England Player Ratings

Title say's it all really. Player ratings for Englands game against Wales on Sat:

15. Foden- 5. Another subdued game for the fullback, compared to last season he is no where near the running threat that he was. Good tackling and safe under the highball though, didn't really link with the rest of the back three.
14. Strettle- 5. Possible due to being from Saracens he looked comfortable with the kick chase strategy that we used, chased kicks very well and pressured the Welsh catchers. He tackled fairly well but did miss one. Didn't cause too much trouble to the Welsh defence and made a meal of that chance at the death.
13. Tuilagi-7.5. Englands joint best back, Manu looked a class above most of the other backs on the pitch ball in hand, he tackled very well and was a real pest at the breakdown. England can't afford to lose him. Only negative was him fading out of the game but that'll be down to match fitness after the lay off.
12. Barritt-7. Englands other joint best back with Manu. Barritt would tackle a truck if it was running his was, made some brilliant covering tackles and nearly always managed to make a few yards going forwards. Needs to offload a bit more.
11. Ashton-4. Just doesn't seem to be with it at the moment. He wasn't given much and didn't look for anything more. Probably our worst back.
10. Farrell-6.5. Showed very good composure over the full 65ish mins that he was on. Kicked at goal well bar one fairly simple miss. He followed the kicking gameplan a bit too strictly at first but as the game went on we saw more of his attacking game come out, lots to work on but the foundations are solid.
9.Dickson-7. Looked like the no9 we've been missing so far this tournament, passed well and was accurate, kicked well too. Did give away too penalties both of which were stupid. Needs to run a bit more too but otherwise a very good starting debut.
8. Morgan- 5. Started really well with some very physical running, then just seemed to dissappear after that, is fitness still an issue?
7. Robshaw- 5. His worst game in an England shirt and by his own standards he'll know he needs to do better. Looked like a 6 out of position and was comprehensively out played at the breakdown by his opposite number. Did tackle well and carried through traffic all day.
6. Croft- 6. Looked a bit more like his old self this time, Croft was definitely the best of the backrow and really put himself about all game.
5. Parling- 5. Worked well in the lineouts and we looked quite solid there (bar one mistake). Tackled well and went through a heck of a lot of work, needs to get his hands on the ball more though and try to link.
4. Botha- 6. His best game for England so far, tackled and carried well and was very good against Welch Mauls, pressured Phillips all game and but for the bounce of the ball could have scored.
3. Cole- 6. Did pretty well in the scrum, we were under a huge amount of pressure and still managed to only give a few pens. Cole looks like he's been working on his breakdown work as well and won us a key penalty there as well as constantly slowing down the Welsh attacking ball.
2. Hartley- 4. Didn't seem to have much of an effect on the game, didn't carry much, tackled fairly well. In the modern game no2's should be like an extra flanker and Dylan just doesn't do that.
1. Corbisiero-5. A rough day at the scrum for Corbs was at least partially made up for by his constant willingness to run the ball and his effectiveness doing this. Could be the dynamic prop that we need and a very good project for the future.

So what do you think? Over all a good performance by England and a thoroughly gripping game of rugby. Lots to work on for the whole squad but slowly we're going the right way.

I think some of them are slightly low Yappy but in general...probably right.

Dont forget it was Wales we were playing who are a strong side ...and whilst many Welsh fans will claim they were poor...as an English fan i believe they were poor because we didnt let them play well....

Good numbers, and I think most are right on. But, then again, I am not a fan of inflated numbers. Like your analysis, too.

Only replacements I would make for the next match is:
Sharples for Strettle. I just don't see what Strettle brings to the party.
Parling or Botha replaced by Lawes - Need his raw physicality, go-forwards and strength.
Someone (anyone?) who can scrummage.

doctor_grey wrote:Good numbers, and I think most are right on. But, then again, I am not a fan of inflated numbers. Like your analysis, too.

Only replacements I would make for the next match is:
Sharples for Strettle. I just don't see what Strettle brings to the party.
Parling or Botha replaced by Lawes - Need his raw physicality, go-forwards and strength.
Someone (anyone?) who can scrummage.

You see, I'd drop Ashton. At least Strettle looks decent in defence and trying to score at the moment, Ashton got the ball 16 times last game and made literally zero impact to the game except passing the ball to a Welshman in their 22. Take Stevens out of the 22, he has not been great. Fix the bench done. Scores look pretty good

Dont forget it was Wales we were playing who are a strong side ...and whilst many Welsh fans will claim they were poor...as an English fan i believe they were poor because we didnt let them play well....

