Marler & Johnson handed Debuts

From Telegraph

South Africa v England: Joe Marler and Tom Johnson given first caps in opening Test in Durban
There will be two new caps in the England team to be announced Thursday to face South Africa at King’s Park on Saturday, Stuart Lancaster giving debuts to Harlequins prop Joe Marler and Exeter Chiefs back-row forward Tom Johnson.
There is also a radical shuffling of the back three with Ben Foden switching to an unfamiliar position on the wing to allow Mike Brown of Harlequins to come in at full-back.
England know what’s coming their way from the Springboks, lots of bash ‘n’ smash and high balls raining down at the rear. Two full-backs will help deal with that threat while England also value the option of having Brown’s left-footed boot to return balls downfield. Even though England have spent the last 10 days practising the formation, it’s the first time in what will be his 28th Test that Foden has started on the wing.
England have been looking to give Brown an opportunity. He was one of the mainstays of Harlequins’ Premiership success, an out-and-out full-back, with pace and attitude. A calf injury to wing David Strettle and Foden’s versatility gave England a ready-made scenario for change.
A return to form for Leicester has led to Ben Youngs displacing Lee Dickson at scrum-half after having been on bench duty behind the Northampton player for the last three games of the Six Nations Championship. Centre Manu Tuilagi has recovered from a foot problem that curtailed his training at the start of the week and will form a midfield trio with Saracens’ centre Brad Barritt and fly-half Owen Farrell, whose father, Andy, is expected in Durban to watch him play.
Marler’s elevation is a tribute to the manner in which the Mohican-shaven tearaway of old has modified his hothead ways (as well as his hairstyle) without diluting his competitive edge. Marler has become a more rounded character on and off the field, less of an exhibitionist and more of an honest, hard-working prop forward. He is only 21 yet over the last nine months has shown that he can handle the pressure of top-end scrummaging as well as control his temper in moments of stress.

If final proof were needed that Marler had earned his right to a first Test cap it came in the Aviva Premiership final against Leicester where the Harlequin coped well at the set-piece, first against England colleague-in-arms Dan Cole and then renowned Italian tighthead Martin Castrogiovanni. Not only that, he had enough energy to contribute in the loose, a key feature of his game.
He will need to bring all that new-found composure and honed scrum technique to the party on Saturday for the Springboks are sure to target him. Marler revealed prior to the Premiership final that he realised that teams were setting out to provoke him, finally aware that he was a liability. Marler believes he’s a reformed character.
England would have been tempted to give Marler a run no matter that Alex Corbisiero had done a sterling job on the loosehead throughout the Six Nations. However, the London Irish prop has not played since suffering a biceps injury at the end of April and was then forced to sit out training over the last few days with a jarred knee.
Injury has forced Lancaster’s hand in part, across the board; the absence on tour of Tom Croft, Tom Wood and Courtney Lawes leaving a gap to be filled at blindside flanker. Johnson gets his chance after two impressive seasons for Exeter. At 29 he has grafted his way to this point, forcing his way through the ranks at Chinnor, Reading and Coventry, then making his mark in the West Country, becoming the first Exeter player to be capped since Martin Underwood 47 years ago. He was the stand-out performer for England against the Barbarians a fortnight ago, an energetic display that caught Lancaster’s eye and lifted him above Phil Dowson for the No 6 shirt.
England had a good idea long before Wednesday’s formal announcement of the Springbok side just who was likely to face them and the style of game to be adopted. There are three new caps in the line-up, all in the pack, with 20-year-old rookie Eben Etzebeth forming a new partnership with former Northampton lock Juandre Kruger. Despite his youth, Etzebeth is seen as the successor to feared Bok enforcer Bakkies Botha.
“He’s big, physical and doesn’t shy away from contact,” said Springbok head coach Heyneke Meyer. “What the youngsters lack in experience they make up for with energy and hunger.”
Sharks flanker Marcell Coetzee, 21, is the other new cap, “definitely a superstar for the future”, according to Meyer. The preference at 15 for Zane Kirchner over the exciting talent of Pat Lambie, who is on the bench, indicates the ‘Boks intention to kick..

