ENGLAND 'A' SQUAD REACTION & LIKELY LINEUP v AUSTRALIA 'A' | Who are the stars of the future?

[@baileyelson4008]

They mentioned on the England website that some of the main squad would be joining them. So wouldn’t be surprised if Asher Opoku-Fordjour, Northmore and a few others end up playing in the A squad

[@Jjaaccoobb..]

Fin Smith too maybe

[@Tommyboy15081979]

Think AO-F, Fin Smith and potentially Coles drop down, and probably all start

[@jimbo4890]

Interesting I certainly rather F Smith get a taste at a lower level than spend time in the senior camp without game time.

[@nickrad6966]

The back row looks incredible

[@TimboStash]

Shame England never pick their best wingers. Like Wade! He could be our Cheslin Kolbe..

[@AllInTheGame01]

Wouldn't have minded seeing Exeter's FB Josh Hodge, Gloucester's Seb Blake & Zach Mercer in the squad!

[@bigbadfrank]

Or Seb Atkinson!

[@JohnRidley12]

surprised Hodge is out, same with Hendy

[@Simon-gh5ks]

Omissions The biggest one which you touched on in the video is Josh Hodge (played very well in the Portugal game) Other Exeter players omitted include Tuima & Roots. Inside Centre no Kelly, Seb Atkinson or Anyanwu (confirmation he’s off to France?) Also missing from that Portugal game squad Englefield, Haffar, Riley (dropped down Quins pecking order to!)

[@SemiReitredArsenalFan419]

Great videos. Brno Obano is injured as an FYI

[@rugbyanalyst]

Thanks

[@markthomas805]

I'm surprised that George Hendy hasn't featured for England A squads yet.

[@clayton8944]

Would love to see Iyogun - Oghre - Sela - Batley - Tizard - Hill - Pearson - Willis - McParland - Atkinson - Anyanwu - Beard - Ibitoye - Roebuck and Hodge starting

[@mikegray8776]

This squad feels exciting and could see the start of some impressive international careers. The main squad, by contrast, feels tired and conservative around the edges, with serial under-performers like Dombrandt, Slade, Cole, Ford and to a lesser extent (Tom) Curry and Isiekwe. Like you, I look forward more to this ‘A’ game than to this weekend’s spectacle. The main worry though would be the really impressive players who miss out on both squads - notably Lozowski, Evans, Underhill, Kenningham, and Obano. Let’s REALLY hope that SB has a cunning plan in mind to install some fresh blood into the Springboks match-up in a fortnight’s time - at least to an inclusion in the 23 of Willis, Lozowski, Ibitoye …. And the desperately-needed return of Mitchell.

[@jimbo4890]

Agree with most of this but seems unfair in parts Isiekewe hasn’t been given a huge amount of opportunity, he’s also not known for highlight real stuff but defiantly does a hell of a lot of unseen work. D Cole is a funny one obviously there for his scrummaging he’s always been a bit bland in open play, in all honesty he’s only lasted so long due to his longevity and the fact that really there have been no worth while challengers capable of taking his shirt so has remained the best option, he really doesn’t belong near an international team now but that’s and England problem not him and fair play to him individually.

[@TheOne-uo7is]

Completely agree with the serial underperformers you mention. They have to be swapped.

[@EdLo3]

Desperately need a backup to Lawrence. Ojomoh has a big chance to make an impression. Great pity Anyanwu is going to France.

[@thomasmoorfield4823]

I know it’s very fresh but seeing how makepeace-cubitt played against tigers excited me a lot. The way he just kept playing no matter the score reminded me a lot of a young Marcus smith, but I feel he looks a little more polished then he did at that stage in terms of game management and kicking for posts. Also with England’s style of 8 at the moment, as much as I’d disagree, I can see a world where Willis plays 6, Pearson at 7 and pollock at 8

[@adamclarke7029]

Some of the main squad will be joining. Probably Opoku Coles Ewels Van Poortvilet F Smith Northmore

[@justinstephenson9360]

I am getting excited by the quality of forwards coming through the ranks. There is strength in depth coming through in the front row and back row, second row is not quiet as strong but still quality coming through. The backs though are not as strong. A definite shortage at 10, and not massive competition at centre either.