As a Welsh fan I would agree with you there GF... England did a very good job at stopping us getting any momentum. However there were areas where we did let ourselves down like missing touch and some poor kick chase leaving us struggling for territory.

Anyway don't want to high jack this thread so back on subject I agree that your midfield did a good defensive job on us I think Foden is higher than a 5.

marler (or mullan who I dont know so well) for Stevens. Sharples for Ashton (or someone bigger)

Need a different spare no.9 too. Assuming Youngs does recover the form he showed when he first appeared he should be there or there abouts for many years but he isnt offering anything when he comes on. Same goes for Ashton

Tuilagi got through a lot of work but it might be an idea to think about having another guy who can play 13 in the subs if it looks like he wont last the 80.

I actually thought we competed pretty well on the floor this game - but maybe thats the rose tinted specs again.

They look about right yappy, if possibly a little low in one or two cases (I am thinking specifically about Corbisiero, Parling and Farrell who I would up by one point from what you've given them).

There are plenty of positives for England to take and build on from the game, but also some negatives that Lancaster needs to show that he can address.

Ultimately the front row is our best unit at present, so I don't see any changes being made there, and nor do I want any. They need time to gel properly as a unit and should maybe be judged this time next year, at which point if any of them don't look up to it alternatives should be blooded.

Of more pressing concern in the pack is the balance from 4-8. Our second row has lack grunt and dynamism, and our back row just does not look right. I know that traditionally your lineout specialist and man calling the plays is a lock, but we do not have an international class lineout specialist at present. Wholesale changes during this tournament are not the answer, but in the summer I would like to see a combination of two of Garvey, Attwood and Lawes in the second row, with Croft and Wood the flankers and Morgan at 8.

Ultimately I would like to see Luke Wallace come through as a genuine 7, as he looks to have a touch of class about him, and could well go on to become a top class international openside.

doctor_grey wrote:Good numbers, and I think most are right on. But, then again, I am not a fan of inflated numbers. Like your analysis, too.

Only replacements I would make for the next match is:
Sharples for Strettle. I just don't see what Strettle brings to the party.
Parling or Botha replaced by Lawes - Need his raw physicality, go-forwards and strength.Someone (anyone?) who can scrummage.

Dr,

Im just not seeing anything from Lawes. He needs to up his game. I really havent seen aything that puts him ahead of Botha (who was excellent) or Parling after Saturdays game....

Geordie, I was trying to be as realistic as possible and yes the numbers are fairly low but then we lost and didn't score any tries. Most of the team got 5+which to my mind is better then average. And a positive was for the first time ever our centres were some of the best players on the pitch.

Doctor, agree with those changes. Although I do worry that too much is being put on Sharples shoulders. A lot of the problems with the winger is to my mind the game plan, and sharples may not do any better. I would still change both of them if we could though. Move Foden to 14, Sharples to 11 and Brown to 15.

chequered, yea Stevens for me is pants. I'd love to see PDJ or Mullan on the bench.

IS, Foden can be so much better then that, he looked pretty average all game really. If he can't burn the defender on the outside then he seems to have nothing to try, he doesn't enter the line like an old school fb either in attack which bugs me.

ChequeredJersey wrote:At least Strettle looks decent in defence

He made 4 tackles but missed 2, the worst defending figures of the day. The tap tackle was good, but most tackles are front on and that's what is critical to line breaks.

I'd happily see both wingers replaced.

Universally agreed nearly that some of the scores on yappy are too low.

Parling for me was a 7 at least. Can't understand the 5. he made 19 tackles, put himself about to good effect and ran the lineout.

Pair him with the better of Lawes, Botha, Garvey in the future.

Ashton needs to know that when comes infield looking for those one on ones with opposing forwards that were alive to it with the short pass to him at pace. He needs to work his socks off with licence to roam. He needs to scream for the ball and come through our attacking line at pace. He needs to do this again and again.

If the pass is on it needs to be given. Not giving it is sinful. Even if it comes off 3 out of ten times Ashton runs for it that is 3 linebreaks and he is dangerous once through.

We need to train this way and play this way vs Ireland and France. Retain Ashton. On a warning. But also get people woken up to the the weapon at our disposal.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

doctor_grey wrote:Good numbers, and I think most are right on. But, then again, I am not a fan of inflated numbers. Like your analysis, too.

