England Centre Combinations

First topic message reminder :

Clearly the most prominent problem facing England during the autumn internationals was our centre options.

Tuilagi, our first choice outside centre was injured. This meant England opted for Barritt at outside centre as a stop-gap. Some may deem this a harsh decision on the premierships form outside centre Joseph, who has been in tremendous form for Bath, making breaks at will, distributing fantastically, scaring the day lights out of defenders and looking very solid in defence too.

Burrell, was also unfortunate to miss the first couple of games out injured, before England deemed him not quite ready to return to the international fold for the final two matches. Therefore we went with Eastmond at inside centre who has been excellent for Bath this season. Eastmond wasn't convincing enough against the all blacks and picked up a minor injury in the defeat to South Africa, which led to England playing Ford at fly-half and trying out Farrell at 12, this lasted only one game before Lancaster decided to give Twelvetrees another chance. Twelvetrees played relatively well against Australia, however his partnership with Barritt was stagnant and uninspiring.

The Six Nations is just around the corner. Ford is as consistent as ever and Cipriani has been in such mesmerising form, he could potentially overtake Farrell's spot on the reserve bench. Burrell is also back fully fit and firing on all cylinders. Eastmond and Joseph continue to be the form and most exciting partnership in the premiership and I'm hearing Tuilagi is set to return at the beginning of the New Year. I think the four centres Lancaster will pick if all players are fully fit will be Barritt, Eastmond, Tuilagi and Burrell. However, I would personally choose Burrell, Eastmond, Tuilagi and Joseph.

It all comes down to combinations...

12 Barritt 13 Tuilagi

This is Lancaster's tried and tested combination. Very solid in defence and subtle yet powerful in attack. Barritt has been England's defensive leader in the backs and although he is not the most creative centre, he is trusted to make up for any defensive issues Tuilagi might concede. I have a feeling this will be Lancaster's first choice combination. If Tuilagi is unfit, I can't see Barritt fitting into any other effective combination.

12 Burrell 13 Tuilagi

I think this is the combination most fans will be hoping for. Sheer brute force. Both players are very powerful ball carriers and with a creative fly half such as Ford or Cipriani, they would cause havoc to opposite defences on front foot ball. Defensively they would also be particularly strong, with both players in their natural positions. The real question is, would this limit our expansive game plan? but then again would that really matter as we've hardly been playing expansive flowing rugby in recent times.

12 Eastmond 13 Tuilagi

This was England's preferred combination in New Zealand over the summer. On paper it seems like a magical combo. However with a conservative fly half inside him and without an attacking threat outside him, Eastmond has looked out of sorts for England. Their is a chance Eastmond may get another shot in the six nations, but he will have to make a real difference over the next month for Bath.

12 Eastmond 13 Burrell

If worst comes to worse and Tuilagi is deemed unfit to play in the six nations, England may try a new centre partnership of Eastmond and Burrell. This combination also looks very effective on paper, with Eastmond the foil to Burrells brawn. With Ford inside him, and Burrell distracting defenders, Eastmond will have more space to work his magic.

12 Eastmond 13 Joseph

They have been simply electric together for Bath this season. Ford has given them time and space to really express their attacking abilities. They've been tearing opposition defences to shreds and are almost telepathic when one player makes a break. However Lancaster doesn't seem convinced that they can do this together on the international stage. I think Joseph should feel very hard done by for his non-selection in the Autumn.

12 Burrell 13 Joseph

Not many people remember that Joseph came on as a sub for England against New Zealand in our victory at Twickenham on December 1st 2012. I think if he can carry on showing the form he is now and England want to go with a more balanced midfield he may get the chance to start outside Burrell at 12. Burrell would draw in defenders and create a lot of space for Joseph to exploit.

12 Tuilagi 13 Joseph

This was actually a combination used by England in the summer tour against South Africa in 2012. However, Joseph was a lot more raw and Tuilagi looked a little confused about his role at 12. I think both players have developed a lot in this time and with England's pack thriving at the moment and England trying out a more creative 10 with Ford, this could actually be England's most exciting choice.


Of course I know that there are lots of other combinations England could go with. Some may argue Barritt deserves more recognition, whilst I know there are many fans of Twelvetrees and Slade too.

What centre combination would you choose and why?

Manu is becoming more and more like Corbisieru...

As for the backs if as I suspect Manu is still out....it'll be the below

10 Ford
12 Barritt
13 Burrell

With both centres changing depending on plays.

I'd like to see Twelvetrees and Burrell renew their partnership and have Slade shoe horned onto the bench somehow. How injured is Eastmond?

Not sure about Eastmond.

Didn't see that game, but reports suggest that Eastmond was the main player in the bath backline and that once he went off...they were poor.

Is that correct?

PS With regards to Twelvetrees...I just think he is never to going to reach the required standard and id FAR rather the much maligned and limited Barritt in there.

Eastmond lasted less than 20 minutes, hard to say he was main man in that time.

He had one half break but I don't think he was amazing or had the chance to be. Think it was more what he could have done as they were gushing over his running skills. Thought Devoto actually looked pretty handy when he came on but offers more of a traditional 12 with his skills. The ref was very lenient at the breakdown so it didn't help the backlines.

I think Twelvetrees is ok for England never going to be great but we play better with him there.

Judging by the speed Sinkler scored his try v LW maybe he should be in the centre....

Aye, he can shift! Reckon that is the way the wind is blowing with props these days.

Cumbrian wrote:Aye, he can shift!  Reckon that is the way the wind is blowing with props these days.

Urrggghhh, if props the size of Sinckler are blowing wind, I don't fancy being a lock these days.

Seriosly though props do seem to be getting faster, Sinkler showed that he can shift, Wilson occasional frightens defences by actually accellerating like a back, Alex Waller is blindingly quick over 15-20m. Marler used to be, don't know where the burst of speed has gone with him, even Brookes looks like he can outrun a cold.

That much bulk travelling fast, makes me glad I am well past playing.

If Tuilagi is going to miss the start of the 6N then I'd like to see Burrell given a chance in his club position of 12 with Joseph or Slade outside him.

9.Youngs
10.Ford
11.May
12.Burrell
13.Joseph or Slade
14.Wade - Please let's give him a shot!
15.Brown

That for me has a great balance to it and could finally see the ball being used well in the outside channels. Can't really see Joseph or Slade getting a look in though.

Does anyone think Devoto could be the player that Twelvetrees is meant to be? He's also big, with a fly-half's skill set (to an extent), and seems to be a running threat as well. Twelvetrees seems to have a bit of a habit of getting smashed on the gainline due to running lines a bit hesitantly, as well as his occasionally misdirected wrap-around passes, but Devoto seems a bit more of a robust carrier.

Devoto might be that guy, but he is up against a fair bit of competition at his club, which could stall his progress.

Eastmond and Burgess are quite an obstacle for a young player, I'm hoping that he isn't shoehorned into other positions, saw him playing 10 off the bench recently and it just isn't his position.

Hopefully he can start regularly at 12 at some point for his club, otherwise its difficult to see him challenging for England