EPS & Saxons

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Senior EPS Squad:

FORWARDS (18)
Mouritz Botha (Saracens)
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)
Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Lee Mears (Bath Rugby)
Ben Morgan (Scarlets)
Tom Palmer (Stade Francais)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Matt Stevens (Saracens)
Rob Webber (London Wasps)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)

BACKS (14)
Chris Ashton (Northampton Saints)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers)
Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
Charlie Hodgson (Saracens)
Joe Simpson (London Wasps)
Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby)
David Strettle (Saracens)
Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Saxons Squad:

FORWARDS (18)
David Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Chris Brooker (Harlequins)
Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints)
Matt Garvey (London Irish)
James Gaskell (Sale Sharks)
Jamie Gibson (London Irish)
Joe Gray (Harlequins)
Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors)
Luke Narraway (Gloucester Rugby)
David Paice (London Irish)
Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
George Robson (Harlequins)
Andrew Saull (Saracens)
Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks)
Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)
Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby)

BACKS (14)
Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby)
Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers)
Delon Armitage (London Irish)
Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
Freddie Burns (Gloucester Rugby)
Karl Dickson (Harlequins)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Jonathan Joseph (London Irish)
Ryan Lamb (Northampton Saints)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
Henry Trinder (Gloucester Rugby)
Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers)
Micky Young (Leicester Tigers)

Yeah we might need that luck. Tigers are looking a tad short of top quality tactical kicking options. I'm hoping for a dry day with swirling wind. Force the teams to keep ball in hand and run it. That would suit us and hide our weaknesses nicely.

On Strettle, I think the only reason he's not more established in the national team is the run of foot injuries he had before the 2007 RWC.

Absent that, he's the best broken field runner available to England and is one of very few players we have who could produce a game changing moment out of nothing. On that basis alone, he's a great player to have in the squad, even if he's only on the bench.

His defence used to be a bit suspect but has improved immensely. The only remaining question is his ability to stay focused for 80 minutes, but that's never been an issue at international level.

I'm just worried that the senior squad looks more like it's been picked to play sevens.

True rugby uberlord but that's probably the best way to play particularly in our first two matches against Scotland and Italy - two sides well known for their large packs but average backs.

Dynamic,attacking rugby should be the aim. The current front five at England's disposal is not as strong as those in the past - consequently is not going to bully sides into submission.

England do not want to be dragged into a dog fight as it will suit Scotland and Italy.

I just don't think the second rows (at least those selected before injury) are good enough.

I'm still not convinced by Cole at tight head, and people should recognise Stevens is a tight head not loose.

Hartley has done little to convince me he is good enough at international level. The fact he was kept out of the team by an aging hooker surely says enough.

Maybe I live in the past, but you still have to have a powerful front five regardless of style. Without the ball you will be throttled.

Are we going to (try) and play like Fiji? Hmm. Not convinced.

Hmm Murrayfield in Feb. A wet horrible day with slow spoilt ball. Can't see a running game working.

Hope I am wrong.

Latest reports suggest Woods out for two weeks and will miss the Scotland game, which makes Croft pretty much a nailed on starter probably alongside Robshaw and Morgan or Dowson.


Lancaster had this to say on the Captain question:

Dylan Hartley, Chris Robshaw, Ben Youngs, Tom Wood, Toby Flood; they are the type of names I am thinking about who are going to become the future leaders of this England team - good characters, good people, talented players,"

Noticeable that Crofts name isnt in there, very suggestative that his preferred starters would have been Robshaw and Wood with Morgan or Dowson.
Also backs up my point about Flood being an obvious leader for the backs division.

beshocked, I agree that free flowing attacking rugby should indeed be the aim of the game. But as Uberlord rightly states, the conditions and attitude of the opposition at Murrayfield may not present the ideal opportunity for it.

Further, as Uberlord mentions as well, I feel you still need a hard pack that isn't going to get dominated in the contact. It's incredibly difficult to generate the right sort of ball possession and momentum if you're continually being smashed back in the contact and caned at the breakdown. England v SA 2010 being a truly classic example.

I like the EPS and Sxons on the whole, allowing Lancaster some leeway in that he was restricted in the amount of changes he could make. Callum Clarke is the obvious wild card, and I hope he comes in and does well off the bench at some point.

