6 Nations Squad Announcement - 11:30am

[Mikey Brown]

Is this all the nailed-on selections?

1. Genge
2.
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. Martin
6.
7.
8.

9. Mitchell
10. Smith
11.
12.
13.
14. Freeman
15. Steward

I assume George will continue at 2 for now, you can make an argument for any of those guys really. My (probably unpopular) opinion is George should be on the bench. A calm head that can lock down the set piece if it's an issue (while the more dynamic options have the chance to impact things from the start) rather than bringing on a player at 60 minutes (probably alongside some less experienced props) and hoping they don't screw everything up.

Chessum v Hill v CCS - actually don't mind at all who wears 6. It'll probably be Tom Curry.

Been done to death now, but it's surely 7. Earl 8. Willis vs 8. Earl 20. Willis and a Curry to fill the vacant spot.

Sleightholme probably deserves to continue on the wing. Happy with any of the options though.

Centres. Ugh. Done to death as well. Stick Dingwall in there and hope he can make a difference.

[FKAS]

Mikey, I presume that's F Smith at 10 right, M Smith covering 10/15 from the bench.

[jngf]

Is this all the nailed-on selections?

1. Genge
2.
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. Martin
6.
7.
8.

9. Mitchell
10. Smith
11.
12.
13.
14. Freeman
15. Steward

I assume George will continue at 2 for now, you can make an argument for any of those guys really. My (probably unpopular) opinion is George should be on the bench. A calm head that can lock down the set piece if it's an issue (while the more dynamic options have the chance to impact things from the start) rather than bringing on a player at 60 minutes (probably alongside some less experienced props) and hoping they don't screw everything up.

Chessum v Hill v CCS - actually don't mind at all who wears 6. It'll probably be Tom Curry.

Been done to death now, but it's surely 7. Earl 8. Willis vs 8. Earl 20. Willis and a Curry to fill the vacant spot.

Sleightholme probably deserves to continue on the wing. Happy with any of the options though.

Centres. Ugh. Done to death as well. Stick Dingwall in there and hope he can make a difference.

I honestly hope Tom Curry is genuinely right fitness wise for this campaign - some great opensides particularly Winterbottom took a season out of test rugby to ensure they came back even better players later in their careers. I would be genuinely interested to see B Curry given a start at 6 but depending on 8 selected would still have Hill or CCS start ahead of him in pecking order.

[SixAndAHalf]

You're not convinced by Martin?! I know he hasn't hit the heights of that SA world cup game every time since, but he feels like just the partner we need for Itoje. As long as he can stay fit. I'd love to see more of those big hits we were seeing when he came through as a 6 though.

I'd go pretty similar with Chessum still being third choice lock, but realistically an option at 6.

George and Ford are both a bit past it, but I think their reliability and influence on a young squad is definitely still worth something.

Murley ahead of Ibitoye for me.

Feels like Pollock is winning the tyro/wildcard option for the last backrow spot at the moment.

I thought I was about to be convinced by Martin, and am hoping I still will be. I've just seen him be a bit quiet in the odd game since that SA game. He doesn't quite seem to have the same power with ball in hand as he does when melting people either. I love the tackling too, but I'm not sure fundamentally if the odd big hit close to a ruck is all it's cracked up to be. Underhill's tackles often seem to be really important hits. Maybe I'm talking rubbish. I like Martin and want him to succeed, just not sure he's 100% nailed on. Chessum is an excellent all round rugby player for me, looks such a natural at everything.

I hear you on George and Ford - I just think Borthers needs to be bold. We should be trying to win the world cup, win everything - these guys have been involved for a long time and just feel a bit tainted to me. I think we need to rip it up and move on. New people, more athletic people too maybe in the case of Jamie George.

By the way if I was Borthers I'd be calling Alfie Barbeary and telling him to become a Hooker by any means possible, or go a bit Rassie and tell him to cover both 8 and reserve/bench no 2. We need bold change if we're going to suddenly jump forward. Steve ain't got the minerals though methinks.

