Englands' 50 man Training Squad for RWC

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England Rugby World Cup training squad (50)
Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks)
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Alex Corbisiero (Northampton Saints)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
Nick Easter (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
David Strettle (Saracens)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Rob Webber (Bath Rugby)
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Jimpy wrote:

Poorfour wrote:

lostinwales wrote:

LondonTiger wrote:Has Burgess lasted 80 minutes of union yet?

Yes we will want to be as fit as possible - that is the main aim from the training camps.

I think we will be in good shape. It does seem to be an area where there has been a serious amount of investment. 

I can't help feeling that physical preparation is going to be a very big deal going into the RWC, as was shown by Wales last time out. Its the one thing that concerns me a little about facing Wales in the RWC, the fact that they will be in much better shape than we have encountered for a couple of years.

Wales are likely to be very fit at the outset of the tournament, but the question for me is how long they can stay fit. I feel that Gatland trains his players to a point where they are in such a high state of tune that they are injury-prone, and coupled with the limited depth in some key positions Wales will probably have some vulnerable areas as the tournament progresses.

With Wales' injury list, their vaunted back line isn't looking so vaunted. And you have Halfpenny and North returning after concussion protocols. Who knows if they really are fit or not.

looks awful

Webb
Biggar
North
Roberts
Williams
Cuthbert/Amos
Half

Several tour winning Lions and players who were actually at the last RWC and played in the semi…can England claim half that provenance?

Burgess will be fit, that is one of the things that league players pride themselves on. Sam played in one of the fastest, toughest and most demanding sports leagues, the NRL, and stood out. League in general is more about endurance than union is, it wouldn't surprise me if he is one of the fitnest players in the squad. That isn't to say I entirely agree with him being there.

Gwlad wrote:looks awful

Webb
Biggar
North
Roberts
Williams
Cuthbert/Amos
Half

Several tour winning Lions and players who were actually at the last RWC and played in the semi…can England claim half that provenance?

Well, firstly Jimpy's point was that North, Halfpenny and Williams all have some level of injury concern over them at the moment.

Secondly, if provenance is [EDITED for bad editing] everything, how do you account for a far more experienced Welsh side being dumped out in the group stage by Fiji in 2007? It was a far less experienced side in 2011, and they made the semi-final. Meanwhile, England's 2011 QF XV had seven RWC finalists, including 3 RWC winners and they still played like drains.

France had 4 players with RWC semi final experience, a squad who barely spoke to each other, a coach who makes Woodward look sane and still beat both England and Wales, and nearly won the final.

I feel as happy as I've done for a good long while in regards to our backline. There's still stuff that can improve, supporting breaks consistently, but we're getting there now.

Poorfour wrote:

Gwlad wrote:looks awful

Webb
Biggar
North
Roberts
Williams
Cuthbert/Amos
Half

Several tour winning Lions and players who were actually at the last RWC and played in the semi…can England claim half that provenance?

Well, firstly Jimpy's point was that North, Halfpenny and Williams all have some level of injury concern over them at the moment.

Secondly, if provenance is [EDITED for bad editing] everything, how do you account for a far more experienced Welsh side being dumped out in the group stage by Fiji in 2007? It was a far less experienced side in 2011, and they made the semi-final. Meanwhile, England's 2011 QF XV had seven RWC finalists, including 3 RWC winners and they still played like drains.

France had 4 players with RWC semi final experience, a squad who barely spoke to each other, a coach who makes Woodward look sane and still beat both England and Wales, and nearly won the final.

You are absolutely right, based on that a clearly scientific analysis RWC provenance has no bearing; Wales will dump out early because they are packed with experience and have no strength in depth and because their players are all injured, largely because of their experience. Meanwhile England, whose only RWC experience is Haskell and Youngs and ?, will no doubt go all the way. Assuming that is everyone hasn't been banned or convicted of various offences.

Fiji? G jenkins QED.

As for France, any inclusion of the dynamics of their side in an analysis about RWC provenance is pointless; they are the side that bucks the trend, the 'on their day side' if ever there was one who despite being utterly hopeless one week can produce breathtaking rugby the next, who lost to Tonga in their last group game then beat England the next week in the 1/4 (ouch). Consequently it is pointless; anyone who knows anything about rugby knows they are an enigma wrapped up in a riddle. And they only beat Wales because of the red card.