I do question his calling up of Goode for injury cover to Toby Flood though. I know he has a penchant for the utility back rather than specialist FH, but as others have said I would have thought either Burns, Lamb or 36 would have been a better choice. Goode has had some wonderful games, looked a little short of magic so far this season but could be a real star at some point. At a push I would have him in over Brown, but Brown has been in great form so it's what he deserves I suppose. I don't feel Brown will perform like that for England though, even after a lot of his training with Margot he still got rinsed in the Baa Baa's game.

Just for fun and because it's obscenely quiet at work here's my Saxons team to take on Scotland at Murrayfield:

1. N Wood
2. D Paice
3. P Doran-Jones
4. M Garvey
5. G Robson
6. J Gaskell
7. J Gibson
8. T Waldrom
9. K Dickson
10. F Burns
11. J May
12. B Twelvetress
13. J Joseph
14. U Monye
15. N Abendanon

Not a bad side, questionable back row but plenty of pace across the whole side.

rugby uberlord and chjw131 you are correct. We do need a big hard pack but we lack the players.

Do you think a likely front five of Corbisiero,Hartley,Cole,Botha and Palmer would strike fear in the opposition?

We have to pray it doesn't rain.

I'm still not convinced by Cole at tight head

Why? He is comfortably the best scrummaging tighthead England have got with only PDJ offering competition on a similar level (discounting Julian White obviously). His ball carrying seems to be improving and that was his previous weakness. His selection is pretty much a no brainer.

Noticeable that Crofts name isnt in there, very suggestative that his preferred starters would have been Robshaw and Wood with Morgan or Dowson.

Hopefully we'll get him back at Tigers then. He might be spared the media moaning when the unrealistic expectations aren't met.

beshocked wrote: rugby uberlord and chjw131 you are correct. We do need a big hard pack but we lack the players.

Do you think a likely front five of Corbisiero,Hartley,Cole,Botha and Palmer would strike fear in the opposition?

We have to pray it doesn't rain.

An excellent point, the lack of player depth for a heavy duty pack is worrying. The Good Lord Almighty it is then, if we can borrow him from the Presidential primaries at the moment, we're sure to do well....

Chjw131 wrote:beshocked, I agree that free flowing attacking rugby should indeed be the aim of the game. But as Uberlord rightly states, the conditions and attitude of the opposition at Murrayfield may not present the ideal opportunity for it.

Some would argue injuries to Flood and Tuilagi leaving a probable Hodgson Farrel Barrit midfield wouldnt either.

I was very dissapointed with Johnsons selection in the last two seasons agaisnt Scotland where he seemed more interested in nullifying perceived threats form them rather than concentrating on Englands strengths. The back 3 we have (assuming FodenAshton + Sharples or Strettle) has bags of attacking threat, if it can get into the game. A more risky selection of Trinder at 13 ( apparently hes been called up as cover for Tuilagi?) or Tuilagi being fit would add even more to that. Its vital that someone in the backrow is punching holes and drawing defences in to give these guys some space to be released ( Thats where Waldrom would come in handy, but Robshaw/Morgan will be the guys to do this), and that Hodgson/Farrel dont just get into a kicking duel with Scotland. Youngs too needs to be at his annoying best picking opportunities to keep the defence drawn in by grabbing any gaps they leave around the fringes.

From teh way hes talked and from the evidence of his squad sleections and time with ethe Saxons Lancaster will be looking for an England who throw cution to teh wind. I am a little concernbed that the injuries may blunt this, and that it could go horribly wrong but lets see.

Would you agree that Cole is more of a traditional set piece tight head?

It we are going to play this elaborate free flowing heart stopping rugby why not play Stevens at tight head? More mobile etc and I think is quite a good scrummaging TIGHT head.

I quite like Corbisiero at loose, and although going against general consensus of opinion, disagree Marler has been at fault. I think he's been underpowered from behind.

Hooker is a weakness at the mo.

Second row, do not rate Deacon, never have. Haven't seen much of Garvey. From what I've seen of Atwood I do like him. Not sure if Lawes and Atoowd would work.

