EVERY ENGLAND PLAYER APPRAISED! | Summer tourist…or time to leave? Post 6 Nations 2024

EVERY ENGLAND PLAYER APPRAISED! | Summer tourist…or time to leave? Post 6 Nations 2024
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[@MikeAG333]

I just don't understand you saying that Ford offers nothing in attack. He was the fulcrum which set up all of the attacks. His speed of distribution and his flat, decisive passing were absolutely critical in achieving momentum. He was close to MoM against Ireland, for me....and that was for his part in the attack. If you really mean "he didn't run past any defenders"......well, say that, then. But don't say he offers nothing in attack because he is the complete polar opposite to that characterisation.

[@Alex-qc1mt]

Ford "not having anything in attack". His flat pass selection and conducting and kicking to space was exceptional. Surely attacking qualities Rich? Not saying he is the long term answer, but it was a step up from him. Interesting to criticise Lawrence. I think he is world class. Scores tries for fun and hits people very hard. He wasn't perfect, but became indespensible in the end.

[@rugbyanalyst]

Sorry for the confusion, I was only referring to his individual running attack threat. His passing range, selection and taking the ball flat to the line is outstanding in attack. This limitation is since defences know he himself isn't a big threat it just takes one option off the table. Marcus Smith does have that threat individually but ATM he over selects himself. If Smith can incorporate fords pass selection and only use himself as an option as a surprise then he'll be great. If not maybe fin Smith will take the shirt. An interesting discussion for sure

[@mjgclutch]

Think you might need to tweak your definition of world class.

[@nickrad6966]

He’s definitely the answer until the next World Cup that’s for sure. The France game was a complete performance.

[@cybertrophic]

The moment he took a hit from Aki, he sat back and started kicking away aimlessly. The moment France put him under pressure, he did the same. He will not risk taking contact to release a runner and actively backs out of defence.

[@cybertrophic]

@@nickrad6966not even close. He gifted 40 minutes of possession to both Ireland and France the moment he was under any pressure.

[@EnglishVeteran]

Always an interesting watch. I feel very confident that England will continue to grow and I cannot wait to watch the summer tour. I believe Steve has a very strong roadmap for England.

[@michaeltrumper]

Caelan Murley should be on the squad.

[@DocOctoganapus]

Yeah, I don’t understand Englands issues with wingers. Watching premiership e have times of exciting wingers, murley, radwan, Muir, roebuck. I know they lack experience so it’s hard to put trust in them, but you can only get them experience by playing them. This post WC would have been the time to shift people around and let them play and learn.

[@dougvee4744]

Borthers doesn't appear to like the speedsters unless they have some additional bulldozer capability.

[@kevinwillis6707]

Borthwick can't select a team to save his life, he only played the Northampton players through injury and after a year of poor performances, and he persists with players well past their best.

[@jacktrethewey5320]

Re Itoje and his fitness issues in the second half of games, I seem to recall hearing he was suffering from long covid so could be he is finally starting to recover from that. Hopefully, as him and Martin or a beefed up Chessum look a great combo!

[@ricd4557]

Desperate to see Tom Willis and Alfie set loose, which I expect will deliver more robust attacks. Also a faster winger vs Daly will be interesting.

[@nickrad6966]

Completely agree. Move Chessum back to second row with Martin or bench cover for second row and have a back row consisting of anyone from Earl, Tom Willis, Barbeary, Pearson and Cunningham South. Brilliant ball carrying options there.

[@alexandervanderpluym5400]

I heavily agree with the ojomoh call, slade is great but he’s getting old, a few months back we were revelling in lawrnece being the best centre (13) in the country, yet we play him at 12, having ojomoh not only let’s Lawrence place his actual position, but there is also that club link and trust, and both of them are excellent players I really could see them as the future for England

[@sisyphusonlunch5541]

On the Summer tour I'd love to see Cunningham-South starting at 6 and Barbeary at 8 with Pepper and Pearson coming off the bench. England really need to bring another 12 in now with Manu gone, is there no way Freeman could do it?! Would like to see Will Joseph get some time at 13. We need another wing option with Daly being put out to pasture, could Murley get a game? No point taking Steward now with how England are looking to play, take Hodge for some game time.

[@jonathanpearson7820]

Thanks - based on this where do you think England need to find more depth? Prop both sides stand out although good to see scrum improving. Another genuine enforcer lock to give cover for Martin - frees up Itoje to get around the park - seemed to make a real difference once Martin came in. Maybe Tuima? Back row seems well stocked. As are most of the backs positions although more depth at 9 would be good. The main issue is a powerful midfield runner as cover for Lawrence but we know big English centres are hard to find.

