England team for 6N against Scotland

England play their first match of the Six Nations away to Scotland on the 4th of February, who would you pick? I know there is a lot of water to go under the bridge before then and we don’t even know who will be team manager, but I think there is a space for debate.

Would you like to see a manager pick the same players that have failed in the World Cup? The majority of them helped win England their first 6N crown in 8 years after all.

Would you just throw the results to the wind if a manager came in with a vision and picked a team of youngsters?

Is the result everything? We haven’t won up in Scotland since 2004 (Jeez time flies!), is a win now imperative? After all, momentum can be a good thing. If we win against the Scots we have Italy away and the potential to be top of the table going into the Wales match at Twickenham.

One thing is for sure, new blood needs to be introduced, but who and where?

Keep in mind:

• Jonny Wilkinson, Tom Palmer and James Haskell are playing abroad so aren’t eligible to be picked.

• Andrew Sheridan had more shoulder surgery, ruling him out for six months.

• The age/ injury records of some players like Simon Shaw, Lewis Moody, Nick Easter, Mark Cueto, Louis Deacon, Mike Tindall and Lee Mears.
  

Pretty hard to tell at this point, I can see allot of the old heads in our team retiring or being dropped over the next year.

Retirements : Simon Shaw, Mark Cueto
Dropped : Lewis Moody, Mike Tindall, Lee Mears(3rd string anyway)
Ineligible: Wilko, Palmer, Haskell.

I can see Nick Easter being captain of England next, but probably only for the 6 nations.

As to new blood, hopefully some of the form Premiership players will be put in the mix over the coming months. Cant really comment on that as domestic rugby has taken abit of a back seat for me while the world cup has been on.

One change I would like to see is Mark Cueto replaced for Charlie Sharples. Inside center is still a problem, hopefully someone will put their hands up in the next few months. Fly half? Would like to see Owen Farrell given a shot.

The main areas you have to fix for this 6 nations would be the backrow and your 12. The backrow has no balance so you have to look at the likes of Robshaw, who I think would help fix that with his high workrate. At 12 you have a ton of options to try, but honestly I would start with Allen. I think his partnership with Tuilangi will work wonders for England, and he may not be flashy but he will put Tuilangi in positions to terrify the opposition.

This will be probably the most important match of the 6N for us. Up here we love it when the English come to visit, the banter and good nature of the fans is a veneer that hides the fierce rivalry beneath the surface.

The opening game of the 6N for both England and Scotland being the calcutta cup clash makes it extra special.

From a Scottish point of view there is an awful lot of rugby to be played between now and then with Pro 12 , HC and Jeff games to be played between now and then, however with Key Scottish players expected to perhaps call it a day (Hines, Parks, Paterson) Scotland's team could look quite differant.

A lot of the fast paced Strike Runners at Edinburgh and Glasgow have put their hands up for selection too, the likes of Scott, Hogg and Jones I reckon will all be in contention for Selection this 6N and they can bring some much needed guile, pace and flair to the Stagnant Scottish backline.

England too will have some big decisions to make. Backrow being a key one since their backrow has some huge talent but is lacking a specialist fetcher. This weakness was brutally exposed by the better teams you faced in the world cup (Scotland, France and Argentina).

Get the breakdown sorted and I reckon England have a good chance of winning the 6N.

Corbisiero
Hartley
Cole
Lawes
Atwood
Johnson
Wallace
Narraway
Care
Flood
Barritt
Tuilagi
Ashton
Foden

To quote Cilla, There's a lorra, lorra rugby to be played yet before we get to 6N

But... hey ho...

1. Corbisiero
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Lawes
5. Parling
6. Croft (Captain)
7. Wallace
8. Haskell
9. Young
10. Flood
11. Strettle
12. Allen
13. Tuilagi
14. Ashton
15. Foden

bathmad wrote:Corbisiero
Hartley
Cole
Lawes
Atwood
Johnson
Wallace
Narraway
Care
Flood
Barritt
Tuilagi
Ashton
Foden

For a minute there I thought you'd put Flood on the wing! Missing a winger bud.

