who Borthwick is keen on so I wouldn’t rule him out.

Similarly, there is potential for one of the younger 9s to force their way into the RWC squad - but for injury McParland looked like he might get game time in The Rugby Championship and Friday and Bracken are knocking on the door.

The latter’s chances will possibly be limited by Williams though.

 

[Noonz]

In other England news:

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/henr...-among-england-5-stars-targeted-for-olympics/

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Are GB even going to qualify for the Olympics?
I was under the impression they were in freefall

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Are GB even going to qualify for the Olympics?
I was under the impression they were in freefall

It will be challenging.

 

[Ddanno]

I doubt we want to add too many new faces. However, Ilione is definitely a player who Borthwick is keen on so I wouldn’t rule him out.

Well that jinxed him

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/articles/c78gz075568o

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bloody hell, that's bad news - not just for England/Tigers but him personally, hopefully it does heal up fully, this a long time out

 

[Reiser99]

Not sure if a set back is worse than a fresh injury. Saying it's more complex and not recovered as hoped sounds like either they missed something or chose the less aggressive option hoping it would be enough.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

Not sure if a set back is worse than a fresh injury. Saying it's more complex and not recovered as hoped sounds like either they missed something or chose the less aggressive option hoping it would be enough.

Wasn’t Martin’s long layoff a complex shoulder too?

 

[Quel Carreleur]

Not sure if a set back is worse than a fresh injury. Saying it's more complex and not recovered as hoped sounds like either they missed something or chose the less aggressive option hoping it would be enough.

Or... it wasn't as simple as first thought - that happens with injuries too. Shoulders are incredibly complex joints, after all.
Rugby VERY rarely chooses the less egressive treatment option hoping it would be enough - to the point that I can only think of it happening once - to a medical student who actually had personal knowledge rather than relying on what he was being told by the club docs and physios.
It really should be far more common - but this is rugby, and no-one at the club cares about the player's post-playing health (or they may give lip service to caring, but act purely in getting fit enough ASAP)

 

[OllyM97]

The Autumn is important but I think the 6N is where we really need to perform. That’s where we need to be at a stage where we’re rolling out a consistent, settled 23 injuries permitting. In November I’d like to see Borthwick mix and match against Australia and Japan but then go full-strength for the All Blacks game.

I’m not sure on Itoje at the moment. If the focused, pain in the arse Itoje (for the opposition) reappears next season then he’s still head and shoulders our best lock - but if it’s the penalty merchant Itoje like it’s been on too many occasions recently then I think his role should be questioned. Alex Coles is really stepping up.

If they’re all fully fit I’d say the front row, Chessum, Earl, T Curry, Mitchell, F Smith, IFW, Freeman and Furbank are locked-in starters. The centres and back-row are the two areas that we haven’t nailed down yet.

 

[Reiser99]

Still don't know why we discuss selections when that isn't the issue.