England Team announced

First topic message reminder :

3 new caps guaranteed - with more uncapped players on the bench.

Ben Foden; Chris Ashton; Brad Barritt, Owen Farrell, David Strettle; Charlie Hodgson; Ben Youngs; Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole; Mauritz Botha, Tom Palmer; Tom Croft, Chris Robshaw (captain), Phil Dowson.

Replacements: Rob Webber, Matt Stevens, Geoff Parling, Ben Morgan, Lee Dickson, Jordan Turner-Hall, Mike Brown.

Chjw131 wrote: Glad to see Parling in there though, he certainly deserves it.

My other concern is no wing cover! I know Foden could cover it, but why have a one dimensional centre and out and out FB on your bench?! Sharples can cover wing and FB. I know Brown has a major left boot, and perhaps it indicates Plan A will be dropped after 5 minutes, and Plan B will be a bit of bosh and kicking?!

Didnt he get tooled in the Ulster game? Parling is lucky to make the squad given how little rugby hes played in the last few years. Of course hes unlucky to have missed so much, so "deserved" is a matter of how you look at things I guess. Hes certainly a player whos been highly rated by the England set up for some time. Lancaster points to the same for Botha, but for me the locks are the stand out " raise eyebrow" part of the team. The rest although theres clear weakenesses makes sense in terms of who was available and the evolution of the assumed " first choice" to what we have now.

Wing cover...its probbaly the position you are least likely to need cover in, and teh one easiest to fill in with non speacilaists. That aside I see the point abouit Sharples. Given the stink Lancaster made about the lack of opportrunities he was given to make the world cup squad im suprissed he has no faith in him now. However the entire internet wouldve combusted had he not included Brown in some form. Its also far more important to have proper cover for fullback than it is for wing. Personaly I wouldve liked to have seen Sharples on the wing over Strettle and Brown on the bench, I think Sharples just offers more of an all round game rather than just runnning round like a headless chicken. Sure the back 3 will offer a strong running threat but Scotlands defence will find it quite easy to anticipate this since England only have one kicker of any note at all. Id also think Sharples better able to deal with the high ball and positioning required to nullify Parks tactical kicking.
But Lancaster has obviously seen enough from Strettle to convince him that hes the bigger threat.

formerly known as Sam wrote:

Sam it's likely Barritt will defend as a 12. Farrell and Barritt alternate for Saracens.

From what I've seen noticeably less as the season has gone on. They've made use of Farrell's hands and given him time on the ball via a miss pass from Hodgson and utilised Farrell as a wide playmaker. Barritt has stayed mostly in the 12 channel cleaning up bad ball and spinning the ball wide from 12. That is what concerns me with the numbering, Farrell at 12 and Barritt at 13 was trialled earlier in the season by Sarries and it didn't work. Is Farrell being shoe horned into the 12 shirt too early and Barritt being used as a cover for Manu? If so I think Barritt will rightfully feel hard done by.

I would expect England to be ok at Scrum but lineout could be a different story

Presumeably that's why Parling is on the bench, an athletic lineout specialist with a good work load could be very handy in this game. Croft is a reliable front jumper if the lineout is under pressure anyway, they could just hit him at the front all day and except the slower ball.

Equo Troiano wrote:
beshocked wrote:
LondonTiger wrote:
What is interesting is that Farrell is named at 12 and Barritt 13 - a reversal of there sarries positions. This is the first indication that should Manu return mid tournament then Barritt will be the one to make way.

I am interested to see who woudl drop out from the back tow if/when wood returns.

Of course two defeats away from home and the whole thing could change.

Very very strange London Tiger. Barritt has always been the 12. Farrell has always been the 13. Though I am sure someone said they alternate in attack and defence anyway. Maybe the shirt numbers mean little anyway.


Would have personally started Morgan with Dowson as cover. Unfortunate for Sharples not even to make the bench. Would have preferred to Brown or Jordan Turner Hall.

I still cannot understand Jordan Turner Hall's purpose in the EPS.

Ditto Botha, Lancaster must be screwing his mother or something, its the only explanation for his presence in the EPS.

Martin Johnson picked Botha too........

What are you insinuating about Botha's mother?

Nothing. Just saying that Lancaster isn't the first England coach to pick Botha.