Only replacements I would make for the next match is:
Sharples for Strettle. I just don't see what Strettle brings to the party.
Parling or Botha replaced by Lawes - Need his raw physicality, go-forwards and strength.Someone (anyone?) who can scrummage.

Dr,

Im just not seeing anything from Lawes. He needs to up his game. I really havent seen aything that puts him ahead of Botha (who was excellent) or Parling after Saturdays game....

My Northern friend, I think we haven't seen much from Lawes because he is still recovering from his injury, and was his first real big game so far. Watching him go, he seemed to me a bit shorter of match fitness than Tuilagi or even Flood, though that's a bit harder to judge. My sense is give Lawes the next two weeks and we will have him back close to full throttle. Problem is there is no substitute for playing. But, in his defense, when he lost the ball which ended up as the Welsh try, he was taking the ball up aggressively. England need that.

Regarding Botha and Parling, this is not a knock on either gent, both got around well and competed well. And I agree Botha was particularly good. I think this is just a case of that little extra hard edge will be helpful. And I also think Lawes' upside is greater than either Botha or Parling.

Doc,

I do appreciate that hes been injured and not fully fit (well match fitness) and i hope your right. He does have the potential..and i'd like nothing more than to watching him rampaging around causing havoc...

As an outsider,I feel your props did fine against the best in the world.Adam Jones is immense in the tight and Gethin is an extra backrower for us and is tidy enough at scrumtime.Persevere with your props and find a decent hooker and you will be fine in a year or two.

taff

spot on.

Our two were up against two of the best in the world in their positions in Melon and the hair bear, and will get better for the experience. Just need to find a monster hooker in the mould of Bismarck du Plessis to stick between them and we'll be grand when RWC 2015 comes around.

+1

I think Cole is there or there abouts and Corbs is coming along very well, but Hartley is a little lacking in the tight and scrum, just a bit lightweight ish. I think the engine room is a little lacking in the scrum too, even against a 2nd choice welsh engine room and a third choice hooker, allbeit a decent scrummager.

I really think the harder England try to win this championship the more damage to the proggression they'll do, give players who need gametime gametime, I'd let Farrell and Barrit combine in the centres, with Flood and Youngs at 9/10, let them play into form, and start to gel and that will be a really nicely balanced halfback and centre combination, then the backl 3 will gain confidence and workl better together.

bluesman,Agreed.SL is in a tough spot.He needs to help England build for the future but he also has his own agenda for instant success.Hopefully he will be given the nod and be able to lay down the foundations for future success.He is doing a cracking job in my eyes.

Me too Taff, I like him.

He's a no nonsense guy, do or get dropped, and he just has the attitude of laying the foundations before looking at the top 2 inches kinda thing.

Saw an interview with him before the tourny where he was discussing being realistic from an England POV, then how proud he was of the boys after Scotland, despite the so called poor performance, an inexperienced bunch of players who went to Murrayfeild for the first time won.

He also claimed 6 point would be a success for England which makes so much sense but ye, he needs results to get the job, and thats whats going to hurt England. He reminds me of Woodward but the anti Woodward does that make sense?

Yappy those are the most realistic ratings I've seen so far. There have been some hugely exaggerated performance ratings for both England and Wales. Tuilagi, Warburton and Halfpenny had stand out performances with notable contributions from Farrell, Dickson and North - but they were not the 9's I read in some papers!

I would have put Parling up 1 or possibly 2 as well, even though he is older, that was still his starting debut in one of the toughest matches he could have asked for at the moment and he didn't look out of place at all. He showed his work rate around the park (if that 19 tackles is true that is fantastic) and he showed more and more of himself in attack as the game went on. Leicester bias aside, I think he showed he fully deserved the promotion over Palmer for the game.

Bluemans: I won't get into the Tuilagi debate with you but, even without him, there is no way a partnership of Farrell and Barritt in the centres is the way forward. There is absolutely no cutting edge there at all and we need someone who can provide that. Not including Tuilagi (for your sake), we still have Trinder, Joseph, Lowe, Hopper and a couple of others who are far better and more threatening 13's than Farrell or Barritt will ever be. I am not saying they aren't good players, Barritt was immense on Saturday, but as a centre partnership, they just don't work at international level if England want to play any type of attacking rugby.

