England back row

Well, after yet another thoroughly unenjoyable 80 mins watching England put my nerves through the mill, the time has come surely to settle on a first choice match team, not least in the backrow. The other area of uncertainty at halfbacks looks a bit more settled with Flood coming on later in the game when defences are beginning to tire, but the back row still has me concerned.

Haskell is not a number 8 and despite Lols views, IMO never will be. Croft was outstanding today and has cemented his place on the blind side but Moody doesn't link with the backs as a true number 7 should and Haskell seems more intent on showing his muscles than using them. I felt a lot more comfortable when Easter came on at 8 as his guile and strength ensures ball retention.

I'd be intersted to hear what are the views on our best backrow from the squad in NZ and beyond.

In those conditions, Waldrom was the best no8 in the squad. Howeber I do not really want to see him playing for England - though admittedly he is just as English as Thom & max evans are Scottish.

For the rest of the WC - I expect to see Croft/Moody.Easter v France, and if we get to the Semis - Haskell come back for Easter.

Post WC I would love to see Wood playing, but he is not an openside and Croft is vital to the lineout (and as I agree with the OPs sentiments as to Crofts play today - he was Englands stand out player). Could a Lawes/Croft second row survive at international level? Probabloy not.

"Could a Lawes/Croft second row survive at international level? Probabloy not"

Is Lawes as good as everyone thinks...Palmer made such a difference when he came on?

GeordieFalcon wrote:"Could a Lawes/Croft second row survive at international level? Probabloy not"

Is Lawes as good as everyone thinks...Palmer made such a difference when he came on?

Lawes is work in progress - and anonymous today, Tom Palmer, yes made a difference today, however is unlikely to make RWC 2015.

I've long backed Easter, I think he's always shown great vision and footballing ability. He hasn't been performing for more than a few games now though, and whilst he is good on the front foot he can disappear a bit when under pressure, plus he seems to be giving away more and more penalties these days (2 in 25mins today, 2 in the Argentina match and 3 in the Welsh warm up).

Haskell doesn't have some of the abilities of a classic 8, but he's been showing good workrate (leading tackler today, 11 in 60mins, Easter made 1 in his 25mins) and not giving away so many penalties (2 in his last 3 games, 3 in his last 6, compared to Easter's 7 in his last 3, 10 in his last 6), which given our problems at the breakdown and in discipline, I feel is more important at the moment.

I dont think that Moody will be in the England side much longer after todays game any way.

Easter seems to have lost his pace since he wnet bungie jumping.

I would like to see a backrow of Croft, Wood,Haskell/Waldrom (prefare Haskell first though)

I cannot agree with niwatts enough.

I find this talk of bringing Easter back in genuinely depressing. He doesn't hit rucks, he doesn't make enough tackles and he gives away more penos than someone with a 'good rugby brain' should.

Yes Easter has better control at the back of the scrum and good hands, as well as good power from slow ball...but why are we content with slow ball?! If we get people to the breakdown quick enough with enough dynamism, we don;t need Easter to trundle it up.

Haskell HAS to play in the backrow. His workrate has improved hugely in the last 12 months, he can now carry, tackle and ruck and has been our most consistent forward over the last few months. We don't have specialists in the backrow who compliment one another, the next best thing is 3 guys who do the lot to a decent standard.

Croft - Wood - Haskell - the balance isn't perfect but it's the best we've got.

what back row

Its the one that Easter cant get into - the guy who scored 4 tries in one match in a test against some team a few years ago

senghenydd1913 wrote:what back row

Ask a grown-up.

LondonTiger wrote:In those conditions, Waldrom was the best no8 in the squad. Howeber I do not really want to see him playing for England - though admittedly he is just as English as Thom & max evans are Scottish

Come off it, Stevens is South African, so is Fourie who might have been there if not injured, then there is Hape, Tuillagi and many others before them. If you want to whinge about imports, at least start by asking how Dan Parks has amassed over 60 caps?

I just get depressed when Easter comes on, the only thing he offers over Haskell is being more steady at the back of a scrum. I never get the feeling that Easter may make a game changing tackle or run, Haskell is capable of doing these.
I completely agree that wood, haskell and croft is our best back row at the moment.