Chjw131 wrote:And if you're going to play Croft, let's at least have one of the front row and two of the back row who can carry.

Hartley does so, but with varying degrees of efficiency due to him continually taking contact side on. Corbisiero pretty well adds nothing to the team as far as I can discern. Cole's own acknowledged weakness is carrying. Dowson, whilst I do like his awareness, aint a heavy carrier of the ball.

We're then left with: Hartley (sometimes), Botha, Robshaw as the primary carriers. Palmer does so but without much conviction. As such there's a fairly clear argument for at least having Morgan in there to do a bit of hard work.

PSW take note, that fat welsh kid's going to save your blushes, mark my words!

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Chjw131 wrote: Glad to see Parling in there though, he certainly deserves it.

My other concern is no wing cover! I know Foden could cover it, but why have a one dimensional centre and out and out FB on your bench?! Sharples can cover wing and FB. I know Brown has a major left boot, and perhaps it indicates Plan A will be dropped after 5 minutes, and Plan B will be a bit of bosh and kicking?!

Didnt he get tooled in the Ulster game? Parling is lucky to make the squad given how little rugby hes played in the last few years. Of course hes unlucky to have missed so much, so "deserved" is a matter of how you look at things I guess. Hes certainly a player whos been highly rated by the England set up for some time. Lancaster points to the same for Botha, but for me the locks are the stand out " raise eyebrow" part of the team. The rest although theres clear weakenesses makes sense in terms of who was available and the evolution of the assumed " first choice" to what we have now.

Wing cover...its probbaly the position you are least likely to need cover in, and teh one easiest to fill in with non speacilaists. That aside I see the point abouit Sharples. Given the stink Lancaster made about the lack of opportrunities he was given to make the world cup squad im suprissed he has no faith in him now. However the entire internet wouldve combusted had he not included Brown in some form. Its also far more important to have proper cover for fullback than it is for wing. Personaly I wouldve liked to have seen Sharples on the wing over Strettle and Brown on the bench, I think Sharples just offers more of an all round game rather than just runnning round like a headless chicken. Sure the back 3 will offer a strong running threat but Scotlands defence will find it quite easy to anticipate this since England only have one kicker of any note at all. Id also think Sharples better able to deal with the high ball and positioning required to nullify Parks tactical kicking.
But Lancaster has obviously seen enough from Strettle to convince him that hes the bigger threat.

England have only one kicker of note? I thought they had at least two - Hodgson and Farrell.

I think the first 40 mins vs Quins would have convinced SL of Strettle's worth.

I see Strettle as more of a defensive winger now. He doesn't offer the same running threat he did a few years ago.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Chjw131 wrote: Glad to see Parling in there though, he certainly deserves it.

My other concern is no wing cover! I know Foden could cover it, but why have a one dimensional centre and out and out FB on your bench?! Sharples can cover wing and FB. I know Brown has a major left boot, and perhaps it indicates Plan A will be dropped after 5 minutes, and Plan B will be a bit of bosh and kicking?!

Didnt he get tooled in the Ulster game? Parling is lucky to make the squad given how little rugby hes played in the last few years. Of course hes unlucky to have missed so much, so "deserved" is a matter of how you look at things I guess. Hes certainly a player whos been highly rated by the England set up for some time. Lancaster points to the same for Botha, but for me the locks are the stand out " raise eyebrow" part of the team. The rest although theres clear weakenesses makes sense in terms of who was available and the evolution of the assumed " first choice" to what we have now.

Wing cover...its probbaly the position you are least likely to need cover in, and teh one easiest to fill in with non speacilaists. That aside I see the point abouit Sharples. Given the stink Lancaster made about the lack of opportrunities he was given to make the world cup squad im suprissed he has no faith in him now. However the entire internet wouldve combusted had he not included Brown in some form. Its also far more important to have proper cover for fullback than it is for wing. Personaly I wouldve liked to have seen Sharples on the wing over Strettle and Brown on the bench, I think Sharples just offers more of an all round game rather than just runnning round like a headless chicken. Sure the back 3 will offer a strong running threat but Scotlands defence will find it quite easy to anticipate this since England only have one kicker of any note at all. Id also think Sharples better able to deal with the high ball and positioning required to nullify Parks tactical kicking.
But Lancaster has obviously seen enough from Strettle to convince him that hes the bigger threat.