I reckon

1. Corbisiero
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Lawes
5. Attwood
6. Croft (C)
7. Wood
8. Narraway
9. Youngs
10. Flood
11. Sharples
12. Allen
13. Tuilagi
14. Ashton
15. Foden

Metal Tiger wrote:To quote Cilla, There's a lorra, lorra rugby to be played yet before we get to 6N

But... hey ho...

1. Corbisiero
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Lawes
5. Parling
6. Croft (Captain)
7. Wallace
8. Haskell
9. Young
10. Flood
11. Strettle
12. Allen
13. Tuilagi
14. Ashton
15. Foden

Wallace would be a big call, the lad has played well for Quins, but is it too early to bring him in? It would be good to have a genuine openside again.

Haskell will be playing in Japan and it is unlikley that he'll be considered for selection.

1.Corbisiero
2.Hartley
3.Cole
4.Lawes
5.Parling
6.Croft
7.Robshaw
8.Easter (Haskell unavailable, possibley Narraway if fit and in form)
9.Youngs
10.Flood
11.Short
12.Barritt
13.Manu
14.Ashton
15.Foden

Bench; Thompson, Stevens, Deacon, Wood, Care, Hodgson, D Armitage. I'd keep the bench experienced to start with and then bring in further youngsters as we can. Scotland are a tough team and we'll need grunt and pace to play against them.

RuggerRadge2611 wrote:This will be probably the most important match of the 6N for us. Up here we love it when the English come to visit, the banter and good nature of the fans is a veneer that hides the fierce rivalry beneath the surface.

The opening game of the 6N for both England and Scotland being the calcutta cup clash makes it extra special.

From a Scottish point of view there is an awful lot of rugby to be played between now and then with Pro 12 , HC and Jeff games to be played between now and then, however with Key Scottish players expected to perhaps call it a day (Hines, Parks, Paterson) Scotland's team could look quite differant.

A lot of the fast paced Strike Runners at Edinburgh and Glasgow have put their hands up for selection too, the likes of Scott, Hogg and Jones I reckon will all be in contention for Selection this 6N and they can bring some much needed guile, pace and flair to the Stagnant Scottish backline.

England too will have some big decisions to make. Backrow being a key one since their backrow has some huge talent but is lacking a specialist fetcher. This weakness was brutally exposed by the better teams you faced in the world cup (Scotland, France and Argentina).

Get the breakdown sorted and I reckon England have a good chance of winning the 6N.

It's good to see a Scottish fan talking with optimism, there seems to have been a bit of a depression over Scottish rugby. I remember watching the Edinburgh vs. Northampton game in the HC cup last year and being really impressed with the dynamism and quick play that Edinburgh achieved, it would be good to see them bring that to the international stage (Not against England though, eh? )

Chastise me, disagree with me, agree with me...let's have my fellow 606'ers views...

15 Foden
14 Sharples
13 Tuilangi
12 Allen
11 Ashton
10 Farrell
9 Youngs
8 Haskell
7 Wood
6 Croft
5 Palmer
4 Lawes
3 Cole
2 Hartley
1 Corbisiero

01. Alex Corbisiero
02. Steve Thompson
03. Dan Cole
04. Courtney Lawes
05. Dave Attwood
06. Tom Croft
07. Dave Seymour
08. Carl Fearns

09. Ben Youngs
10. Toby Flood

11. Chris Ashton
12. Brad Barritt
13. Manu Tuilagi
14. Charlie Sharples
15. Ben Foden

16. Dylan Hartley
18. Dave Wilson/ Joe Marler
19. Tom Wood
20. George Robson
21. Owen Farrell
22. Danny Care
23. Henry Trinder

I know people would say that Fearns isn’t playing 8 for his club. But I’d argue that he has been playing really well for Bath and his previous career suggests he is a no.8 playing flanker rather than the other way around.

tomhughesnice wrote:I can see Nick Easter being captain of England next, but probably only for the 6 nations.

i think he will struggle to get into the side tbh...