I'm quite happy about these changes.

Marker in for Corbs. ( slight injury) but Marler is in on merit & form

Brown in for Foden @ FB & Ben switches to wing (Strettle injured) Brown great attacker & monster boot.

Johnson in instead of Dowson (Johnson consistent & has more go forward than Dowson)

Youngs in for Dickson ( again form choice)

The only potential issue for most people would be Farrell over Flood. All in all I'm happy with the changes.

I guess Dowson may still be injured. Any updates?

I am very suprised to see Foden on the Wing. I guess it does give Brown a chance to see what he can do at international level.

i suspected that this back 3 might happen as there was no really outstanding candidate for the 2nd wing spot. brown has earned his chance and clearly lancaster and his team feel that this will work tactically.

Shame corbs is injured but great that this opens the door for marler who has been the best loose head in the AP this year.

The article doesnt seen to tell us what is going to happen at number 8?

not suprised to see youngs in although i'd prefer care.

flood is defo the best 10 but i do feel that farrell is the right player for this test.

Absolutely made up for Tom Johnson

Hodgson and Flood would both work well with either Care or Youngs. Picking Farrell and then an attacking scrum half is a tad perverse.

Farrell is young enough that he can be taught and coached to attack. Perhaps having an on form Youngs will help him to do that. What we also need is Barritt to start commanding the backline more and telling Farrell where to stand and attack like Catt and Greenwood did in the past. Hopefully with Catt as coach we'll start to see that.

Great for Johnson, Brown and Marler i'm so pleased for all three and especially for Exeter!

A lot more optomistic now for the Tests and even if we lose I expect a better game then i'd first imagined.

LondonTiger wrote:Hodgson and Flood would both work well with either Care or Youngs. Picking Farrell and then an attacking scrum half is a tad perverse.

Not sure I understand your thinking there, LT. Surely if you have a defensive/tactical fly half, having a scrum half who is an attacking threat is actually quite important? Unless you just want to play aerial ping pong all day. By having someone in the half-backs who can threaten the line, it limits the Boks' ability to commit to pressuring the 10 or 12 channel. A Dickson / Farrell / Barritt axis would be a tad too predictable.

Actually, my preference would have been to go even further in the attacking direction and start with Care. That way you could bring Youngs and Flood on as a unit to change things up later in the game.

yes the only change i think i would make to the starting team would be care at 9 but youngs is just as much of a threat really.

its a shame corbs, croft, wood, lawes and haskell are missing from the pack. lancaster would have some serious decisions to make if they were available.

also just read on bbc that joseph will be on the bench

HQ matt wrote:also just read on bbc that joseph will be on the bench

I thought it would be one of Joseph, JTH or, at the outside, Lowe for the last bench slot. Joseph is a good option, but weirdly I feel less confident about him or Lowe having a bit-part debut against the Boks than I do about Marler going 80 minutes.

I like the team. Thats a powerful aggressive front row. And.equally similar back row. Lets hope the second.row boys can perform like they did v the baa baas.

Brown has been outstanding and foden maybe not at his peak...

Lancaster is also showing that if you play well u will eventually get a chance - well unless your called flood or farrell..

I am pleased that Marler is getting a start this week end. If any oine deserves a chance to sjow wht he can do it is him.

Lancaster's obviously following the NZ back three approach having two guys who've played 15 there-and to be honest it's a smart move if SA revert to their kick chase game.

I like this team. I was hoping to see Flood and Joseph/Wade starting over Farrell and Brown to show some intent to play an attacking game, but who's to say whether that's the right option or not. Hopefully an on-form Youngs can give Farrell the time and space he needs to use the backline, while bolstering our kicking and defensive options (as Brown does as well). In the second half we could bring on Flood and Joseph and have a really attacking back line if the situation calls for it. Flood is possibly a bit short of match practice as well, which may have made Lancaster's mind up for him.