All I'm saying is rugby is rugby, you need a platform. You need the ball. The senior squad looks underpowered in the engine room.

Not sure about this. A bit conservative, but understandably so.

The Saxons look like they have the makings of an incredible backline. The forwards aren't bad either! Would rather watch the Saxons than the seniors at a glance, but we'll see.

Right you know what....im gonig to be confident.

A good, solid and young front row....and i hope to see Hartley really getting hold and running with the ball...

Palmer and Botha...whilst not my choices are reasonable second rows...but whos to say Attwood wont start in place of Botha...which would please me greatly...and give some real bite in there.

Croft, Robshaw and Morgan should offer a real fight to the Scots...with Robshaw and Morgan making holes for the backs to utilise...and Croft looking to use his pace outside - they are gonna need to be right on the ball in the break down exchanges though....and i want to see Croft really making his presence felt there not hanging out too much...

The backs look strong...and i'd be inclined to go with a Barritt, Trinder midfield...with Farrell coming off the bench if the kicking is going a bit wayward...

I think we can win this....

GeordieFalcon wrote:Right you know what....im gonig to be confident.

A good, solid and young front row....and i hope to see Hartley really getting hold and running with the ball...

Palmer and Botha...whilst not my choices are reasonable second rows...but whos to say Attwood wont start in place of Botha...which would please me greatly...and give some real bite in there.

Croft, Robshaw and Morgan should offer a real fight to the Scots...with Robshaw and Morgan making holes for the backs to utilise...and Croft looking to use his pace outside - they are gonna need to be right on the ball in the break down exchanges though....and i want to see Croft really making his presence felt there not hanging out too much...

The backs look strong...and i'd be inclined to go with a Barritt, Trinder midfield...with Farrell coming off the bench if the kicking is going a bit wayward...

I think we can win this....

Nice one Geordie, with you all the way!

Rugby Uberlord wrote:Would you agree that Cole is more of a traditional set piece tight head?

It we are going to play this elaborate free flowing heart stopping rugby why not play Stevens at tight head? More mobile etc and I think is quite a good scrummaging TIGHT head.

I quite like Corbisiero at loose, and although going against general consensus of opinion, disagree Marler has been at fault. I think he's been underpowered from behind.

Hooker is a weakness at the mo.

Second row, do not rate Deacon, never have. Haven't seen much of Garvey. From what I've seen of Atwood I do like him. Not sure if Lawes and Atoowd would work.

All I'm saying is rugby is rugby, you need a platform. You need the ball. The senior squad looks underpowered in the engine room.

did you not see cole play last weekend?

Tom Wood is having a scan on a foot injury. On the BBC website.

If wood is out...then i would bring up another second row....as we are fine for back rowers...but we need to bolster the engine room up...

Croft is certain of a start then, not even the most lunatic coach would play an entirely new uncapped back row together....

Also like your positivity Geordie and Carpe. It will be a good tournament, as the 6N always is, and it will be nice to see a new and inventive England side.

According to OPTA stats this was officially released yesterday...

"OptaJim Opta Sports
136 - @ChrisRobshaw has made the most tackles (136) in the league in 2011/12. He's also won more turnovers than any other forward. Future."

I may add to this that in the premiership he has made 140 carries, 268 metres carried, beaten 10 defenders, made 79 passes and offloaded 6 times. Whilst in the lineout he has won 17 balls on Quins own throw and stolen three lineouts.

Whilst in the Heineken cup in the four matches played he has made 51 tackles, 8 offloads, 48 carries, 27 passes and 80 metres carried.

If statistics simply aren't enough for you. He has been the heartbeat of a resurgent Harelquins side this season and led from the front through his work-rate. Whilst his communication and decision making for Quins has been outstanding all season.

He has deserved this opportunity for a number of years and now he has the chance (if free from injury) to nail down his place in the side and lead England through to the next World Cup.

He is a hell of a player and it's about time he proved himself on the international stage and hushed his doubters.

All I'm saying is rugby is rugby, you need a platform. You need the ball. The senior squad looks underpowered in the engine room

Well the much maligned (and mostly unfairly) Deacon would have been the man to add some power to the engine room, he's been doing it for Tigers for the last decade. Attwood and Botha will have to suffice otherwise. A big lump like Morgan at 8 might help anchor the scrum as well.

