International squad depths

[sCriv]

Serious question.

Other than obviously South Africa - do England have the best squad depth in world rugby at the moment?

Imho yes we do.

 

[Which Tyler]

Probably France are better - but it depends how deep before you stop counting.

South Africa has the best 2nd XV, and probably the best 3rd XV but it's getting closer now
6th-7th XV would be between England and France
10-12th XV would be comfortably France

 

[sCriv]

Yes as I said South Africa aside......


Well I'd personally put NZ in the mix too as well as France, still think England's depth currently better.
Never thought Id hear myself say that.

 

[Vieux Talonneur]

I think it’s very position dependent.

We don’t have anywhere near the depth we’d like at 2, lock or 9. 12 looks promising but not one of the options is proven beyond club level while 15 doesn’t look quite right.

If our top 2 players in a position went down:

LH & hooker would be weak. AOF might be OK at TH, but not yet staking my house on it.

Lock might be passable with a fit Martin (!) & Coles.

Flanker we’d be fine.

Specialist 8. Well we’d have to move Earl

9. Don’t want to think about it

10. Would be OK

Centres. Don’t want to think about it

Wing. We have options aplenty but pretty big drop offs.

FB. We can’t figure out what to do without Furbank.

I think Fra prob have better depth plus more potential game changers. Just not sure they’ve got the right coach.