Original source: The Good, The Bad & The Rugby
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England's back row has long been a source of strength, but could a regional showdown finally settle the debate on the best combination? The drafted teams present compelling, and contrasting, arguments.
Star-Studded Back Rows Drafted for State of Origin Concept, Highlighting England's Depth
The back-row selections for the regional draft showcased England’s phenomenal depth, with each team assembling a formidable unit. The North combined Guy Pepper, Tom Curry, and Zach Mercer, while London & South countered with the powerful trio of Ben Earl and the Willis brothers. The Midlands opted for a balanced combination of Ted Hill, Will Evans, and Henry Pollock, with the Southwest selecting Greg Fisilau, Sam Underhill, and Joe Owen.
The sheer quality of these fantasy selections, underscored by the notable omissions of players like Alex Dombrandt and Billy Vunipola, illustrates the intense competition for places. This exercise highlights not only a significant selection headache for the national team but also that there's a lot of potential in the product should such a regional rivalry ever be realised.
"So many good back rows haven't got a game yet."
George Ford's Northern Eligibility Questioned as North Drafts Key Playmakers
The North squad solidified its backline by selecting Dan Kelly and Sam James in the centres before naming its crucial half-back pairing. George Ford was chosen at fly-half with Ben Spencer at scrum-half, a combination favouring Spencer’s control and kicking game over other available options. The selections were not without contention, as challenges were raised regarding both players' regional credentials.
The choice of Ford sparked a debate over regional loyalty, questioning whether his northern birthplace outweighed a southern upbringing. This type of dilemma, where it's mate against mate, state against state, is central to the State of Origin concept and highlights the complex identities of modern professional players.
"He was born in Warrington. He moved to London at 11. And now he plays up there. I'm going to side with 10s here because if you met him, you wouldn't necessarily go... I've given you Farrell."
Engine Room Powerhouses Selected, with Martin and Chessum Tipped as Dominant Pairing
The crucial second-row positions were filled with a mix of established titans and rising stars across the four regional teams. The Midlands secured the formidable Leicester Tigers partnership of George Martin and Ollie Chessum, while London & South paired Maro Itoje with the explosive Chandler Cunningham-South. The North, meanwhile, opted for the promising duo of Tom Burrow and Ben Bamber.
The selection of Martin and Chessum was highlighted as particularly potent, a duo seen as key to Leicester's Premiership hopes and a combination that England has sorely missed. Their complementary skills showcase the ideal modern second-row partnership that can dominate a game.
"I think he's probably the player that England have missed most this year. George Martin's the sort of player that can dent a defensive line when he's got no right to."
Southwest Draft Sparks Controversy with Audacious Bid for Manu Tuilagi
The Southwest team made a straightforward selection at fullback, picking Tom de Glanville, and added Bath-born Henry Arundell on the wing. However, the team then made a contentious move by attempting to claim Manu Tuilagi for the other wing, citing his England qualification as the sole justification and deliberately opening a can of worms regarding the draft's eligibility rules.
This provocative selection deliberately tests the spirit of the competition, arguing that a star like Tuilagi must be included for the good of the tournament. It highlights a classic tension in representative sports: should regional purity be sacrificed to ensure the biggest names are on the field?
"Because he's England qualified and none of you have picked him, I'm laying dibs to Manu Tuilagi. If we're looking to build a great tournament, we've got to have Manu Tuilagi in there, haven't we?"
England's Front-Row Depth on Display as Regional Teams Draft Pack Cornerstones
The foundational front-row units were selected, revealing different strategies across the regions. London & South opted for a powerful, experienced trio in Beno Obano, Jamie George, and Will Stuart. In contrast, the Midlands backed youth with Handre Myburgh* and Kepu Tuipulotu alongside the in-form Joe Hayes, while the Southwest picked a fiery combination led by Ellis Genge and Luke Cowan-Dickie.
The selections demonstrate the impressive depth England possesses in the front row, from seasoned internationals like George to emerging talents like Tuipulotu. These initial picks set the tactical tone for each fantasy squad, laying the groundwork for dominance at the set-piece.
"I'll go for my hooker first, and that's the easy choice, Jamie George. It's a decent front row, that. That is a good front row."
Steward Edges Furbank in Midlands Draft as Teams Select High-Flying Back Threes
The opening draft selections focused on the back three, with the Midlands facing a difficult choice at fullback between Freddie Steward and George Furbank. Steward ultimately secured the number 15 jersey based on his strong recent form, joining wings Tommy Freeman and George Hendy. The North opted for Josh Hodge at fullback, flanked by the powerful Will Muir and Tom Roebuck.
The debate over the fullback position for the Midlands mirrors the current selection dilemma facing England coach Steve Borthwick. The draft also highlighted the increasing depth of talent available on the wing, a position now showing significant promise with a new generation of players emerging.
"I've got probably my hardest decision as the first one at fullback, and it's probably Steve Borthwick's hardest decision at the moment between Freddie Steward and Furbank."
Owen Farrell and Alex Mitchell Paired for London & South, Sparking Scrum-Half Debate
The London & South team secured a formidable half-back pairing, selecting Owen Farrell at fly-half and Alex Mitchell at scrum-half. The choice of Mitchell was asserted as picking the country's number one in that position, immediately prompting debate over whether he has surpassed Ben Spencer as England's top scrum-half, who was drafted by the North.
This discussion highlights a significant shift for English rugby, which now boasts a wealth of options at scrum-half after years of reliance on Ben Youngs. The rise of multiple contenders signals a new era of intense competition for the number nine jersey, a rivalry that would be on full display in a regional championship.
"Is he the number one nine in the country at the moment? Yes, he is. Who starts against South Africa? I think Ben Spencer is the best nine we've got at the moment."
Farrell's Regional Loyalty Debated as London & South Drafts Him at Centre
In a move that immediately drew scrutiny, the London & South team drafted Owen Farrell at inside centre, pairing him with the power of Joe Cokanasiga at outside centre. Farrell's selection sparked a debate about his regional affiliation, pitting his northern roots and rugby league upbringing against his southern schooling, which ultimately qualified him for the team.
The argument over Farrell's eligibility embodies the 'mate against mate, state against state' tension at the heart of the State of Origin concept. It raises the question of what defines a player's identity—birthplace or formative development—a common point of contention in representative sport across the globe.
"It would be very interesting to say to Owen, 'Do you want to play for the north or do you want to play for London?'"
Summarised from The Good, The Bad & The Rugby · 1:04:56. All credit belongs to the original creators. The Good the Bad and the Rugby summarises publicly available video content.
