The Official English Rugby Thread
- Paddington Bear
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This game really has had everything - 7 tries in 50 minutes, crowd well in it, Mike Brown starting a fight then getting suplexed by a Russian powerlifter. Fantastic stuff
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
Paddington Bear wrote: ↑Sat Jan 25, 2025 4:20 pm This game really has had everything - 7 tries in 50 minutes, crowd well in it, Mike Brown starting a fight then getting suplexed by a Russian powerlifter. Fantastic stuff
All the money you made will never buy back your soul
Very funny and odd game down in Exeter. Probably the worst performance I've seen from a premiership side this season in the first half by Exeter, errors galore, dropped ball, awful lineouts, multiple intercept passes, and they've ended up thrashing Saracens.
- Paddington Bear
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Total collapse from the Sarries kids in the last 15 minutes, who were directionless throughout. Burke coming on to sort it out made it worse ironically. Really bizarre game of rugby
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
They said the refs watch was right, the others had an issue. My guess is they didn't stop when the prop came off for the hia.
Give a man a fire and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he'll be warm for the rest of his life.
Possible England starting XV as leaked to the Daily Mail
The back row is fucking madness if correct and we still have Slade alongside Lawrence out of position.
The back row is fucking madness if correct and we still have Slade alongside Lawrence out of position.
F Steward (Leicester)
T Roebuck (Sale)
O Lawrence (Bath)
H Slade (Exeter)
T Freeman (Northampton)
M Smith (Harlequins)
A Mitchell (Northampton)
E Genge (Bristol)
L Cowan-Dickie (Sale)
W Stuart (Bath)
M Itoje (Saracens, captain)
G Martin (Leicester)
O Chessum (Leicester)
B Earl (Saracens)
T Curry (Sale).
England U20 team for Ireland
Not much subtlety in the pack, they look monstrous with Kpoku starting at 6!!!!
https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/ ... x-nations
Not much subtlety in the pack, they look monstrous with Kpoku starting at 6!!!!
https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/ ... x-nations
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What is it with England sides and putting locks at 6?
It's so deeply unnecessary with all the back row talent we have and while it adds to the lineout, we lose out in the loose.
Much more interested in how the U20s get on than the senior team tbh.
It's so deeply unnecessary with all the back row talent we have and while it adds to the lineout, we lose out in the loose.
Much more interested in how the U20s get on than the senior team tbh.
SaintK wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 4:32 pm Possible England starting XV as leaked to the Daily Mail
The back row is fucking madness if correct and we still have Slade alongside Lawrence out of position.F Steward (Leicester)
T Roebuck (Sale)
O Lawrence (Bath)
H Slade (Exeter)
T Freeman (Northampton)
M Smith (Harlequins)
A Mitchell (Northampton)
E Genge (Bristol)
L Cowan-Dickie (Sale)
W Stuart (Bath)
M Itoje (Saracens, captain)
G Martin (Leicester)
O Chessum (Leicester)
B Earl (Saracens)
T Curry (Sale).
Slade and Lawrence

No Willis

Steward

SaintK wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 5:12 pm England U20 team for Ireland
Not much subtlety in the pack, they look monstrous with Kpoku starting at 6!!!!
https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/ ... x-nations
Apparently Saracens have got an absolute worldy winger in their academy. Playing England u18s as well. Rapid, very strong and quite big.
I think I saw him last year in a random match on YouTube. He was spectacular.Kawazaki wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 5:32 pmApparently Saracens have got an absolute worldy winger in their academy. Playing England u18s as well. Rapid, very strong and quite big.SaintK wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 5:12 pm England U20 team for Ireland
Not much subtlety in the pack, they look monstrous with Kpoku starting at 6!!!!
https://www.englandrugby.com/follow/ ... x-nations
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Is that Lawrence at 13? That should be his position? Or did you mean Slade?SaintK wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 4:32 pm Possible England starting XV as leaked to the Daily Mail
The back row is fucking madness if correct and we still have Slade alongside Lawrence out of position.F Steward (Leicester)
T Roebuck (Sale)
O Lawrence (Bath)
H Slade (Exeter)
T Freeman (Northampton)
M Smith (Harlequins)
A Mitchell (Northampton)
E Genge (Bristol)
L Cowan-Dickie (Sale)
W Stuart (Bath)
M Itoje (Saracens, captain)
G Martin (Leicester)
O Chessum (Leicester)
B Earl (Saracens)
T Curry (Sale).