I see what you're saying as far as the importance of FB cover, and accept that most would've been put out had Brown not been included. I also feel Sharples should have started, and how important is it to retain a full club backline?!

As far as Parling goes, yes he's missed a lot through injury but from England's point of view they need another line out specialist and Parling fits the bill nicely. He was outstanding at the start of the season, and as far as i've seen him on TV his only difficult game was the Ulster one. But it's pretty hard to look like a stand-out quality player when the whole team is getting schooled. Even Parrise doesn't look good all the time for Italia!

I'm remaining positive about the game, but do think it'll be a bore fest and do think we'll get exposed at centre. It's not much different from what was predicted though so...

Didnt he get tooled in the Ulster game?

To be fair the Tigers lineout worked alright it was just in open play where we took a massive kicking in the second half. The horrible tactical kicking in the first half really didn't help either (thank you Mr Burke and Mr O'Connor ). Parling when playing has played very well this season and would at least offer England a willing ball carrier even if he isn't a traditional bosher.

I see Strettle as more of a defensive winger now. He doesn't offer the same running threat he did a few years ago

He does it's just that Sarries backline is pragmatic rather than flamboyant. They don't want wingers chipping and chasing or trying to go on mazy runs, they play gainline rugby, as in get over the gain line and secure the ball. It has meant that Strettle has to hold back on the flair front but if you watch some of the counter attacks Sarries launch off of kick returns then you'll see that Wyles, Strettle, Short and Goode can all motor and all have some fancy foot work.

Even Parrise doesn't look good all the time for Italia!

Altogether now: Oh yes he does!

PS We're not playing New Zealand you know....we're only playing Scotland!

Ha, Geordie you're right. I'd got the fixture table the wrong way round!

Dowson and Robshaw will be fine at this level. No Complaints picking on form there. Croft I dont think is playing his best and I think England need to really have uncovered a genuine 7. That said I would look at the back row as England's biggest strength. If anything they have the edge here on Scotland.

But like I said the front 5 are missing a enforcer in the boilerhouse. Scotland have picked 2 in theirs. I dont see England getting the better of Scotland upfront.

I never thought Hodgson should get picked. I also dont rate Strettle at all.

The main issue is that there is a lot of inexperience at this level coming through at the same time and has not been intirgrated through. I'm not saying they won't gel eventually but Test Rugby is a massive step up and I dont expect this to be a favourable debut for some of these players.

Maybe if the game was at HQ it would be a different story but Murrayfield will be something totally new to most of these players and its darn cold up there this time of year.

I think i would be happier just replacing the two second rows with Garvey and say Attwood...and leaving Croft to concentrate on winning lineout duty...

beshocked wrote:
England have only one kicker of note? I thought they had at least two - Hodgson and Farrell.

I think the first 40 mins vs Quins would have convinced SL of Strettle's worth.

I was talking about the back 3, the ones that for the most part will be fielding the long balls from Parks...unless Hodgson or Farrell starts doing waht Wilko did for a while and playing as a fullback in defence.

If we are talking 40 minutes of rugby then why isnt Twelvetrees starting?


Anyway the choice is made and its rather acedemic now.

Good luck to Sarries in the next few weeks

beshocked wrote:

Equo Troiano wrote:

beshocked wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:What is interesting is that Farrell is named at 12 and Barritt 13 - a reversal of there sarries positions. This is the first indication that should Manu return mid tournament then Barritt will be the one to make way.

I am interested to see who woudl drop out from the back tow if/when wood returns.

Of course two defeats away from home and the whole thing could change.

Very very strange London Tiger. Barritt has always been the 12. Farrell has always been the 13. Though I am sure someone said they alternate in attack and defence anyway. Maybe the shirt numbers mean little anyway.


Would have personally started Morgan with Dowson as cover. Unfortunate for Sharples not even to make the bench. Would have preferred to Brown or Jordan Turner Hall.

I still cannot understand Jordan Turner Hall's purpose in the EPS.

Ditto Botha, Lancaster must be screwing his mother or something, its the only explanation for his presence in the EPS.

