ENGLAND 36 PLAYER AUTUMN SQUAD SELECTION DEBATE! ft. The Rugby Paper Podcast

[@rossjn3]

No mention of Beno Obano? I watched him in person at the final and he dominated the scrum again Northampton before he got sent off I think he deserves a chance !

[@thewomble1509]

There seems to be a lot of muddled thinking and grabbing at the "latest name" re England props at the moment. So many are pushing the u -20's but they are way off being full internationals at present. Many of them aren't even in their club first team squads. We need props around the 24-26 age range, if they are out there.

[@Gilescowdemdem]

Dude, he was on for 20 mins, that's hardly representative of a full scrummaging performance.

[@SVAgxlxxi]

‼️‼️‼️‼️

[@darthmaul408]

Bang on. Obano over Genge for me. I can’t see it happening but it should.

[@williamday6142]

I agree that Beno abano definitely needs a looking again at the start of the season, tyron green has also expressed interest in playing for England but not sure when he becomes eligible

[@DavidShort-q1d]

Awesome squad for the Autunm Just a crying shame you cannot have J.Willis in the back row The only changes i would make Would be to bring in B.Obano at loose head for J.Marlar I know he probably has one season still in him But i just feel better to make the transition asap On the tight head side i would have either E.Painter or J.Isoefa-Scott of Exeter while A.Fasogbon apprentices I would also have quite a few of the current U20s squad along as apprentices So A..Fasogbon - A.Opoku-fordjour - B.Sela - - E.Iyogun and a few others all come in just to train and learn

[@callum1971]

Beno Obano should hopefully get some game time. He would have toured if he wasn't unavailable due to the red card.

[@halion4487]

Wow, really impressed with Ollie little. I’ve never come across him, but seems really knowledgeable, and conveys it well without rambling. Great first impression.

[@Lazy_Tiger11]

I think Borthwick and team should record their selection meeting and put it on KZbin like this, that would be quality

[@johndempsey7784]

Baxter, Dan, Fasogban Itoje, Martin Cunningham-South, Willis, Earl Mitchell M Smith Waboso Van Rensburgh, Lawrence Sleighthome Furbank Ford-Jour, Langdon, Iosefa Powell, Chessum, Hill, Randall, F Smith, Freeman My 23 going forward when players available/choose England going into world cup

[@James-o2u9x]

That is a solid pick my friend. Great first team.

[@williamday6142]

Would you consider Tyrone green as well as he has expressed England interest

[@tollyt7465]

No mention of Billy Sela at TH from the U20s. Before he pulled his calf, or hamstring, at the U20 WC, he was immense, and keeping Fasogbon on the bench. He's the reason Opoku-Fordjour was moved to LH for the tournament. Huge scrummager for an U20, and explosive carrier.

[@Waywind420]

England has the best backrow depth of any nation right now. Reminds me of when Australia had George Smith, Michael Hooper, David Pocock, Liam Gill, Sean McMahon, Matt Hodgson all fighting for positions in the Wallabies squad around the same time.

[@garygavin857]

I really liked this approach to picking a squad team. Especially in a formation diagram display. Please DO a similar one for the NEXT England A team too play Ireland. Looking at the last squad to a new one is showing up huge changes. I can think off 3 or 4 Tiger squad players that are well off people's radar. Same for other teams. But there is a lot off talent comming through. We are developing our style & playing it at last.

[@chrismoyse3529]

Obano??

[@clemfandango619]

You forgot Spink at 12.

[@julesv8]

Great content Rich! Really enjoyed the discussion and analysis! That's a really good squad for the autumn, but agree with other comments about Obano! 👍👍

[@robertwhalley882]

No on Dingwall. We need to take a punt on a young guy as we did with Waboso last year - Ojomoh if he can get in good enough shape (or Freeman or Steward shifting)

[@MrBoboiscool]

There js a massive differnce, waboso was tearing up trees in europe and the prem. ojomoh has been streaky and exceptionally mid and doesnt start ( still has to develop), i think freeman at 12/13 would be england best long term play but I cant see northampton moving him and if steward wants an international career he has to force the switch at leicester, he just isnt suited to fb in a rush defense at all.

[@robertstrachan3482]

I don’t think Waboso was much of a ‘punt’

[@armanrazaknazir5352]

Anyanwu could bolt into the squad if quins seems him as the natural successor to esterhuizen

[@9Charcot]

Love this debate but I can't agree on Barbeary. I think you are blinkered when it comes to him. He is slow, one dimensional and overweight/unfit for international rugby imo. For once agree with Eddy Jones on Barbeary. He could have made a great international hooker but he will be a journey man at 8. No point in including Willis....it will not happen. I would include Fisilau. Quirke has an all court game So I would have him above Randall. Marcus Smith has to continue as starting 10. Totally agree on Steward....to slow/cumbersome for centre. If you go down that avenue why not try big Joe Cokansigna at centre?? Really think you need to include one of the development 12 candidates in the centres group like Wimbush or Kelly. At 13 we have lots of options....personally I would like to see Will Joseph given a chance, if Merchant doesn't come back soon. Otherwise a great debate.