I like Martin but wonder whether he is the best partner for Itoje - I think combined they lack agility. I think Chessum and Itoje is a better pairing with Kpoku also coming through as a viable partner for Itoje by 2027. Then you have two big hitters in Martin and CCS coming off the bench which was a real area of weakness in the Six Nations.

Great shout on Barbeary that - Rassie would definitely do that and I think I'd use an EPS space to do it...!

[Mikey Brown]

You're not convinced by Martin?! I know he hasn't hit the heights of that SA world cup game every time since, but he feels like just the partner we need for Itoje. As long as he can stay fit. I'd love to see more of those big hits we were seeing when he came through as a 6 though.

I'd go pretty similar with Chessum still being third choice lock, but realistically an option at 6.

George and Ford are both a bit past it, but I think their reliability and influence on a young squad is definitely still worth something.

Murley ahead of Ibitoye for me.

Feels like Pollock is winning the tyro/wildcard option for the last backrow spot at the moment.

I thought I was about to be convinced by Martin, and am hoping I still will be. I've just seen him be a bit quiet in the odd game since that SA game. He doesn't quite seem to have the same power with ball in hand as he does when melting people either. I love the tackling too, but I'm not sure fundamentally if the odd big hit close to a ruck is all it's cracked up to be. Underhill's tackles often seem to be really important hits. Maybe I'm talking rubbish. I like Martin and want him to succeed, just not sure he's 100% nailed on. Chessum is an excellent all round rugby player for me, looks such a natural at everything.

I hear you on George and Ford - I just think Borthers needs to be bold. We should be trying to win the world cup, win everything - these guys have been involved for a long time and just feel a bit tainted to me. I think we need to rip it up and move on. New people, more athletic people too maybe in the case of Jamie George.

By the way if I was Borthers I'd be calling Alfie Barbeary and telling him to become a Hooker by any means possible, or go a bit Rassie and tell him to cover both 8 and reserve/bench no 2. We need bold change if we're going to suddenly jump forward. Steve ain't got the minerals though methinks.

I like Martin but wonder whether he is the best partner for Itoje - I think combined they lack agility. I think Chessum and Itoje is a better pairing with Kpoku also coming through as a viable partner for Itoje by 2027. Then you have two big hitters in Martin and CCS coming off the bench which was a real area of weakness in the Six Nations.

Great shout on Barbeary that - Rassie would definitely do that and I think I'd use an EPS space to do it...!

That's fair that Martin isn't the lightest on his feet. He's been caught out a few times being a lone forward drifting out from the ruck. Not sure if that's just our defensive setup leaving holes though. I guess I wanted to see a partner closer to Skelton/Kruis for Itoje and Martin offers a lot more grunt than Chessum. Chessum is a fantastic all round player though, who can really slot in either role.

[jngf]

You're not convinced by Martin?! I know he hasn't hit the heights of that SA world cup game every time since, but he feels like just the partner we need for Itoje. As long as he can stay fit. I'd love to see more of those big hits we were seeing when he came through as a 6 though.

I'd go pretty similar with Chessum still being third choice lock, but realistically an option at 6.

George and Ford are both a bit past it, but I think their reliability and influence on a young squad is definitely still worth something.

Murley ahead of Ibitoye for me.

Feels like Pollock is winning the tyro/wildcard option for the last backrow spot at the moment.

I thought I was about to be convinced by Martin, and am hoping I still will be. I've just seen him be a bit quiet in the odd game since that SA game. He doesn't quite seem to have the same power with ball in hand as he does when melting people either. I love the tackling too, but I'm not sure fundamentally if the odd big hit close to a ruck is all it's cracked up to be. Underhill's tackles often seem to be really important hits. Maybe I'm talking rubbish. I like Martin and want him to succeed, just not sure he's 100% nailed on. Chessum is an excellent all round rugby player for me, looks such a natural at everything.

I hear you on George and Ford - I just think Borthers needs to be bold. We should be trying to win the world cup, win everything - these guys have been involved for a long time and just feel a bit tainted to me. I think we need to rip it up and move on. New people, more athletic people too maybe in the case of Jamie George.