Martin Johnson picked Botha too.......

I rest my case.

Regarding Dowson and Morgan, who has the more experience in rugby? Is the England team low on experience?, now ask yourself why Dowson may of been picked over Morgan.

worried about Corbisiero at scrum time, he hasn't shown the best of form for London Irish and they've often left him on the bench....

Would have loved to have seen Marler start this game.

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

beshocked wrote:
England have only one kicker of note? I thought they had at least two - Hodgson and Farrell.

I think the first 40 mins vs Quins would have convinced SL of Strettle's worth.

I was talking about the back 3, the ones that for the most part will be fielding the long balls from Parks...unless Hodgson or Farrell starts doing waht Wilko did for a while and playing as a fullback in defence.

If we are talking 40 minutes of rugby then why isnt Twelvetrees starting?


Anyway the choice is made and its rather acedemic now.

Good luck to Sarries in the next few weeks

I would hope the back three will catch the ball and run it back.

Depends which 40 minutes of Twelvetrees you mean. Certainly wouldn't want SL looking at the Ulster or Saxons game to name just two.

Thank you Saracens will need a bit of luck. Missing Farrell,Hodgson,Barritt,Botha,De Kock,Wigglesworth,Burger,Joubert,Brits,Borthwick,Strettle,Brown and Stevens is not good for us. As well as Saunders and Vunipola injured.

Still fingers crossed the youngsters step up.

robshaw4england wrote:worried about Corbisiero at scrum time, he hasn't shown the best of form for London Irish and they've often left him on the bench....

Would have loved to have seen Marler start this game.

corbs has always been in a weak scrum though, hopefully he'll be doing better in a decent front 5.

nathan wrote:Regarding Dowson and Morgan, who has the more experience in rugby? Is the England team low on experience?, now ask yourself why Dowson may of been picked over Morgan.

I think everyone is aware of the experience factor nathan, the balance of the back row and the pack is the salient issue here.

So Lancaster complains about Sharples not making the WC squad yet doesn't even put him on the bench against Scotland. So much for the new exciting breed, this is going to be one boring game.

robshaw4england wrote:worried about Corbisiero at scrum time, he hasn't shown the best of form for London Irish and they've often left him on the bench....

Would have loved to have seen Marler start this game.

I agree robshaw. Obviously Rowntree feels he can improve Corbs' scrummaging to a good enough level, and who are we to judge?! Having said that, if you're going to have an ostensibly poor scrummager, why not go with Marler for the extra he offers around the park. He's an infinitely better carrier.

Chjw131 wrote:

robshaw4england wrote:worried about Corbisiero at scrum time, he hasn't shown the best of form for London Irish and they've often left him on the bench....

Would have loved to have seen Marler start this game.

I agree robshaw. Obviously Rowntree feels he can improve Corbs' scrummaging to a good enough level, and who are we to judge?! Having said that, if you're going to have an ostensibly poor scrummager, why not go with Marler for the extra he offers around the park. He's an infinitely better carrier.

Or the most over-rated player in the AP?

As always beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

It seems to me that Nick Wood and Matt Mullan should be in the 1st squad while Corbisiero and Marler should be in the Saxons.

beshocked wrote:Knackeredknees that does worry me a bit. I can see the Sarries players being blamed if we lose.

It's not ideal to pick both Barritt and Farrell in the centres for England but SL has little choice with Trinder,M.Tuilagi and even Joseph injured.

If I were Scotland I would target Farrell and Hodgson.

I think Farrell with defend at 13, it seems really silly to have it the other way around in defence. In which case, targeting 10 is a bad idea as Barritt can help Hodgson whose defence is not as bad as many make out and Robshaw makes a lot of tackles and as a 7 will be guarding the 10 channel as well. In fact, the Scottish 10-12 channel with Parks and Lamont who is a great player but not a centre looks at least as vulnerable, so I hope Barritt spends a little time at IC running at them. Or Ashton comes off his wing there

Is Chris Ashton a crash-ball winger now?

luckless_pedestrian wrote:Is Chris Ashton a crash-ball winger now?

No but he likes to come into the line and pace can be an equal substitution for strength when exposing a defensive frailty

gowales wrote:It seems to me that Nick Wood and Matt Mullan should be in the 1st squad while Corbisiero and Marler should be in the Saxons.