[@SuperMessers]

I think it’s a little harsh to call Pollock a small 7. He is only 2cm shorter than Pepper and is 5kg lighter, he’s a similar size to Pepper now but he’s a fair bit younger, so he’s no Michael Hooper

[@andrewpiearcey3440]

With the obvious effectiveness of our new found attacking game, is it possible that there is now room for Mercer and possibly Radwan to come in? We do seem to be building towards quite a few exciting options except for props and centres. Will be an interesting tour, hopefully SB realises that the fans will be more understanding of the results if we show committment to improving our attacking game and tries a few combos.

[@PeterDouglas-wd5fx]

Fin Baxter, Ehren Painter and Rusi Tuima would be handy additions to the squad

[@jamesray5293]

Great analysis, thank you as ever. Presumably Joe Marchant will not be back in time to be available for this summer’s tour? My hope is that this 6N squad doesn’t simply roll over into the summer tour. There are several exciting players on the fringes of the 6N squad and England A, plus some injured players coming back (e.g. Tom Curry, Ted Hill in the back row alone) who all have a great opportunity over the next two months to showcase their skills. Going forward, I think getting more England A fixtures / summer tours would really help identify the group who have genuine international potential, and allow them to build experience.

[@revellien]

Maybe some bolters from outside of the squad? Hodge at 15?

[@cybertrophic]

Baxter in for loosehead. Marler’s understudy - scrummages well and mobile about the pitch.

[@justinstephenson9360]

Not sure I agree with Stuart being a yes. Sure we are very short of good THP, but I do think we need to look beyond Stuart - he is a decent international but not the destructive THP we need. Dombrandt has had lots of chances to impress at international level and hasn't really taken them. I would take others now. Whilst I am sure Slade will go on the tour, I think he is there solely to add experience and it is time to look at Freeman as an outside centre. Steward could play centre as well but I do worry about his ability to turn at the same speed as a supertanker. As for wingers I would like to see someone with blinding pace as a point of difference. I think IFB has nailed on the place on wing, so we need someone with a different style on the other (IFB is reasonably quick but more physical and elusive)

[@thefyoogs]

Nice review 👌

[@nickrad6966]

Pearson needs to start at 7 for the ideal back row

[@thewomble1509]

Keep Earl at Eight?

[@crystallineentity]

Love the videos man but what is that question mark icon? :D :D

[@rugbyanalyst]

LOL, it's the font I use...but I do hate the ? too, funny someone would bring this up but dead right

[@JonathonE-bc4js]

Can anybody give me a summary of where Josh Hodge is at? He seems to have masses of potential

[@suttonjamessutton]

Ruskin, Painter, Launchbury, Mercer, Cokanasiga all deserve a spot in the summer

[@lukemccallum2359]

Apart from lack of experience there, why do people not think Earl's best position is 8? His main attribute is his destructive carrying (similar playing style to ardie savea) and so to have the potential to use that off the back of a scrum is a massive plus surely

[@TheKing129129]

I think Steward at 12 should be trialled at club level, it’s a decent idea!

[@johnhanson5943]

A tour should be used to develop onwards. So, SB finally to bring more youth in - especially in the backs. Although, props are also a looming problem. Muir, Murley, Roebuck, Steward could be good at 12 too - and is a good solid FB as well. Care, Daly, etc have had their day. I always fear with SB that he’ll only change things when it’s almost too late, eg this year’s 6N. Even then, he didn’t change enough. I just see Daly as a good player - but just being good isn’t enough for Eng at the moment. We need real pace and power on the wings.

[@andreemurray7039]

I think we need to take a mix of experience and youth if loss but go down fighting

[@thereader6667]

Great vid as always. You are bang on about Smith, he divers and becomes easy for defences to work out. I think it’s the wrong time to make some of the changes you consider, we need experienced guys when we go to New Zealand, if it was a South America tour then I would be right with you. Completely disagree with you about Ford having no attack, I just don’t understand what you mean, maybe you need to go back and watch the Ireland game again, his running and passion were top notch. What do you think of Anthony Watson coming back? I feel that he is made for the kind of rugby England are now playing.

[@rugbyanalyst]

Watson is the forgotten man, my fear would if he came back it might be like Jonny May were he'd just lost that running magic that made him special

[@tcr_tiagy]

The u20s second rows look really good and maybe just in time for the next WC. Freeman will eventually shift to 13 as he's starting to do it at Saints. Murley, Radwan and Cokanasinga on the wings. A back row with CCS, Earl and Mercer with be epic.

[@donaldmorrison9940]

I watch Bath a lot, especially since Russell went there, and i have to say im surprused Muir doesnt get more of a look in at international level. He consistently beats the first man, either by going round him or going straight through him, and although i dont know the numbers off the top of my head, i feel like he scores quite a lot as well.

