Eddie in his last year (the worst year under Eddie) had a 50% losing record (losing 6, winning 5 and drawing one).

Borthwick's overall record is a 48% losing record...

Not to mention Jones was actively bringing in huge number of new players in 2022 whilst Borthwick is still mainly using the players Eddie developed.

Eddie was supposedly sacked due to the poor run of results so what should this mean for Borthwick?

I'm not new to rugby, I play it and have for quite a few years, however I've only recently got into watching it, I watch the premiership but where I live there isn't a premiership team (Leeds Rhinos are closest but they're league) I'm not sure who to support, my parents weren't in to rugby and didn't support a team so I don't really know who to support, I'm not a glory supporter and I don't how Saracens are essentially a national team (no offence meant it's just how I feel) I like Ellis Genge so I think Bristol but Sale and Newcastle would be my 'local' clubs... I'm not asking for anyone to pick a team for me although I'm wondering how you all picked a team to support?

1. Porter
2. Kelleher
3. Furlong
4. Itoje
5. Martin
6. Beirne
7. Van der Flier
8. Doris
9. Gibson Park
10. Russell
11. Lowe
12. Tuipolotu /Aki
13. Ringrose/Jones
14. Feyi-Waboso/Graham
15. Keenan
16. Sheehan
17. Genge
18. Z. Fagerson
19. Lawes
20. Earl
21. White
22. M. Smith
23. Kinghorn

Wondering who you think has enhanced their England chances this weekend and who hasn't.

Haven't watched as much rugby as normal, so here's who I have:

Risers:

AFO : looked good in all facets today Rodd: Ditto

Roebuck & Carpenter: Busy and effective.

IFW: doesn't really apply as he's firmly 'risen', but thought he was excellent.

Roots: not his biggest fan, but played well.

Hill: powerful both sides of the ball

Fisalu: high work rate and makes a bigger impact than you might expect.

Tuima: massive, took it to the bath pack.

Willis; looked strong in contact in a side that didn't play well.

Blamire: showed his all round class

Murley: looks rapid again.

Ibitoye: shower his best and worse aspects. Sometimes within the same move

Fallers

Joe Hayes: if you can't handle Rodd, international rugby may not be for you.

Dan: some quality touches, but not sure on set piece.

Tizard: not great in many ways.

I'm 14. I'm from Leicestershire and missed the Tigers DPP. Rugby is my passion, I always wanted to play professionally but I thought I was just being a stupid kid with dumb, unrealistic aspirations however now i'm realising i have a decently big chance. I'm being told there will be other opportunities but I literally have no knowledge of the 'other opportunities'. I've been playing since I was 7, I'm 6'3, ~80kg and play as a lock. I'm decently big and I'm also very fast (faster than a lot of my team's backs xD). I've been told by opposition coaches plenty of times that I am extremely talented for my age (although I have no idea how true it is).

Anyway, now you know a bit about me let's get onto the question.

Considering the fact I missed the DPP (wasn't given an opportunity as my school doesn't have a team and my club's coaches selected their own kids) I need to know when these 'other opportunities' I'm being told about will be available to me and a bit of information about them. As I said, rugby is my passion and i NEED to know how i can get to play professionally.

After a lot of nagging, my school has finally set up a team however I'm still too late for the DPP. We are going to be playing in the county cup so will there be any opportunities tied to this?

Any help/advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks :)

Anyone know when the home games go on general sale?

Without wanting to echo Andy Goode to much the nepotism of pulling a coach from the bottom of the Pro D2 to be England's defence coach to replace a coach we poached from the 2x world champs because he's Borthwicks mate is starting to look pretty dodgy. Also the fact that said coach won't be spending now until Feb working on the defensive strategy and and watching players because he's off coaching Oyanax. Would this really be allowed in any other multi million pound organisation?

What happens next?

England's defence at the world cup under sinfield was actually pretty good.. could we go back there?

Bring in Graham Rowntree?

Even though he's just been sacked hiring Omar mouneimne could be pretty defensible given the coaching style and the level he's coaching at...

