RugbyRebels

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:47 am

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Sat Jan 24, 2026 4:37 pm Is there a world where Borthers may play Steward on the right wing to play the Roebuck role?

Oh God I hope not!

I still have nightmares of Mike Brown on the wing.

I still have nightmares of Freddie Steward on the wing…

How did Murley go at the weekend? Good game?



Ok I'm sorry, I had to. I know he's much better than that.

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:47 am

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Sat Jan 24, 2026 4:37 pm Is there a world where Borthers may play Steward on the right wing to play the Roebuck role?

Oh God I hope not!

I still have nightmares of Mike Brown on the wing.

I reckon it's a goer. Would SB trust Furbank as the 10 cover, though? And have Daly in the 23 shirt, or a centre...

Stom wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 1:14 pm

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:47 am

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Sat Jan 24, 2026 4:37 pm Is there a world where Borthers may play Steward on the right wing to play the Roebuck role?

Oh God I hope not!

I still have nightmares of Mike Brown on the wing.

I reckon it's a goer. Would SB trust Furbank as the 10 cover, though? And have Daly in the 23 shirt, or a centre...

I remember Steward playing very well on the wing away at France under Jones. He was a nightmare for them under the high ball and that was before the law changes…

With Furbank covering 10, Steward and Freeman covering full back, pollock covering wing and Earl covering centre, surely we’d be going 7-1?

Coles/Chessum, CCS, Curry and Pollock coming on to tear it up.

Steward has clearly been working hard on his pace and agility not sure wing is where he needs to be though.

Not sure Furbank looked international rugby ready off the bench for Saints. Mind you a start against Wales would ease him back in a bit though with LRZ and GHW on the kick chase he might have more to think about then the fairly tame offerings in the Autumn.

If Furbank isn't deemed ready, we could well see MSmith at 15, Steward at 14, and Daly on the bench, then...Or Steward on the bench.

Stom wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 3:21 pm If Furbank isn't deemed ready, we could well see MSmith at 15, Steward at 14, and Daly on the bench, then...Or Steward on the bench.

Doubt it. I expect Steward will either start or not make the 23. He's never been on the bench for England to date, two starts on the wing aside, it's been fullback or nothing.

More likely we go with Daly or try something slightly different and try Arundell and IFW in tandem.

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 1:22 pm

Stom wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 1:14 pm

Epaminondas Pules wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:47 am

Oh God I hope not!

I still have nightmares of Mike Brown on the wing.

I reckon it's a goer. Would SB trust Furbank as the 10 cover, though? And have Daly in the 23 shirt, or a centre...

I remember Steward playing very well on the wing away at France under Jones. He was a nightmare for them under the high ball and that was before the law changes…

With Furbank covering 10, Steward and Freeman covering full back, pollock covering wing and Earl covering centre, surely we’d be going 7-1?

Coles/Chessum, CCS, Curry and Pollock coming on to tear it up.

I think I officially hate you

Puja wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 10:18 am

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Mon Jan 26, 2026 9:30 am Good on you, either way.

Incidentally, just seeing mention of Callouri’s springy legs there, he dived to score a try at the weekend and it looked like he was going to fly off the end of the pitch. It really is amazing.

I thought that too! Was briefly worried about the short dead-ball area. I am very surprised that he hasn't made the squad - not that I think he's a better player than Murley at present, but we'll want him learning his trade as much as possible before the RWC.

Watching Lucas Friday against Leicester and was thinking he probably fits into that category too - would be ideal as an "Apprentice player". Shouldn't be actually in the running for a cap yet, but definitely need him to inculcated into the systems and got up to speed as soon as possible, cause that kid's going places.

Danno wrote: ↑Sun Jan 25, 2026 9:00 pm Thank you. Long story but im hopefully on the mend now.

Glad to have you back and hope everything keeps getting better. Lean on us if you need, yeah?

Puja

I should probably 'fess up, just not sure where

Just a note on who each club is losing for the 6 Nations (obviously, only PRC being played).
Brackets are "Unavailable for selection" and all that that means.

