606 Picked the England Team

Merry Christmas Everyone. Here is the line-up you selected, with a bench that is partly made up of your votes/comments.

Corbisiero
Hartley
Cole
Lawes
Attwood
Robshaw
Wood
Easter
Youngs
Flood
Sharples
Barritt
Tuilagi
Ashton
Foden

Gray
Stevens
Robson
Croft
Care
Farrell/Hodgson
Armitage/Brown

Merry Christmas!

That's a pretty decent side. I would be happy to see that lot trot out at Murrayfield. Even the unsettled spots on the bench have a case to be made for either player. Hail to the wisdom of the 606v2 crowd...

Looks a good team and actaully 13 of the first 15 are players that I would pick. Not sure about Attwood, don't think his form has been good enough to justify a place this season but I missed the voting that day and couldn't have my say! I would have Parling if fit, Garvey, Deacon (cue uproar) and Robson before him.

Otherwise would have gone for Croft and 6 and Robshaw on the bench but it's damn close and I wouldn't be upset to see Robshaw get a chance.

On the replacements think PDJ is pushing Stevens close, probably have Hodgson over Farrell (but again it's close) and then Armitage as the last choice. Think Brown is playing well but not well enough to displace Foden and can't have him as a utility back as he only covers FB, where as Armotage covers 11, 13, 14 & 15 (but only 13 in an emergency!).

Thanks for running the polls LondonTiger - overall think the 606v2 posters have selected a decent 22

You'll have a better idea of which Scotland side will meet them after the 1872 clashes - watch this space!

That is a good team, regards to the replacements would like to see Brown over Armatage..I take your point about Armatage being a utility back, but Brown deserves a shot to see what he can do.

Can't wait for the team to be anounced on the 11th of jan. Would be awfully disapointed if Barrit, Brown, Sharples are not selected, this should be a brand new start for England with a brand new coaching set up.

So will have to wait and see.

I thought Narraway and May looked very good for Glaws yesterday. Will be interesting to see who puts their hands up for EPS selection in today's matches.

Who´s the captain LondonTiger or was that not put to the vote?

I like the name Sharples. Don´t know anything about the player but it´s a great name. He´s lost his Sharples.

That's generally the team I'd pick.

Can't see that 2nd row partnership being selected though, there's no lineout general/tactician.

Hodgson definitely ahead of Farrell on the bench.

Brown is the better FB option ahead of Armitage, but Armitage is the better bench option due to versatility. I'd pick neither there though. Foden is almost never subbed, it's far more likely to be a wing or centre (where Armitage doesn't convince me). With Sharples able to cover FB I'd pick May or Joseph for the bench.

Easter or Hartley to captain in the short term, but looking to Wood or Robshaw to take on the mantle once they've established themselves and battled Croft for a guaranteed starting shirt.

LondonTiger wrote:I thought Narraway and May looked very good for Glaws yesterday. Will be interesting to see who puts their hands up for EPS selection in today's matches.

Spot on mate. Jonny May is, arguably, in better form on the wing than Sharples at the moment. He's a special player with a big future. I think a cracking backline would be:

Youngs
Flood
May
Tuilagi
Trinder
Sharples
Brown

But that's just me...

LondonTiger

How come you put Farrell as an option on the bench? Hodgson & Burns were drawn on votes and both ahead of him in the FH poll (more than double the votes), even Myler got more, and Farrell only came 5th in the centre vote.

Similarily Armitage only got 1 vote in the FB poll (as many as Abendanon & Morgan), Brown & Foden were way out in front. One of the higher polling versatile wing options like May would have seemed more in line with opinion.

I went with the number of people who stated they wanted Armitage on the bench as he offered more than Brown. TBH bench was merely put up as my attempt to reflect the wishes.

In today's match at sixways, Toby Flood was magnificent. A hamstring injury means that Manu has to be doubtful for first weekend in Feb (unless it was just a minor strain).
Tom Croft also continued his good recent form, making a lot of tackles, carrying well in tight and loose and prominent at the breakdown where Tigers dominated.

Fair enough mate.

Manu going off didn't look great, though given how bad Deacon looked with a similar injury, maybe it's not as serious as first seemed.

Manu may well be the stronger option for England doing well in the 6N, but on the positive side of things it would give an opportunity to the likes of Trinder, Lowe or Joseph and the possibility to develop a little depth in the position.

With the exception of Narraway for Easter, and Trinder being involved somehow, I'll take that team now please!

the fornt row selection looks fine to me but players like PDJ, stevens, webber and marler should all be pushing to be involved in the 22.

the second row is more difficult, while i am a fan of attwood I feel he would have an impact from the the bench. england will need a more experienced lineout forward to partner lawes. deacon, palmer and possibly robson are all options here. we could even see a return for borthwick...

the 606 back row has got to be pretty accurate. only really walrom has a shot at breaking into that 22.

the scrum half options are as they were before the world cup. i personally would like to see simpson involved behind a pack that is stronger than the one he currently enjoys at wasps, although i expect youngs will start.

one reason to start youngs is that he will be along siide his tigers team mate flood, flood is the only viable option at 10. i suspect hodegson will be the bench option but this will be an interesting selection from the new management because, frankly, there are many good contenders.

foden has to be nailed on to start at full back, one of englands best players. the bench spot, again, will be the interesting selection. armitage certainly capable, brown the form man. im not sure on this one.

plenty of options at wing, ashton will start so that leaves a potential bench spot and squad places up for grabs and a few names to consider. sharples is among those names but i dont think he should start. i dont believe cuetos international career is necessarliy over, banahan, jonny may also but i would like to see wade in the team, he just has that spark about him.

the centres have been the most difficult selections for england in recent times, tuilagi definalty has impact at this level and provided he is fit in time, will start. barritt def the best player to parner him, turner hall the only other option although farell could be involved in the event of injury.

my team

corbisiero
webber
PDJ
lawes
palmer
croft
wood
easter
simpson
flood
wade
barritt
tuilagi
ashton
foden

hartely
cole
attwood
robshaw
youngs
hodgson
brown

What has Doran-Jones done to warrant all teh support he is getting? As far as I could tell he was poor for saints during the WC (admittedly on his weaker side) and has not looked good when I have seen him deputise for Mujati.