I'm frustrated with it

https://chng.it/M95ZFZYRW6

Or to be more specific; are England not putting the right players into 12? For a while now, the best 12s in the world (with a few exceptions) have acted as a ninth forward, a second number eight. Aki, Danty, De Allende, Esterhuizen and Tuisova to name a few. The mould for most world class 12s is someone who can run hard, tackle harder, pick decent lines and chuck decent offloads. Outside perhaps winger, the position with England is most blessed is back row. Just in the past few years, our options for international 8 have been Earl, Billy Vunipola, Dombrandt, Mercer, Barbeary, Graham, Fisilau, Willis, and CCS (excluding/forgetting a number more). Considering our overwhelming depth in the back row and our lack of depth at 12, are England not being flexible enough at the youth grade to develop some of these upcoming players as inside centres? The debate for Ben Earl at 12 will rage on; for my money, it’s too late for him to transition, but players like Fisilau or Pollock - dynamic, quick, hard hitting back rows; could surely be transitioned to 12? Better yet, let’s change how we’re developing players in the u20s. Let’s make sure that we’re not leaving gaps in our future squads. Our issues at centre are a tale as old as time, why not share the back-row wealth we have?

Around the international windows, we naturally see a big spike in interest for rugby. There are so many England rugby fans who are big into the international games and that's great.

However, for the sake of the game in the country, what's really needed is more eyes on the domestic game. If you're a new fan of the sport who's got into it for the first time from these autumn internationals or a regular watcher of England but not the club game, please consider giving it a go and try to get into it between now and the Six Nations. All the games are available on the same channel as the autumn games so, unless you've been sailing the high seas to watch, you've got access to them.

Ultimately, the England team we all support relies on there being a strong domestic game in this country, producing good quality players. The only way that happens is if we support the leagues, even those who may be neutrals in terms of club affiliation.

Some of you will be England fans first and foremost and not have any particular interest in any club or player aside from how they may benefit the England team. That's perfectly fine! It's probably how the majority of English fans who weren't brought up supporting a club feel when they first start watching the club game.

With that in mind, I've tried to put together a little rundown of players to watch out for who England-only fans may not have come across and I feel may be challenging for international selection in the near to mid future. I've arranged them in order of club.

I'm sure I've forgotten some people or maybe you don't rate some of names so please feel free to tell me I'm an idiot!

Bath:

Guy Pepper 21: Flanker - was involved in the England A side earlier this year. Would surely have been picked against Australia A but for picking up a knock a week before the autumn started. Turnover specialist and surprisingly strong carrier. One of the names I'm 100% certain has a future at international level.

Max Ojomoh 24: centre (predominantly a 12) - Another who was picked for England A earlier this year but kept out due to injury. Very silky playmaking 12. Regularly plays alongside Ollie Lawrence for Bath. Not really a big body gainline monster but his all around skillset is excellent. Played some 10 and you can tell.

Billy Sela 19: TH prop - Part of this year's England U20 S Six Nations and World Championship winning side. Looks a cut above almost every other prop in his age bracket. That U20s side's scrum monstered every other scrum it came across this year, even the likes of France and South Africa. Almost certainly has an international future.

Kepu Tuipolotu 19: Hooker - Previously captained the England U18s. Looks absurdly athletic for a hooker. Genuine pace, strength and excellent ball handling. Will 100% play international rugby. Also qualified to play for Wales.

Tyler Offiah 18: Wing - the son of the great Martin Offiah (played both league and union for GB and England and the player "Swing Low" was originally sung by England fans for). Made his debut recently in the prem cup. May not get much immediate opportunity due to his age and the senior guys ahead of him. One for the future.

Ted Hill 25: 6/ lock - Been desperately unlucky with injury. For my money hes been the best 6 in the league this season. Hard as nails, makes metres through contact but this most noticeable thing is just how fast he is. Genuinely winger quick. Should have been capped this autumn. He's long overdue.

Bristol:

Gabriel Ibitoye 26: Wing - One of the most exciting players to watch in the league. Freakishly good offloading game. Very quick, strong through contact. Many people question his defence and the "nuts and bolts" of his game. Played for the England A team this autumn and was brilliant. My head tells me it's unlikely Borthwick ever picks him, but my heart wants to see it!