1. Northampton Saints, 12 (+2): Alex Coles (E), Trevor Davison (E), Emmanuel Iyogun (E), Henry Pollock (E), Fraser Dingwall (E), Tommy Freeman (E), George Furbank (E), Alex Mitchell (E), Elliot Millar Mills (S), Rory Hutchinson (S), Danilo Fischetti(I), Edoardo Todaro (I) (Fin Smith, Curtis Langdon)
2. Bath, 10 (+3): Guy Pepper (E), Vilikesa Sela (E), Sam Underhill (E), Henry Arundell (E), Max Ojomoh (E), Ben Spencer (E), Josh Bayliss (S), Finn Russell (S), Archie Griffin (W), Louie Hennessey (W) (Ollie Lawrence, Charlie Ewels, Will Stuart)
3. Bristol Bears, 3: Ellis Genge (E), Tom Jordan (S), Louis Rees-Zammit (W)
4. Leicester Tigers, 7 (+2): Ollie Chessum (E), Joe Heyes (E), Freddie Steward (E), Jack van Poortvliet (E), Olly Cracknell (W), Nicky Smith (W), Gabriel Hamer-Webb (W) (George Martin, Adam Radwan)
5. Exeter Chiefs, 6 (+2): Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (E), Henry Slade (E), Andrea Zambonin (I), Stephen Varney (I), Dafydd Jenkins (W), Greg Fisilau (W) (Ross Vintcent, Christ Tshiunza)
6. Saracens, 8: Theo Dan (E), Ben Earl (E), Jamie George (E), Maro Itoje (E), Elliot Daly (E), Fergus Burke (S), Marco Riccioni (I), Rhys Carre (W)
7. Sale Sharks, 5 (+3): Luke Cowan-Dickie (E), Tom Curry (E), Bevan Rodd (E), George Ford (E), Gus Warr (S) (Ben Curry, Tom Roebuck, Asher Opoku-Fordjour)
8. Gloucester, 4: Arthur Clark (E), Seb Atkinson (E), Freddie Thomas (W), Tomos Williams (W)
9. Harlequins, 5 (+2): Chandler Cunningham-South (E), Cadan Murley (E), Marcus Smith (E), George Turner (S), Jarrod Evans (W) (Fin Baxter, Oscar Beard)
10. Newcastle, 0:

Baxter ruled out of the 6Ns.

Baxter off for surgery, yeah. So that’s him and AOF who have sat around rehabbing for an age before realising that they needed surgery. Not good.

BCurry staying at home for rehabilitation, so Kenningham's having a last-minute scramble for his passport.

Puja

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 6:15 pm Baxter off for surgery, yeah. So that’s him and AOF who have sat around rehabbing for an age before realising that they needed surgery. Not good.

Without the full information, it does sound odd. Delaying surgery is rarely correct, I'd guess.

Depends, it's usually correct for biomechanical type surgery.
I'm sure we've had this discussion before though

Fucking hell what

So what's your preferred team for Wales?

I'd go with this. I think Sweaty Ballbag will continue with his horses for courses approach.

Genge
LCD
Heyes
Itoje
Chessum
CCS
Curry
Pollock
Mitchell
Ford
Arundell
Atkinson
Freeman
IFW
Steward

Rodd
George
Sela
Coles
Pepper
JvP
Smith (M)
Ojomoh

I would give Pollock the start just to drive big momentum right from the off. Harsh on Earl, but this is my horses for courses. Earl I'd have back for Scotland. Front 5 kind of picks itself, with maybe an argument over hooker. I make no bones about being a big fan of Atkinson, and think his hands and ability to carry through the tight channels is perfect for Wales. Freeman to have the 13, with Lawrence rehabbing and the alternative being Slade, or Ojomoh, but that's a callow midfield with both from the off. Absolute gas on the wings and then Fred at the back. Furbank is only just back to fitness and I'm not sure Daly is the best mix with those wingers.

Sela off the bench. Arguably the best game to blood him, and maintain momentum / energy. Likewise Pepper to bring mayhem at the breakdown and could swap for any of the backrow. I've got 5/3, though suspect Spreadsheet Basher won't, where Smith can cover 10 or 15 and Ojomoh could come into 12 or 13. And JvP because I'd want high energy for 80 against Wales.

I don't think we'll see CCS in the backrow I think he'll take the 19 shirt and offer positional versatility from the bench. Pepper at 6 seems a pretty set selection.

Can't see a 5/3 bench split either, I'm expecting 6/2.

There's lots about your team that I like. I'd start Pepper ahead of CCS because I think he is the long-term together with Pollock. Curry, if fit, remains our best available back-rower.

I'd be happy to see your backline tried but I think SB, correctly, will opt for Dingwall at 12 if he picks Freeman at 13. I'd want Atkinson on the bench with Marcus simply to try them at 10/12 later in the game. Unfortunately, I'd think SB will stick with 6:2.

Captainhaircut wrote: ↑Tue Jan 27, 2026 6:15 pm Baxter off for surgery, yeah. So that’s him and AOF who have sat around rehabbing for an age before realising that they needed surgery. Not good.

AOF was a separate injury on his return to Sale training. Bicep the original problem now off for shoulder surgery.

Underhill out then? Am I alone feeling he’s basically a nailed on starter for England, even at Curry’s expense?

Mikey Brown wrote: ↑Thu Jan 29, 2026 5:24 pm Underhill out then? Am I alone feeling he’s basically a nailed on starter for England, even at Curry’s expense?

Against Wales I’d go with those three a Pepper off the bench. Just think that suits the Wales game better.

Right with EP on Atkinson starting. Class. Sadly think Freeman is still a distance away from being a quality 13 - however worth sticking with.

Happy with back row as well.

From the England training videos they've got Ford, Dingwall, Freeman with Arundell on the wing and Steward at fullback. Over a week out, so could just be that days line up for training.