England's problems and potential solutions

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There is no doubt England have been poor in the world cup. Why?

Who do you think are at fault?

Is it the lack of talent in English rugby? Not in my opinion. In recent years we have consistently been one of the best countries in JWCs, have been arguably the best in the U20s 6 nations. Could it be the England management not picking enough of the best players in the AP?


It does strike me as odd that the England juniors match the SH on a regular basis, beating South Africa and Australia yet our seniors look clueless.

Is it simply poor selection in key areas?

Glaring weaknesses like the backrow and centres stand out like a sore thumb.

A heavy reliance on out of form players like Youngs and Wilkinson.

Why do England's players seem so mediocre?

Do you think it's the gameplan?

Why are the Welsh and Irish playing so well and we aren't? I cannot believe that their players are simply better. If they were we wouldn't trounce Wales' juniors on a regular basis.

maestegmafia wrote:

AsLongAsBut100ofUs wrote:

maestegmafia wrote:

stlowe wrote:Beshocked, I quizzed you on this elsewhere, but how can you go for Morgan at 8?

Quite aside from him not plying his trade in the AP, making his selection unlikely, he's entertaining playing for Wales, so I would question his dedication to the England shirt, and there's what I've said before:

A lot of praise was heaped on Morgan last season, but he hasn't really been tested. He barely featured in their HC campaign (just the Treviso games) and he's yet to face Heaslip, O'Brien or Leamy. Thomas most definitely got the better of him when Ospreys beat Scarlets 60-17 last.

No different to Toby Faletau who is one of the best number eights in the world right now...!
The days of England picking an international team full of hardened HEC winners stopped nearly ten years ago. English rugby as a club game isn't where it was. One English team always does well in the HEC but not several like ten years ago.

Living in past glories will not help you build for the future.

maesteg, I wouldn't go quite that far just yet - he's playing very well, and is part of an outstanding backrow unit, but I think he's got a way to go before he can be considered in the same light as Parisse, Harinordiquay, Read, etc. - I believe that he might get there if he carries on like he is tho

He just out played Harinourdiquy and Heaslip two of the best. I guess we will have to wait for the match ups against Ried and Parisse.

Wouldn't argue with that at all, but we need to see him doing it consistently as those four do