[@davidbeckett1565]

There's always the question of the players who didn't feature in the Six Nations training squad and who could tour: Raffi Quirke, Caden Murley, Adam Radwan, Tom Willis, Ted Hill, Alfie Barbeary… Will Manny Feyi-Wabosi's university commitments allow him to travel on a summer tour?

[@connorhawkins2297]

Ooooh interesting question

[@MartinJG100]

15:43. Steward is not a centre :).

[@harryhughes3740]

If England are going to go for a counter attacking full back they have to pick Josh Hodge. The guy has crazy pace and can tear teams apart

[@tomryder7903]

Tuima also a Y presumably

[@moco_coco_999]

I appreciate that you're far from alone here, but my god people need to give their heads a wobble regarding Alex Dombrandt. Yes he played poorly and was the media assigned scapegoat for England's performance in last 6 Nations (ignoring that he was less than 3 full games in from back-to-back-injuries and obviously struggling for match fitness). But he was the form 8 for the first half of the Prem and with barely any minutes gave England a chance to beat France. In a video of generally sensible analysis, that detachment from the reality on what's happened on the field this season is jarring.

[@jonnybaynham1689]

Not sure anyone blames Dombrandt as the big reason for England's failures last year.

[@jimbo4890]

I actually think Freeman could be the answer to the long term 12 option, if he can improve his passing game he has a the raw attributes. Mitchell, M Smith, Freeman, OL, FW and then any one of several promising youbg wingers GF at 15, that’s a pretty frightening back line.

[@sammyC994]

Rich I think these videos are absolutely brilliant. And I continue watching your videos in spite of you naming rio dyer as a starting lion 😂😂

[@rugbyanalyst]

...I get over excited sometimes

[@kev63inuk]

Agree with Muir and Roebuck being wasted in the squad , but seemed a waste in the opening two games not to start F-waboso I thought . But borthers has proved he knows what he’s doing . So maybe I’m sure we will get a look at other wingers in the summer when they will be more ready . Sorry but now we need to move on from Danny care and daly . Was thinking similar about Henry slade but with Lawrence now a definite the centres look more than okay .

[@nathanlewis3034]

I would like Itoje to be given a chance to captain against Japan. Ben Earl is definitely gonna be captain in the future, world class

[@cybertrophic]

Daly should not be near an England shirt. Murley and Muir along with Freeman and Feyi-Waboso. Also look at Nick David as a utility back (wing/15), as he’s been on fire.

[@bolton121]

I think we're treading water with Daly until another utility back puts their hand up. Could be Beard as he can play wing or probably Marchant if he gets his move back to the Prem

[@kevinwillis6707]

Beard could have done that job already but Borthwick ignored him, Daly adds nothing

[@ph5849]

Please, I know I got a problem daly being near the squad, but he needs to go asap! People keep saying what never happens, he’s got great skills, good kick chase, great utility players. No he didn’t play good against France, he’s totally blunt offensively and very vulnerable in defence. No one has seen any great skill or even a good kick chase internationally for years, soz but complete waste of a selection and need moving on to let new talented dangerous players a chance! I believe we could have Beat France if we have another decent winger and not daly.

[@jnturner506]

Steward at 12? I think we should try Freeman there: a unit, strong defence, step, pace, distribution skills...

[@connorhawkins2297]

But freeman’s got the right attributes for 13

[@tomdocherty3755]

Zach Mercer?

[@louisdelvallebrown3818]

Still annoyed that Marchant is in France. He would thrive with the blitz defence. So frustrating.

[@rugbyanalyst]

Great point, Marchant could be the ideal blitz 13. He'll be back tho

[@rob.1]

Back at end of season. Joining Saracens

[@johncahalane7327]

England have done ok in this 6 Nations, found a few new players a new way to play, it's Japan first then Dunedin and Eden Park and New Zealand don't lose in Auckland, one thing this is a rebuild in New Zealand too you don't know what your getting there .Do England know their 23 no is the answer,makes the series interesting same applies to The All Blacks here

[@charlespc8855]

Dombrandt going over Pearson. His impact of bench was good and I feel him Earl and CCS would be great as a combo

[@timealone7906]

If Manny is ready then so is Hodge.

[@davidboyle1193]

How many of the under 20s are ready to step up

[@thewomble1509]

We bemoan the lack of up coming t/heads but ignore Painter, I- Scott, Harper, Collier, and want to play a l/head at 3 (the lad from Sale).We don't know how good they could be because they don't get a chance to show us.

[@barrysheridan9186]

Where possible England should pick youth, especially where older players are near the very end of their international potential.