Now that is probably the fairest assessment of the loosehead situation!

LondonTiger wrote:

Chjw131 wrote:

robshaw4england wrote:worried about Corbisiero at scrum time, he hasn't shown the best of form for London Irish and they've often left him on the bench....

Would have loved to have seen Marler start this game.

I agree robshaw. Obviously Rowntree feels he can improve Corbs' scrummaging to a good enough level, and who are we to judge?! Having said that, if you're going to have an ostensibly poor scrummager, why not go with Marler for the extra he offers around the park. He's an infinitely better carrier.

Or the most over-rated player in the AP?

As always beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Well no one was comparing him to all of the other players in the Jeff, but if you see an opportunity to have a pot shot then you go for it. If you reckon that, relatively speaking Corbs is a better carrier than Marler then.... well I think you'd struggle to find a majority support for that statement.

Dan Hipkiss is a better carrier than Corbs.

Heck he may be a better scrummager than Marler

I actually think its a decent team, perhaps question marks over loosehead, although, I think Corbisiero is perhaps a little underrated - ive always liked his work in the loose, but saying that i havent managed to watch as much of L.Irish as usual this season so far. His scrummaging has been okay for England, but hes certainly not going to be destructive.

Botha is a surprise, I would have thought Attwood would get the nod personally.

I like the backrow, replace croft with Wood and you have 3 very good athletic backrowers who dont mind getting their hands dirty with any aspect of the game and will do so with insensity. Still lacking a true openside, but you dont necessarily have to base your breakdown on 'fetchers' - they certainly help mind.

10/12/13 is well, i cant quite make my mind up, the sarries unit changed around, assuming they'll switch in the centres as they do with Sarries (as beshocked has pointed out). Still, not much choice with the 13's who are out injured, Barritt is a very dependable 12 to have, and looks to have enough about him to be a good 12, alongside Tuilagi at 13, the future looks bright there, "wheres the creativity?!" i hear some cry, but that partnership will create enough through brute strength and speed, and itll give englands back 3 space out wide, which is really where they're dangerous.

back 3 is good, very good, strettle/sharples are both good options to have, alongside ashton, they have all attacking attributes covered between them, could be a horses for courses thing with those 3. Fodens been on fire, genuinely scares the life out of me at the moment.

People seem quite down on it, I think it has potential and is pretty strong in relation to whats available.

cheer up saes

OK so now Corbiserio cant scrummage or the carryuthe ball,,Farrell is a 13 not a 12 and cant tackle or run, JTH and Dowson cant play rugby, Botha cant carry scrum or operate in the lineout, Tom Croft is a winger, Strettle is a defensive player who cant run, Hodgson cant run or tackle or kick goals, Ben Youngs doesnt exist any more, and if a winger gets injured the entire world will cease to function.

Any more negativity available?


Corbs is rated pretty highly by Rowntree as a technical prop. Hes also made no secret that he is looking for mobile players on the loosehead side. As the Irish forwards cpoach pointed out, the scrum isnt that importnat as an attacking platform now.. you should be able to secure your own ball fairly easily and its going to be tough winning ball of your oppoennets if they dont want to give you the cahnce to, so whyt bother spending so much time and effort focussing on that at the expense of everything esle? ( So why not Marler they cry!)
If Corbs can avoid get penalised pointlessly ( Stevens!) he will be fine.

Strettle had the most players beaten last season in the Premiership. The 3rd most in the season before and the one before that. The most clean breaks last season and 2nd the year before. Suffice to say he is a useful attacking winger still, and scores tries when given the opportunity, including internationally. He will play a different role to Ashton and Sharples but he is not a defensive player

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYKllev77lQ
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zk8XksIb3Bc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3zZ_ijLmdM
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A4CDTDX1iTI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCS5Ap0trzQ&feature=fvsr
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hXkqW7UH1vs

Is that the bottle of Brown Ale that Max Boyce sings about

Comfort wrote:I actually think its a decent team, perhaps question marks over loosehead, although, I think Corbisiero is perhaps a little underrated - ive always liked his work in the loose, but saying that i havent managed to watch as much of L.Irish as usual this season so far. His scrummaging has been okay for England, but hes certainly not going to be destructive.