Wales:
Halfpenny 8
North 7
Davies 7
Roberts 6 (Williams 8)
Cuthbert 3
Priestland 2
Phillips 8
Jenkins 7
Owens 8
Jones 8
AWJ 6 (Ryan Jones 8)
Evans 8
Lydiate 7
Warburton 8
Faletau 7

stevens need to be replaced by marler we need impact from bench.lawes for botha but i think lawes is a 6.simpson for youngs.sharples for ashton and may for brown.

1.corbisero
2.hartley
3.cole
4.parling
5.lawes
6.croft
7.robshaw
8.morgan
9.dickson
10.farrell
11.strettle
12.barritt
13.tuilagi
14.sharples
15.foden

16.webber
17.marler
18.botha
19.dowson
20.simpson
21.hodgson
22.may

No new people into the 32. There's no point (unless injuries) as they won't have trained with the squad. I'd rather mix it up a bit within the squad we have, keep players like May and Joseph playing for their club and bring them along to South Africa (especially if there's an expanded squad due to 'proper' tour).

The change's I would consider making to the next 22 (not regarding training performances and minor injuries that occur) would be

1. Corbisiero
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Lawes
5. Parling
6. Croft
7. Robshaw
8. Morgan
9. Dickson
10. Farrell
11. Sharples
12. Barritt
13. Tuilagi
14. Ashton
15. Foden

16. Webber
17. Marler
18. Botha
19. Dowson
20. Young
21. Flood
22. Brown

I want to give Brown and Sharples ago but only change one at a time. Give Sharples a go first. If he does well then keep him in and give Brown a go in the last game (with Sharples and Ashton on the wing). Marler for Stevens, Marler's scrum is nowhere near as bad as some make out and it's not exactly Stevens' strong point anyway. It'll be tough against the French but isn't that the point? I'd like to give Webber a start in the last game as well. I'd say Simpson is not exactly on fire at the moment so don't see the point of bringing him in. Stike with Youngs on the bench but don't bring him on unless needed. I don't think Flood did enough to start but Hodgson is only a stop gap and more time Flood spends with England the better.

Currently Strettle is just a younger version of Cueto – decent footballing skills but made a horlicks of the ‘try’ (just like Cueto would have done; the best wingers would have scored). This only works if our other winger is a try-scoring threat – and currently he isn’t. There’s a strong case to drop both, but personally I’d persevere with Strettle and give Ashton a ‘rest’. Unfortunately all our pace is in the back 3, and they’re just not delivering at the moment (or maybe not being used properly).

We need a openside with more pace than Robshaw – who would be better suited at 6. For the life of me I can’t see why Croft can’t do this. He’s fast and a decent tackler. Looks like we’ll have to wait for Haskell or Wood.

Hopefully Lawes will be so embarrassed about having the ball ripped that he’ll push on for the last couple of games. There’s just no excuse for a big bad 2nd rower being made to look like a nancy boy, especially by a back.

Unless Stevens scores every time he appears I can’t see the point. The points he gives away far outweigh any benefit to the team given the short time he’s on the pitch.

Strettle 4
Ashton 3
Robshaw 4
Lawes 2
Stevens 2

stevens need to be replaced by marler we need impact from bench.lawes for botha but i think lawes is a 6.simpson for youngs.sharples for ashton and may for brown.

Marler on the bench will only work as long as nothing happens to Cole. Corbs and Marler as a front row will get taken apart by Ireland and against France well I think complete destruction will ensue. England need at least a half decent scrum. Botha played well and considerably better than Lawes so I'd keep him in. Simpson isn't international quality in terms of passing but I'd give Karl Dickson or Ben Spencer a look (Dickson over Spencer). Sharples for Ashton is a good call.

With the full back issues I think Foden should be the one to make way, I agree there's no point bringing May into the squad now so I'd demote Foden to the bench and start Brown. Foden is off form and can't kick (which is putting additional pressure on the 10) where as Brown is in the form of his life and has a cannon of a left boot.

It appears that Ashton is exempt from exclusion, despite failing to do anything in all 3 games. At least Strettle looks like he's trying. I'd take out Ashton first.

Edit - Alright, I've just scanned through and people agree. Should've done that first...

Currently Strettle is just a younger version of Cueto – decent
footballing skills but made a horlicks of the ‘try’ (just like Cueto
would have done; the best wingers would have scored). This only works if
our other winger is a try-scoring threat – and currently he isn’t.
There’s a strong case to drop both, but personally I’d persevere with
Strettle and give Ashton a ‘rest’. Unfortunately all our pace is in the
back 3, and they’re just not delivering at the moment (or maybe not
being used properly).