[@jonathanfuller6055]

Interesting you haven’t mentioned Ojomoh for the centres

[@MrBoboiscool]

Because he hasnt been great at bath and doesnt even start… struggles to make it as a backup for bath. Why are you expecting him to suddenly make it at international level

[@Gilan4983]

This is a big season for Hodge, unfortunately he was injured for a large part of last season so now he really has to step up. I reckon he has great potential and is lightning quick

[@hggvcv3085]

Great squad!!! Is there any chance French based players can be selected? Do you think Quirke can return to top form and challenge for a England place?

[@JackD87]

Loved this!! Great ep. On the Freddie Steward centre debate, just listen to the latest George Ford episode of ‘For the Love of Rugby’… I think Ford and Youngs talking about their team mate will put that to bed!

[@JosephRobson-w7w]

I reckon Lennox Anyanwu is going to light it up at Quins this season. Could be a serious contender for the England 12 jersey and is exactly what we need physics wise.

[@SweptDust5340]

AOF has to be in there at least for development

[@jnturner506]

Maybe I'm missing something, but can we please consider Freeman at 12 as well as 13 - I would him a better 12 than Steward (more pace)

[@Bpt8825]

For the Autumn series I’d like to see: Baxter, Langdon, Davison, Itoje, Martin, T Hill, Barbeary, Earl Mitchell, F Smith, Hartley, Freeman, Sleightholme, Furbank, Feyi-Waboso Bench: Rapava-Ruskin, Dan, Heyes, CCS,T Curry, Randall, M Smith, Roebuck

[@nicchoulman5789]

Marcus Smith has just had a great season. Ted Hill is good but over CCS ... come on

[@noahbrooks8257]

15 would be Baxter Dan Davison Itoje Martin CCS Barbeary Underhill/J Willis when he can get selected Mitchell M. Smith Earl Lawrence Sleightome IFW Furbank

[@Al-Berg]

Opoku Fordjour, Fasogbon, Sela, Baxter and Iyogun are the future for England in the front row. I always thought Rapava Ruskin was one of the, if not the best scrummager in the premiership and a menace over the ball, but it seems Jones and now Borthwick never rated him much. His untimely injuries also didnt help. Hope he makes himself available for Georgia now! Back row and second row are looking very good, wouldnt change anything. Still think Radwan would wreak havoc if unleashed by this England team, his speed is just on another level. Really sad, knowing Borthwick will never pick him, but with Wayboso, Roebuck and Sleightholme on the wing you cant really complain xD. Freeman I see more as a 13 or maybe even a 15. And instead of Steward at 12, why not try Cokanasiga? His power and offloading skills would go well there!

[@JakeYard]

Spink might be a shout at 12. Coming over to the prem from Super - might be more of a shout for the 6 nations than autumn though

[@JohnRidley12]

Id have Beno in at LH. In terms of the young props id only take them of they weren't getting time in the prem cup (assuming they aren't starting in the prem). AOF an LH for me.

[@James-o2u9x]

Who is Obano in for?

[@pjcbelter23]

Murley is not quick enough. He’s been out gassed several times in the Prem.

[@suttonjamessutton]

Good squad, I'd like to see Steward at 12 instead of Dingwell. Ruskin has to be involved if on form. Lauchbury still has a role like AWJ did for Wales. Pity Arundell and Jack Willis are unavailable

[@RhydderchApRheged-rh7sj]

Sam Spink at center

[@happyspanners]

Freddie Steward is not going to play centre. Playing 12 negates his high ball skills. He's not going to stop playing there for Leicester any time soon.

[@lukeperks1915]

The main issue with England’s scrum is their strategy. It’s not a massive weakness or a strength it’s very mid. But they scrum for a penalty at every scrum. With that strategy you’re going to force a few decisions against you

[@rugbyanalyst]

Maybe they think they're better than they are so want to try to dominate when they should just get the ball in and away

[@cavangibbs]

Whats happened to antony Watson

[@DWRDan]

No JVP?

[@Andy-Capp]

I can’t believe you are leaving out Opoku Fordjour. He can play both sides of the scrum so would be great cover even on the bench. Earl has all the attributes of a great player. I just think he’s immature. Never rated Jamie George. Joe Cockanasiga has centre. Just saying. I don’t think you and Borthwick think outside the box enough. Always take the safe options.

[@BertFlashman]

Cokanasigna needs to be tried at centre for at Bath if he wants a chance of playing there for England.