Good team except Palmer and Haskell wont be picked due to playing abroad. I'd have Narroway or Guest in for Haskell and Robson/Deacon or Parling in at lock.

I don't think we're ready for Farral starting, especially when he looks better at 12 then 10. He does make the perfect bench prospect though.
Flood has to start and be given a good run of games at 10, I expect him to grow as he goes on.

Lastly I'd have Barratt at 12 over Allan any day.

I think Johnson was right in his policy of bringing new young lads into the squad and we need to keep going with that, but think it is now time to handover the captaincy & kicking duties to younger men.

tomhughesnice wrote:
"I can see Nick Easter being captain of England next, but probably only for the 6 nations."

Croft for captain.

Easter is too slow and there are far better ball carriers in England at mo. I'm hoping we are really going to commit to having proper dedicated 6, 7 & 8 like Croft, Wallace & The Brand (if available) or Robshaw.

Would you say Croft is a cert in the team though? I'm not sure I would.. I think Robshaw should replace him at 6.

Who´s the captain with no Moody in the side?

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Who´s the captain with no Moody in the side?

That's the brickwall I keep coming up against, the team isn't exactly flowing over with leaders is it? I'd probably say Hartley, but if Steve Thompson stays fit I'd have him starting so... Dunno.

cabbagesandbrussels wrote:Chastise me, disagree with me, agree with me...let's have my fellow 606'ers views...

15 Foden
14 Sharples
13 Tuilangi
12 Allen
11 Ashton
10 Farrell
9 Youngs
8 Haskell
7 Wood
6 Croft
5 Palmer
4 Lawes
3 Cole
2 Hartley
1 Corbisiero

I've thought about a Croft/Wood backrow combination too. I'd like to see how it would work out, but I have a niggling doubt. I worry that they are both light-ish weight and neither are really and out and scrappers on the floor. I'd be worried about losing the breakdown.

I think Foden would make a good captain but it has to be Croft surely

As posted in another thread, I reckon:

1. Corbisiero
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Lawes
5. Attwood
6. Croft (C)
7. Wood
8. Narraway
9. Youngs
10. Flood
11. Sharples
12. Allen
13. Tuilagi
14. Ashton
15. Foden.

With the likes of Care, Trinder, Robshaw, Farrell on the bench. Can't think of a full 22 without knowing who will be available.

Yeah that´s the problem for me. Steve Thompson is getting on and your captain should be a definite starter each week.

I think this has been England´s problem for some time: they lack experience and leadership after the retirement of so many senior players in 2003. No one can doubt the heart of Moody nor his temperament but to me he isn´t a genuine fetcher and the balance of the backrow suffers as a result with his inclusion. I was impressed by Wood (suit you sir) when Moody was injured.

Lastly, I don´t think Flood should be cast aside so easily. Up until that Ireland game he was the form flyhalf of the tournament. Since then he hasn´t rediscovered that form but that doesn´t mean he should be cast aside.

Cumbrian wrote:It's good to see a Scottish fan talking with optimism, there seems to have been a bit of a depression over Scottish rugby. I remember watching the Edinburgh vs. Northampton game in the HC cup last year and being really impressed with the dynamism and quick play that Edinburgh achieved, it would be good to see them bring that to the international stage (Not against England though, eh? )

Don't get me wrong mate, I'm gutted we went out of the RWC when we did and although we did not play well against Georgia or Romania I think we played pretty well against England and Argentina and were pretty unlucky not to get more out of one or both of those matches. I'm under no illusions that scoring tries is the biggest problem we have at the moment but I reckon if we can get a decent 12 we will be at the races.

England have a similar kind of problem in the backrow. Your tight 5 is strong although I felt you missed Sherridan in the latter stages of the RWC. You also have good half backs and almost any centre combination that does not involve Hape is a good one. Finally with Foden, Armitage and Ashton your backline is very strong.