Fitz Harding 25: number 8 - Captains Bristol. In my opinion one of the most underrated players in the league. Can do it all as a number 8. With so many quality 8s knocking around I'm not sure he'll ever get capped but it could happen.

Joe Batley 28: Lock - Been in red hot from this season. Really exceptional running and offloading game for a lock. Injury kept him out of the England As after getting picked.

Exeter:

Greg Fisilau 21: number 8 - Not the biggest 8 in the world but a bit of an athletic freak. Extremely fast, very good try scoring record and absolutely bangs people in defence. Played for England A twice. Another I'm very confident has a test future. May need to bulk up a little before then though.

Paul Brown-Bampoe 22: wing - playing his first season of professional rugby after tearing up the university game. Has also played England 7s. Taken to it pretty seamlessly and has been a success story for Chiefs in an otherwise poor start to the season. Big, strong, quick, scores tries. One to watch.

Josh Hodge 24: Fullback - Played England A earlier this year. Lightning quick and plays with a real swagger (can come across as very cocky which is no bad thing). Capable of pulling rabbits out of hats. Cannon of a boot and a very accomplished goal kicker too. Some people question his defence and his bulk but nobody questions how fun he can be to watch.

Rusi Tuima 24: Lock - Not the tallest but an absolutely enormous human. The closest thing to Meafou we have playing in the prem. Not hugely fast but his sheer size means that he's a very strong carrier and his offloading game is also very strong. Nose for the try line as well. Another who's been involved in both England A games.

Zach Wimbush 21: centre and wing - he's a 6'6", over 110kg English centre. Been out with injury recently but has just returned. Frustratingly from an England POV seems to play most of his rugby at 13 and wing but can play 12 too. Supposedly also Welsh qualified.

Gloucester:

George Barton 24: Fly half and fullback - Taken a little while to really break through but has looked very good for a much improved Glos side this season. Has recently moved to fullback. Has an absolute howitzer of a boot and one of the best goal kickers in the league. I'd be surprised if he gets a call up but stranger things have happened.

Seb Atkinson 22: inside centre - Another English 12 who isn't necessarily the biggest bit of kit but an excellent play maker. Glos fans will tell you he should have made the England A squad and it's hard to disagree. With England's lack of depth at 12 he may well get capped in the future.

Jack Clement 23: back row - seems to have been around for ages despite being so young. Another ex age grade England player. Very strong ball carrier. For my money Glos always look better with him in the side.

Afolabi Fasogbon 20: Tight head prop - another from the all conquering England U20s side. For my money the pick of all the front row from the team. A physical monster. 6'4" and over 130kgs already. Very strong scrummager for his age and also a very high work rate. Played England A this autumn. You can bet your mortgage that he ends up playing test rugby. Genuinely could be England's starting tighthead sooner rather than later and then for the next decade.

Harlequins:

Cassius Cleaves 21: Winger - Hugely impressive at age grade rugby. Has unfortunately been unlucky with injury since and so not played as much for the first team as his talent deserves. Electric feet, extremely quick, deadly finisher. I think another who will be in and around the England squad before too long.

Oscar Beard 23: 13/ wing - Hard as nails. Quick. Scores tries. Can absolutely light guys up in defence. Positionally flexible. Imo could and maybe should have played at 13 for England this autumn. A matter of time until he gets capped.

Nathan Jibulu 21: hooker - rumoured to be off to Sale which is a pity for Quins fans. His lineout is pretty respectable but where he shines is in the loose. A real ball of energy and fierce in the carry. Could well play test rugby in future.

Will Porter 25: scrum half - Seems to have pushed Danny Care out of the starting side at Quins. Extremely quick service and has formed a really nice partnership with Smith at 10. Played for the England A side and was excellent. With England's scrumhalf position being so up in the air behind Alex Mitchell, it wouldn't shock me at all to see him in the Six Nations squad.

Lennox Anyanwu 23: inside centre - Had to bide his time behind Andre Esterhuizen at Quins but this year has been their first choice 12. Not the biggest lad on paper but a really hard ball carrier. Also can really light people up in defence. Rumoured to be off to France next season which would be a crying shame from an England POV but may benefit him in the long term.