By the way if I was Borthers I'd be calling Alfie Barbeary and telling him to become a Hooker by any means possible, or go a bit Rassie and tell him to cover both 8 and reserve/bench no 2. We need bold change if we're going to suddenly jump forward. Steve ain't got the minerals though methinks.

I like Martin but wonder whether he is the best partner for Itoje - I think combined they lack agility. I think Chessum and Itoje is a better pairing with Kpoku also coming through as a viable partner for Itoje by 2027. Then you have two big hitters in Martin and CCS coming off the bench which was a real area of weakness in the Six Nations.

Great shout on Barbeary that - Rassie would definitely do that and I think I'd use an EPS space to do it...!

Though if you were in Barbeary’s position would you genuinely want to inflict all that extra physical toll on yourself of having to play in front row having experienced all the joy of being a loosie (albeit an extremely tight one )?

[jngf]

I thought I was about to be convinced by Martin, and am hoping I still will be. I've just seen him be a bit quiet in the odd game since that SA game. He doesn't quite seem to have the same power with ball in hand as he does when melting people either. I love the tackling too, but I'm not sure fundamentally if the odd big hit close to a ruck is all it's cracked up to be. Underhill's tackles often seem to be really important hits. Maybe I'm talking rubbish. I like Martin and want him to succeed, just not sure he's 100% nailed on. Chessum is an excellent all round rugby player for me, looks such a natural at everything.

I hear you on George and Ford - I just think Borthers needs to be bold. We should be trying to win the world cup, win everything - these guys have been involved for a long time and just feel a bit tainted to me. I think we need to rip it up and move on. New people, more athletic people too maybe in the case of Jamie George.

By the way if I was Borthers I'd be calling Alfie Barbeary and telling him to become a Hooker by any means possible, or go a bit Rassie and tell him to cover both 8 and reserve/bench no 2. We need bold change if we're going to suddenly jump forward. Steve ain't got the minerals though methinks.

I like Martin but wonder whether he is the best partner for Itoje - I think combined they lack agility. I think Chessum and Itoje is a better pairing with Kpoku also coming through as a viable partner for Itoje by 2027. Then you have two big hitters in Martin and CCS coming off the bench which was a real area of weakness in the Six Nations.

Great shout on Barbeary that - Rassie would definitely do that and I think I'd use an EPS space to do it...!

That's fair that Martin isn't the lightest on his feet. He's been caught out a few times being a lone forward drifting out from the ruck. Not sure if that's just our defensive setup leaving holes though. I guess I wanted to see a partner closer to Skelton/Kruis for Itoje and Martin offers a lot more grunt than Chessum. Chessum is a fantastic all round player though, who can really slot in either role.

I think the best lock pairings always have an intimidating edge to them and that for me is Martin’s USP - Chessum and Itoje combined aren’t going to scare anyone to nearly the same extent though obviously they are superior atheletes to the former. I certainly never got the point of playing Martin at 6 and he’s not the most mobile for that role.

[fivepointer]

There are a few very good calls. Bringing Heyes back, getting Hill and Willis in, along with Murley. Itoje as captain I like as we can start easing out George.
Think Obano is a bit unlucky, so too Langdon and the failure to get Atkinson or Ojomoh in the squad is a real letdown.
Dombrandt probably a bit lucky and i'm not sure Daly has much to offer at this level now.

[TheDasher]

I thought I was about to be convinced by Martin, and am hoping I still will be. I've just seen him be a bit quiet in the odd game since that SA game. He doesn't quite seem to have the same power with ball in hand as he does when melting people either. I love the tackling too, but I'm not sure fundamentally if the odd big hit close to a ruck is all it's cracked up to be. Underhill's tackles often seem to be really important hits. Maybe I'm talking rubbish. I like Martin and want him to succeed, just not sure he's 100% nailed on. Chessum is an excellent all round rugby player for me, looks such a natural at everything.

I hear you on George and Ford - I just think Borthers needs to be bold. We should be trying to win the world cup, win everything - these guys have been involved for a long time and just feel a bit tainted to me. I think we need to rip it up and move on. New people, more athletic people too maybe in the case of Jamie George.