It we are going to play this elaborate free flowing heart stopping rugby why not play Stevens at tight head? More mobile etc and I think is quite a good scrummaging TIGHT head.

I quite like Corbisiero at loose, and although going against general consensus of opinion, disagree Marler has been at fault. I think he's been underpowered from behind.

If the Quins scrummaging issues stemmed from a lack of second row power then you'd expect equal issues across the front row, however, more often than not if the Quins scrum is taking a kicking it's Marler that is being penalised.

Stevens was in pretty poor scrummaging form last year but has improved a great deal this season. He combined well with Rhys Gill against the Ospreys front row in the first game though not so much in the second. He's still not on the same level as Cole, who is playing rather well this season. Against a powerful Scottish scrum I would have thought Cole would have been the natural choice as props are there to scrum and lift first and then run around second.

rob4, if he gets picked will you do a runner like the guy who used to bang on about Cipriani all the time?

I dont think theres any question he will be in the starting side (maybe bench if Woods fit), and best of luck to him. His chance has come about becasue hes produced at club level several years ina row. You cant ask for much more.

formerly known as Sam wrote:
If the Quins scrummaging issues stemmed from a lack of second row power then you'd expect equal issues across the front row, however, more often than not if the Quins scrum is taking a kicking it's Marler that is being penalised.

I'm sorry Sam but this simply isn't true. Our problems stem from the tighthead side. The games against Saracens and Exeter highlight this particularly.

In any case, I don't see why it would be true that if the problem was a lack of second row power that this would be spread equally across the front row. Ollie Kohn is about 2 stone heavier than George Robson, and packs down behind the tighthead.

thomh the bigger of the two locks generally does pack down behind the tighthead unless the loosehead is struggling in the scrum whilst the tighthead isn't. The tighthead has more weight pushed on them as he is pushing against both the loosehead prop and the hooker. Generally if the the opposition tighthead is getting the upper hand a lot of the weight of the scrum can be pushed across onto the other tighthead. See Dan Cole against France a couple of years ago where Mas was taking Payne apart and driving the across forcing the scrums weight onto Cole.

I've not studied the Quins scrum a great deal but when I have it does seem that Marler offers little in the way of push and is often going backwards.

Seem to remember Marler handling Julian White not so long ago??

formerly known as Sam wrote:thomh the bigger of the two locks generally does pack down behind the tighthead unless the loosehead is struggling in the scrum whilst the tighthead isn't. The tighthead has more weight pushed on them as he is pushing against both the loosehead prop and the hooker. Generally if the the opposition tighthead is getting the upper hand a lot of the weight of the scrum can be pushed across onto the other tighthead. See Dan Cole against France a couple of years ago where Mas was taking Payne apart and driving the across forcing the scrums weight onto Cole.

I've not studied the Quins scrum a great deal but when I have it does seem that Marler offers little in the way of push and is often going backwards.

I agree with the Cole example, but what often seems to happen with us is that Johnston will get turned inwards at 90 degrees, leaving Gray isolated. In the game against Saracens, for example, there was a scrum where Saracens won a penalty and Barnes instantly started talking about Marler weakness there, but the replay clearly showed that it was Johnston who had been taken apart and left the other two in trouble. Against Exeter as well, Fairbrother was being completely outshoved and our scrum was wheeling around. The moment Johnston came on our front row , including Marler, got right on top and started driving them backwards.

Seem to remember Marler handling Julian White not so long ago??.

In an A League final. I seem to remember Tigers winning and Quins just about gaining parity at the scrums. Marler played well that night, a most enjoyable night at WR. Shame that last season he was slaughtered by Castro at the scrum.

but what often seems to happen with us is that Johnston will get turned inwards at 90 degrees, leaving Gray isolated

Johnson does seem to be trading on his name and size a little, doesn't seem to have the best technique.

formerly known as Sam wrote:In an A League final. I seem to remember Tigers winning and Quins just about gaining parity at the scrums. Marler played well that night, a most enjoyable night at WR. Shame that last season he was slaughtered by Castro at the scrum.

