Weaknesses of that England team.
Backs
Freddie Steward (15)
• Can be exposed in wide defensive channels
• Predictable kicking game (often deep and central).
• Limited creativity as a playmaker — doesn’t often link attacks.
Tom Roebuck (14)
• Test inexperience; decision-making under pressure still developing.
• Quick, but his defensive positioning may be a problem.
Ollie Lawrence (13)
• Direct but sometimes one-dimensional in attack.
• Can overcommit in defence and leave space outside.
• Distribution and offloading skills not natural parts of his game.
Fraser Dingwall (12)
• Physically lighter than many Test 12s — can be bullied in contact.
• Limited pace and kicking threat reduce tactical variation.
• Struggles to impose himself when the game gets loose or fast.
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (11)
• Still learning positional nuances — especially in backfield coverage.
• Can over-chase defensively and miss inside threats.
• Occasionally isolated after line breaks; support play developing.
George Ford (10)
• Defensive liability versus bigger carriers.
• Effectiveness drops when forwards lose collisions.
• Can over-control tempo and blunt England’s attack when momentum dips.
Alex Mitchell (9)
• Box kicking remains inconsistent.
• Defence around fringes can be exploited by strong pick-and-go sides.
• Sometimes rushes play when under scoreboard pressure.
Forwards
Fin Baxter (1)
• Limited international scrummaging experience.
• Can struggle against heavy, technical tightheads.
• Physicality at ruck and maul still developing.
Jamie George (2)
• Lineout throwing wobbles occasionally under stress.
• Mobility declining; not as dynamic around the park as before.
• Fades in impact during long defensive phases.
Dan Heyes (3)
• Scrummaging inconsistent versus elite looseheads.
• Doesn’t offer much in open play; carrying impact low.
• Can be slow to realign defensively.
Maro Itoje (4)
• Discipline — prone to giving away breakdown penalties.
• Tries to do too much at times, reducing efficiency.
• Lineout effectiveness has been patchy since 2021.
Alex Coles (5)
• Inexperienced at Test level.
• Still learning physical edge needed for top-tier packs.
• Lineout timing and lifting coordination under pressure developing.
Guy Pepper (6 / 7)
• Tremendous energy but can be overzealous at breakdown — penalty risk.
• Decision-making under fatigue still maturing; sometimes chases lost causes.
• Carrying game limited — not a natural ball-carrier or line-breaker.
• In defence, can shoot out of line too early and leave gaps.
Sam Underhill (7)
• History of injuries limits minutes and consistency.
• Offers little in attack beyond hard carries.
• Occasionally overcompetes at breakdown and concedes pens.
Ben Earl (8)
• Not the heaviest No.8 — can be dominated by massive packs.
• Sometimes takes unnecessary risks in attack.
• Defensive positioning at scrum and kick transitions inconsistent.
"The Pom and One Kiwi Pom Squad"
Luke Cowan-Dickie (2) – Dynamic but lineout throw still unreliable; durability concerns.
Ellis Genge (1) – Can lose discipline; scrummaging sometimes unstable when chasing dominance.
Will Stuart (3) – Reliable scrum anchor but lacks mobility.
Chandler Cunningham-South (6/8) – Explosive athlete but raw tactically; defensive reads need polish.
Tom Curry (7/8) – Returning from long injury layoff; timing at breakdown and discipline rusty. But I rate really rate.
Henry Pollock (7)
• Very promising but extremely inexperienced at senior level.
• Can be outmuscled physically by Test-standard forwards.
• Tends to overcommit at ruck, leaving defensive gaps.
• Work rate excellent, but still learning when to hold shape instead of chasing every contest.
Ben Spencer (9) – Reliable but lacks tempo and unpredictability compared to Mitchell.
Marcus Smith (10/15) Defence remains a bit dodgy; can struggle to impose structure off slow ball.
No specialist lock, midfield or wing cover. It's an odd bench.
he has "it"