By the way if I was Borthers I'd be calling Alfie Barbeary and telling him to become a Hooker by any means possible, or go a bit Rassie and tell him to cover both 8 and reserve/bench no 2. We need bold change if we're going to suddenly jump forward. Steve ain't got the minerals though methinks.

I like Martin but wonder whether he is the best partner for Itoje - I think combined they lack agility. I think Chessum and Itoje is a better pairing with Kpoku also coming through as a viable partner for Itoje by 2027. Then you have two big hitters in Martin and CCS coming off the bench which was a real area of weakness in the Six Nations.

Great shout on Barbeary that - Rassie would definitely do that and I think I'd use an EPS space to do it...!

Though if you were in Barbeary’s position would you genuinely want to inflict all that extra physical toll on yourself of having to play in front row having experienced all the joy of being a loosie (albeit an extremely tight one )?

Maybe but his best chance of playing for his country would probably have been to play at 2 I'd imagine... Or keep his eye in at least...

[TheDasher]

I like Martin but wonder whether he is the best partner for Itoje - I think combined they lack agility. I think Chessum and Itoje is a better pairing with Kpoku also coming through as a viable partner for Itoje by 2027. Then you have two big hitters in Martin and CCS coming off the bench which was a real area of weakness in the Six Nations.

Great shout on Barbeary that - Rassie would definitely do that and I think I'd use an EPS space to do it...!

That's fair that Martin isn't the lightest on his feet. He's been caught out a few times being a lone forward drifting out from the ruck. Not sure if that's just our defensive setup leaving holes though. I guess I wanted to see a partner closer to Skelton/Kruis for Itoje and Martin offers a lot more grunt than Chessum. Chessum is a fantastic all round player though, who can really slot in either role.

I think the best lock pairings always have an intimidating edge to them and that for me is Martin’s USP - Chessum and Itoje combined aren’t going to scare anyone to nearly the same extent though obviously they are superior atheletes to the former. I certainly never got the point of playing Martin at 6 and he’s not the most mobile for that role.

True although Martin may be physical, he's not the biggest of locks by modern standards is he? Everywhere you look it seems to say he's 6'6. The Boks and French are fielding all these 6'8, 6'9 monsters. I'm not sure the likes of RG Snyman etc would look at Martin and worry that much, even if he did destroy Mostert in one tackle some time ago.

[SixAndAHalf]

There are a few very good calls. Bringing Heyes back, getting Hill and Willis in, along with Murley. Itoje as captain I like as we can start easing out George.
Think Obano is a bit unlucky, so too Langdon and the failure to get Atkinson or Ojomoh in the squad is a real letdown.
Dombrandt probably a bit lucky and i'm not sure Daly has much to offer at this level now.

I think there is a trend towards needing to show slightly longer term form (and recovering from dips) before getting into the squad which I personally like - although on that note I think Obano is the best scrummaging loosehead we have and has been for a while so should be in there.

Atkinson must be pretty close and Langdon I'm sure will come in as George is eased out (unless we get Barbeary in at hooker...!)

[SixAndAHalf]

Is this all the nailed-on selections?

1. Genge
2.
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. Martin
6.
7.
8.

9. Mitchell
10. Smith
11.
12.
13.
14. Freeman
15. Steward

I would like to see: Genge, LCD, Heyes, Itoje, Chessum, Hill, Earl, Willis, Mitchell, FSmith, Sleightholme, Slade, Lawrence, Freeman, Steward; Baxter, Dan, Stuart, Martin, CCS, TCurry, Randall, MSmith

Genuine impact from the bench which we missed in the Six Nations.

Think I'd start MSmith at 15 against Wales and France. Unsure on the centre partnership but not sure the alternatives would be better - we miss Marchant...

[Mikey Brown]

Yep. I don't know for sure if Marchant would have stayed (if he knew Eddie was getting the chop) but consistently having him at 13 for the last 2 years would have been great.

Still not sure about Tom Curry. He did look fairly good for the time he played in the Autumn, but it just feels off. How has he looked for Sale now that he's actually been playing again? I've only tended to see highlights and it's always Ben that stands out.

I would think that Obano is objectively playing better than Baxter, but maybe his time has passed.

