Who are the keepers for England?

First topic message reminder :

Like almost everybody else, I've been pleasantly surprised by England in the 6N. Not the finished article by any means, but an incredible rate of improvement and a good foundation for the future. Lancaster has done enough to keep the job I would hope - even for the RFU - although I bet it will be a short-term contract.

So all good, then - except...............

We still have no cutting edge. Before anyone else points this out, I know it's a new team, still learning to play together etc. but I still can't convince myself that this particular group of players can be world beaters. So, I started wondering, from here, who would you keep & who would you replace - and with whom?

For me, starting from the front, Cole & Corbs are nailed on. Hartley I don't rate, but no obvious alternative presents so I'd keep him.

Second row, Parling, Lawes (in spite of his girly moment) & Palmer all look good.

Back row, Croft is getting back to his best, Morgan is a great find (thanks Wales) which leaves Robshaw as my first question mark. Is he better than Wood? almost certainly not, but personally I'd keep him for his leadership.

Half backs, OK here we go. I know Lee Dickson had a mare against Ireland, but I still rate him more than Youngs who I think is suspect under pressure. Care needs to get his act together, but should be back in the frame. Farrel was impressive - calm, great kicker, but can he get a backline going? I'd stick with him with Flood as backup. He's a work in progress & I don't see why he can't be coached to stand a bit flatter and feed the ball in front of people instead of behind them!

Centres as alway are a question for England, although I'm keeping Tuilagi! I know he's not the best passer in the world, but just for his impact he's well worth keeping. So, who at 12? Thing is, Barrit's been brilliant in terms of defence, but do we need a more creative IC? I have to say, I think we do. Farrell & Barrit together just won't work. So, who do you put in there? I personally can't think of an EQ IC who I'd currently replace him with - Anthony Allen, maybe? I'm not sure, but I think this is a problem.

Back three, full back is no problem, Foden with Brown as backup looks good to me. Wings are another question. Is Ashton just off form or is it the way England are playing? To me, he's still working hard, his defence is better and having seen him at his best, I think you persevere with him. Strettle's done nothing wrong & defensively has been excellent, so also stays, although I'd like to see Sharples & Wade (when fit) get a run out.

So, as you can see, all in ll I'm pretty happy with the makeup of the team, but I would have to admit, that's as much because I don't see any stand out challengers for positions as anything.

So, the challenge - this is a pretty good, but not great side. Who do you keep, who do you replace & most importantly, who out there is good enough to force their way in?

Adam wrote:I read the title "who are the keepers for England" and my initial reaction was: "all of them?"

This 6 Nations we saw a new team playing what was largely a limited game, and this was driven by necessity. The average age of the matchday squad was something ridiculous like 24 or 25, with Botha, Dowson and Stevens the only ‘seasoned’ bodies in there. Throw in the likes of Clark and Launchbury who’ve been given a run in the extended squad and you’re looking at, potentially, a side that is seriously packed with youth. In light of this, there is nothing to say that all of these guys couldn’t make the step up to become great, or even world class internationals.

For me, Lancaster’s squad selection has been spot on and – if anything – it’s the thing I’m least worried about. The challenge now is finding a style to get the most out of this group of players and bringing-on the team to achieve its potential.

Interesting to see the outcome of his case? I dont think he'll be seen in an England shirt too soon.

But i think we are lucky with back rowers coming through at the moment......

I haven't seen the Clark incident Geordie - was it a gouge? Cut-and-dried case? I watched a lot of Clark in his Leeds days and he never struck me as that type of player - shame.

tomhughesnice wrote:I think Englands biggest strength and weakness is Tuilagi. Strength being that he always breaks the gainline, and the first tackler is bounced away like a rag doll. But when he does get stopped by the 2nd and 3rd tackler he does not release the ball, and momentum is lost. I think Tuilagi has a bit of an arrogant mindset that he thinks he can break through everyone.

Once Tuilagi learns to trust and use his supporting players I would hope we would start to see our wingers scoring again. His current playing style is better suited on the wing.

I agree with you about the strength and weakness, he will hopefully develop more of a passing game in time, otherwise you wouldnt bet against him becoming a bit more of an impact type player in his later playing career (like a better version of Erinle during his purple patch at Wasps.)

I dont think there are any players in the squad who should be cut on form, although more dog in the second row would be great, Lawes just falls between 2 stools I think, too lanky to be the enforcer he thinks he is, but not the man to run a line out. Hopefully this will come with time with Attwood and Garvey getting runouts during the SA tour.

Adam wrote:I haven't seen the Clark incident Geordie - was it a gouge? Cut-and-dried case? I watched a lot of Clark in his Leeds days and he never struck me as that type of player - shame.

No, it looks like (and it's only 'looks like' at the moment) that he deliberately broke Hawkins' arm while he was trapped in a ruck. I remember the smirk on his face when he got a red card in the 2008 JWC final. But since then he's seemed pretty clean if a bit agressive. I thought he had turned it around but I suggest you go to the club section and check out the youtube video in the link

Twelvetrees should tour as an option for Barrit. Hes very much a Lancaster back.