We need a openside with more pace than
Robshaw – who would be better suited at 6. For the life of me I can’t
see why Croft can’t do this. He’s fast and a decent tackler. Looks like
we’ll have to wait for Haskell or Wood.

I think it was BRown who made a horlicks of the try not Strettle. Strettle actually did quite well to get the ball down considering he had two defenders to get through. Brown needed to commit or at least interest the defenders before shovelling the ball on.

I'd rest Ashton too. It could be that he's just not adapted to playing on the left, but he's been very quiet recently. I think giving someone else a go would be justified.

I don't really see why Croft and Robshaw don't swap shirts either, but then I'm not sure it's massively important, apart from at scrumtime.

I'd take out Ashton

Promises, promises

Eustace

Bang on mate, Strettle is taking a hiding for 'fluffing' the 'try' but he rides the tackle of 1/2p's life and forced JD2 over the line despite both going past Brown like he wasn't there, why in gods name brown didn't straighten, look at the line or do anything apart from show his hand from the off.

Floods pass was a slowy too, but he was trying to beat a man with it at least.

Eustace

Bang on mate, Strettle is taking a hiding for 'fluffing'
the 'try' but he rides the tackle of 1/2p's life and forced JD2 over
the line despite both going past Brown like he wasn't there, why in gods
name brown didn't straighten, look at the line or do anything apart
from show his hand from the off.

Floods pass was a slowy too, but he was trying to beat a man with it at least.

Flood was forced to loop a slow pass over the offside Welsh defenders!

Offside??? How rude, you mean amazingly quick defencive line surely?

In defence of my lowish score for Parling yes he made the most tackles but other then that he did not carry too well, didn't get involved in the rucks and we kept trying to maul from any attacking lineout that we got but never managed to get anywhere with it.
I would have liked to have seen a few more balls used straight off the top as Tuilagi in particular looked dangerous from that.

He does look like a bright prospect and i'd keep him starting alongside Botha but he needs to add a bit more to his game.

I would like to see in the summer tests one of May, Joseph, Lowe, Walker or Trinder at 22 for England. They all cover the wings and also give us a different option at centre if the rapier is required late in the game over the hammer.

yappysnap wrote:In defence of my lowish score for Parling yes he made the most tackles but other then that he did not carry too well, didn't get involved in the rucks and we kept trying to maul from any attacking lineout that we got but never managed to get anywhere with it.
I would have liked to have seen a few more balls used straight off the top as Tuilagi in particular looked dangerous from that.

He does look like a bright prospect and i'd keep him starting alongside Botha but he needs to add a bit more to his game.

I would like to see in the summer tests one of May, Joseph, Lowe, Walker or Trinder at 22 for England. They all cover the wings and also give us a different option at centre if the rapier is required late in the game over the hammer.

Parling looked the most 'out-of-water-est' fish on the field.

Till Youngs came on anyway. And he had competition from Ashton.

I thought Parling ruled the lineout (seeing as he was calling the English jumpers) and he made life a lot easier for Botha. They played the brute and the athletic with Parling's lineout and a couple of decent carries/supports allowing Botha to stay in the tight and bosh things. Seemed a working combination to me. I thought we had one nice rolling maul from our own half that went a few metres? I presumed that was the instruction from the coaching staff to try and tie in the Welsh backrow.

Youngs just looks like he doesn't train with the team. He's looking to run things and the players around him just aren't seeing it. Complete communication breakdown. At least he is trying, Ashton just looks uninterested.

In Ashtons defence he does get a few metres down the try line once and when he looks to the offload it's Warburton running the support line, he goes nuts when he's pushed into touch!!!

I think he's willing but his attitude seems to have affected others, how can he and Foden go from being so gelled, good freinds, and a destructive partnership to looking like strangers?

yappysnap wrote:Till Youngs came on anyway. And he had competition from Ashton.

temporary blips from those two, Parling was doing his best and was still poor.

Foden is plum out of form, similar to Youngs and it's a different team structure and tactics at the moment. A failure to adapt is evident. I don't think Ashton has ever got over the ban for hair pulling and then being dropped by Saints for poor form on his return. His morale seems very low at the minute.

I don't think the reliance on Tuilagi to get all of Englands go forward is helping either, getting the ball to the 13 to get a bit of momentum is killiong space and putting forwards in midfeild. I think thats part of whats hurting the back 3, because in their defence they are not getting ball to run with and especially not chances to break.