I can't claim to have seen that game, but it seems to be a widely held among Quins fans view that Marler was completely on top at the scrum.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Johnson does seem to be trading on his name and size a little, doesn't seem to have the best technique.

Very much so. He's one of the bravest players I've ever seen and still young enough to improve his scrummaging, but he's much better coming off the bench against a tiring pack where he can use his size. When he starts he tends to get in a lot of trouble.

Cole must start for me. As Sam states he is the best scrummaging tight-head we have and if we are concerned that the pack may be a little under powered then we must at least make sure our set piece is solid and competes otherwise it is going to be a very long afternoon at Murrayfield. I was critical of Cole earlier in the season as he being pretty anonymous in the loose (whilst still being solid at the set piece) but I'm convinced that someone had a word in his ear because his display in the loose against Wasps was top class and I would have made him the MoM (well either him or Parling).

I'm another who is not convinced that Marler is ready for the top level yet and would have been happier to see both Wood and Mullen in the full EPS before him. Every time I've seen Mullen he has looked quality in both the tight and the loose and think he would have been an established international by now if it wasn't for his injury problems.

I can't claim to have seen that game, but it seems to be a widely held among Quins fans view that Marler was completely on top at the scrum.

To be fair the scrums didn't really move. From memory the Quins 8 ( I think Guest) might have add to pick up a little quicker but it was nothing really. Don't think there were many (if any) penalties from the scrum. There was some scrapping off the ball as well which was quite amusing though. Marler certainly played well, to be fair there weren't many on either side that didn't.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

I can't claim to have seen that game, but it seems to be a widely held among Quins fans view that Marler was completely on top at the scrum.

To be fair the scrums didn't really move. From memory the Quins 8 ( I think Guest) might have add to pick up a little quicker but it was nothing really. Don't think there were many (if any) penalties from the scrum. There was some scrapping off the ball as well which was quite amusing though. Marler certainly played well, to be fair there weren't many on either side that didn't.

I did see the game, and the view of the Leicester fans I walked back to the station with was that Marler had destroyed White and they wished that they had a prop like that in their academy. So I think it's fairly conclusive that he did. To be fair to White, he was coming back from injury and edging into retirement, but his is still a notable scalp.

Anyway, Joe has all the physical attributes to be an effective international prop, and Rowntree's said explicitly that he thinks it's the right time to get him into the setup, and that what he wants is more consistency. I can't imagine he'd do that if he didn't think he could fix whatever needs fixing.

I remember watching Marler live for the U20s against Wales when he scored a great try
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0vgGYjXmtuo

Stick with this guy he is the future. Gethin Jenkins wasn't always a good scrummager, in fact hes not really a good one now. But he makes up for it with what he does around the park!

formerly known as Sam wrote:
If the Quins scrummaging issues stemmed from a lack of second row power then you'd expect equal issues across the front row, however, more often than not if the Quins scrum is taking a kicking it's Marler that is being penalised.

I'm pretty sure that Johnson has been pinged many more times than Marler in the scrum. In any case he won't feature in the first game unless there is an injury. What worries me more is Corbisero is struggling for form in general and got completely destroyed by Nieto a few weeks back.

Stevens must now focus on TH and we'll see if he's good enough. He's been completely found out as an international LH.

Chjw131 wrote:
Just for fun and because it's obscenely quiet at work here's my Saxons team to take on Scotland at Murrayfield:

1. N Wood
2. D Paice
3. P Doran-Jones
4. M Garvey
5. G Robson
6. J Gaskell
7. J Gibson
8. T Waldrom
9. K Dickson
10. F Burns
11. J May
12. B Twelvetress
13. J Joseph
14. U Monye
15. N Abendanon

Not a bad side, questionable back row but plenty of pace across the whole side.

If you don't like the backrow then you could replace Gaskell (who has been improving, and who is excellent at disruption mauls) with either Johnson or Launchbury.

Whereas the EPS locks are underwhelming in general, the Saxons' ones are excellent: Parling, Attwood, Robson, Garvey, with Launchbury who will probably end up a lock and Gaskell who may. It's good to see that future strength in depth shouldn't be a problem.