[p/d]

I can only assume Oakboy is still lost in some erotic stupor after reading of Itoje’s elevation to captain.

Willis and Hill. Excellent
Would have gambled on Quirke over JVP
Dombrandt and Slade. We should have moved on.
No Pollock. Disappointing.
No Atkinson. Given up being disappointed by that.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I can only assume Oakboy is still lost in some erotic stupor after reading of Itoje’s elevation to captain.

Willis and Hill. Excellent
Would have gambled on Quirke over JVP
Dombrandt and Slade. We should have moved on.
No Pollock. Disappointing.
No Atkinson. Given up being disappointed by that.

See what the A squad is like. Proably find that the Microsoft Excel maestro calls up Mark Atkinson before Seb!

[Oakboy]

I can only assume Oakboy is still lost in some erotic stupor after reading of Itoje’s elevation to captain.

Willis and Hill. Excellent
Would have gambled on Quirke over JVP
Dombrandt and Slade. We should have moved on.
No Pollock. Disappointing.
No Atkinson. Given up being disappointed by that.

Itoje as captain is definitely SB's best decision so far. It makes most sense if George does not start, of course.

I agree with the rest but I'd have left Lawrence out for S Atkinson. Slade gets most stick for a mis-firing centre pairing but I think Lawrence has had chance after chance without ever being quite the player he has been at club level.

Keeping Curry x 2, Earl and Dombrandt will please Ireland and France rather than worry them, I'd guess.

[Banquo]

I like Martin but wonder whether he is the best partner for Itoje - I think combined they lack agility. I think Chessum and Itoje is a better pairing with Kpoku also coming through as a viable partner for Itoje by 2027. Then you have two big hitters in Martin and CCS coming off the bench which was a real area of weakness in the Six Nations.

Great shout on Barbeary that - Rassie would definitely do that and I think I'd use an EPS space to do it...!

Though if you were in Barbeary’s position would you genuinely want to inflict all that extra physical toll on yourself of having to play in front row having experienced all the joy of being a loosie (albeit an extremely tight one )?

Maybe but his best chance of playing for his country would probably have been to play at 2 I'd imagine... Or keep his eye in at least...

I think the ship has sailed, but before it had, many of us said this.

[TheNomad]

1. Genge
2. LCD
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. Chessum
6. Hill
7. Curry
8. Willis

9. Mitchell
10. Smith (unclear which)
11. Sleighthome
12. Dingwall
13. Lawrence
14. Freeman
15. Steward

That was sort of off the top of my head. Outside of the centers, I think it looks quite good

[Mikey Brown]

Has Chessum even played a game yet?

[p/d]

Has Chessum even played a game yet?

The less you play the more your stock rises. You must know that Mikey.
He is probably on the shortlist to captain the Lions. Until he plays at 6 that is

[FKAS]

Has Chessum even played a game yet?

Started the season in brilliant form and leading Tigers in Montoya's absence. Got injured pre-AIs and not played since. Should be making his comeback this weekend.

[Oakboy]

I think any team from that squad is going to have some yuk element to it. In Dublin, I'd pick:

1. Genge
2. LCD
3. Stuart
4. Itoje
5. Martin
6. CCS
7. Earl **
8. Willis

9. Mitchell
10. M Smith
11. Roebuck
12. Slade
13. Beard
14. Freeman
15. Steward

16. Dan
17. Baxter
18. Heyes
19. Chessum
20. Hill
21. JVP **
22. F Smith
23. Sleightholme

** Players I'd prefer to replace with Pollock and Quirke.

I'd be open to a 6:2 bench (omitting F Smith) but not with the other back row options in the squad. Possibly, one of the Currys but it's not opposition-scaring impact.

[Danno]

That fucking midfield

*edit: not you Dors, just in general

[Danno]

If Willis isn't named in the XV I'm suiting up

[Captainhaircut]

I don’t see a world where a CCS, Earl, Willis back row works. Who is doing the grunt work? You can’t have three players who all want their hands on the ball all the time.

As special as CCS could be, he’s currently not in the right place quite a lot of the time. Impact of the bench is where we need him currently,