So maybe
Genge
LCD
Stuart
Itoje
Chessum
Curry
Earl
Pollock
Baxter
George
Heyes
Coles
CCS
Underhill
If it's 6:2, that would be my forwards selection. I think versatility is crucial in the back row. Curry, Earl and Pollock can all play the three positions. Coles can play SR/6 and CCS can play SR/6/8. Only Earl is not a lineout option.
If it's 5:3, I'd just omit Underhill, the one player who is a 7 only (and not a lineout option).
Danno wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 11:14 pm
I'd rather not. He's one of the first names on the sheet at wing for me and I'm really tired of playing people out of position. If he has the larger part of a season at FB (or 13 for that matter) for Saints and does well, then cool. But for now I don't see any justification for moving one of the best wingers in the world away from that.
The reason I might move him infield is to accommodate Roebuck and IFW - also think that of those two plus Freeman and Lawrence the latter is most suited to a bench role however would be happy to see any combination really
FKAS wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 9:04 pm
Not sure I'd be keen to see Baxter and Stuart on the bench. I'd rather play them for the first half and then bring on Genge and Heyes from the start of the second. More impact ball in hand.
Genge, LCD, Stuart
Chessum, Itoje
TCurry, Earl, Underhill
Mitchell, F Smith
Dingwall, Lawrence
IFW, M Smith, Freeman
That's what I'm expecting come team announcement time. I'd be pretty happy with that, as already mentioned I'd switch the props round and then unload the bench front row at halftime. I think we're a little hamstrung with the backrow, had Ilione been got a 6:2 might have been on the cards with Smashing Backrow using CCS, Pollock and Ilione to inject fresh carrying to the backrow over the course of the second half.
Are we getting closer in opinions or something?
I'd go with pretty much that, save Pollock at 8 over Earl. Except I wouldn't have both Smith's and Ford in the 23, that's overkill. And while Roebuck was great, I might go for Arundell in the 23 shirt for...x factor.
I feel sorry for Murley not taking his chance, as he seems to have blown it now. So many wing options around, it's pretty scary. But we're left looking for an 8 again...sigh.
Pollock's on the bench as for me he brings more impact. I'd rather have him come on for the final 25 mins with license to be an absolute menace and do his thing against a tiring opposition. Earl has more experience so let him start and play against a fresh opposition.
Ford is in as we don't have an option at fullback that can sit on the bench and I don't think Freeman offers what we want there so if there's an issue with F Smith then Ford is vital.
Roebuck has 4 tries in 6 appearances for England (3 starts). 9 in 16 for Sale last season. He's strong aerially, physical and quick. Really handy winger for me with no real downside bar iffy kicking game.
Danno wrote: ↑Sun Oct 26, 2025 11:14 pm
I'd rather not. He's one of the first names on the sheet at wing for me and I'm really tired of playing people out of position. If he has the larger part of a season at FB (or 13 for that matter) for Saints and does well, then cool. But for now I don't see any justification for moving one of the best wingers in the world away from that.
The reason I might move him infield is to accommodate Roebuck and IFW - also think that of those two plus Freeman and Lawrence the latter is most suited to a bench role however would be happy to see any combination really
Freeman and Lawrence lacks a bit in passing ability at international level, my concern with that pairing is that the wingers won't see much of the ball.
I'd always prefer to have an inside centre - or at least, a bilateral centre, in the 12 shirt
Equally, I'd always prefer to have an outside centre - or at least, a bilateral centre, in the 13 shirt
Having 2 players who are both out of position just doesn't seem like a combination made in heaven
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 11:12 am
I'd always prefer to have an inside centre - or at least, a bilateral centre, in the 12 shirt
Equally, I'd always prefer to have an outside centre - or at least, a bilateral centre, in the 13 shirt
Having 2 players who are both out of position just doesn't seem like a combination made in heaven
I would have Dingwall in the 12 shirt, in Atkinson’s absence
I put this (elsewhere) before the squad was announced.
I'd go
09. Mitchel
10. FSmith
11. Feyi-Waboso
12. Dingwall > Ojomoh
13. Lawrence > Slade
14. Freeman
15. De Glanville (see other discussion on what to do absent Furbank & Daly*)
It will probably be Steward at 15, or it might be either Freeman there with Arundell at wing, or Arundell straight in to 15.
Slade and Ojomoh probably also in contention for a bench place.
I do NOT want to see yet another attempt to make the Lawrence, Slade midfield work.
I do NOT want to see MSmith at 15 again if Quins are (rightly) not playing ball.
