The RFU is on high alert once again, preparing for any potential pitch invasions at the Allianz Stadium – the venue formerly known as Twickenham – during the highly anticipated Autumn Internationals.
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Pitch-Perfect Disruption?
If you remember, the 2023 Premiership final between Saracens and Sale was interrupted by an Extinction Rebellion protester. And let’s not forget, just last week, three people faced charges for storming the pitch at Wembley during the Champions League final that same year. Clearly, pitch invasions are becoming a bit too common for comfort.
Lockdown Mode for the 2024 Premiership Final
Fast forward to the 2024 Premiership final: security was cranked up to 11, and thankfully, the event sailed smoothly. But don’t get too comfortable – even more reinforcements are expected for England’s upcoming fixtures against New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and Japan.
No Pitch Invaders, Please!
Ahead of the 2024 Premiership final, Premiership growth officer Rob Calder assured us, “The RFU are clearly responsible for anything that happens of that nature, so they’re all over it. Fingers crossed we won’t see anything like that again.” RFU security is, according to Calder, “very aware of the threat.”
With England set to kick off their Autumn Nations Series against New Zealand before clashing with Australia, South Africa, and Japan, all eyes (and security cameras) will be on the Allianz Stadium. Let’s hope the biggest drama stays on the pitch!
England’s 36-player squad:
Forwards
Fin Baxter (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Ollie Chessum (Leicester Tigers, 23 caps)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers, 115 caps)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Sale Sharks, 41 caps)
Chandler Cunningham-South (Harlequins, 7 caps)
Ben Curry (Sale Sharks, 5 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 53 caps)
Theo Dan (Saracens, 14 caps)
Trevor Davison (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 17 caps)
Ben Earl (Saracens, 33 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 31 caps)
Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears, 62 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 93 caps)
Nick Isiekwe (Saracens, 11 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 84 caps)
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 95 caps)
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 15 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 41 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 38 caps)
Backs
Elliot Daly (Saracens, 69 caps)
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso (Exeter Chiefs, 6 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 11 caps)
Ollie Lawrence (Bath Rugby, 27 caps)
Alex Lozowski (Saracens, 5 caps)
Luke Northmore (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 7 caps)
Tom Roebuck (Sale Sharks, 1 cap)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 65 caps)
Ollie Sleightholme (Northampton Saints, 2 caps)
Fin Smith (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 35 caps)
Ben Spencer (Bath Rugby, 6 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps)
Jack van Poortvliet (Leicester Tigers, 14 caps)
Rehabilitation: George Ford (Sale Sharks)
Not considered for selection: Alex Coles (Northampton Saints), Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby), Fraser Dingwall (Northampton Saints), Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints), Will Muir (Bath Rugby), Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby), Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks), Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks).
EDITORS PICKS
- Statement: South African front row joins Exeter Chiefs
- Former England star Nick Easter questions three omissions by Steve Borthwick
- Danny Care selects his British & Irish Lions XV, picks the “best scrum-half”
- 20 Greatest Rugby Stadiums In The World [Ranked]
2025 Six Nations fixtures confirmed, England handed worst possible start
As per this year, the 2025 Championship will see BBC and ITV sharing coverage in the UK, with S4C offering Welsh language options. France Television will be the home of the Championship for French fans, RTE and Virgin Media will once again cover the games in Ireland. In Italy, Sky Italia will continue their coverage of the Championship in 2025. The host broadcast coverage will also be complemented by widespread international broadcast coverage and a World Feed service.
Commenting on the 2025 Guinness Six Nations fixtures, Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said:
“The Guinness Men’s Six Nations is an appointment to view each year, delivering blockbuster entertainment for fans all over the world. The Championship never fails to deliver unpredictable excitement and experiences for fans to look forward to and then savour.
“The announcement of the next instalment of fixtures is always keenly anticipated by fans, and with tickets now available for the 2025 fixtures, coupled with extensive broadcast coverage of the games, fans can already begin looking forward to what is in store as the action for the remaining rounds of this year’s Championship plays out.”
2025 Siz Nations Fixtures
ROUND 1
- Friday 31 January
- France vs Wales – 8.15pm
- Saturday 1 February
- Scotland vs Italy – 2.15pm
- Ireland vs England – 4.45pm
ROUND 2
- Saturday 8 February
- Italy vs Wales – 2.15pm
- England vs France – 4.45pm
- Sunday 9 February
- Scotland vs Ireland – 3pm