We're swimming with decent back rows and we pick a lock.
- Hal Jordan
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Worked with Lawes (eventually, he was not great at 6 at first). Why change anything?sockwithaticket wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 5:21 pm What is it with England sides and putting locks at 6?
It's so deeply unnecessary with all the back row talent we have and while it adds to the lineout, we lose out in the loose.
Much more interested in how the U20s get on than the senior team tbh.
That starting XV is a bit depressing (shame Furbank, Wabosi and Sleightholme are injured) - but, hopefully, we'll actually have a bench that has some real impact this time around. He'll probably go with Ford though, when it should be Finn Smith.inactionman wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 8:25 pmIs that Lawrence at 13? That should be his position? Or did you mean Slade?SaintK wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 4:32 pm Possible England starting XV as leaked to the Daily Mail
The back row is fucking madness if correct and we still have Slade alongside Lawrence out of position.F Steward (Leicester)
T Roebuck (Sale)
O Lawrence (Bath)
H Slade (Exeter)
T Freeman (Northampton)
M Smith (Harlequins)
A Mitchell (Northampton)
E Genge (Bristol)
L Cowan-Dickie (Sale)
W Stuart (Bath)
M Itoje (Saracens, captain)
G Martin (Leicester)
O Chessum (Leicester)
B Earl (Saracens)
T Curry (Sale).
We're swimming with decent back rows and we pick a lock.
Slade! My mistake.inactionman wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 8:25 pmIs that Lawrence at 13? That should be his position? Or did you mean Slade?SaintK wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 4:32 pm Possible England starting XV as leaked to the Daily Mail
The back row is fucking madness if correct and we still have Slade alongside Lawrence out of position.F Steward (Leicester)
T Roebuck (Sale)
O Lawrence (Bath)
H Slade (Exeter)
T Freeman (Northampton)
M Smith (Harlequins)
A Mitchell (Northampton)
E Genge (Bristol)
L Cowan-Dickie (Sale)
W Stuart (Bath)
M Itoje (Saracens, captain)
G Martin (Leicester)
O Chessum (Leicester)
B Earl (Saracens)
T Curry (Sale).
We're swimming with decent back rows and we pick a lock.
Defensively Smith, Slade and Lawrence will get torn apart by Ireland but too late to change now?Ovals wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 12:20 amThat starting XV is a bit depressing (shame Furbank, Wabosi and Sleightholme are injured) - but, hopefully, we'll actually have a bench that has some real impact this time around. He'll probably go with Ford though, when it should be Finn Smith.inactionman wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 8:25 pmIs that Lawrence at 13? That should be his position? Or did you mean Slade?
We're swimming with decent back rows and we pick a lock.
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The Telegraph have upped the wild-arse-guesing ante by going with Twindaloo in the back rowSaintK wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 4:32 pm Possible England starting XV as leaked to the Daily Mail
The back row is fucking madness if correct and we still have Slade alongside Lawrence out of position.F Steward (Leicester)
T Roebuck (Sale)
O Lawrence (Bath)
H Slade (Exeter)
T Freeman (Northampton)
M Smith (Harlequins)
A Mitchell (Northampton)
E Genge (Bristol)
L Cowan-Dickie (Sale)
W Stuart (Bath)
M Itoje (Saracens, captain)
G Martin (Leicester)
O Chessum (Leicester)
B Earl (Saracens)
T Curry (Sale).
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... tom-curry/Steve Borthwick ready to start Curry twins in back row for Six Nations opener against Ireland
- Paddington Bear
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In conclusion shall we wait for the announcement
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
I hope not. Earl, Willis and B Curry for me please!inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 11:47 amThe Telegraph have upped the wild-arse-guesing ante by going with Twindaloo in the back rowSaintK wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 4:32 pm Possible England starting XV as leaked to the Daily Mail
The back row is fucking madness if correct and we still have Slade alongside Lawrence out of position.F Steward (Leicester)
T Roebuck (Sale)
O Lawrence (Bath)
H Slade (Exeter)
T Freeman (Northampton)
M Smith (Harlequins)
A Mitchell (Northampton)
E Genge (Bristol)
L Cowan-Dickie (Sale)
W Stuart (Bath)
M Itoje (Saracens, captain)
G Martin (Leicester)
O Chessum (Leicester)
B Earl (Saracens)
T Curry (Sale).
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... tom-curry/Steve Borthwick ready to start Curry twins in back row for Six Nations opener against Ireland
Chessum and T Curry on the bench.