Botha is a surprise, I would have thought Attwood would get the nod personally.

I like the backrow, replace croft with Wood and you have 3 very good athletic backrowers who dont mind getting their hands dirty with any aspect of the game and will do so with insensity. Still lacking a true openside, but you dont necessarily have to base your breakdown on 'fetchers' - they certainly help mind.

10/12/13 is well, i cant quite make my mind up, the sarries unit changed around, assuming they'll switch in the centres as they do with Sarries (as beshocked has pointed out). Still, not much choice with the 13's who are out injured, Barritt is a very dependable 12 to have, and looks to have enough about him to be a good 12, alongside Tuilagi at 13, the future looks bright there, "wheres the creativity?!" i hear some cry, but that partnership will create enough through brute strength and speed, and itll give englands back 3 space out wide, which is really where they're dangerous.

back 3 is good, very good, strettle/sharples are both good options to have, alongside ashton, they have all attacking attributes covered between them, could be a horses for courses thing with those 3. Fodens been on fire, genuinely scares the life out of me at the moment.

People seem quite down on it, I think it has potential and is pretty strong in relation to whats available.

cheer up saes

I agree with you. I can't wait to have Wood and Tuilagi back though

LondonTiger wrote:Dan Hipkiss is a better carrier than Corbs.

Heck he may be a better scrummager than Marler

Amen Peter....

Chjw131 wrote:

gowales wrote:It seems to me that Nick Wood and Matt Mullan should be in the 1st squad while Corbisiero and Marler should be in the Saxons.

Now that is probably the fairest assessment of the loosehead situation!

Nah, EPS should be one of Wood and Mullan with one of Marler and Corbs

Front row - Corbs may not scrummage as well as Mullan, but not the lightweight people are making out. Hartley and Cole are the best we have.

Second row - Palmer deserves his spot, Botha perhaps less so.

Back row - Can it work as a unit, as each player does bring plenty of good things.

Pack - overall looks a little lightweight, but should be good in the lineout and I reckon will surprise people at the breakdown and running the ball.


Half backs - Youngs has not progressed as we would have liked - but is a talent. Hodgson is the most talented English 10 of the pro era and may surprise people.

Centres - Ok so they may not be BOD/Smith/SBW etc, but that is life.

Back 3 - should offer a threat.


All in all - not a great team, but perhaps not too bad either.


Oh and we are still the reigning champions!

Lot of hate directed towards Alex Corbisiero and some absolute nonense spouted about him here.

I have watched him since his debut for London Irish in 2008. When he burst onto the scene it was as a dynamic carrying prop and his scrummaging wasn't great. He has worked very hard on that aspect of his game, and in the past 18 months has held his own against and better some of the best tightheads in the world.

In recent weeks he himself has scrummaged ok, if not destructively, but he is hampered by being in a team with poor scrummaging tightheads at London Irish.

Very simply, he has a better all round game at this stage than Joe Marler does. Whilst I agree that Nick Wood and Matt Mullan have both performed well this season, the England 1 shirt was always going to be his to lose at the beginning of this 6 Nations.

Personally I think he will go well in the set piece and the front row is the one area of our back that I have very little concern about.

Hodgson is the most talented English 10 of the pro era

RubyGuby wrote:Hodgson is the most talented English 10 of the pro era

Well England did beat Wales 47-13 last time he started against them....

he does have a lot talent, he can also crumble like a flake.

RubyGuby wrote:Hodgson is the most talented English 10 of the pro era

I want to see Ashton on Hodgson's shoulder.

Like below with Flood:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZFz6jM2-bY

Look guys Hodgson has played at this level before and he has been an absolute liability on numerous occasions - For someone to say he is the best 10 of the english professional era I find amazing. He has plenty of time and protection at Saracens, if things start getting fierce at Murrayfield then would you really want this guy in the trenches with you. Good luck but after so many changes I would be disappointed to see him at 10 when there are better options IMO.

Comfort wrote:he does have a lot talent, he can also crumble like a flake.

