ENGLAND BACK 3 SELECTION | Summer Tour 2024 | Time to Attack? 

Jordie Barrett played mostly in the back three at club level until he was asked to play at inside centre. Steward is a big fellow ............

With the exception of Ollie Lawrence, we'll likely lack punch from centre. So knowing that, at least 1 winger has to be power based. I'd opt for Fewo Waboso and Sleighthome. M. Smith and Freeman as 22 and 23 cover everywhere

Incredible that Cadan Murley isn't even in this conversation

Slightholme, IFW on the wings with Freeman to start at centre with Lawrence. Furbank at fullback as a speedy second playmaker. This would be so much faster and more powerful than anything we've had since 2019.

I think I heard the Smith to Full-back thing was a Kevin Sinfield idea which makes sense as Smith fits the model of a Rugby League attacking/creative Full Back like Reece Walsh.

I wholly agree with your thinking on “the 6” - although I think your reservation on Furbank is very Borthwick-like and super safety-minded. Furbank can rise to the challenge - and must get 2 starts against a so-so All Blacks attack. Feyi-Waboso and Freeman as first choice wings all day long!! And Sleights and Daly in reserve, with the Marcus Smith option as a tactical reshuffle is about as good as we can get. Centres will be trickier.

Got to tip my hat here, couldn't agree more with all 7 of those picks for the summer. When you look at those names on paper it really does get you excited for what's ahead!!

Such a shame Waboso doesn’t play centre. His power running would be awesome there.

Daley has been a great servant for England and is still be a very fine player but it is time for the likes of Freeman / Feyi / Furbank and Northmore to be selected ahead of him.

I’d have Freeman at 13, alongside Lawrence at 12. He’s looked great for Northampton there and I think he could be wasted on the wing. Roebuck is a must, for me, at either 15 or on the wing…. as is IFW on one wing. That leaves one spot up for grabs 😆 (I’d rather it go to a flyer). Maybe F. Smith at 10 and M. Smith at 15? 🤔

Smith is a fly half, first and foremost. As a Quin I love Marcus Smith, and he's comfortable at Full back like you say but it's not a long term prospect for me. Him and Fin should be who we build the tam around for the next four or eight years. As a 10 he's brilliant, we know what he can in attack but his defence at times this season has been standout as well; his goal kicking has also been class and he's showing much more of a game management brain now. Hes developing nicely, it's about time he had a run with England at 10 again to show how much he's matured and changed because I think he has. As for selecting a back three, at the moment Id go Murley, Waboso and Furbank; but from your choices Id say Sleighthomme, Waboso and Furbank. The All Blacks are a team you need to meet with attack, not defence. lean in to the attack everywhere. Pick Marcus at 10, Ollie at 12, Freeman 13, Sleighthomme 11, Waboso 14 and Furbank 15. Malins is my utility back on the bench (I want to move entirely from Elliot Daly and he's a good fit for that)

Loving this content Rich.

Furbank has been brilliant defensively this year and he's fine under the high ball. I think we judge some of these players negatively against Steward who is a freak in the air, but these other players have much stronger all round games

Why would anyone consider Marcus Smith as a fullback?

Agree about having some experience to help at the back, Eliot Daly is a good choice. You mention some exciting players, SB should pick them and let them see what they can do.

Spot on to me well selected

I would suggest that there is a convincing reason for Borthwick’s changes and it was about evolution NOT a complete U-turn. To get the highly risky change in the D strategy working, he needed time and also older or conservative heads…safe pairs of hands in critical positions such as scrum half, fly half and full back until the confidence in defence grew. Then he could unleash the more exciting options that he was ultimately aiming for.

Best version imo would be Furbank 15 and then Freeman/Feyi-Woboso on the wings with Sleightholme/Smith on the bench. Furbank has been awesome this season with his all-round game looking incredible. Freeman/FW are both power-heavy but know the system and their work rate is huge. They're also both comfortable floating off the wing and finding work around rucks which means they can occasionally slot in at centre as big carriers. Sleighholme has a lot of prove at the international level, learning the defensive system and under the highball. I could see him getting used similar to FW did and being dropped in as an impact sub in a few games.

11. Sleightholme 14. Feyi-Waboso 15. Furbank 22. M.Smith 23. Daly/Freeman

I think England are looking quite good. They will not be a pushover, and I doubt many would say otherwise to.

Hendy must be in with a shout.

Whomever you pick they'd better be able to tackle cause the NZ backline will be smoking this year with talent everywhere.

Agree with your top 4, must go on tour wingers. I do fear Freeman doesn't have the pace needed for an international wing and might get exposed against NZ. That said, I really like his game and think he's better suited to playing 13. Sleightholme and Feyi-Waboso are my first choice pair. The 15 shirt is still wide open. I think Daly's the best option right now, but understand Furbank may well get the nod. That shirt is crying out for a younger player to make it their own.

Good choices, though I see M.Smith being selected as a fly half, so there could be room for another option.

