England v Wales Saturday 7/2/2026, ITV, 4.40pm

[FKAS]

Fair enough and sounds like good man-management to me. Also underlies the improvement in our leadership cadre that we can put our captain on the bench and no-one's even mentioned about George having to step up.



See, I think I watched a very different Argentina game to you - he had some fantastic highlight reel moments, but also a number of mistakes, making the performance as a whole no more than a solid 7/10. That's not a criticism of a young player on his first real England test at all, but it wasn't a performance that made him undroppable, nor one that demanded the ousting of the incumbent Dingwall on his return to fitness. Fraser's the man in possession, deservedly so after playing well in his 5-game run in 2025, and he has the added advantage of offering an understanding with the inexperienced Freeman in the other centre berth. Right call by Beatboxer, to my mind.

Puja

Maybe I should rewatch it, I can't remember every detail so I'm sure you're right. Dingwall is better than I thought he was. He was way better for England in the Autumn than I thought he'd be. He seemed to have become a lot stronger physically and looked more composed, understandably so, having gained experience etc. But I remember Ojomoh doing more against the Argies than Dingwall has in an England shirt ever... quick, strong, great fit, good hands, lovely crossfield kick etc. I think Ojomoh might have a higher ceiling... But no great problem with Dingwall either at this moment.

I really wish Finn Smith were starting, that would make me happy. Is Quirke injured? If not, I'd have him over Spencer (who I also don't mind at all, unlike some fellows on here). I think I might also have gone balls to the wall and gone for Iyogun and Sela, or at the very least, Iyogun and Davison... I like Iyogun.

Anyway, should be a decent win if we play to our abilities.

Dingwall is one of those glue players. He just makes the whole back line function better.

His debut lacked that, and because he couldn’t offer physicality or pace, he got seen as meh. When he was really just suffering from his first cap being meh.

To be fair in his first cap he was deployed alongside Slade in a relatively unfamiliar blitz system. He's added physicality to his game since then which has helped. He's still not notably physical but he can at least hold his own now.

[Mikey Brown]

Like-for-like in terms of performing similar roles in the back row unit. I think you are underrating Underhill’s ability as a carrier and link player. Is he better than Curry? No, probably not, but I think Curry’s injury struggles are potentially pushing him more towards the ‘finisher’ role.

I find it very strange that you refer to Earl as ‘functional’ when I think most people would regard him as a very dynamic player with a pretty similar style to Pollock. I’d go so far as to say that without Earl paving the way for a lighter, quicker 8, Pollock might not have had the swift elevation he’s experienced.

I know you really, really love Pollock but I think it’s a stretch to say that ‘he has more to offer in every aspect of the game’ than Earl. He has an uncanny knack of making things happen for sure, but I don’t think he is currently a better all round player than Earl. IMO, the bench role is perfect for him right now and I think the evidence suggests that he revels in the expectation of the impact role rather than feeling under ‘pressure’ from it.

Well put. The Underhill thing seems bizarre to me. Consistently one of England’s best players linking the attack and providing some variation in the attacking forward pods.

Haven’t seen that from Curry for yonks to be honest, but I don’t think that’s where his strengths lie anymore.

[Stom]

Maybe I should rewatch it, I can't remember every detail so I'm sure you're right. Dingwall is better than I thought he was. He was way better for England in the Autumn than I thought he'd be. He seemed to have become a lot stronger physically and looked more composed, understandably so, having gained experience etc. But I remember Ojomoh doing more against the Argies than Dingwall has in an England shirt ever... quick, strong, great fit, good hands, lovely crossfield kick etc. I think Ojomoh might have a higher ceiling... But no great problem with Dingwall either at this moment.

I really wish Finn Smith were starting, that would make me happy. Is Quirke injured? If not, I'd have him over Spencer (who I also don't mind at all, unlike some fellows on here). I think I might also have gone balls to the wall and gone for Iyogun and Sela, or at the very least, Iyogun and Davison... I like Iyogun.

Anyway, should be a decent win if we play to our abilities.

Dingwall is one of those glue players. He just makes the whole back line function better.

His debut lacked that, and because he couldn’t offer physicality or pace, he got seen as meh. When he was really just suffering from his first cap being meh.