Still can't believe Parling isn't in the EPS. I really thought he'd be in there for sure, he's just one of those players that has a bit of star quality about him which is pretty cool for a lock.

Hes been injured for most of the last 18 months, its not that surpising.

Marler had destroyed White and they wished that they had a prop like that in their academy

See I didn't hear any 'destroyed' comments till I saw the old 606 and Quins fans were talking him up. Tigers have a decent scrummaging loosehead in Harris in the academy. He did similar to Marler in he held up Murray in the A League. He doesn't provide anything close to the loose skills of Marler though which is what we really lack outside of Ayerza at loosehead.

I suspect we'll find out whether he's ready or not soon enough. I'm not convinced in the slightest but will be more than happy to be proved wrong (in fact I'm hoping he does prove me wrong repeatedly for England).

Still can't believe Parling isn't in the EPS.

He's been called up as an injury replacement so he is in the EPS squad just in a round about way. Played a blinder against Wasps last week and England could be a good fit for him if they intend to play a mobile game as he plays a bit like a backrower in regards to tenacity but is a proper lineout specialist second rower at the set piece.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Still can't believe Parling isn't in the EPS.

He's been called up as an injury replacement so he is in the EPS squad just in a round about way. Played a blinder against Wasps last week and England could be a good fit for him if they intend to play a mobile game as he plays a bit like a backrower in regards to tenacity but is a proper lineout specialist second rower at the set piece.

Whenever I see Parling I think he just looks far too small for International rugby. I looked him up and according to online stats he's about the same height as and six pounds heavier than Victor Matfield. Bizarre.

Small in what way Tomh? Lacking presence in the lineout, lack of physicality in defence/attack or not enough work rate?

He's certainly no grunt merchant hence why Tigers normally pair him with Deacon but he's a good atheltic lock. He has had zero luck in injuries.

formerly known as Sam wrote:Small in what way Tomh? Lacking presence in the lineout, lack of physicality in defence/attack or not enough work rate?

He's certainly no grunt merchant hence why Tigers normally pair him with Deacon but he's a good atheltic lock. He has had zero luck in injuries.

I wouldn't doubt his work rate at all. My point is that it's amazing how misleading perceptions can be. To me he just doesn't look particularly tall or bulky (although that might say more about his Leicester team mates than him), and yet in reality he's as tall as and heavier than one of the greatest international second rows there has ever been.

There's no point looking at players stats online mate, most of the time they're fake and don't actually mean anything.
Parling does look quite skinny but he probably has heavy bones so hes heavier. While Matfield is light but he is naturally muscular.

Parling doesn't look particularly big, know what you mean on that front. Has a knack for pumping the legs and getting over the gainline though and makes his tackles. Will be interesting to see how he does tonight against that BIG Ulster pack.

Parling was anonymous yesterday against Ulster, Leicester lacked many things but I especially thought they missed Deacon. On this showing I wouldn't be expecting to see Parling make the 22

i thought Parling was one of the few to actually try something yesterday. It was the backrow and backs that vanished for Leicester.

Croft showed why i personally dont want him as Englands 6...too lightweight and his breakdown work is rubbish....

I appreciate ferris is world class...but he showed what a real deal powerhouse 6 brings to a team....

Ben Morgan was one of the standout players for the Scarlets today, you guys reckon he'll start?

gowales wrote:Ben Morgan was one of the standout players for the Scarlets today, you guys reckon he'll start?

Loked impressive. He's got to be in with a shout with no other full time 8 in the squad.

Croft got completely outplayed by Ferris, whilst Henry completely dominated. Ben Morgan was very impressive with the Scarlets today and lived up to some of his hype - very solid operator with quite some pace.

I'd be happy with 6.Robshaw 7.Wood 8.Morgan, with Croft on the bench - however with Wood's injury likely to rule him out meaning a combo of 6.Croft 7.Robshaw 8.Morgan with Dowson on the bench would most likely be the combination for the game against Scotland.

robshaw,

Morgan has been very good for the Scarlets all season and fully understand why we wanted him but some on here were (WUMs maybe) quite negative about him as he was playing in sub-standard league etc etc.

Has he done enough today, considering he was up against his competition to get the nod?