NPR

Here you go, oh Lord of Apathy

36-player training squad
Forwards

Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 6 caps)

Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)

Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, 7 caps)

Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 44 caps)

Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 11 caps)

Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 6 caps)

Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 56 caps)

Theo Dan (Saracens, 16 caps)

Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 20 caps)

Ben Earl (Saracens, 37 caps)

Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 66 caps) – vice-captain

Jamie George (Saracens, 97 caps) – vice-captain

Joe Heyes (Leicester Tigers, 7 caps)

Ted Hill (Bath Rugby, 2 caps)

Maro Itoje (Saracens, 88 caps) – captain

George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 19 caps)

Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)

Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 7 caps)

Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 45 caps)

Tom Willis (Saracens, 1 cap)

Backs

Oscar Beard (Harlequins, uncapped)

Elliot Daly (Saracens, 69 caps)

Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)

George Ford (Sale Sharks, 98 caps)

Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 15 caps)

Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 31 caps)

Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 18 caps)

Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)

Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 11 caps)

Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 3 caps)

Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 69 caps)

Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)

Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 6 caps)

Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 39 caps)

Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 35 caps)

Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 16 caps)

Rehabilitation: Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester Rugby), Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs), George Furbank (Northampton Saints), Gabriel Ibitoye (Bristol Bears), Nick Isiekwe (Saracens), Luke Northmore (Harlequins), and Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby).

"I’ve selected a squad where every player brings something unique to the group," said Borthwick. “The Six Nations is always a fiercely contested and exciting tournament, and this year will be no exception.

“We’re looking forward to the squad coming together in Girona to kick off our preparations for the opening challenge against Ireland in Dublin."

On naming Maro Itoje as England Captain, Borthwick added: “With 88 England caps, Maro has been a central figure in this squad for many years, bringing a vast amount of experience both on and off the field.

“He’s a calm, influential leader, renowned his commitment to upholding high standards and his ability to motivate those around him."

Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Ted Hill (Bath), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Martin (Leicester), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Will Stuart (Bath), Tom Willis (Saracens).

Backs: Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), George Ford (Sale), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).

Mitchell for Spencer is reasonable enough, although JvP still there. There were rumblings of Ojomoh getting in, but think that needs a bit more time served. Dingwall put in a good shift as A team skipper so fair enough.

Good to see Willis and Hill, just need Borthwick to actually fecking pick them in a matchday squad.

Is Joe Heyes seen as one of our better tighthead options, or is that a Leicester thing going on? Shame about Fasogbon injury but keen to see how Opoku-Fordjour gets on

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:42 pm Forwards: Fin Baxter (Harlequins), Ollie Chessum (Leicester), Alex Coles (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale), Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins), Ben Curry (Sale), Tom Curry (Sale), Theo Dan (Saracens), Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins), Ben Earl (Saracens), Ellis Genge (Bristol), Jamie George (Saracens), Joe Heyes (Leicester), Ted Hill (Bath), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Martin (Leicester), Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale), Bevan Rodd (Sale), Will Stuart (Bath), Tom Willis (Saracens).

Backs: Oscar Beard (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Saracens), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton), George Ford (Sale), Tommy Freeman (Northampton), Ollie Lawrence (Bath), Alex Mitchell (Northampton), Cadan Murley (Harlequins), Harry Randall (Bristol), Tom Roebuck (Sale), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton), Fin Smith (Northampton), Marcus Smith (Harlequins), Freddie Steward (Leicester), Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester).

Mitchell for Spencer is reasonable enough, although JvP still there. There were rumblings of Ojomoh getting in, but think that needs a bit more time served. Dingwall put in a good shift as A team skipper so fair enough.

Good to see Willis and Hill, just need Borthwick to actually fecking pick them in a matchday squad.

Is Joe Heyes seen as one of our better tighthead options, or is that a Leicester thing going on? Shame about Fasogbon injury but keen to see how Opoku-Fordjour gets on

Davidson should be in ahead of fatso Heyes (Tigers bias again!) and Opoku-Fordjour is a loose head at Sale but Borthwick selects him as tight head . Steward is the only full-back in the squad, not sure what Carpenter has done wrong.

