Mike Brown - England

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If Mike Brown doesn't get included in the England squad for the six nations, then whoever is selecting the squad is a moron. He has been the most outstanding full back in the Northern Hemisphere this season and for a full back scores a load of tries.

He is solid in defence, not afraid to put in big hits and his cover defence is outstanding. However in attack he has really improved, his pace which used to be a big question mark is nothing to worry about any more, Brown has serious gas with thanks to Margot Wells, who he has sprint training with. His running lines are fantastic, his vision impeccable, he has an eye for the gap and he can't stop scoring at the moment. He also has a big left boot which Quins can depend on to get them out of sticky situations.

He is a must for England and I would slot him in straight at full back. However there is one minor problem for Brown: he has Ben Foden ahead of him in the pecking order. However if England want to benefit from having two absolutely class full backs, I think that England should do with Foden what New Zealand have done with Cory Jane. Rather them shifting him to the bench to accommodate Israel Dagg, they have put Jane on the wing. I think Foden could make a top notch wing for England and a back three of Brown, Ashton and Foden could be very dangerous, especially on the counter, whilst in defence England would be even more solid. with Foden able to drop back when Brown goes forward on one of his stereotypical surges.

15. M.Brown (Quins)

14. C.Ashton (Saints)

11. B.Foden (Saints)

whoops meant Evans.

I think, not sure mind, that Rodders reference to D'aRcy was a joke

Payne is injured for the rest of the season - hence the need.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:

HammerofThunor wrote:Who?

Halfpenny for Wales looks more dangerous than Foden and has less experience at 15.

What is it that everyone sees in Halfpenny? What makes him so good? I know his long-range goal kicking is exceptional, but what other aspects of his game? I have watched so many of his Welsh games and Blues, but he's never really hugely impressed me.

I thought Stoddart was brilliant for Wales at fullback before the WC, and it was such a shame about his injury.

Foden is streets ahead of the other FB's in the NH. He's one of the few top draw players England have, Brown is well behind him imo

i dont get it with halfpenny either, his got a big boot.
Foden is miles ahead of any other FB in the NH and probably in the top 5 in the world. Possibly top 3.

Only player during the world cup who brough excitement every time he got the ball. runs it from anywhere, always beats the first man, links well with other team mates

Funny that its only the english who think he is the top FB in the NH. Top 3 in the world? Sorry but that is laughable. He would be up there with the top FBs in the HEC possibly, but he would certainly not be number one and definitely not in the top 5 full backs in the world. IMO anyways.

As for Halfpenny, he is a threat with the ball and very good at counter attacking. Much like your man Foden, except I prefer Halfpenny as he is more solid.

FullBack wrote:i dont get it with halfpenny either, his got a big boot.
Foden is miles ahead of any other FB in the NH and probably in the top 5 in the world. Possibly top 3.

Only player during the world cup who brough excitement every time he got the ball. runs it from anywhere, always beats the first man, links well with other team mates

That is the most ridiculous thing I have read on these forums. You either only watched England matches or an entirely different RWC from anyone else. Did you not see Dagg or Beale? If you did, you could not possibly make such a statement. I don't even think Foden had a good world cup compared to his usual standards.

i meant of the England team

Foden didn't have a good world cup, at all. Very few of the backs did (except Tuilagi). I'm not saying he's the best in the NH, but there's no denying, Foden is very good. Maybe not world class, but he has time on his side.

Still not convinced by Halfpenny. I think Stoddart was a really threatening during the warm ups, as I said, such a shame about his injury. He would have added a great dimension to the Welsh team's play.

Incidentally, aren't most rugby players 'a threat with ball in hand' ?

FullBack wrote:i meant of the England team

That is a fair enough statement then, though I still standby what I said about him not playing to his usual standards.

Rory_Gallagher wrote:Funny that its only the english who think he is the top FB in the NH.

That's not the case though, he's made a very large number of home nations supporters teams of the tournament for 6N & HC, and starting Lions XV selections this last year or so. Dig up any old thread on the subject and I think you'll find he was generally the most selected player across the nations.

Halfpenny is not a better fullback than Foden, ridiculous statement really. Although I like Halfpenny as a winger, he's looked nothing more than decent at FB.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:Halfpenny is not a better fullback than Foden, ridiculous statement really. Although I like Halfpenny as a winger, he's looked nothing more than decent at FB.

And in my opinion, that is a ridiculous statement. He played very well at 15 and I hope to see him progress in the shirt. I prefer Halfpenny to Foden, and if I was picking my lions team I would rather see Halfpenny at 15.

Thankfully you don't pick the Lions side!

I do rate Halfpenny as an excellent FB but Foden is one of the most dangerous players in world rugby on current form.