LondonTiger wrote:What has Doran-Jones done to warrant all teh support he is getting? As far as I could tell he was poor for saints during the WC (admittedly on his weaker side) and has not looked good when I have seen him deputise for Mujati.

I've been impressed by him so far this season. Thought he was solid enough at LH in the early games and has been good in TH in the games I've seen. Carries well around the park and doesn't give the penalties away that Stevens seen prone to do. For me he is pushing Stevens close for the bench spot in the England 22 although just because he managed on both sides of the scrum in the AP doesn't mean he will do the same in the 6N. Stevens always looks solid on either side for Saracens but struggled in the wc.

PDJ has really stepped up this season and had been arguably better than Cole. He offers more in the loose and now settled at TH has helped dismantle quite a few top scrums.

Saints scrum wasn't great against Bath of all teams....odd.

i think cole's development has stagnated slightly, although he is still young for a prop. i think cole will benefit from the competition. PDJ has the potential to be a very complete prop from what i've seen.

Why is everyone sggestig Narroway? He's been poor this season and just seems far too flimsy for internationals, he vanishes in tough games.

It'll be Easter and Waldrom for the 8 spot if they go for two, or else Easter with Robshaw as cover.

yappysnap wrote:Why is everyone sggestig Narroway? He's been poor this season and just seems far too flimsy for internationals, he vanishes in tough games.

It'll be Easter and Waldrom for the 8 spot if they go for two, or else Easter with Robshaw as cover.

Please not Waldrom. Not only do I have issues with his right to play but I'm also not convinced by his physical 'weight' for the international game. Surly he could be much better if he paid more attention to his fitness and lost a few pounds or at least switched some of that 'padding' into muscle.

On a different note I'm hoping Guest comes back well tomorrow. Along with Ferns, Kvesic at the Warriors and Morgan at the Scarlets (one can live in hope right?) we might finally have some decent younger players coming through to challenge Easter. Plus once Haskell comes back from his world tour we could finally have some decent options at 8.

Waldrom has always been that way, same as Ben Morgan. Both are class number 8's.

True Waldrom may not have the motor for international duty, but he does work a lot harder and is a lot more consistent then Narroway who's gone massively backwards.

Guest's first game back should be interesting, I saw him in the gym and he said he was feeling at his best so fingers crossed for a big performance.

Otherwise have Easter cover till Hask comes back.

Morgan reminds more of Haskell in appearance though, maybe rounder but more muscle than anything else where as Waldrom looks more, erm 'festively plump' as Cartman once described himself on an early episode of South Park. If Waldrom is serious about playing at the very top level then he should be in top physical shape as well. As yappysnapp states, does he have the motor to play at international standard for the full 80 minutes?

Agree yappysnap, Easter is still the best for the job for this 6N unless something drastic happens.

I think Phillips is the answer at 8. It will be interesting to see him up against Guest.

philips?

with crane out injured, narraway is one of the few specialised 8's available.

easter gets some stick on here but he is clearly the best english no. 8 and a good player.

walrom.. well, he is also a good player. he is ahead of narraway on form, some may not like his presence but he'll probably be in the squad.

guest doesnt play enough rugby. narraway has to raise his game to be involved, sundays game away at sarries would be the perfect time to make a statement.

Matt, the only reason Guest hasn't played more is that he's had two freak injuries in succession. He was back today and looked in good shape if not yet up to a full 80 minutes. He should have more time in the AP to play himself back in, but should be in contention to tour this summer.

I guess Narraway is in a similar boat, but doesn't seem to have progressed from 3 or 4 years ago. Waldrom is probably the best backup to Easter that England have until Guest or one of the others is ready to step up.

The best rumour i've heard is that Easter will be dropped, so looks like collectively 606 got that wrong - thank God.

Geoff Parling has risen from the dead and is starting for the the Tigers this weekend. Would he make it into anybody's squad now? Or is it too soon after injury?

Depends on how he plays i guess marra....

If he's on fire...then he gets picked

Aye, well he might be the only one fit!

Its looking that way inst it....

Theres always Tim Swinson...

At the start of the season I wanted a Lawes and Parling combo for the 6N so if he regains the form he had early on then I would be happy to see him at Murryfield.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Theres always Tim Swinson...

I see you have moved on from trying to get Hudson in there, or are you now just pushing for an all Falcons second row combo now GF?

Ah Hudsons injured B9.....

Nah Hudson is a serious suggestion as i think he's a cracking player albeit not young to be starting an int career...but Swinson was tongue in cheek...

Sorry I didn't realise Hudson was injured, Is it serious? That's the last thing the Falcons need if your to stand any chance of staying up.

Mate we've got NO chance of staying up regardless....

Dont think he's out for that long...

GeordieFalcon wrote:Mate we've got NO chance of staying up regardless....

I'm not 100% sure. If the Tigers hammer Wasps (as I expect them to do) and you find some form then something could happen. That could also be wishful thinking on my part though.

At 10 points adrift it's a bit of an ask I think, particularly with Wasp's early season form. But it would be sad to see Newcastle go down, anyone think Leeds would be likely to come up?

For the good of the game and as someone originally from up North (well north of the River Trent anyway) then I certainly hope do Leeds come up.