The problem comes at 6,7 and 8 and despite having very good players I don't think the combination has been right once. I would have this :

6. Croft (chopper)
7. Wood (Fetcher)
8. Narraway (Carrier)

Narraway brings more in terms of support running and can carry well, wood is Pacy and a handful at the breakdown and Croft tackles well and can carry and scramble for the ball on the deck.

I think most of us would agree on about 11 or 12 positions, with the debate being mainly about who partners Lawes in the 2nd row (can be picked on form as we seem to have a few reasonable options), and who take the 8 and 12 jerseys.

12 seems to be a case of pick one from 4 or 5 and see how they go - I think Barritt and Allen are probably slightly ahead of the likes of 36 or JT-H in the pecking order at the moment, but 4 months more club form could swing it towards any of the above. Not quite an embarrasment of riches, but at least several viable options.

8 is rather different, with a lack of outstanding candidates to even try to stake a claim for the shirt.

I've wondered for the last couple of years why Croft hasn't been given game time (at least by Leicester) in the #8 jersey - with his athleticism, open field and lineout ability he seems to be the closest we have in England to a Parisse / Harry Ordinary type of player. Perhaps with Crane's absence, there might be the opportunity for him to be tested there.

Would you say Croft is a cert in the team though? I'm not sure I would.. I think Robshaw should replace him at 6..

There was much made about England not needing Croft during the 6N with the way Wood and Haskell were playing but the minute he came back into the side we realised what had been missing. His try against Scotland was excellent and in the RWC warm ups against Ireland he had a cracker. The RWC was a pretty dodgey affair for pretty much every English player bar Manu but I wouldn't say that replacing Croft with a more defensive minded player is going to help things, pairing Croft with a more defensively minded player however...

Foden
Ashton
Tuilagi
Waldouck
Sharples
Flood
Care

Fearns
Robshaw
Croft
Attwood
Palmer
Cole
Hartley
Marler

Corbisiero
Webber
Deacon
Wood
Youngs
Farrell
Joseph

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Would you say Croft is a cert in the team though? I'm not sure I would.. I think Robshaw should replace him at 6..

There was much made about England not needing Croft during the 6N with the way Wood and Haskell were playing but the minute he came back into the side we realised what had been missing. His try against Scotland was excellent and in the RWC warm ups against Ireland he had a cracker. The RWC was a pretty dodgey affair for pretty much every English player bar Manu but I wouldn't say that replacing Croft with a more defensive minded player is going to help things, pairing Croft with a more defensively minded player however...

I reckon pairing Croft with Robshaw would work really well. 8 would still be an issue though. Has that Ben Morgan guy given any further indication as to who he wants to play for? Given current performances Wales would be more attractive, but on the other hand we need a new 8 some time soon, and they've just got Faletau playing brilliantly there.

Was Croft really that brilliant against Ireland? He seemed fired up, but I seem to remember him giving a whole load of penalties away. Our back row was pretty terrible for the whole tournament as well. Croft could be amazing for England, but they don't seem to have worked out how yet.

RuggerRadge - Wood isn't really a fetcher. He's pretty similar to Croft in style.

Wallace has looked really good for us recently, but we'll see how he goes when the World Cup players show up in the Premiership. It could be a very interesting battle for a back row spot between him and Fa'asavalu.

Cumbrian....

Interesting you've gone for Seymour...as a actual 7. He's never really fulfilled his potential, and yet now at Sale he finally seems to be producing...and he's Captain aswell.

Wallace is another interesting shout. Is he too young....not if he's good enough and still performing to this standard come the 6n.

The back row for me is the real area of concern: whats the right balance...and whats the right personnel...but i do like yours Cumbrian...though im a big fan of Tom Wood.