That was certainly the way he used to be perceived, which is rather odd because now he seems to be cast as Mr Dull But Relaible, or Wilko Lite.
Im couldve sworn when he first started playing for England that he was seen as the falsh harry skillfull 10 to take England through to a new era of open rugby ( like the hammering of Wales) but he had a couple of real stinkers and then Wilko got fit ( breifly) so he was cast aside. I guess the Cipriani of his day?
Since then hes largely been the " well we have to have someone on the bench" option for England.

Given how unreliable Wilko has been for England over the past few years ( and he really has had many more applalling games than good ones, the world cup wasnt the only time he missed a lot of kicks) and Floods complete rabbit in headlights performance against Ireland last year ( lets not mention Cips again) is his perceived flakiness really that much more of a cause for concern that it has been for our other recent 10's?

England will have Farrell as a place kicking option starting on the pitch. Im not certainw hich will take on the duties ( is it too much to ask of the kid on debut?) , but Hodgson may have one less thing to get stressed over. He has a tactical kicking game and experience of managing these kind of games. He has the passing ability to get Englands backs that fraction of a second that Wilko wasnt giving them. He does lack Floods running threat, and isnt known as a monster tackler but I guess you cant have it all.

He isnt that much of a disaster. Andy Goodes name on the team sheet a couple of years a go was a real WTF? he came out of that tournament with more credit than he went in with.


Hodgson a C+ in my book. Could do better, but a pass.

RubyGuby wrote:Look guys Hodgson has played at this level before and he has been an absolute liability on numerous occasions - For someone to say he is the best 10 of the english professional era I find amazing. He has plenty of time and protection at Saracens, if things start getting fierce at Murrayfield then would you really want this guy in the trenches with you. Good luck but after so many changes I would be disappointed to see him at 10 when there are better options IMO.

Sounds like Quade Cooper but less pacy and a more realistic appraisal of his abilities...

Peter Seabiscuit Wheeler wrote:

Comfort wrote:he does have a lot talent, he can also crumble like a flake.

That was certainly the way he used to be perceived, which is rather odd because now he seems to be cast as Mr Dull But Relaible, or Wilko Lite.
Im couldve sworn when he first started playing for England that he was seen as the falsh harry skillfull 10 to take England through to a new era of open rugby ( like the hammering of Wales) but he had a couple of real stinkers and then Wilko got fit ( breifly) so he was cast aside. I guess the Cipriani of his day?
Since then hes largely been the " well we have to have someone on the bench" option for England.

Given how unreliable Wilko has been for England over the past few years ( and he really has had many more applalling games than good ones, the world cup wasnt the only time he missed a lot of kicks) and Floods complete rabbit in headlights performance against Ireland last year ( lets not mention Cips again) is his perceived flakiness really that much more of a cause for concern that it has been for our other recent 10's?

England will have Farrell as a place kicking option starting on the pitch. Im not certainw hich will take on the duties ( is it too much to ask of the kid on debut?) , but Hodgson may have one less thing to get stressed over. He has a tactical kicking game and experience of managing these kind of games. He has the passing ability to get Englands backs that fraction of a second that Wilko wasnt giving them. He does lack Floods running threat, and isnt known as a monster tackler but I guess you cant have it all.

He isnt that much of a disaster. Andy Goodes name on the team sheet a couple of years a go was a real WTF? he came out of that tournament with more credit than he went in with.


Hodgson a C+ in my book. Could do better, but a pass.

I'll give you that, he can at least do that OK, one of the better ones TBH

Okaaaay. I'm sure I'll get blasted for this but here goes...
Quietly pleased. Think Corbs is a decent scrummager. Whenever he came on at the world cup he secured the scrum, which was struggling at times. Agreed - not a destruction derby, but held his own. Always seems quite useful with ball in hand to, makes a few hard yards.

Think we'll hold our own at the scrum, and think that's a decent selection for the line-out too. I think there'll be more work at the line-out than the scrum if it becomes the kicking battle many are expecting - so a positive.

Love Strettles running in attack.Farrell has so much promise....
If, and I know it's an "if" we can secure some quick ball, we can win this game, and potentially win it well.

Right - off to the bomb-shelter

Also, at the risk of sounding more like a Sarries fan than a Quins one, for those who don't think Sarries' backline can attack, here is them humiliating Leicester, in Leicester. By no means a first choice Leicester team, but still...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRJ3QSMVfO0