Six Nations Squad Announcement

[Captainhaircut]

Looks like the nod has been given to the press on some decisions.

Dingwall and Freeman at centre. Steward at full back. Roebuck in if fit, Arundell plays if not.

Guess that would leave decisions on Curry vs Underhill, Chessum v Coles and the props.

Some chat that they want some game time for Fin Smith and that they may put Furbank on bench to get him some time too but unconfirmed.

[Oakboy]

Will a 5:3 see Pollock dropped from the 23? I think I'll give up watching rugby if that happens.

[FKAS]

I'd be surprised if Borthwick went 5:3. He loves a big impact bench way too much. If he goes 5:3 I wonder if he'll include CCS as the lock cover for the bench with the intention that Itoje and Chessum will do the full 80 bar an injury. Still think it'll be 6:2 and the Saints duo might end up dropping into the A side (though there's loads of flyhalf cover there).

[Epaminondas Pules]

I hear you but the question I’m asking myself is whether I’m any more comfortable with Davison playing 80 and the short answer is probably no.

There are totally different reasons for my discomfort. It’s too soon for Sela and arguably it’s too late for Davison. One possibly isn’t quite good enough yet, the other possibly won’t ever reach that standard.

For a one off game, Davison would probably get the nod but otherwise, I’d back giving the game time to Sela.

It also depends on where (the coaches) want to be in 2027. Sela has more probability of taking the squad up a notch in terms of competition for places etc.

And yes you have to be ready for them to play 80 if there is an injury, but the probability is that they'll only play 20/30. It is a risk, but they're in the squad for a reason. Fin Baxter was a prime example of the risk being realised, playing 63 mins on debut as a 22 year old and then starting a week later. The difference with Baxter was he was capped at the end of his second season out of U20s, where he'd played in the majority of games for his club over those two seasons. So more seasoned and that little bit older / more physically and mentally mature. That exposure (and a lot of hard work) has made him a far better player 18 months later. He went from a debut in NZ to playing in every test match since for England. The 6Ns are the first games he's missed for England since making his debut. 18 tests on the bounce (plus the non-capped friendly before the Arg tour).

[Stom]

I hear you but the question I’m asking myself is whether I’m any more comfortable with Davison playing 80 and the short answer is probably no.

There are totally different reasons for my discomfort. It’s too soon for Sela and arguably it’s too late for Davison. One possibly isn’t quite good enough yet, the other possibly won’t ever reach that standard.

For a one off game, Davison would probably get the nod but otherwise, I’d back giving the game time to Sela.

It also depends on where (the coaches) want to be in 2027. Sela has more probability of taking the squad up a notch in terms of competition for places etc.

And yes you have to be ready for them to play 80 if there is an injury, but the probability is that they'll only play 20/30. It is a risk, but they're in the squad for a reason. Fin Baxter was a prime example of the risk being realised, playing 63 mins on debut as a 22 year old and then starting a week later. The difference with Baxter was he was capped at the end of his second season out of U20s, where he'd played in the majority of games for his club over those two seasons. So more seasoned and that little bit older / more physically and mentally mature. That exposure (and a lot of hard work) has made him a far better player 18 months later. He went from a debut in NZ to playing in every test match since for England. The 6Ns are the first games he's missed for England since making his debut. 18 tests on the bounce (plus the non-capped friendly before the Arg tour).

BIG difference between a 22 y/o and a 20 y/o...

[Epaminondas Pules]

I hear you but the question I’m asking myself is whether I’m any more comfortable with Davison playing 80 and the short answer is probably no.

There are totally different reasons for my discomfort. It’s too soon for Sela and arguably it’s too late for Davison. One possibly isn’t quite good enough yet, the other possibly won’t ever reach that standard.

For a one off game, Davison would probably get the nod but otherwise, I’d back giving the game time to Sela.

It also depends on where (the coaches) want to be in 2027. Sela has more probability of taking the squad up a notch in terms of competition for places etc.

And yes you have to be ready for them to play 80 if there is an injury, but the probability is that they'll only play 20/30. It is a risk, but they're in the squad for a reason. Fin Baxter was a prime example of the risk being realised, playing 63 mins on debut as a 22 year old and then starting a week later. The difference with Baxter was he was capped at the end of his second season out of U20s, where he'd played in the majority of games for his club over those two seasons. So more seasoned and that little bit older / more physically and mentally mature. That exposure (and a lot of hard work) has made him a far better player 18 months later. He went from a debut in NZ to playing in every test match since for England. The 6Ns are the first games he's missed for England since making his debut. 18 tests on the bounce (plus the non-capped friendly before the Arg tour).