1. Genge
2. George
3. Stewart
4. Itoje
5. Martin
6. Hill
7. Earl
8. Willis
9. Mitchell
10. F. Smith
11. Roebuck
12. Dingwall
13. Lawrence
14. Freeman
15. Daly

16. Dan
17. Baxter
18. AOF
19. Chessum
20. Curry (either)
21. CCS
22. Randall
23. M. Smith

Telegraph reporting that Phill Morrow will be in at end of the season, taking over from Aled Walters

Some noise that his role will be a bit wider, maybe too narrow a scope was one of things that led to Walters opting to leave. I'm still not sure quite what went on there.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:49 pm 1. Genge
2. George
3. Stewart
4. Itoje
5. Martin
6. Hill
7. Earl
8. Willis
9. Mitchell
10. F. Smith
11. Roebuck
12. Dingwall
13. Lawrence
14. Freeman
15. Daly

16. Dan
17. Baxter
18. AOF
19. Chessum
20. Curry (either)
21. CCS
22. Randall
23. M. Smith

I could live with that side - albeit I'd certainly have Sleightholme ahead of Roebuck - and Daly is a step backwards. Pretty happy with either Smith at SH but I'd still favour Marcus as the better option to open up a very good Irish defence - I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Finn at FH and Marcus at 15.

What's happened to Curtis Langdon? I'd rather have him there than LCD, with one eye on the future. Pleased that Maro's been made Captain, as he deserves it, and retaining George for at least one more campaign is sensible given what an evidently good leader he is.

Weird to have such representation for Sale, given we're so gash at the moment, but they're all individually class players.

There's a very decent side that can be selected from that lot, be fun to see how they fuck it up massively.

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:28 pm Telegraph reporting that Phill Morrow will be in at end of the season, taking over from Aled Walters

Some noise that his role will be a bit wider, maybe too narrow a scope was one of things that led to Walters opting to leave. I'm still not sure quite what went on there.

An excellent addition - make's a change to see Borthers recruit someone who is actually highly regarded and experienced - hopefully he'll have a big impact over and above just conditioning and fitness.

Brazil wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 1:31 pm What's happened to Curtis Langdon? I'd rather have him there than LCD, with one eye on the future. Pleased that Maro's been made Captain, as he deserves it, and retaining George for at least one more campaign is sensible given what an evidently good leader he is.

Weird to have such representation for Sale, given we're so gash at the moment, but they're all individually class players.

There's a very decent side that can be selected from that lot, be fun to see how they fuck it up massively.

He's still playing really well, probably the form hooker over the past couple of seasons, he's just getting ignored by Borthwick.

Changes from the initial squad that was selected in the autumn:

In
Coles
Heyes
Hill
Opoku-Fordjour
Rodd
Willis

Beard
Dingwall
Ford
Mitchell
Murley

Out
Cole
Davison
Ewels
Isiekwe
Marler (retirement)
Underhill (injury)

Feyi-Waboso (injury)
Furbank (injury)
Lozowski
Spencer
Northmore (injury)

Could be other injuries that I'm unaware of.

There is a very good side waiting to be born here.

Delighted for Maro, he thoroughly deserves his chance at the top job and has done an excellent job with Sarries. George did everything that could have been asked of him as a caretaker and it’s the right time to switch.

(Tigers bias again!)

7 From Sale in 6th
6 From Quins in 7th
6 From Saints in 8th
5 from Tigers in 4th = Tigers bias again ?

Stranger wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 6:09 pm (Tigers bias again!)

7 From Sale in 6th
6 From Quins in 7th
6 From Saints in 8th
5 from Tigers in 4th = Tigers bias again ?

Quite 2 too many

Stranger wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 6:09 pm (Tigers bias again!)

7 From Sale in 6th
6 From Quins in 7th
6 From Saints in 8th
5 from Tigers in 4th = Tigers bias again ?

You'd not have Mitchell, Smith (F), Dingwall, Sleightholme, Freeman or Coles then, if Northampton are over-represented?

I think Joe Heyes is quite fortunate to get the nod, although no issues with Chessum and Martin in particular - both fine players.

Just amused by the alleged tigers bias, I have no issues with any of the selections. If there was a Tigers bias why not pick OHC the joint top try scorer this season (not saying that he should be picked)

Because he was hopeless when he got his chance

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 8:11 pm Because he was hopeless when he got his chance

Being hopeless hasn't stopped Dombrandt getting yet another chance.