1 Corbs
2 Hartley (Still think he needs a few monster games!)
3 Cole
4 Lawes
5 Attwood (if he regains his form)/ Parling?/ ??
6 Croft / Wood
7 Wallace
8 Fearns

9 Youngs / Care
10 Flood
11 Wade / Sharples
12 Barritt / Allen
13 Tuilagi
14 Ashton
15 Foden

The fact that many positions have more than one name, shows im just not sure who to pick....

dummy_half wrote:I've wondered for the last couple of years why Croft hasn't been given game time (at least by Leicester) in the #8 jersey - with his athleticism, open field and lineout ability he seems to be the closest we have in England to a Parisse / Harry Ordinary type of player. Perhaps with Crane's absence, there might be the opportunity for him to be tested there.

Probably a bulk issue. If the scrum goes backwards you want your 8 to be a strong carrier from the base and get you back on the front foot. If you're confident of that not happening then he could be an option though. From defensive scrums it could be useful as he'd be in a better position to use his pace to race across the field to the first phase breakdown.

When Northampton played Edinburgh in the HC last year I remember Wood being very effective at the breakdown.

It's not always that easy to see what's going on from 8 especially if you are having to get your head in and push which is why Tigers tend to leave him at 6 from there he can launch himself at the half backs. He doesn't really have the bulk to pick up from the base under pressure either. I did wonder whether we might see an experiment a couple of years ago when Tigers finished the season light on locks and Croft was playing the second row. Would have made sense to have the bulkier Crane pick the ball up from an attacking scrum but have the quicker Croft on the back of a defensive one but we never saw it happen.

I'd like to see the Sarries winger Short given a go as he seems to have more strength and leg drive than the likes of Sharples and Strettle which might suit the lack of space on the international scene more. Barritt is currently the form English IC so I would like to see him given a run of games alongside Manu which would at least keep the midfield solid in defence.

tomathy

Pretty sure that Croft is bigger than Harry O (can never spell his name properly, hence the Brian Moore-esque abbreviation) and about the same size as Parisse. Neither of them seem to have issues with cleaning up bad ball, and indeed their extra pace probably offsets their relative lack of bulk (and noting that the French pack in particular is not particularly big), because they can get beyond the fringing defenders rather than having to go through them (a la Nick Easter). My point really is that the best modern 8s are more athletic rather than the bulky bruisers of a few years ago, and Croft seems to be the closest we have to this blueprint.

I'm not saying it would definitely be effective, and we are certainly some way away from picking TC as an 8 for England (as others have argued, you can't pick someone for an international in a position they don't play a lot at club level) , but it's an experiment I'd like to see Leicester try out.

Yeah i think Wood is particularly strong at the breakdown.

I was one of those really pushing for a flank pairing of Wood and Croft, but i think it would be too light.

I might be inclined to go with Wood at 6, who i think is stronger than Croft at the breakdwon...he was awesome against Ireland in the 6n...in a team getting beasted in every area.
THen have some power at 8...Fearns looks to be the peoples choice...

I think Fearns will be the next long term 8.

According to the fountain of all knowledge that is Wiki Imanol is 6ft3 and 16 stone 7 compared to Croft's 6ft6 and 16 stone 7 where as Sergio Parisse is 6ft5 and a whopping 17 stone 9.

So Croft is taller than both and substantially lighter than Sergio, which could explain why he isn't quite as powerful in contact. I suppose it might be an interesting experiment but unlikely to be one trialed by Tigers.

Anthony Allen has been immense for us - however he is no more than a very good club player, and thus in my opinion should not be in the England team.

Cumbrian - I like your loose forward pairing.

Interesting that Manu seems to be nailed on in the eyes of most posters.

Assuming that MJ is still the coach, do England supporters think that there is any chance Brad Barritt and Owen Farrell will be picked as a centre combination? Doesn't it make sense to try this out? If you need a new 12, then why not ease the transition by giving him his club partner.

They've been smoking so far this season.

cabbagesandbrussels wrote:

tomhughesnice wrote:I can see Nick Easter being captain of England next, but probably only for the 6 nations.

i think he will struggle to get into the side tbh...

