England A vs New Zealand XV - 08/11/25

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Forcing it I guess more from a England pov

And just because he’s played there does not make him a 10, he’s never really made the 10 shirt his own anywhere he has been even at wasps it was him and Umaga rotating

 

[Which Tyler]

Well, he's either a FH, or he's not a rugby player.
Not being particularly good is what's held him back from regular starts.

For England - he's pretty much last man standing isn't he?
Take out Smith, Smith, Ford, Farrell & Slade as they're really not EngA options. Then take out JOC, Russell, McGinty/Jordan for not being English, and we're left with what? Brett Connon, or someone's not-first-choice.
Which means Atkinson, Searle, Skinner Haydon-Wood, or someone like Bailey, Donoghue or Benson - and are any of those 3 actually fit to play?

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bit of a walloping,
Is that the first loss since the A side came back?

Think OHC the only player that really put their hands up - if Roebuck's ankle turns out to be more than a week off (and OHC was just winded) I'd elevate him to the senior side
Pearson the pick of the forwards but not like the main squad is hurting for backrowers

For England - he's pretty much last man standing isn't he?

I'd have taken Skinner and Worsley before looking Atkinson's way again (again again again)

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Bit of a walloping,
Is that the first loss since the A side came back?

Think OHC the only player that really put their hands up - if Roebuck's ankle turns out to be more than a week off I'd elevate him to the senior side


I'd have taken Skinner and Worsley before looking Atkinson's way again (again again again)

I would take Searle based on this season also at least it’s a proper 10

 

[Which Tyler]

I'd have taken Skinner and Worsley before looking Atkinson's way again (again again again)

Worsley's a good call, didn't think of him

 

[BPM]

Well, he's either a FH, or he's not a rugby player.
Not being particularly good is what's held him back from regular starts.

this made me laugh out loud.

 

[BPM]

Worsley's a good call, didn't think of him

I’m surprised Worsley wasn’t looked at given he was the only in-form option actually playing at 10.

 

[Rugbyfan564]

The lack of upcoming English N10’s is quite concerning. Once Ford (And Farrell) are gone it’s the two smiths and nobody else is either or both of those are unavailable.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Fin Smith is 23 and Marcus is 26

 

[Rugbyfan564]

Fin Smith is 23 and Marcus is 26

Yes but you need a decent third choice as well incase both are injured (And Marcus Smith’s long term future in the Premiership is currently uncertain.

 

[TommiG88]

The lack of upcoming English N10's is quite concerning. Once Ford (And Farrell) are gone it's the two smiths and nobody else is either or both of those are unavailable.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Ok?
We've got four international 10s and you're upset that in two world cups time two of them will have retired?
There's no rush, there's players playing for their clubs and at age grade level who may or may not make the step up, we'll see

Ireland don't even have one flyhalf

And Marcus Smith long term future in the Premiership is currently uncertain

For you, and you alone

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

How did Max get on?

 

[Becca]

Really disappointing game.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Really disappointing game.

For max or just in general?

 

[Becca]

For max or just in general?

In general.

I thought he had a quiet game really.

 

[Which Tyler]

I wasn't able to catch much of it, but from what I saw, England looked like a team of promising individuals who'd met in the carpark at the ground, whilst NZ looked like a team who'd been there and done that, and had spent a few weeks together already.

Low light from what I did see what the sheer quality of our halfbacks.

 

[BPM]

Ok?
We've got four international 10s and you're upset that in two world cups time two of them will have retired?
There's no rush, there's players playing for their clubs and at age grade level who may or may not make the step up, we'll see

Ireland don't even have one flyhalf


For you, and you alone

Exactly this.

You could look at any era and say the options past the first 3 or 4 weren't amazing.

As always, @Rugbyfan564 is just trying to find a way of sliding R360 or all of England's players going to France into the conversation.

 

[stus768]

Bit of a walloping,
Is that the first loss since the A side came back?

Think OHC the only player that really put their hands up - if Roebuck's ankle turns out to be more than a week off (and OHC was just winded) I'd elevate him to the senior side
Pearson the pick of the forwards but not like the main squad is hurting for backrowers


I'd have taken Skinner and Worsley before looking Atkinson's way again (again again again)

Surely Skinner not being able to kick sticks takes him out of contention? We don’t have lots of non-flyhalf kickers apart from Slade.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Surely Skinner not being able to kick sticks takes him out of contention? We don't have lots of non-flyhalf kickers apart from Slade.

Not like Atkinson took the kicks either though