Although I'm a big fan of Corbisiero, like Flood he's probably missing some fitness and putting him in the midweek team for this first week might not be the worst idea. Regardless the front row has the potential to be a real area of strength for this England side for years to come. Our second rows aren't the best in the world but I believe they are the best we have at the moment and shouldn't let anyone down. Although not the most internationally experienced themselves, they've been around for a while and hopefully they can put pressure on the inexperienced Bok pair.

The backrow is where it gets interesting, Tom Johnson gives off the impression of a real grafter and I think we'll need that in South Africa. If Robshaw can bring his Quins form and Morgan can bring his 6 Nations form then we could be onto a great combination here.

The bench is what worries me. With Morne Steyn and Owen Farrell as the respective 10s, a lot of the creativity will have to come from elsewhere. If one pack can get on top then both 9s have what it takes to hurt the opposition, if not both sides will be looking for some go forward from the centres, and both pairs are defensively strong. It could be a real war of attrition for the first 50-60 minutes, and then I'm a bit worried about players like Mears and Dowson on the bench. I'm just not sure how much they'll offer coming off the bench and I think this could hurt England.

I've decided to remain optimistic though. This is the foundation of the side that grew into the Six Nations so well, and they've had a lot of rest and preparation time, whereas South Africa have scrambled together in the last week. I'd make the Boks marginal favorites, but this is a game and a series that England should be aiming to win.

Robbo

Our second rows aren't the best in the world but I believe they are the best we have at the moment and shouldn't let anyone down. Although not the most internationally experienced themselves, they've been around for a while and hopefully they can put pressure on the inexperienced Bok pair.

Im not sure they're are the best available at the moment...maybe Parling as the lineout guy....but i think there are a few better than Botha. However..he has improved in every game...and whilst not the best opposition...was very impressive v the Baa Baas. Another all action performance like that v this new Boks duo he'll start changing peoples opinions of him...

The backrow is where it gets interesting, Tom Johnson gives off the impression of a real grafter and I think we'll need that in South Africa. If Robshaw can bring his Quins form and Morgan can bring his 6 Nations form then we could be onto a great combination here.

On his day... Tom Johnson is alot more than a grafter.

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

He actually reminds me of Mr Haskell with ball in hand...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imgj3s9f81k

GeordieFalcon wrote:Robbo

Our second rows aren't the best in the world but I believe they are the best we have at the moment and shouldn't let anyone down. Although not the most internationally experienced themselves, they've been around for a while and hopefully they can put pressure on the inexperienced Bok pair.

Im not sure they're are the best available at the moment...maybe Parling as the lineout guy....but i think there are a few better than Botha. However..he has improved in every game...and whilst not the best opposition...was very impressive v the Baa Baas. Another all action performance like that v this new Boks duo he'll start changing peoples opinions of him...

The backrow is where it gets interesting, Tom Johnson gives off the impression of a real grafter and I think we'll need that in South Africa. If Robshaw can bring his Quins form and Morgan can bring his 6 Nations form then we could be onto a great combination here.

On his day... Tom Johnson is alot more than a grafter.

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

He actually reminds me of Mr Haskell with ball in hand...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imgj3s9f81k

Geordie, you are absolutely right on TJ, but I very much agree with robbo's central point that you could have stumbled across a very effective combination here, with both Johnson and Robshaw able to do the work of a 6 or a 7, and Morgan as an outstanding ball-carrying 8

When you consider that prior to Wood getting injured just before the 6Ns, Lancaster's first choice back row was probably Croft, Wood, Dowson.

Johnson is a far better 6 than any of the other options in the current squad (including Robshaw and Haskell) and well deserves his chance.

Seen the clips he does look good, I expect him to have a brilliant tour.

Oh im not expecting too many fireworks like in the clips just yet...especially against the Boks in SA (well hopefullly some big tackles!) .....but it shows what he is capable once he gets going.

We may see glimpses of it initially if our pack can get at them...and give him and Morgan the chance to get on the ball..

BUT

It means in Robshaw and Johnson we have two tough competitors who will fight for everything, not take a backward step...tackle all day and ruck like their life depends on it.