[@almcdonald8676]

Isn’t Dan a bit small for international hooking?

[@connorhawkins2297]

No

[@bulltraderpt]

You only called the french result, because of a poor refing decision! Ben Earl was done by a shite decision!

[@robertwhalley882]

Come on, dont right off Steward, he is a world class fullback. He just needs to work on his speed and attacking skills. Why so keen to dismiss our talent...

[@rob.1]

Dan's time will come. Needs to mature physically, and his arrows need some refinement. That overthrow cost us the game. Fine balance to find across the back row. Tom Curry, Underhill, Earl, Chessum, Pearson, CCS, Pepper. All class operators, but im struggling to pick a starting 3. Great depth to come off the bench though. Ford reads the game so well. His selection of run, pass, kick has been very good. Great awareness of when his forwards were blowing and called a mark to take the stinf out of the game. Not convinced Smith will ever have that level of awareness. Marchant will add an edge to us in the centres. I think he's coming back to England next year. Will be interesting to see how much Steward can add to his game in attack. Great age profile across the squad.

[@samh227]

Curry, ccs and earl for me

[@jimt9261]

Just a thought, we're lacking depth at hooker, so why not get Barbeary to go back there. We've got loads of back rowers queuing up, so he'll have to wait his turn there. But he could easily be the No 1 hooker when George steps aside, which has got to be fairly soon.

[@revellien]

Start Cunningham south at 12!!!!!

[@stephenreeds3632]

Mercer should go to see if he can cut it consistently. I think he's too lazy and everything has to be on his terms, which is a shame as he's so good.

[@chrisp4170]

Tom Curry?

[@kevinwillis6707]

Daly...no...just no...dunno what daly you were watching in that tournament, he caught a grand total of one ball kicked in the France game, ran sideways...and got hammered by a french forward, he is too slow now, time to retire agree on playing freeman at 13, and give muir or roebuck a go.

[@TheWbapricey]

Id personally keep Dingwall Daly and Steward Care out JVP in Tuilagi out maybe Dan Kelly gets a shot

[@bradleycooper1609]

My view it will be learning curve for English players Eddie Jones will want revenge for getting the sack Japan will be up for it against the All Blacks that will be big ask to beat the them in their own back yard one thing England will be underdog's and that will suit them. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🏉🏉🌹🧐

[@andynorfolk5347]

Should take the best players possible for the summer tour it’s New Zealand no room for development really. If I was to pick a 35 man squad now Marler Genge Obano George Dan LCD Cole Stuart Opoku-Fordjour (if he keeps ripping it up) Martin Chessum Itoje Coles Cunningham-south T.Curry (if fit) Underhill Earl T.Willis Pearson Mitchell JVP Spencer Ford M.Smith F.Smith Lawrence Ojomoh Slade Watson Freeman Feyi Waboso Murley Roebuck Steward Furbank 23 Would be Genge George Cole Martin Itoje Chessum T.Curry Earl Mitchell Ford Watson Lawerence Freeman Feyi-Waboso Furbank Dan Marler Stuart Cunningham-South Willis JVP M.Smith Slade

[@charlespirate1]

“Ford doesn’t offer anything in attack…a fact” is an absurd thing to say. Do you understand that players contribute in attack without making breaks themselves? By creating space and distributing the ball?!

[@rugbyanalyst]

I was only talking about him as an individual runner

[@pauldavies7109]

Why don’t you listen to what was said instead of replying to what wasn’t said

[@mervynriley3531]

Otoge is a total waste of space. He hangs around rucks and mauls on the edges not giving any weight or physicality.We need a rough house second row who gets stuck in against the huge opposition forwards. England will get beat in New Zealand and this false optimism will fade.

[@cybertrophic]

Cunningham-South at 6, Earl to 7, Dombrandt at 8 - that’s your best backline.

[@fin-ed6oj]

Elliot Daly is one of the worst England players I've ever seen, and he has been for years now. He can't attack or defend, he's slow and his kicking is just getting worse... what he's in the team for I have no idea. We need to seriously get rid of him when the likes of Cadan Murley, Tom Roebuck, Will Muir, Joe Cokanasiga, etc. are just sat at home twiddling their thumbs

[@AntSudbury-tv3we]

Cole, Marler, Daly, Ford, out now, bring in the young hungry , players, with these players, we have no chance , against New Zealand,,, sorry & Furbank & steward,,,absolute rubbish,

[@kenmoss9233]

Gosh I've listened to five mins Cowan Dickie ...... lions hooker ! George is cooked Dan is good but to say there was an over throw ...you mean it cost us the game as they scored 7 points from it. Cowan Dickie should be our number one Chesum voted best 6 by rugby special guys and rightly so and should stay there Gosh will stop there