Cadan Murley 25: wing - Perhaps the most overdue cap on the list. Been involved in so many squads without ever being capped. Fantastic winger. Has been top try scorer in the league before now. Lethal finisher and built like an NFL running back. Best traps in the league. Been unlucky with injury and the fact it's such a competitive position but surely at some point he gets capped. 5 tries in 2 games for the England A side won't hurt.

Leicester:

Finn Carnduff 20: back row - Captained the England U20s side. Seems like a proper workhorse back row player. Clearly has a bit of leadership too. Not the most exciting player on this list but in terms of someone to do the dirty work, he could be a great choice for the future.

Joe Woodward 21: inside centre - No relation to Clive! Come into the side this season and seems to have pushed Dan Kelly down the pecking order and has even kept Kata out of the side at times. Taken to senior rugby like a duck to water. Another English 12 who isn't the biggest but his all around game is really nice.

Emeka Ilione 22: back row - An ex age grade star. Been unfortunate with getting limited minutes at senior level. Athletically looks really good. Not the tallest which may have held him back from playing 6 in a set piece dominant team like Tigers.

Tom Manz 23: lock - Has just come into the club from The Championship and so far been really really impressive. Really big bloke, 6'8"and pushing 130kgs. A lot of depth ahead of him at Tigers but so far he's been excellent.

Will Wand 22: centre - recently joined from the championship and so far has looked very good. Quick, elusive runner, scores tries. Has some real test quality ahead of him in Izaia Perese but when he's played he's looked good. Unfortunately joined the club after Harry Potter had left which is a shame for commentary teams and headline writers.

Finn Theobald-Thomas 21: hooker - Another ex U20s player. Athletically seems very gifted though needs to work on his lineout throwing in my view. With Montoya leaving in the summer there could be an opening there to really cement himself in the regular match day 23.

Newcastle:

Jamie Blamire 26: hooker - Unlike the rest here has been capped by England before. Been a shining light for Newcastle for ages. Arguably should move if he has ambitions of playing more test rugby in future. Really complete hooker. Good in the set piece. Quick around the park. Good carrier. They should build a statue of him to be honest.

Ben Redshaw 19: Fullback/ Wing/ Centre - Been regularly playing senior rugby for Newcastle since last season. Says a lot for how highly they rate him seeing as he's so young. Tough for any back to standout too much in what has been such a poor side recently. Been a star for England U20s and captained the side as well. Another who may need to leave to fulfill his potential.

Northampton:

George Hendy 22: Wing/ Fullback: Saints are blessed with back three players at the moment (the entire back three Vs Japan were Saints players) but Hendy has been so good that he's really forced his way into the starting side. Big, strong, freakishly strong through contact, lightning quick, extremely ginger. Won man of the match in the prem final in the summer. Imo a travesty he wasn't in the England A side this autumn..

Archie McParland 19: Scrumhalf - hugely impressive for someone so young in a position we're not the strongest in. Extremely quick around the park, very good support lines, good kicking game, fast service. Will learn a lot from playing with Alex Mitchell. Id expect him to become Saints' replacement 9 by the end of season. Played England A this autumn. Another U20s player and another I think will be playing test rugby in the next few years.

Henry Pollock 19: Back row - Get excited. Probably the most hyped English player since Marcus Smith came through. Absolute age grade star. Injuries at Saints means he's played more this year than I think anyone predicted and hes picking up man of the match awards for fun. The guy could well go on to be not just a test player but a world XV candidate in his career if he can fulfill his potential.

Tarek Haffar 23: loosehead prop - played for the England A side twice now. Exceptional in the loose and good in the scrum too. Could well play test rugby.

Immanuel Iyogun 24: loosehead prop - seems like he's been around for ages but been hugely unlucky with injury. Similar story with Haffar. Could potentially force his way into the first team squad.

Curtis Langdon 27: hooker - Been the form hooker in the league over the last 12/18 months. May well have been selected in the Six Nations squad were it not for picking up a ban just before. Did play England A this autumn and scored the pick of the tries. Really explosive ball carrier and just plays with so much aggression. Imo should have been in the squad this autumn.