BIG difference between a 22 y/o and a 20 y/o...

Absolutely, hence the older / more physically and mentally mature. Also a BIG difference between a debut against NZ away and Wales at home.

[Scrumhead]

100% this. It’s definitely a risk, but given the wider context of injuries to a lot of the frontline props we’ll be facing, I think it’s one worth taking.

[Oakboy]

100% this. It’s definitely a risk, but given the wider context of injuries to a lot of the frontline props we’ll be facing, I think it’s one worth taking.

That sounds a convincing statement. Is this one of those situations where only the coaches/squad medics on the spot can judge? Physically and mentally, one 20 year old can be completely different from another. Sela just might be an early developer and ready. After all, nobody is querying his capacity to do the job - in terms of raw strength, skill etc.

It's a big decision, though.

[fivepointer]

Sela looks and plays like a player more than 20 years old.

He's faced every challenge and come out looking good. He's been in the A team, so England will have seen him up close and been able to form a view. If he's in the squad, SB & Co must think he's up to it.

He is very young and care must be taken, but he seems to me to be a player who just takes things in his stride. It was obvious he would play for England, it was just a matter of when. Likely to be sooner than i thought.

[Mikey Brown]

Team is up. No Roebuck. Coles starts with Itoje benching. 6:2 with Spencer and Marcus.

[Mikey Brown]

Maro Itoje named on bench for England's opening Six Nations match v Wales on Saturday

Hooker Jamie George to lead England

Northampton pair Fraser Dingwall and Tommy Freeman start in the centres

Freddie Steward is at full-back, with Henry Arundell on the left wing

Full team: Steward; Feyi-Waboso, Freeman, Dingwall, Arundell; Ford, Mitchell; Genge, George (capt), Heyes, Coles, Chessum, Pepper, Underhill, Earl
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Rodd, Davison, Itoje, T Curry, Pollock, Spencer, M Smith

How annoying will Itoje, Curry and Pollock off the bench be for Wales?

[Captainhaircut]

That’s some bench. I’d have started Rodd and had Sela on the bench instead of Davison but it’s not bad.

[Which Tyler]

I'd still like Freeman to have played more matches at OC before getting caps there in matches that matter - though with Lawrence injured there's a little less choice, and IIRC he's getting there. My choice would have been 2 from SAtkinson, Dingwall & Ojomoh.
"Interesting" to see Itoje on the bench*. Also interesting that we're not splitting the first choice props to have 1 starting, and 1 on the bench (that said, neither Rodd nor Davison ought to need babysitting).

Generally though, we're at a stage where I can disagree with some of the selections, but none feel outright wrong, just I'd go differently with a couple of more-or-less 50:50 calls.

I'm glad that Sela hasn't been thrown in - tempting though it may have been.

Physically and mentally, one 20 year old can be completely different from another. Sela just might be an early developer and ready.

As discussed with you before - no. The physical development we're concerned about cannot develop earlier in some than others (it's within a month or two either way - certainly not a year or 3). He has not reached skeletal maturity yet - and that is not something that can be sped up.

You can repeat it as often as you like, bones will still mature at the same rate.



*ETA: Forgot that his mother passed away during the week. Given that, I'd probably give him the weekend off, given that, rather than benching him (also showing willing on managing the game time of a player who is almost nailed on to exceed the 30 match limit)

[pjm1]

Yeah, some interesting calls but nothing for me that screams "wtf?!"

As you say, Itoje getting some compassionate flexibility is appropriate and I suspect he was screaming to start but Sympathetic Bystander made a call - probably with George's input as well (who's been through similar recently). Benching him is a nice compromise and I can only imagine how energised he'll be coming on with the rest of the replacement pack.

Backs sounds like they're selected more by injury / return-from-injury than anything else. Exciting to see two flyers on the wings, and Freeman isn't a slouch. Freddie has been running some lovely hard lines from deep on Tigers ball, so let's see what we can muster.

Really looking forward to Saturday's game. Wales will play better than they have of late, which is exactly what we'll need ahead of Scotland. A decent test and tactics designed to get around our telegraphed game plan is the perfect prep. Our replacement pack is brutal though. Even though our 17/18 aren't world-beaters, they'll be up against tired legs or inexperienced ones.

[Beasties]

Buzzin to see Arundell get a start. Let’s hope we give him some ball to play with.

Pretty happy with the rest of the team.