To be fair in his first cap he was deployed alongside Slade in a relatively unfamiliar blitz system. He's added physicality to his game since then which has helped. He's still not notably physical but he can at least hold his own now.

Absolutely. The system screwed him and he didn’t have the physical excellence to overcome that. Now the system looks settled, he’s performing

[FKAS]

Dingwall is one of those glue players. He just makes the whole back line function better.

His debut lacked that, and because he couldn’t offer physicality or pace, he got seen as meh. When he was really just suffering from his first cap being meh.

To be fair in his first cap he was deployed alongside Slade in a relatively unfamiliar blitz system. He's added physicality to his game since then which has helped. He's still not notably physical but he can at least hold his own now.

Absolutely. The system screwed him and he didn’t have the physical excellence to overcome that. Now the system looks settled, he’s performing

Very much so.

My only concern really is if Freeman goes down injured. Marcus isn't a centre so then we've got Earl, Pollock or Steward moving into the midfield. Earl has said he's done it but defensively it's really tough for him. Not sure which way we'd go if that situation arose though Dingwall being able to defend at 13 in that scenario does help.

[Epaminondas Pules]

Largely happy with that selection. I'd like to have seen Atkinson at 12, but not against Dingwall at the moment and with freeman learning 13 it makes sense. Glad to see Arundell get the start. I'd have started Pollock for this game along with CCS. And I'd have given Sela the nod, again for this game. Feels like we have the POM squad and Davidson. And if Sela was to get a taste then this is the best game for it. Maybe Italy away, but that is a tougher ask than it used to be. I'm not the biggest fan of Spencer from the bench, but JvP has been somewhat mixed and Quirke isn't in the squad. They're all minor points really.

My only nagging feeling is we're a season and a half from the world cup and it just feels like we're missing something. It might come with gametime and cohesion, but I just feel there is a spark missing somewhere. It may just be that the backline is quite callow compared to the pack. Ford is the only player over 50 caps, then Steward with 41 and then it's under 30 for Mitchell and Freeman, then 13, 11 and 7 caps for IFW, Arundell and Dingers. Can't quite put my finger on it.

[Stom]

Largely happy with that selection. I'd like to have seen Atkinson at 12, but not against Dingwall at the moment and with freeman learning 13 it makes sense. Glad to see Arundell get the start. I'd have started Pollock for this game along with CCS. And I'd have given Sela the nod, again for this game. Feels like we have the POM squad and Davidson. And if Sela was to get a taste then this is the best game for it. Maybe Italy away, but that is a tougher ask than it used to be. I'm not the biggest fan of Spencer from the bench, but JvP has been somewhat mixed and Quirke isn't in the squad. They're all minor points really.

My only nagging feeling is we're a season and a half from the world cup and it just feels like we're missing something. It might come with gametime and cohesion, but I just feel there is a spark missing somewhere. It may just be that the backline is quite callow compared to the pack. Ford is the only player over 50 caps, then Steward with 41 and then it's under 30 for Mitchell and Freeman, then 13, 11 and 7 caps for IFW, Arundell and Dingers. Can't quite put my finger on it.

I think that’s normal, though. We don’t want to be Ireland, looking amazing 2 years out from the WC and then petering out by the time we get there.

Players will come back from injury, others will step up.

For me, it’s still depth at 9. Spencer just isn’t good enough at international level. But a youngster can come through quickly. And there are some talented ones getting time right now.

Think about that team… we’re missing 2 high quality centers and 2 wings, and it’s looking dang good. 5 years ago we’d have been screwed if we’d been down those players.

[Oakboy]

I think Borthwick is doing things his way and building solid foundations. It's now a case of hoping he has got it right. The coaching crew seem to be settled and all singing from the same hymn sheet. Player pool-wise, the team should get a GS. Scotland, Ireland and France can all cause problems on the day but all are sufficiently vulnerable in their building phase to be beatable if we play well. Our best should be better than their best.

That's it. Wins mean he is right, game-on-game. I still don't like his 6:2 strategy and some of his selections don't suit my thinking but results count for everything at this stage.

[Scrumhead]

The ‘our best should be better than their best’ is premature IMO. I think that’s the trajectory we’re on but it’s not where we’re at right now.