Sale:

Joe Carpenter 23: fullback - Toured with England in the summer. May well force his way into the England squad again. For my money a more complete fullback than Steward and maybe even Furbank though perhaps lacks a real standout quality.

Rekeiti Ma'asi-White 21: centre - been unlucky with injury so far in his senior career. Plays most of his rugby at 13. Not the biggest quy in the world but hard as nails and very strong through contact. Got that Polynesian strength.

Raffi Quirke 23: scrumhalf - has been capped before but ever since has been absolutely dogged by injury. Desperately needs to put a run of games together. For my money England's most physically gifted 9.

Ben Bamber 23: lock - Huge bloke. 6'9" and pushing 130kg. Late arrival to senior rugby but one to look out for, for his frame alone. He's not hard to spot. Been in and around the England A set up.

Saracens:

Tom Willis 25: number 8 - Has been capped before but only for a warm up game. Player of the season so far in the prem in my view. Most metres made. Most defenders beaten. Most carries. Near the top in turnover won. Jack Willis' brother. Baffling that he didn't get a senior call up this autumn. I'd have thought he's dead cert for the Six Nations but I thought that this time.

Tobias Elliot 21: wing - In his first season of senior rugby and has barely put a fut wrong. Extremely skilful, quick, scores tries. Ex age grade player and could well force his way into the international set up at some point.

Sam Spink 25: centre - Recent arrival from Western Force in Super Rugby. Cant say I know much about him but theres a huge amount of excitement around him. Has been out injured but is back fit now. Can play both 12 and 13.

Olly Hartley 22: inside centre - Serious unit, something we generally lack with English 12s. 6'4", pushing 110kg. Not just a big crash ball 12 though can do some of that. Has very good hands and also a knack for scoring tries. Wouldn't shock me at all to see him in the England set up soon. Has already played England A.

Hugh Tizard 24: lock - Made the jump from Quins to Sarries (bro thinks he's Tevez...). Perhaps didn't make the impact expected at first. This season though he's been a man reborn. Earned his spot in the England A side and has been fantastic all season. We're not blessed with loads of locks behind our main three so could force his way into the England reckoning.

Nathan Michelow 20: back row - Bit of an age grade star and has captained the side. Really strong all around back row player. Has had a surprising number of appearances for Sarries at such a young age, especially considering their absurd depth there.

Phil Brantingham 23: loosehead prop - Arrived from Newcastle in the summer. Hasn't played all that much due to injury so far but I believe is back fit now. Strong scrummager which is always needed.

Olamide Sodeke 19: lock - formed one half of the partnership with Junior Kpoku for the England U20s side which has to be the most physically imposing age grade locking partnership I've ever seen. He's 6'9", pushing 130kg. Unfortunate to pick up an injury before the England A game. Looks like a matter of time until he gets capped.

Let me know who I've forgotten or who has no place here!

Edit: the importance of supporting the club game is if anything even greater at Championship, National 1 and below levels. The importance of the lower leagues is massive to the England team and shown by the sheer number of current and previous players who cut their teeth in the lower league. It was remiss of me not to mention that.

Assuming everyone's fit, who would you be playing for the first match of the SN?

I was having a go in my head and it was harder than I thought.

Stuart

George

Genge

Martin

Itoje

Chessum

Underhill

Earl

Mitchell

M Smith

Lawrence

Freeman

Sleighthome

IFW

Furbank

Fasogbon (harsh on AFO, but from what I've seen Id have Fasogbon ahead.) LCD (I'm not convinced by Dan, yet) Baxter Hill CCS Randall Ford Slade

No Willis feels wrong. But couldn't bring him straight in for Earl away against Ireland and think CCS.

I want to find a place for Pearson, but can't.

Backs on the bench feel wrong. But still think Ford is a great option against Ireland and we need center cover.

So, Borthwick as six left who would you pick? I think this will emerge in the next couple of years as the squad fills out.

I go for

Now:

Asher Opoku-Fordjour

Ollie Sleightholme

Next:

Afolabi Fasogban

Will Porter

Future:

Henry Pollock

Olly Hartley

But...

Finn Carnduff has to be super close in the future category. Also Tom Pearson, Tom Willis.. it's really quite a hard bunch to nail down.