[@exthereon6916]

Agreed. Starting a new cycle why if we already have Genge and Baxter why would you then pick Marler and not the next man up? Crazy!

[@mikenewey3949]

How about Max Malins for fullback?

[@andreemurray7039]

Take a chance on some of the under 20 world Cup team thier scrum was good

[@patrickchilds2987]

They were fantastic but I would consider bringing some of their props in the next year giving them more experience in the premiership as the jump between u20 and the senior team is vast especially with props

[@MrBoboiscool]

Against other children. Ither rhan asher none can get a game in the prem, fasogbon isnt even second choice at the abomination that is Gloucester… drop him in international level and you will ruin him. Let him develop and actually play games, its what baxter did. Most of the u20 front rowers need a championship loan at this stage not fast tracked, saw what that did to rodd, heyes, paul hill, etc….

[@rupertjarrett-kerr9528]

I really hope the RFU don’t change the overseas rule… as the premiership will become rubbish… as a lot of players will take the money and move to France.

[@JonBamf26]

Got to stop judging the value of props by the work in the loose. Awesome at scrum time CHECK, has to be the measure - a lot of the clinch games come down to set piece. Good in the loose is a nice to have but we have backs - let them boys play!

[@simonhague2674]

I'd replace Stuart with Marcus Street and replace Slade with Litchfield

[@bashab3098]

Ethan de groot got pulled because his technique is illegal , he was off very quickly in the second test .

[@davidwalker2402]

PROBABLY the best team in the world on paper 😉

[@Ford64101]

Ojomoh, at 12 surely

[@mattcheesman1055]

Cola Bear 307 years old!!! HUGE LOL👍👍

[@exthereon6916]

Bearing in mind the chat about needing to look at Props I don’t get when you have Baxter and Genge already why you then pick Marler. If he was going to be Captain maybe, but I think Opoku-Fajour should be the 3rd LH. As you said start the development now. In 4 years these guys will be heading towards prime at 23/24 with 4 years international experience.

[@bashab3098]

Bevan Rodd has held his own against the boks , Baxter is not as good a Rodd .

[@johnharimate8220]

Bro want R U on about?

[@MrBoboiscool]

If ben earl is going to be the ‘gaurenteed 8’ he needs to play exclusively there otherwise he moves to 7, he is better than underhill and curry by a fair margin. That allows him to not do everything all the time, part of the reason I think he fell of a cliff on tour. Also on curry, I wouldnt have him in ahtumm, I think he needs to go back to the prem and play week in week out to find his mono outside the england bubble. Also serious talk about quirke at this point is laughable, my prayer going forward is that rugby analysts in general stop talking about him untill he proves it, done nothing for years, health is bad, has been unable to get warr of the pitch, a guy who england didnt even sniff. Marcus smith to me goes to the bench and covers fb and fh, steward does not fit this team as a fb at all.

[@willk1756]

Injury and Gus Warrs form have certainly hampered Quirke. But I think he really has the physique and speed to be a great impact 9 in the mold of Roigard or Grant Williams.

[@Jjaaccoobb..]

This Steward at 12 obsession just sounds like people trying to be rugby hipsters with quirky opinions, I don’t get it at all but I’d happily be proved wrong if it ever did work

[@nigeljones8727]

It has worked in NZ with Jordie Barrett . I would have him in the centre more than the wing. 6ft 5 100kg + . He won’t get exposed in the turn and he can break tackles. The only snag is that the Tigers aren’t going to play him at 12.

[@MrBoboiscool]

Its because he is a fantastic player but doesnt fit 15 for england at all, unplayable tbh with the pace and a rush defense. Better to try him at 12 since he has the raw tools and see if you can get something out of him.

[@thewomble1509]

Don't worry, Borthwick won't pick Big Fred at 12, thank goodness.

[@EdLo3]

It's more about Freddie not fitting the mould at 15 currently. If Furbank and Carpenter are fit then they are ahead of Freddie in my opinion. Freddie is a world class player but doesn't have the pace at 15. If Jordie Barratt and historically Matt Burke can transition to 12 so can Freddie. My only concern is his distribution. He's a big lad but can he release those around him. Lawrence is not a natural 12 and whilst he does a great job, should not be our only option at 12. Dingwall is too small at the top level, so Freddie could become a utility back and play 12 or 15 (for wet weather games). At least he could then stay long-term in the squad.

[@alanrickett2537]

No it's people trying to make room at full back for someone that has kicking catching or tackling issues, they understand Freddie will come back into form and the other teams coaches will have plans to deal with the new full backs like they have of Freddie. So the position choice will swing back.

[@alanrickett2537]

Your spot for Marcus Smith is so soft it's a hole.

[@librapower7810]

Surely Daly has to be in as the main utility player