I’m also not convinced our player pool is measurably better than what France have at their disposal. Yes, I know we have a massive amount of registered players, but that figure is ultimately meaningless when we’re actually drawing from 10 (9 at present) clubs. France have 14 clubs playing in a highly competitive league as well as a far superior 2nd tier competition that is more useful for their talent pipeline than anything we have.

We have the potential to win a Grand Slam but to say we should is overstating it, particularly with the ‘blues away’ format.

I don’t think wins necessarily mean Borthwick is ‘right’ and losses don’t mean he’s ‘wrong’. It all depends on the manner of the win/loss.

@Stom hit the nail on the head with this:

We don’t want to be Ireland, looking amazing 2 years out from the WC and then petering out by the time we get there.

I think we have the best chance of winning the 6N we’ve had in ages. At this point, I expect us to give it a very good crack, but honestly if we play well and continue building but can’t quite bring it home in the last game in Paris, I’d be OK with that.

[Mikey Brown]

It is our divine right as the English to be better than everyone else.

[FKAS]

ITV to advertise once per half whilst a scrum is being set on a split view. Gotta cram those extra adds in. Disgusting.

[fivepointer]

Sounds hideous.

At least there's no SCW.....is there??

[FKAS]

It's ITV so don't rule it out. I'm hoping they just borrow the TNT cast as per normal.

[Beasties]

ITV to advertise once per half whilst a scrum is being set on a split view. Gotta cram those extra adds in. Disgusting.

As good an argument as I’ve heard for going back to when scrums set up instantly.
It’s why I always watch games on catchup.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I'm not a fan by any means, but not a million miles away from adverts inbetween overs in cricket

[Puja]

ITV to advertise once per half whilst a scrum is being set on a split view. Gotta cram those extra adds in. Disgusting.

Tbh, if that's what they needed to do to make it so the entire Nations Championship (and thus every England match for the next couple of years) is on terrestrial, then I'm okay with that trade-off. Far rather that happen than keeping it behind a paywall or, worse still, moving that paywall to Premier Sports.

Puja

[Danno]

Boring Puja being all rational again

[Danno]

Wales Squad:

Wales: Rees-Zammit; Mee, James, B Thomas, Adams; Edwards, T Williams; Smith, Lake (capt), Griffin, D Jenkins, Beard, Mann, Macleod, Wainwright.

Replacements: Belcher, Carre, T Francis, Carter, Plumtree, Deaves, Hardy, Grady.

[FKAS]

I'm expecting to see Wales come out fired up but fade away. Going to be a tougher game than advertised. Some real pace in the backline and a bit of impact off the bench as well.

[Which Tyler]

I'm fully expecting to set a new English record with the Raeburn

[Scrumhead]

I'm expecting to see Wales come out fired up but fade away. Going to be a tougher game than advertised. Some real pace in the backline and a bit of impact off the bench as well.

With that lineup, I’m not so sure.

I don’t like to be overly confident, but we should have their scrum on toast and I’d back our centre pairing and wingers to cause some havoc against that set of Welsh backs.

Griffin vs. Genge could be eye watering. Mee vs. IFW likewise.

[fivepointer]

I expect Wales to be better than they were in the Autumn but realistically England should win this comfortably.

[Puja]

Balls: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union ... 9ke53yvp3o

Hopefully there's nothing to it and he's fine by Saturday, but if he isn't able to be fit, I hope that we slot Daly in rather than mess Freeman about. I'd probably prefer Murley to Daly, but it'd be asking a lot to hoik him out of the A game and back into the squad to learn the plays, especially if there's a chance it'd all be for naught and IFW would make the game anyway.

Puja

[Danno]

Daly FB, Steward to the wing

[Which Tyler]

Obviously, I hope IFW is fully fit.
If not though, then I strongly disagree with you two; Max to OC, Tommy to wing

[Puja]

Obviously, I hope IFW is fully fit.
If not though, then I strongly disagree with you two; Max to OC, Tommy to wing

I would agree with you that your suggestion would result in the strongest XV for a one-off match. However, with all due respect to the Welsh, this game isn't just about our strongest XV for the next match - we should be looking to get time into our new first choice centres and build that combination. Daly is... fine, I guess, and should be good enough for Wales at home.

Puja