I'd be keen to see Brown start against France as for Quins at least one of his biggest strengths is bringing the wingers in to the match and creating space for them. Of course that does presume that the wingers will track him and the game plan allows this...

I don't think the reliance on Tuilagi to get all of Englands go forward is helping either, getting the ball to the 13 to get a bit of momentum is killiong space and putting forwards in midfeild.

Ashton was great at tracking across and coming in on the ball carriers shoulder and producing a space for himself to go through rather than running the outside arc. England are a little obvious in their attacking play, Farrell stands as deep as JW and uses the centres to get the ball moving forward. If the playmaker is that static and deep it always facilitates the opposition's drift in defence. What isn't helped is the English regime limiting the attacking options of the 9s. There is very little pick up and move the ball, attack round the corner play from scrum half (which is unusual given how Dickson and Youngs play for their clubs). That in itself is allowing the fringe defence to spread a little.

The attacking play of the backs improved massively this weekend but they'll need an improvement on the same scale again if they intend to threaten the French defence.

I think yopu are being alittle bit too technical there if im honest. When warburton cut Tuilagi down, Engfland were camped on the Welsh line. The scrum half looked to see if he could get through before passing. Every uyher bugger was too selfish to pass and looked to go themselves. They were all glory hunting.

Tommy,

If you look at Englands half backs in all the games they simply have not been looking to run the ball. Its hard to telkl if this is under instruction, due to lack of ability, ort lack of confidence.

At one point ( I think in that same attack) Dickson was digging the ball out from a ruck maybe a meter from the goal line with Farrell on his shoulder screening him. The only defender on that side was 2 meters away. Neither even seemed to notice, instead the ball was pass out right to a well defended area.

Flood and Youngs at their best offered constant running threats that kept defenders glued to the breakdown to guard the fringes of the ruck rather than spreading.
If the current side could off er that threat then the centers might find a bit more space rather than always having to take the contact ( which they did break a few times).

Underdstandably for such a new team as well the backs were often playing on instinct rather than complex set plays and moves, and didnt really seem to operate as a unit much. Australia alsways seem obsessed with having the backline swapping round and cutting across each other etc. England severla times seemedd to be uncertain which way they were going to move the ball let alone who was goint to do what.

Hopefully thatw ill come with time. Theres obvious signs that things are being worked on, and Lancaster did make it clear he was starting from a simple basic gameplan, concentrating on the set pieces and possesion first. Hes now added some desire to un the ball rather than kick or pass to the 12 then kick.
Its pretty clear hes been drilling them on charge downs too.
Whats needed now is that subtley we saw from England 18 months ago when youd see a group of backs hitting the line together in a diamond formation making it impossible for defenders to know where the ball would go. It takes organisation and familairity, something this side for obvious reasons doesnt have yet. Add to that some good execution of basic skills, and the physicality of Barrit and Tuilagii, and youd hope the wings could start exploiting it.

Putting together a side that can take on SA in their backyard though? Hmm. I dont think England have a strong enough pack to even think about that.

thebluesmancometh wrote:In Ashtons defence he does get a few metres down the try line once and when he looks to the offload it's Warburton running the support line, he goes nuts when he's pushed into touch!!!

I think he's willing but his attitude seems to have affected others, how can he and Foden go from being so gelled, good freinds, and a destructive partnership to looking like strangers?

The Club switch thing can't have helped their relationship

The likes of Youngs, Ashton and Foden dropping off-form should not be treated as a disaster. It happens! I think that: a) Lancaster should consider giving all three a rest, and that b) it shouldn't be viewed as panic-stations chopping and changing if and when he does.

In Dickson's and Morgan's performances (and Ashton's and Youngs' when they exploded onto the scene 18 months or so back) it is clear that top form at the sharp end of domestic competition does translate to international level even when experience is lacking. In Brown and Sharples we have two guys who have been in and around this new squad and who have been on scintillating form this season for their clubs......be bold!! Stick them in there!! I am all for continuity, and Lancaster has to be careful to tinker rather than chop (which he has done successfully so far), but we're talking about using guys who are in the squad, on form and ready to rock - the only thing they lack is caps, and there's only one way to get them. It's not as if the likes of Ashton and Foden would be sold to the knacker - just stick em on the bench....get the hunger back in their bellies - they'll be back!