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I'd quite like 6. Hill, 7. Earl/B.Curry 8. Willis.
But I know that Borthwick wouldn't ever do it.
But I know that Borthwick wouldn't ever do it.
- Paddington Bear
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Unexpected selections all things considered
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
England: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Murley; M Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje, Martin, T Curry, B Curry, Earl
Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Heyes, Chessum, Cunningham-South, Willis, Randall, F Smith
Not sure about the replacement props but the bench looks a bit better than it has.
Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Heyes, Chessum, Cunningham-South, Willis, Randall, F Smith
Not sure about the replacement props but the bench looks a bit better than it has.
Fuck me thats terribleOvals wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:16 pm England: Steward; Freeman, Lawrence, Slade, Murley; M Smith, Mitchell; Genge, Cowan-Dickie, Stuart, Itoje, Martin, T Curry, B Curry, Earl
Replacements: Dan, Baxter, Heyes, Chessum, Cunningham-South, Willis, Randall, F Smith
Not sure about the replacement props but the bench looks a bit better than it has.
What has Slade got to do to get dropped, and that back row is retarded, Ireland by 25
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Murley finally getting a chance is good.
6 - 2 splits always annoy me. Why are we still squandering caps on Slade? That back row combo looks silly, although maybe it's a horses for courses selection based on Ireland's breakdown threat.
6 - 2 splits always annoy me. Why are we still squandering caps on Slade? That back row combo looks silly, although maybe it's a horses for courses selection based on Ireland's breakdown threat.
- Paddington Bear
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There’s some quite genuine oomph off the bench there which is pleasing to see, Dan, Chessam, CCS and Willis could pack a punch going forward towards the end.
Slade has been covered to death here, every coach has his favourites. At least Lawrence will play in position.
Will be very interesting to see how Murley goes, certainly has the pace to make life interesting. Him and Freeman offer a genuine threat.
Hopefully a big day out coming for the Curry family
Slade has been covered to death here, every coach has his favourites. At least Lawrence will play in position.
Will be very interesting to see how Murley goes, certainly has the pace to make life interesting. Him and Freeman offer a genuine threat.
Hopefully a big day out coming for the Curry family
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
- Paddington Bear
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Earl, Martin and Genge you’d imagine will do the bulk of the carrying. Possibly bringing Steward into the line wider out?
Don’t get the backs on the bench. Let a 10 run the 80 minutes. If you are going to pick Slade, he can cover 10 in the event of an injury.
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot, But he'll remember with advantages, What feats he did that day
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Well, at least Lawrence gets a run in his correct berth.
We did go for this pairing against Oz in the ridiculous test last year and it wasn't exactly watertight, but it makes a lot more sense than having Lawrence 12 and Slade 13.
Both Curry boys are pretty decent carriers TBF.
Some serious momentum off the bench, which is nice. Slade stealing a living is less than ideal, 6-2 practically guaranteeing Marcus at 15, possibly fairly early on, is very daft.
Murley
Really would love to see Atkinson or Ojomoh brought in for 12 sooner rather than later, or Loz even if he's more of a 13 these days
Some serious momentum off the bench, which is nice. Slade stealing a living is less than ideal, 6-2 practically guaranteeing Marcus at 15, possibly fairly early on, is very daft.
Murley

Really would love to see Atkinson or Ojomoh brought in for 12 sooner rather than later, or Loz even if he's more of a 13 these days
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Think Ojomoh could do with a little bit more club rugby first but he's really looking good.JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:56 pm Both Curry boys are pretty decent carriers TBF.
Some serious momentum off the bench, which is nice. Slade stealing a living is less than ideal, 6-2 practically guaranteeing Marcus at 15, possibly fairly early on, is very daft.
Murley![]()
Really would love to see Atkinson or Ojomoh brought in for 12 sooner rather than later, or Loz even if he's more of a 13 these days
Good to see another Bishop's/Salisbury lad getting capped following in the line of 2x Richard Hill and Dave Egerton (RIP).JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:56 pm Both Curry boys are pretty decent carriers TBF.
Some serious momentum off the bench, which is nice. Slade stealing a living is less than ideal, 6-2 practically guaranteeing Marcus at 15, possibly fairly early on, is very daft.
Murley![]()
Really would love to see Atkinson or Ojomoh brought in for 12 sooner rather than later, or Loz even if he's more of a 13 these days
Need to go back to picking farmers. Current crop aren't hard or nasty enough.