Yeah maybe, I just think Tindall and Moody will no longer feature for England. So usually captain goes to the next most experienced guy unless someone truly exceptional stands up. An I personally like a captain to a least captain his club first before captaining his country.

So that leaves Hartley, Easter and Thompson I believe. I personally like the captain to be a forward and a good ball carrier, thats why I think Easter will fill the role.. But only for the six nations. I think Easter is very Skilled, but hes just not enough of an athlete to compete with the best.

Either one of Croft and Wood (in the original selection) would need to be a ball carrier, which neither are. Yes they're quick, but they don't punch holes. Wood is not a natural 7, so that experiment needs to be stopped.

In the other thread of the same, I picked Johnson at 6. That's because we need a grizzled, hard edge ball carrier in the back row, and he's been doing the business for Exeter once again so far. In fact part of an extremely impressive Exeter pack.

Narraway has been an excellent captain for Gloucester, and should be one of the first names on the sheet given that England seem intent on ignoring Dowson.

Also as I forgot a winger in my original list, it would either be Sharples (although that would be on the wrong wing for him) or Short.

Croft, Robshaw, Parling, Easter, Hartley, Deacon and Narraway could all be options if you want a player that has captained there club side. Parling, Narraway and Robshaw might not be ideal choices as they aren't nailed on yet and Deacon is now 30 with a laundry list of previous injuries so might not be a good idea either.

Interesting that Manu seems to be nailed on in the eyes of most posters

He was our best player at the RWC by a distance and is only 20 I doubt anyone would want to see him dropped.

I cannot see the likes of Palmer.and Haskell, will be any where near because they are playing abroad.

Inside centre, would like to see Barrit, and would also like Goode, in the side Barrit at 12 Goode regards Inside centre/Full Back.

Regards 8 like to see probably Crane, and Forgot his name now Saints 8

For the wings Sharples, Cato.

Has for captain Hartley for now.

formerly known as Sam wrote:
He was our best player at the RWC by a distance and is only 20 I doubt anyone would want to see him dropped.

Perhaps he needs to be dropped so that MJ can send a message basicly saying, act like a clown and you won't be in my 1st XXII

"Perhaps he needs to be dropped so that MJ can send a message basicly saying, act like a clown and you won't be in my 1st XXII."

Or if you actually play well, with enthusiasm and ability and directness...you will get dropped!

Assuming Easter, Moody & Tindall call it quits, Haskell, Palmer & Wilkinson are not considered due to being foreign mercenaries and Sheridan is injured I would like to go with

Corbisiero, Hartley, Cole
Lawes, Parling (hope he regains fitness & form, big fan)
Wood, Croft (capt), Narraway
Youngs, Flood
Barritt, Tuilagi
Armitage, Foden, Ashton

Thompson, Stevens, Attwood, Robshaw
Care, Farrell, Sharples

Really struggled with a back up 10/12 and left Thompson in because England haven't done any planning for the next generation of hookers, maybe Grey at Quins.

If MJ and the same coaching staff are still in charge then I would expect the following

Stevens, Thompson, Cole
Lawes, Deacon
Wood, Croft, Waldrum
Youngs, Flood
Hape, Tuilagi
Armitage, Foden, Ashton

Hartley, Corbisiero, Botha, Fourie
Care, Hodgson, Cueto

majesticimperialman wrote:I cannot see the likes of Palmer.and Haskell, will be any where near because they are playing abroad.

Inside centre, would like to see Barrit, and would also like Goode, in the side Barrit at 12 Goode regards Inside centre/Full Back.

Regards 8 like to see probably Crane, and Forgot his name now Saints 8

For the wings Sharples, Cato.

Has for captain Hartley for now.

I think Crane has a pretty serious long term injury, Saints number 8 is Dowson. Cato before Ashton? I'm a Saints fan but Hartley needs to cement his place before being captain and not a big fan of hookers as captain anyway, prefer captains in a position where they are likely to play the full 80 minutes.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Cumbrian....

