6 Nations Squad Announcement - 11:30am

[FKAS]

Pollock has been dropped and Alex Mitchell has joined up

So, Quirke remains for JVP?

Iirc JvP is broken

Had a minor knee op and is out for a month.

[Epaminondas Pules]

So we've four scrum halves in the squad

[Mellsblue]

So, Quirke remains for JVP?

Iirc JvP is broken

But didn’t old man Ben get called up?

Thought you meant Youngs, initially. The phone was milliseconds away from going out/through the window.

[p/d]

Iirc JvP is broken

But didn’t old man Ben get called up?

Thought you meant Youngs, initially. The phone was milliseconds away from going out/through the window.

[p/d]

‘Experienced centre Slade, 31, says continuity of selection is vital as England look to turn around a disappointing 2024 and take a major scalp in Dublin.’

I bet he did.

[jngf]

And predicting Curry at 8 while rusty starts at 6 with shouty at 7

Pass the sick bag - I really hope this is a wind up ma

[CunningPunter]

From the same BBC article:

"Mitchell's return to fitness means club-mate Henry Pollock drops out of the 36-man squad, and he has left Girona to join up with England Under-20s."

Eh? So Pollock was going to play SH?

[p/d]

And predicting Curry at 8 while rusty starts at 6 with shouty at 7

Pass the sick bag - I really hope this is a wind up ma

I think you will find it a 6, 7, 8 mistake

[Mellsblue]

God i hope that’s not correct.

[FKAS]

Hopefully they've noted the wrong Tom at 8. Otherwise that's largely as expected. Hopefully the bench is loaded up for impact.

[Captainhaircut]

It feels close to the right side and far away at the same time.

Presuming it’s as speculated plus Rodd/baxter, Dan, AOF, Heyes, CCS, Willis, Spencer/randall/quirke, Fsmith, Murley/beard/sleightholme on the bench, then that’s not too bad.

Swap Willis for Earl and do something at centre and it’s probably what I would be picking. But with a fairly lightweight and to me an out of form Earl at 8 plus a centre combo that has not worked and particularly struggled outside Smith (thought they play well with Ford against Ireland and France last year), it just looks a bit depressing.

[Oakboy]

Speculating that Roebuck gets a starting shirt seems to attract little comment.

[Mellsblue]

Freeman
Roebuck
Steward
is awfully slow.

[Mikey Brown]

Borthwick has been reading all these horrible names you guys have been calling him. He knows that Tom Curry at 8 creates the worst possible outcome on here for all of us.

Where is this predicted team actually coming from?

[FKAS]

Freeman
Roebuck
Steward
is awfully slow.

I wouldn't say any were slow. I'd even go so far to say Freeman and Roebuck are quick, both wingers are used as the kick chase option for their sides and both are good finishers.

[Mellsblue]

Freeman
Roebuck
Steward
is awfully slow.

I wouldn't say any were slow. I'd even go so far to say Freeman and Roebuck are quick, both wingers are used as the kick chase option for their sides and both are good finishers.

Neither Freeman or Roebuck are quick wingers and they’re paired with a slow 15. It’s a slow back three.

[Scrumhead]

Agreed. Also worth noting that neither Hansen or Lowe are exceptionally quick. They’re just very good all rounders.

With all that said, we’ve typically gone for a bigger winger and a smaller, busier winger (usually Freeman and IFW). If Sleightholme is out, Freeman and Murley might be a better combination.

[p/d]

Borthwick has been reading all these horrible names you guys have been calling him. He knows that Tom Curry at 8 creates the worst possible outcome on here for all of us.

Where is this predicted team actually coming from?

The Mail I think. The article had Curry at 7 and shouty at 8. Then they listed it the wrong way round.

[FKAS]

Freeman
Roebuck
Steward
is awfully slow.

I wouldn't say any were slow. I'd even go so far to say Freeman and Roebuck are quick, both wingers are used as the kick chase option for their sides and both are good finishers.

Neither Freeman or Roebuck are quick wingers and they’re paired with a slow 15. It’s a slow back three.

Neither winger is rapid but they're still quick. As quick as Ireland are likely to field with Hansen and Lowe. Sleightholme and Murley are both edging towards the more rapid style of winger but neither is close to being as good in the air. Murley in particular would be targeted under the high ball by Ireland.

Against France in the second game we might well change things up.

[p/d]

Nowt wrong with the back 3.

Back row and centres still the main area of concern.

[Mellsblue]

I wouldn't say any were slow. I'd even go so far to say Freeman and Roebuck are quick, both wingers are used as the kick chase option for their sides and both are good finishers.

Neither Freeman or Roebuck are quick wingers and they’re paired with a slow 15. It’s a slow back three.

Neither winger is rapid but they're still quick. As quick as Ireland are likely to field with Hansen and Lowe. Sleightholme and Murley are both edging towards the more rapid style of winger but neither is close to being as good in the air. Murley in particular would be targeted under the high ball by Ireland.

Against France in the second game we might well change things up.

You’re ignoring one third of the back three. Let’s agree to disagree.

[Mellsblue]

Nowt wrong with the back 3.

Other than one should be playing 12.

[p/d]

Nowt wrong with the back 3.

Other than one should be playing 12.

And another at 13.

[Banquo]

From the same BBC article:

"Mitchell's return to fitness means club-mate Henry Pollock drops out of the 36-man squad, and he has left Girona to join up with England Under-20s."

Eh? So Pollock was going to play SH?

squad size limit

[twitchy]

God i hope that’s not correct.

I think this is what the kids call "rage bait".