[@nickrad6966]

Hill, Pearson, Willis and Pollock all available and we're starting Tom Curry with Dombrandt on the bench..............

[@notmcgreo764]

Pollock is too small and young atm

[@nickrad6966]

@@notmcgreo764 He's listed as 6ft2 and 100 kg, which is only 3kgs lighter than Josh van der Flier

[@nickmoran3236]

That’s a genuinely good squad. Would have liked to have seen Will Evans get a shot.

[@paulaustin7940]

I'd would have liked to have seen Hendy in the squad at full back. He's big, strong, and fast, with a side step.

[@knightime_supersonic]

Fair selection of gameday lineup. Hard to know how many, if any, 'drop' from the Senior squad if not in SA gameday 23. Opoku-Fordjour and Davison maybe, but I wonder if they're too valuable as standby cover if a gameday prop vs. SA slips in the shower/has a dodgy belly. I can see Fin Smith, JVP and one of Lozowski or Northmore going to A's. Hopefully not Ewels as he's a known quantity.

[@DavidShort-q1d]

I do like this England A squad especially as the RFU has said a few players from the main squad may be joining them so A.Opaku-Fordjour Northmore may play for the As Also i was expecting to see R.Tumia and J.Hodge L.Anyawu and T.Halfar in this squad

[@thewomble1509]

Time was when selection for the A squad presented a player who performed well with a genuine chance of being drafted into the full squad. Why does it feel like Borthwick just uses it to mitigate the perception of him as a tedious , boring, risk averse Jones 2.0?

[@jimbo4890]

It pains me to say this as a Wasps fan but they were always very good at getting players to a certain level but the difference in T Willis now compared to Wasps is incredible, could be just as he’s been matured but I just think it’s got that Sarries/Mark M style coaching written all over it. Pollock is certainly one for the future, with Mercer gone now I think u could do worse than ask Ben Earl to absolutely empty the tank then bring Pollock on for 30 mins, that’s the future I’d like to see.

[@davemills8511]

Did I see something saying Burke was going to declare for Scotland?

[@rugbyanalyst]

I heard that rumour too. But he hasn't yet.

[@zuzanalarge1183]

A shame he hasn’t look at Ananyu or Butt at 12. I don’t think Dingwall has was it takes at international level. Hopefully Ojomo gets some time at 12 but he hasn’t played at all this season. The rest of the team is spot on and really exciting. Hodge is unlucky, he’s still looked good in a struggling Exeter team this season.

[@richardmccann5359]

Back in the day England used to play a trial match of Probable full team against Possible team. I could be wrong on the names. Can you imagine the team you just picked playing the full team. It won't happen but I would back the possibles.

[@Simon-gh5ks]

AOF Davison Coles Ewels Underhill JVP F. Smith Northmore Daly Loz Steward Some or all of the above dropping down from the senior squad and certainly expect Ewels (played against Portugal) or Coles to pair with Batley in the 2nd Row. Expect starting back row to be Hill, Pearson, Willis but Ben Curry might get a starting berth. Still an issue at 12 in that Ojomoh (now fit again?) and Dingwall (again assume fit again) aren’t starting IC for their clubs. See Omissions comment post.

[@JohnRidley12]

love an A squad on Beno, Danny Care said he was injured. which makes sense of a lot. I think Pepper copped an injury in the last Bath match. Biggest surprise is Hendy being out. But he's only just back from injury Is Fasobogon already our fifth best TH? Wow, the fall of Ethan roots has been dramatic

[@rebeccahadley4883]

I’m very surprised not to see Josh Hodge included . Very unlucky, poor Josh Also surprised that Tobias Elliott has not been picked ! But lots of exciting players there x

[@jimbo4890]

He’s excellent but has shown himself to be too greedy ball in hand and butcher opportunity as a result, not to mention form, he doesn’t have a huge amount in a struggling Exe setup if we are basing this largely on current form his absence is understandable.

[@hughphillips5129]

Would give the senior team a run for their money, very strong squad. Should walk Australia.