Good question! Freeman Waboso Smith/Furlong or Stewart if the oppo loves the high bomb

I agree with your four... Freeman does not have the pace to deal with the Kiwi or SA wingers so for me he goes as either a 13 or 15 cover. My back 3 for Japan would be Slightholm and Roebuck on the Wings with Furbank at 15, I'd have Freeman on the bench and wrap Feyi-Waboso up in cotton wool... I'd start one Smith and have the other on the bench and have Northmore and Lawrence in the Centres... I would not take Daly, Cole, Marler or Ford on tour and try to come out of it with a clearer idea of who should be in our squad for the next few years... I'd also take Cokanasiga and Radwan (we need to develop him into the Kurt-Lee Arendse of England)

Disappointed Ibitoye was not given a chance

Absolutely agree with your picks Rich, apart from Daly. I'd take Hendy instead, as a wing / fullback option for a few minutes here and there. Surely more valuable to give him game time and train with the squad than play a guy who will be dropped sooner or later.

I think Sinfield gets the credit for trying Smith at full back. Agree with your selections and I share your concerns about Furbank. I actually think Freeman is the best 'safe' bet at 15.

I also have a question mark over Furbank. Yes he has ignited our attack but he seems to run away from support and gets turned over. Interested to see if Roebuck goes. It will then be a shoot-out between Freddie and Roebuck. Freddie just shades it for me atm. Although it will be very interesting to see whether Malins gets a shot at 15. Not sure he would be my pick but Bothers is obviously having a look.

11. Freeman 14. Feyi-Waboso 15. Furbank 22. Smith 23. Hendy/Daly Alternatively, 15. Steward and then 23. Furbank as a 10/15 utility cover. Maybe that works with a 6-2 split but unless injuries or till we play the Springboks, I don't think Borthwick will pick a 6-2 for a while

Yea Borthwick will change strategy, only after wasting time on unsuitable players and pressure from everyone outside the camp..not convinced about ibitoye or Hassel collins, or cockanasiga for that matter..for God's sake not Daly 😂 Muir, or murley, Hendy is a definate future player

Good run down. Agree on your bolt on tour picks. Ollie has really staked his claim. Fin over Marcus at 10 for me, Furbank at 15 too, but you kinda have to take Marcus… Manny is insanely good, has to go. Don’t necessarily see a reason to take the more senior players with so much young talent in the mix, Daly is out for me, doesn’t have the pace anymore. Hendy is a growing option but yeh maybe in the future.

Freeman, IFW and Furbank have been class and deserve to keep their shirts this summer. Sleightholme has to be taken due to his form and probably deserves the Japan game. Murley's had an injury hit season and is probably missing this summer but i think at his best he's shown himself to be a class above Roebuck. Roebuck clearly the next best though and should tour. Probably should just cap him against Japan to ward off Scotland. Steward's the next best 15.Ford has been doing a good job but he'll be 34 at the next world cup. time for both Smith's to be trusted with the reigns at 10

I guess the one name not discussed is James Ramm. English qualified now. Could be an outside bet in these days of changing allegiances. I suspect, we will see not too much change from the 6 Nations, which might indicate the omission of O Sleightholme who I feel has to go. He would start for me, but given that he wasn't chosen for the England B Team might suggest he might have to wait his turn. I say that because Borthwick does tend to be very loyal to his initial picks for previous squads. I do hope i'm wrong on this. My starting 3 would be O Sleightholme, Faye-Waboso and G Furbank. My expected choice by Borthwick would be T Freeman, Faye-Waboso and Furbank. I was surprised that T Roebuck was not chosen on the bench for the six nations to get some sort of game time. I would leave out Daly, i think it's time to move on there. So O Sleightholme, T Roebuck, Faye-Waboso, J Ramm, G Furbank, F Steward and G Hendy. T Freeman as an Outside centre.

Feyi waboso has to be on 1 wing his power is elite, would like to see him come off his wing abit more like penaud

For the summer tour of NZ I’d like to see: Mitchell, F Smith, Lawrence(Wimbush for Japan),Freeman, Roebuck, Hodge, Feyi-Waboso Bench: Quirke, M Smith, Murley

Sleightholme, Feyi Waboso & Furbank for me, then bring in Tyrone Green next year with the view to building towards the WC.

Roebuck is not fast enough for an international winger. Classy player, but not enough pace.

No Murley?

Good time to be playing NZ, they'll be mud for at least the first half of this cycle.

Murley???

Is Anthony Watson injured or just not selected?

Speed is best option :Arudle Hodge

how are you not mentioning Cadan Murley?

Radwan, Arrundel, Fey Wabooso

Why are people still selecting daly in the comments?? he was 54th in tries b4 WC, then 103rd before 6 N and still get selected b4 our electric wingers, , he has no pace, never kicked anything with his big left boot🙈🙈!! ?? If that blunt /useless daly gets anywhere near this supposed transgressing squad, I’m done with SB!!

Just stop it, will you? How can you still be talking about Daly? How many times does he have to fail to step up from his club form? He is a liability in defence, apart from anything else. Surely now is the time to give new talent the chance?

Freeman I’d rather play at 12 than Steward. Everyone talks about Stewards lack of pace. But he also lacks the ability to pass. His confidence is at an all time low, needs a year off to re build at club level. Freeman is too slow as an out and out winger, so for me either 12 or bench option.