Interesting you've gone for Seymour...as a actual 7. He's never really fulfilled his potential, and yet now at Sale he finally seems to be producing...and he's Captain aswell.

Wallace is another interesting shout. Is he too young....not if he's good enough and still performing to this standard come the 6n.

The back row for me is the real area of concern: whats the right balance...and whats the right personnel...but i do like yours Cumbrian...though im a big fan of Tom Wood.

1 Corbs
2 Hartley (Still think he needs a few monster games!)
3 Cole
4 Lawes
5 Attwood (if he regains his form)/ Parling?/ ??
6 Croft / Wood
7 Wallace
8 Fearns

9 Youngs / Care
10 Flood
11 Wade / Sharples
12 Barritt / Allen
13 Tuilagi
14 Ashton
15 Foden

The fact that many positions have more than one name, shows im just not sure who to pick....

Regarding Seymour, I’m a big supporter of the idea that players can develop/ mature into good players at different stages of their career. Look at Tom Johnson at Exeter. He’s matured into one of the finest flankers in the Premiership at 29, yet a couple of years ago he was a relative unknown. The same goes for Tom Palmer who was a decent Premiership player, but scratchy at international level. Seymour is in the form of his life and at 27 has got 5/6 years good rugby in him; I’d like to see him get a shot.

Saying that, I’m a big fan of Wood too, but I’m of the opinion that it is an either/or with him and Croft with one of them on the bench.

I expect there to be big change in the second row with Palmer being unavailable and Shaw (presumably) retiring. There are also questions about Deacon’s place in the squad ( I also seem to remember he was suffering with a long term back injury too). So we could be looking at replacing 3 out of the 4 World Cup squad locks. That is an awful of international experience gone from the engine room and replacements MUST be a priority.

With the way England suffer with injuries I‘d like to see them blood enough people to get them covered. To me this is an opportunity rather than the curse it would have been a couple of years ago, we’ve actually got some decent young locks now. I’d pick 3/4 from:

Courtney Lawes (Northampton)
Dave Attwood (Bath)
Matt Garvey (London Irish)
Geoff Parling (Leicester)
George Skivington (Leicester)
Graham Kitchener (Leicester)
Ed Slater (Leicester)
George Robson (Harelquins)
Mouritz Botha (I can see him being called up TBH)
Christian Day (Northampton)
Joe Launchbury (A bit young, but I would maybe have him at the fringe of the squad because he WILL be an England player at some point)

Skivington and Kitchener haven't shown much form so far this season and Slater is looking good but might well be to green for an international call up at the minute. Give him another season, he'll then be 24 and will have had two seasons in the Tigers first team with HEC and possibley a Saxons run out.

As a Welshman I hope England stick to the current management team and style of play. The game has moved on and is a lot more dynamic than it was even a couple of years ago. England have the players to play the right type of game, they just need the right management to pick them. I know that the French team must have been rubbing their hands when Lawes and Haskell were left out for Easter and Palmer.

George Carlin wrote:Cumbrian - I like your loose forward pairing.

Interesting that Manu seems to be nailed on in the eyes of most posters.

Assuming that MJ is still the coach, do England supporters think that there is any chance Brad Barritt and Owen Farrell will be picked as a centre combination? Doesn't it make sense to try this out? If you need a new 12, then why not ease the transition by giving him his club partner.

They've been smoking so far this season.

I think Manu is being widely considered to be first choice because he offers everything that most English posters have been after in a centre. He is strong, direct and can break tackles, but he also has decent hands and can spot what is in front of him. If/ when England find and inside centre to bring him into the game, he’ll be an excellent target for the midfield/ forwards.

Speaking of which, I believe some experimentation at 12 must happen. If Johnson is still in charge he has shown that he has lost faith in Hape (and most other coaches probably didn’t have that in the first place). Tindall will probably retire or be moved on. (surely he can’t be still an option?). With Wilkinson not being available, Flood will be the no.1 Fly half. Unless the Banahan experiment is persevered with, all of the World Cup options are pretty much accounted for.