[@benhodd6643]

Would have loved to see at least one of Will Butt or Anyamwu to develop our depth at 12 but thank god for talent at tighthead! Not sure Ted Hill's future lies in the second row, but it's great he's got that versatility.

[@rugbyanalyst]

I should have mentioned Will Butt has a three week ban and anyanwu is going to france

[@Gilescowdemdem]

I read Anyamwu is going to France next season. Such a shame, he's really blossomed so far

[@LamChops-q3g]

@@Gilescowdemdem He may come back one day only 23.

[@Damien-bi6ng]

I’m in agreement with you - I’m more excited by this squad than the full team. It will be interesting to see in the future if this really is a pathway to the full squad? I can see the central contract selection getting in the way, unfortunately. I’d start Langdon at hooker - his energy drives the side forward. COYS!

[@berjtekerian702]

No Will Evans makes me very worried that his rumoured move to France is definitely happening. 😢

[@rugbyanalyst]

Good tip

[@v3g3ta27]

What does Will Evans need to do to get picked?

[@ashleysoudah]

England producing some serious back-rowers these days.

[@jnturner506]

Fergus Burke, Lennox Anyanwu and Josh Hodge are obvious and regrettable omissions for me

[@harryhughes3740]

Would have been nice to have had Lennox Anyanwu in the side. Specialist 12 who’s got some pace and power with a decent pass.

[@EdLo3]

He's going to Montpelier which is a big loss!

[@Antonym12198]

Are you sure sela is a tight head? Really excited to watch this the back row looks amazing. When’s the game?

[@ianeveratt7273]

In the U20 world championship Opoku-Fordjour played loosehead and Sela was tighthead until he was injured, then in the later games Fasogbon took over. From what I saw in the U20s and 10mins or so a couple of weeks ago for Bath Sela is an excellent prospect.

[@06alepea1]

Yes Sela is a TH.

[@Simon-gh5ks]

Sunday(17th) after the SA game at the Stoop.

[@agray2587]

I would start that back row this weekend against the Wallabies.

[@tigerclarence1248]

Jibulu is definitely one for the future

[@shaunmahon3415]

Possibly choosing Scotland? That's in reply to the Burke question.

[@gluehuffer2869]

Why not pick Lennox anyanwu, he is a class 12 even at the age he is now, and if available will butt good idea for them to have 40 mins each to see if they are first team material as we struggle to have 12s

[@rugbyanalyst]

My guess is since he's going to play club rugby in France they aren't bothering

[@darthmaul408]

Not putting Obano in either the elite or A squad is odd. Age doesn’t matter with props and he’s arguably the best we have.

[@clayton8944]

should be in the elite squad and probably starting .

[@curly19650]

Is there the option of calling up players that are not used in the "A" squad?

[@johnhanson5943]

Almost could be the current Eng senior squad. 50% of them at least.

[@andygillett9999]

Alex Coles has to come in as a second row.

[@mikelambrou4462]

I’d imagine two of Ewels, Coles and Isiekwe (whomever is not involved against SA) will join up with the squad to cover the row

[@bigbadfrank]

No VCs?!

[@erictheviking672]

Could beat the senoir team. I agree with another contributor, this is just Borthwick trying to preeent as not boring or conservative bug this will have very little crossover into the senior side.

[@callum1971]

Not to make you sad but Ewels and people from the first team squad you don't make the match day squad will join the A squad

[@hmhaines]

Fergus Burke is injured

[@whitebear5405]

Scrum half and flyhalf looks weak.

[@sisyphusonlunch5541]

I reckon Apoko-Fordjour will drop down from the main squad and probably start at loosehead. I notice Lennox Anyanwu wasn't included what with him off to France now.

[@stuartmullins3869]

Why do you make crass comments about Borthwicks first team choices being boring?

[@andygillett9999]

Sorry Stuart, but based on past performances I think it’s justified criticism buddy.

[@AllInTheGame01]

Wouldn't have minded seeing Exeter's FB Josh Hodge, Gloucester's Seb Blake & Zach Mercer in the squad!

[@MatthewAlbon]

Fergus Burke is injured

[@MatthewAlbon]

Fergus Burke is injured