Scotland v England Feb 4th Team Selection (Post Injuries)

A touch premature perhaps given there's still some rugby to play, and with our run of injuries at the moment it's possibly there may be more (here's praying there isn't). The list of injured so far:

M Tuilagi - T Flood - L Deacon - C Lawes - R Wigglesworth - L Mears - A Sheridan

Timescales vary on who and when, but I think all will be out for the Scotland game (Anyone know about Mears?). Other players which are either retired or rumoured to be dropped I think we all know about, the more notable of which are: M Cueto, N Easter, M Tindall, D Care

So taking into consideration all this, and the new broom who would you pick for the first game? I feel it will be physically demanding, crap weather and fierce competition at breakdown and half backs from the Scots, making it a tough slog rather than beautiful free flow. But we shall see.

My team for 4th Feb Scotland v England:

1. N Wood
2. D Hartley
3. D Cole
4. D Attwood
5. T Palmer
6. C Robshaw
7. T Wood
8. N Easter
9. B Youngs
10. C Hodgson
11. C Sharples
12. B Barritt
13. H Trinder
14. C Ashton
15. B Foden

16. G Chuter 17. P Doran-Jones 18. G Robson 19. T Croft 20. B Morgan
21. J Simpson 22. M Brown

I have gone with a bit of experience and a good backup kicker and solid FB in Mike Brown. *NB Barritt can and has played FH in his time, and I felt the boot of Brown and his solidity in potentially difficult conditions may be an important factor. Risky, but until internationals get up to speed and give an extra bench option that's my call for this game. I'm naturally open to those that think no specialist FH is a silly idea.

Nick Wood has been superb for Glaws for a long time, and will provide solid scrummaging and good open play. Certainly better than Corbs the other day who had his posterior handed to him. Chuter on the bench some would say is a 'backwards step' and I agree but in this game if things get rough you need some old stalwarts to turn to. J George would be my long term option.

I also went with 5 forwards due to the nature I feel of the game. Croft to add dynamism to an otherwise grafting back row. Simpson to add zip if the opportunity presents itself and cover an emergency wing option.

Thoughts and teams gentlemen please..

Chjw131 wrote:A touch premature perhaps given there's still some rugby to play, and with our run of injuries at the moment it's possibly there may be more (here's praying there isn't). The list of injured so far:

M Tuilagi - T Flood - L Deacon - C Lawes - R Wigglesworth - L Mears - A Sheridan

Timescales vary on who and when, but I think all will be out for the Scotland game (Anyone know about Mears?). Other players which are either retired or rumoured to be dropped I think we all know about, the more notable of which are: M Cueto, N Easter, M Tindall, D Care

So taking into consideration all this, and the new broom who would you pick for the first game? I feel it will be physically demanding, crap weather and fierce competition at breakdown and half backs from the Scots, making it a tough slog rather than beautiful free flow. But we shall see.

My team for 4th Feb Scotland v England:

1. N Wood
2. D Hartley
3. D Cole
4. D Attwood
5. T Palmer
6. C Robshaw
7. T Wood
8. N Easter
9. B Youngs
10. C Hodgson
11. C Sharples
12. B Barritt
13. H Trinder
14. C Ashton
15. B Foden

16. G Chuter 17. P Doran-Jones 18. G Robson 19. T Croft 20. B Morgan
21. J Simpson 22. M Brown

I have gone with a bit of experience and a good backup kicker and solid FB in Mike Brown. *NB Barritt can and has played FH in his time, and I felt the boot of Brown and his solidity in potentially difficult conditions may be an important factor. Risky, but until internationals get up to speed and give an extra bench option that's my call for this game. I'm naturally open to those that think no specialist FH is a silly idea.

Nick Wood has been superb for Glaws for a long time, and will provide solid scrummaging and good open play. Certainly better than Corbs the other day who had his posterior handed to him. Chuter on the bench some would say is a 'backwards step' and I agree but in this game if things get rough you need some old stalwarts to turn to. J George would be my long term option.

I also went with 5 forwards due to the nature I feel of the game. Croft to add dynamism to an otherwise grafting back row. Simpson to add zip if the opportunity presents itself and cover an emergency wing option.

Thoughts and teams gentlemen please..

?

I would go for a fairly similar team but slightly different. A new 2nd row and backrow but established frontrow. Lots of dynamism and promise.

1.Corbs
2.Hartley
3.Cole
4.Garvey
5.Robson
6.Robshaw
7.Wood
8.Morgan
9.Youngs
10.Hodgson
11.Sharples
12.Barritt
13.Trinder
14.Ashton
15.Foden

16.PDJ
17.Webber
18.Palmer
19.Croft
20.Simpson
21.Farrell
22.Brown

What i'm saying although I failed to make clear AsLongAsBut100ofUs, is that Lancaster should avoid dropping Easter for this match given the absence of Flood and a number of other experienced players. I've abjectly failed to mention that in the post but that's the thrust.

I see what you're saying Beshocked and perhaps keeping a settled FR rather than making more changes would be preferable. Why have Palmer on the bench though, just as well start him I would say. Performed really well for England generally and his familiarity would be a bonus.

Like the idea of throwing Morgan straight in though I must say, and Webber is a good prospect but i'd like to see George there instead of him. He really has the potential to be an incredible hooker.

Chjw131 dont you think your bench is a little light in backs cover? Palmer is the experienced cover you eluded to.

Garvey and Robson would in my opinion give the right balance in the front five with an establish front three to back them up.

I want to see new options in the 2nd row. Palmer is not the future.

I agree about George being an excellent prospect but he needs more gametime at Sarries.

I do like your team though. It's simply a different approach.

Chjw131 wrote:What i'm saying although I failed to make clear AsLongAsBut100ofUs, is that Lancaster should avoid dropping Easter for this match given the absence of Flood and a number of other experienced players. I've abjectly failed to mention that in the post but that's the thrust.

Got you

beshocked wrote:Chjw131 dont you think your bench is a little light in backs cover?

I agree entirely, and it wouldn't be the team I would select for the whole tournament necessarily, but with Scotland at Murrayfield I think it'll be a dog fight and they do have the power pack to make it very difficult hence the forward weighted bench option. Having seen Sarries do it to Glaws on a number of occasions and some of the matches at WC, if the opposition has the pack and are intent on the slow game that is pretty much the way it's going to pan out; as much as i'd like to see the right sort of rugby I don't think it'll be possible.

1.Corbs
2.Hartley
3.Cole
4.Atwood
5.Robson
6.Croft
7.Robshaw
8.Morgan (though to be honest that is only going on what I have heard, haven't seen him play very much)
9.Youngs
10.Hodgson
11.Sharples
12.Barritt
13.Trinder
14.Ashton
15.Brown

16.PDJ
17.Webber
18.Palmer
19.Wood
20.Simpson
21.Farrell
22.Foden