* That boiled down to Furbank is first choice, so I'd want to go with the closest like-for-like to Furbank.
Scrumhead wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 8:23 am
Possibly … he did specifically say he wants to focus on players who he can build around for the RWC. This is also why I think Slade’s days may be numbered even though he has a central contract.
OTOH, that doesn’t exactly chime with the hooker situation. George is still comfortably one of our best two hookers now, but time waits for no man and I don’t think he will make it to 2027. Persevering with Dan as 3rd choice when others are in demonstrably better form is odd. My hope is that Jibulu is picked for the A squad, rips it up and then makes the 6N squad in Dan’s place.
Tuipulotu?
He is only 20 with no starts at club level and only 9 bench appearances across 2 seasons. I think he needs a bit more time and experience - I still want him to play in the A games, but that's more for capturing him for 3 years rather than because I think he's ready for internationals yet.
Scrumhead wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 8:23 am
Possibly … he did specifically say he wants to focus on players who he can build around for the RWC. This is also why I think Slade’s days may be numbered even though he has a central contract.
OTOH, that doesn’t exactly chime with the hooker situation. George is still comfortably one of our best two hookers now, but time waits for no man and I don’t think he will make it to 2027. Persevering with Dan as 3rd choice when others are in demonstrably better form is odd. My hope is that Jibulu is picked for the A squad, rips it up and then makes the 6N squad in Dan’s place.
Tuipulotu?
He is only 20 with no starts at club level and only 9 bench appearances across 2 seasons. I think he needs a bit more time and experience - I still want him to play in the A games, but that's more for capturing him for 3 years rather than because I think he's ready for internationals yet.
Puja
Off the bench Vs Spain seems an ideal opportunity to keep him away from Wales for three years.
Seb Blake and Jibulu would be handy options for the NZ game.
Which Tyler wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 12:45 pm
I put this (elsewhere) before the squad was announced.
I'd go
09. Mitchel
10. FSmith
11. Feyi-Waboso
12. Dingwall > Ojomoh
13. Lawrence > Slade
14. Freeman
15. De Glanville (see other discussion on what to do absent Furbank & Daly*)
It will probably be Steward at 15, or it might be either Freeman there with Arundell at wing, or Arundell straight in to 15.
Slade and Ojomoh probably also in contention for a bench place.
I do NOT want to see yet another attempt to make the Lawrence, Slade midfield work.
I do NOT want to see MSmith at 15 again if Quins are (rightly) not playing ball.
* That boiled down to Furbank is first choice, so I'd want to go with the closest like-for-like to Furbank.
I agree re Slade and Lawrence, particularly as neither looks comfortable at 12
15 is a problem position with no Furbank or Daly. I’d go MSmith and hope Daly is back for NZ.
FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 4:16 pm
Some rumours Lawrence will drop to the bench and it'll be Dingwall and Freeman in the midfield with Roebuck, IFW and Steward in the back three.
Ah, so we’ll be back to kicking the leather off it
FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 4:16 pm
Some rumours Lawrence will drop to the bench and it'll be Dingwall and Freeman in the midfield with Roebuck, IFW and Steward in the back three.
Ah, so we’ll be back to kicking the leather off it
That or we're worried about how good the Aussies are in the air.
FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 4:16 pm
Some rumours Lawrence will drop to the bench and it'll be Dingwall and Freeman in the midfield with Roebuck, IFW and Steward in the back three.
Ah, so we’ll be back to kicking the leather off it
You're looking at the potential of a backline where we're crowbarring in three of the form running wingers in the Prem, alongside a genuine 12, supported by a fast back row of three 7s, with Lee Blackett as the attack coach, and **that"s** your take away?
FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 4:16 pm
Some rumours Lawrence will drop to the bench and it'll be Dingwall and Freeman in the midfield with Roebuck, IFW and Steward in the back three.
Ah, so we’ll be back to kicking the leather off it
You're looking at the potential of a backline where we're crowbarring in three of the form running wingers in the Prem, alongside a genuine 12, supported by a fast back row of three 7s, with Lee Blackett as the attack coach, and **that"s** your take away?
Puja
I just see 3 of the best kick chasers available to us and Slarti Boringkicking (will happily revert to Soapy Ballsacks) as the coach...No reason. No history, no.
Danno wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 5:47 pm
I'd guess that's mostly aimed at the lad at 15.
Who else is there to pick at 15 if we want to pick an actual full-back? He's not the most exciting, but he's a good hard runner and has improved his distribution no end of late.
FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 4:36 pmThat or we're worried about how good the Aussies are in the air.
I'm actually wondering if that's the reason Caluori was promoted to the main squad this week - one part to give a young lad experience of the top level and give him something to work towards, but the other part because we're worried about the Australians kicking the leather off it so we wanted a Sualii-a-like to train against in the week.
Stom wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 6:07 pmI just see 3 of the best kick chasers available to us and Slarti Boringkicking (will happily revert to Soapy Ballsacks) as the coach...No reason. No history, no.
We've not played that way for the last 17 tests. I know you're traumatised, but you've gotta start trusting at some point.
FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 4:16 pm
Some rumours Lawrence will drop to the bench and it'll be Dingwall and Freeman in the midfield with Roebuck, IFW and Steward in the back three.
Ah, so we’ll be back to kicking the leather off it
That or we're worried about how good the Aussies are in the air.
I don’t really agree with either of these takes.
Arguably Freeman, IFW and Roebuck deserve to start. Steward is the only specialist 15 in the squad and is also in decent form. Perhaps, we’re thinking about the problems they can pose for Australia rather than vice versa?
Yes, Freeman, Roebuck and Steward are good in the air, but that’s dismissing their ability in other aspects which is grossly unfair.
Telegraph reckon that Ford is starting with FSmith on the bench, with FSmith having run at 12 in training at times this week. I will admit to having idly thought about whether FSmith could play 12 from time to time, although it's a bit of a flyer to chuck that into an international match!
Danno wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 5:47 pm
I'd guess that's mostly aimed at the lad at 15.
Who else is there to pick at 15 if we want to pick an actual full-back? He's not the most exciting, but he's a good hard runner and has improved his distribution no end of late.
FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 4:36 pmThat or we're worried about how good the Aussies are in the air.
I'm actually wondering if that's the reason Caluori was promoted to the main squad this week - one part to give a young lad experience of the top level and give him something to work towards, but the other part because we're worried about the Australians kicking the leather off it so we wanted a Sualii-a-like to train against in the week.
Stom wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 6:07 pmI just see 3 of the best kick chasers available to us and Slarti Boringkicking (will happily revert to Soapy Ballsacks) as the coach...No reason. No history, no.
We've not played that way for the last 17 tests. I know you're traumatised, but you've gotta start trusting at some point.
Puja
I wasn't being 110% serious...
Just seeing our...4 biggest back 3 players...
And I also feel like there is no reason to select Steward. I just do not trust him in 1 on 1 defense. His footwork isn't good enough, imo.
Danno wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 5:47 pm
I'd guess that's mostly aimed at the lad at 15.
Who else is there to pick at 15 if we want to pick an actual full-back? He's not the most exciting, but he's a good hard runner and has improved his distribution no end of late.
FKAS wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 4:36 pmThat or we're worried about how good the Aussies are in the air.
I'm actually wondering if that's the reason Caluori was promoted to the main squad this week - one part to give a young lad experience of the top level and give him something to work towards, but the other part because we're worried about the Australians kicking the leather off it so we wanted a Sualii-a-like to train against in the week.
Stom wrote: ↑Mon Oct 27, 2025 6:07 pmI just see 3 of the best kick chasers available to us and Slarti Boringkicking (will happily revert to Soapy Ballsacks) as the coach...No reason. No history, no.
We've not played that way for the last 17 tests. I know you're traumatised, but you've gotta start trusting at some point.
Puja
I wasn't being 110% serious...
Just seeing our...4 biggest back 3 players...
And I also feel like there is no reason to select Steward. I just do not trust him in 1 on 1 defense. His footwork isn't good enough, imo.
His 1-on-1 is significantly improved this season, mind. Who would you be picking at 15 instead?
Who else is there to pick at 15 if we want to pick an actual full-back? He's not the most exciting, but he's a good hard runner and has improved his distribution no end of late.
I'm actually wondering if that's the reason Caluori was promoted to the main squad this week - one part to give a young lad experience of the top level and give him something to work towards, but the other part because we're worried about the Australians kicking the leather off it so we wanted a Sualii-a-like to train against in the week.
We've not played that way for the last 17 tests. I know you're traumatised, but you've gotta start trusting at some point.
Puja
I wasn't being 110% serious...
Just seeing our...4 biggest back 3 players...
And I also feel like there is no reason to select Steward. I just do not trust him in 1 on 1 defense. His footwork isn't good enough, imo.
His 1-on-1 is significantly improved this season, mind. Who would you be picking at 15 instead?