I've had a go at reviewing some of the lad's autumns and whether their stock has risen or fallen. Feel free to tell me I'm talking rubbish!

Winners:

• Stuart: has looked the best he's ever looked for England, especially in the set piece.

• Underhill: in the endless back row selection debates he often seems to be overlooked. Reminded everyone what an absolute warrior he is.

• CCS: Continues to improve. Still not sure he's an 80 minute man but has become probably England's most effective carrier in tight. Also developed into a really solid lineout option.

• Marcus Smith: Nailed on starter now for England. Some may disagree but I think England's attack has looked in general much better than it has done in recent times. Has really leaned to pick his moments so much better and seems so much more comfortable at this level

• IFW: Continues to be absolutely box office. Shame we didn't see him against the Boks and Japan.

• Sleightholme: Just has a nose for the try line. Very strong through contact and absolutely lightning quick. Really should be in any match day squad either starting or in the 23 shirt moving forward.

• Lawrence: Not his greatest series but when he's been able to get the ball in a little space he's been effective. I thought he was excellent against Japan. Physically dominant, great angles, lovely offloading game. Used too much like a Manu 2.0 and it's not really his game. Should be wearing 13 and playing there on both sides of the ball.

Losers

• Martin: for my money hasn't looked up to his usual level. Seemed a little short of match fitness. We know what he can do though so I'm not worried.

• Isiekwe: One lineout steal against Japan and it's hard to think what else he's done. Doesn't offer anything like the impact needed. I'd like to have seen Alex Coles used at least in one game. Need Chessum back. It's not all on him by any means but I think there's a reason the last 20 minutes we've really struggled. The bench in general has been very poor.

• Dombrandt: I've been an advocate for him for ages but ultimately I can't help but think he's had his chance now. Yet to really do anything in an England jersey. I'd be very surprised if he's in the Six Nations squad.

• JVP and Randall: Its not ideal for them to keep chopping and changing at 9 but I don't think either had a good autumn to be honest, certainly nothing that will make Mitchell concerned for his space. I think we're crying out for someone to really put their hand up as his understudy. As it is, you could make a fairly unconvincing case for any of the 9s this autumn.

• Slade: Decent showing today ball in hand and there have been a few nice touches. Defensively he looks way too exposed though. The lack of a proper 12 is really hurting us in my opinion and I think he should be the centre to miss out if England decide to select someone like Dingwall for the Six Nations. He also was clearly not quite fit which doesn't do him any favours.

• Controversial take but Steward: Only played against the Boks but it in my view it completely encapsulated him as a player. What he's great at, he's genuinely world class. There's no denying it. What he's poor at that, he really is very poor at for a test level fullback. I think should be used going forward as a tool for a very specific job against specific teams but I don't think should be selected as England's first choice fullback.

• Ford: We know how good he is but ultimately was involved in far more bad moments than good. Calls to drop him from the squad seem a little over the top but I think should be third choice at 10 moving forward. Another rushed back from injury and it didn't pay off.

• Cole: Whisper it quietly but looks a step below Stuart now in the scrum. Offered very little in the loose as well. May well okay in the Six Nations but I can't help but think that says more about England's lack of depth than his performances.

/ Wall of text

There is so much negativity around English rugby atm, some of it warranted, some it not. This is the chance to create some positive feedback following the ANS.

To be clear there are plenty of criticisms I have atm around selection, tactics and coaching but this is not the place

Here is my non-exhaustive list of suggestions:

1. Marcus Smith is clearly an international standard fly half and whenever he's been playing 10 for England they've put in more than competitive performances against some of the best teams in the world

2. Ollie Sleightholme came into the ANS inexperienced and unproven at international lvl. 4 tries in 5 games and solid performances in every game show he is ready to start at international lvl if and when required

3. Will Stuart has performed well this ANS and has firmly solidified the TH position. Might have AOF on his shoulder in the near future but he can hold his head high this autumn

4. The width of a post and the catch of a restart change the entire narrative around England completely

5. England now goes into the 6 Nations underestimated. Nobody expects them to win the tournament and the pressure is off to an extent