NPR

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

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

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.

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

20 players missing. It's farcical that in a tiny 10-team league that matches clash with England calls.

'Thrashed' is also bollocks but glad you enjoyed the hate watch.

Many apologies, I posted that before the last second try changed it from a 31-15, 5 tries to 2 loss. Final scoreline was less impressive.

Schroeder is just plain shit, how the fuck did he ever get a cap for SA?

I wonder which clock/watch the officials were using for that Bath score in the 43rd minute

SaintK wrote: ↑Sun Jan 26, 2025 3:48 pm I wonder which clock/watch the officials were using for that Bath score in the 43rd minute

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.

Rob Dupreez bears more than a passing resemblance to plug from the bash street kids...will resonate to those of us from a certain generation.

My mate from back then is still called plug to this day.

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).

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

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.

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.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 5:32 pm

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.

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).

Is 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.

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.

Worked with Lawes (eventually, he was not great at 6 at first). Why change anything?

Chessum went well at 6 last time right? Not a fan of it, but he's a class player.

inactionman wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 8:25 pm

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).

Is 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.

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 pm

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).

Is 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.

Slade! My mistake.

Ovals wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 12:20 am

inactionman wrote: ↑Mon Jan 27, 2025 8:25 pm

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.

Is 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.

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.

Defensively Smith, Slade and Lawrence will get torn apart by Ireland but too late to change now?

Tell us something we don't know

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).

The Telegraph have upped the wild-arse-guesing ante by going with Twindaloo in the back row

Steve Borthwick ready to start Curry twins in back row for Six Nations opener against Ireland

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... tom-curry/

In conclusion shall we wait for the announcement

inactionman wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 11:47 am

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).

The Telegraph have upped the wild-arse-guesing ante by going with Twindaloo in the back row

Steve Borthwick ready to start Curry twins in back row for Six Nations opener against Ireland

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union ... tom-curry/

I hope not. Earl, Willis and B Curry for me please!
Chessum and T Curry on the bench.

I'd quite like 6. Hill, 7. Earl/B.Curry 8. Willis.

But I know that Borthwick wouldn't ever do it.

Unexpected selections all things considered

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.

Ovals 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.

Fuck me thats terrible

What has Slade got to do to get dropped, and that back row is retarded, Ireland by 25

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.

I don't know who is going to carry the ball up without getting smashed. England don't have any props.

Same midfield that we know doesn't work is tried again.

Steward as last man in defence. Should be a laugh.

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

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:21 pm I don't know who is going to carry the ball up without getting smashed. England don't have any props.

Same midfield that we know doesn't work is tried again.

Steward as last man in defence. Should be a laugh.

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.

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:21 pm I don't know who is going to carry the ball up without getting smashed. England don't have any props.

Same midfield that we know doesn't work is tried again.

Steward as last man in defence. Should be a laugh.

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

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

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).

Kawazaki wrote: ↑Tue Jan 28, 2025 2:21 pm I don't know who is going to carry the ball up without getting smashed. England don't have any props.

Same midfield that we know doesn't work is tried again.

Steward as last man in defence. Should be a laugh.

Need to go back to picking farmers. Current crop aren't hard or nasty enough.