Something something Elliot Daly

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:01 pm Something something Elliot Daly

Daly is an absolute worldie compared to Dombrandt.

And Steward.

I'd back Dommers to outrun a lock, mind.

He hasn't done much for England. Unlike Daly, who was good several years ago and absolute dogshit in the 6N. I guess I prefer "meh" to "oh Christ, Daly is having to run again".

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:08 pm I'd back Dommers to outrun a lock, mind.

He hasn't done much for England. Unlike Daly, who was good several years ago and absolute dogshit in the 6N. I guess I prefer "meh" to "oh Christ, Daly is having to run again".

At least we know Daly had the ability to play at Lions test level. Dombrandt is not a test player's arsehole.

Let's recall Tim Rodber then.

Brings us the benefit of being quicker than Daly, too

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:20 pm Let's recall Tim Rodber then.

Brings us the benefit of being quicker than Daly, too

Steward.

Yep, also a defensive liability. But at least he can catch, and he's still just about quicker than Daly with the ball. Turning circle of a tanker, mind.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:39 pm he's still just about quicker than Daly with the ball.

Haha,

You dumb wanker!

Daly was literally caught by a lock in the 6N. He is slower than molasses. I know you don't watch a lot of rugby but he's been shocking for England since his recall

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:46 pm Daly was literally caught by a lock in the 6N. He is slower than molasses. I know you don't watch a lot of rugby but he's been shocking for England since his recall

Johnny May got ran down by Scott Barrett FFS. It can happen.

Lmao what a defence

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 9:53 pm Lmao what a defence

10.6s for the 100m Johnny May.

Still laughing at you thinking Steward is quick 'ball in hand'!

At least when I do watch rugby I actually do watch it.

Oh I see the problem, you don't understand the passage of time. You know May also lost his pace? Or did you not notice that when you were watching one of the three matches a year you pay attention to?

I also didn't say steward was quick, because he isn't. But thanks to being a million feet tall, he covers the ground quicker than Daly. But to be fair, so would my granddad's lawnmower.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 10:02 pm Oh I see the problem, you don't understand the passage of time. You know May also lost his pace? Or did you not notice that when you were watching one of the three matches a year you pay attention to?

I also didn't say steward was quick, because he isn't. But thanks to being a million feet tall, he covers the ground quicker than Daly. But to be fair, so would my granddad's lawnmower.

It's just the three matches I watch a year now is it? That's lovely.

That news will certainly surprise my missus.

So would the forty three times you've registered new accounts on boards you've been banned from, but we all have our secrets I suppose

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 10:14 pm So would the forty three times you've registered new accounts on boards you've been banned from, but we all have our secrets I suppose

There's some very thin-skinned people about isn't there.

Yeah, like the people who get so wound up about being told to leave that keep coming back, time and time again.

Pretty deranged stuff.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 10:20 pm Yeah, like the people who get so wound up about being told to leave that keep coming back, time and time again.

Pretty deranged stuff.

There's only one person getting wound up here.

Always there same one too.

Would this be a good time to state that Henry Pollock has a Scottish father?

Steaming, mate. Not at all laughing my arse off at how funny the Daly shit is.

Say, isn't it about time you had another hissy fit and screamed at someone that they're ruining rugby?

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 10:24 pm Would this be a good time to state that Henry Pollock has a Scottish father?

I was genuinely worried that Willis might miss his chance because Pollock is a generational talent and Borthwick does not like to trial too many new things. Once Underhill was injured I figured both would make it. I overestimated Steve's imagination.

JM2K6 wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 10:25 pm Steaming, mate. Not at all laughing my arse off at how funny the Daly shit is.

Say, isn't it about time you had another hissy fit and screamed at someone that they're ruining rugby?

It is true that softcock soy boy types who have never played a game of rugby in their lives have managed to ruin much of rugby unfortunately.

Still, at least you can rely on Ugo. Oh hang on.

Tichtheid wrote: ↑Tue Jan 14, 2025 10:24 pm Would this be a good time to state that Henry Pollock has a Scottish father?

You mean his father once spent an evening in Coldstream?