Brumbies close to securing finals berth

Nick you're the best analyst on here but seem to be going out of your way to be obtuse. I said that I thought England should go back to the irish-style attack they were running in last year's six nations.

The fact that he passed the ball 47% of the times he got it sounds quite low. Probably explains why those outside him were starved of possession.

It used to be only the Pacific Islands, but now that extends to NZ, Oz, and Boks - all of whom have a ready source of parent and grand-parent qualified players.

The reality is that rugby is a job, and you need to maximise your income over a very short playing career. So good luck to the likes of Burke (and Aki, JGP, Lowe, Tom Jordan, Jack Dempsey, Taine Plumtree, Duhan VDW, etc); they are simply doing what's right for them and their families.

And we in the Sth have to lump it, and clearly, the next cab off the rank will be Hoskins S, who knocked back the ABs on the recent tour, so I think we can expect to see him running onto the field in English colours shortly.

It makes International rugby a little bit of a joke when you see the Nth sides running out with these players, but it is what it is.

Getting ahead of Marcus Smith shouldn't be too difficulty if Borthwick picks based on merit, but it's entirely impossible if he continues to pick on the basis of who the media tell him to

They threw it away completely and went to an Irish style attack in the 2024 six nations. That went badly for the first few games, but came good in the end. At the end of the 6N I thought England should build on that gameplan with just minor adjustments. They didn't. They threw it away completely and went over to a Labit/Quins style attack for the rest of 2024 and it has been an unmitigated disaster.

These are just bald assertions without foundation I'm afraid. International coaches don't just pick those styles like sweets from a sweet shop!

In particular you're neglecting the impact of the type of D Felix Jones was trying to introduce, which demanded most of England's training energy at the time.

That meant the attack got relatively little attention in the early stages of the 6N, and they turned the corner by using a turnover based attack v Ireland.

You cannot play an Ireland attack and a Springbok D at the same time, even Leinster are discovering that one!

Quick look at stats from Marcus' last 7 games with England:

run - 28%, pass - 47%, kick - 25%

First 8 games with Quins:

run - 22%, pass - 54%, kick - 24%

Very similar distribution allowing for the looser Prem. So you're plain wrong. Sorry.

And the residency rule should be extended to 7 years. I have no issue with a youth who moved to a new country and was developed as a player by his adopted country playing for that country after 7 year’s residency. He would still be 25 or younger when eligible and just entering his prime.

Additionally If you play U20 for a national team then that country developed you, paid for your development ,and should capture your international eligibility.

But this will never happen as Ireland, Scotland, and Wales would not be competitive if they could not bolster their national teams with Kiwis, South Africans, and Aussies.

Not difficult to see what Burke’s priority is. He will never win in a World Cup playing for England or even reach a semi-final with Scotland.

But hey, he will retire a very rich man.

A year ago I favoured England building on the gameplan that worked against Argentina and SA, with just minor adjustments. They didn't. They threw it away completely and went to an Irish style attack in the 2024 six nations. That went badly for the first few games, but came good in the end. At the end of the 6N I thought England should build on that gameplan with just minor adjustments. They didn't. They threw it away completely and went over to a Labit/Quins style attack for the rest of 2024 and it has been an unmitigated disaster. I think the personnel England have available are best suited for a return to the Irish style system, with the kick-heavy tactics retained as a backup.