Gwlad wrote:
Several tour winning Lions and players who were actually at the last RWC and played in the semi…can England claim half that provenance?

I misread this first time and now have the image of haskel coming out of the shower playing with his semi stuck in my head.

Doesn't really matter how many players have played at previous world cups, in Englands case it's probably a good thing we've moved onto a new batch of players which no ghosts of the past there. It's a shame more people can't just enjoy the rugby rather than try to wum though.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Doesn't really matter how many players have played at previous world cups, in Englands case it's probably a good thing we've moved onto a new batch of players which no ghosts of the past there. It's a shame more people can't just enjoy the rugby rather than try to wum though.

You'd get wummed by your own shadow.

Can't remember the last time anyone wound me up on the internet. When people are racist that riles me, general trash talk not really.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Can't remember the last time anyone wound me up on the internet. When people are racist that riles me, general trash talk not really.

Oh i see, so you aren't wummed, its mock outrage. Gotcha.

Not even mock outrage, I just think there's a few people who are childish, like yourself.

Anywho 2 min to the weekend.

No 7&1/2 wrote:Not even mock outrage, I just think there's a few people who are childish, like yourself.

And most definitely you for your constant personal attacks. Move on, we're done here.

Change the style of your posts stop looking to put england down all the time and you may get different responses. Until then.

Well quite frankly I was shocked, shocked and stunned by the accusations by Mr Gwlad recently when he started calling me 'Robin'. Such a level of wit is rarely seen on these boards. I'd say he even outranks ViewtotheGym in his intellectual abilities. I was so shocked that it has taken me several days to respond.

I decided I had to come back with something cutting, some line that he might possibly be able to comprehend and so feel the pain I have. In the end I went to find an expert. So I asked the 3 year old what I should write and they said 'Gwlad is smelly'

lostinwales wrote:Well quite frankly I was shocked, shocked and stunned by the accusations by Mr Gwlad recently when he started calling me 'Robin'. Such a level of wit is rarely seen on these boards. I'd say he even outranks ViewtotheGym in his intellectual abilities. I was so shocked that it has taken me several days to respond.

I decided I had to come back with something cutting, some line that he might possibly be able to comprehend and so feel the pain I have. In the end I went to find an expert. So I asked the 3 year old what I should write and they said 'Gwlad is smelly'

I'll change topic...

I've avoided this thread mainly because I'm having a rough time with the Welsh on this forum, I thought the English would really take it bad if I commented on their squad, but alas I cannot hold my tongue.

I'm a little worried by the squad, in terms of potential and ability I think England are up there with the very best, I like a lot of players on that list, and theres probably a shout for 45+ to get a squad place, which is extremely competitive!

There are a few names i'm unsure of, however I think Englands biggest issue will be in hard nosed forwards and experience!

They are lucky in the fact that Wales are not what they were 2 seasons ago up front, and from what I see Australias pack seems a bit less than usual, but Englands tight 5 could be considered a bit up for grabs.

Cole and Corbisiero are cracking players and at their very best have both been world beaters, but I don't see much fear from opposition props recently, and Hartley has been a plonker leaving Youngs who isn't exactly a powerhouse.

The locks are different, the talented ones are a bit lightweight, and the tough nuts aren't particularly talented. There is potential but it's not ready.

The back row is exactly the same, Robshaw is the rock, but isn't a great 7, and the ball carrying options on Morga and Vunipola are 1 dimensional (well to win a RWC anyway)

My point is, the talent is there, the raw power is there, but I dont see the combination of both, or the combinations in each unit.

I think England are favourites to get out of their group, I don't see Australia beating them, and I think Wales could go either way but with Twickers maybe England the favourite there too.

Despite my criticisms, my support goes to Wales, then every other home nations team, in that order, this isn't the 6N where I like to think of England as the old enemy, its the RWC and if England get out of the group and Wales don't i'll wish England the best in the final gainst Ireland.

There you go - a properly argued piece that isn't offensive. I don't agree with much but thats allowed and that is what forums are for.

Thanks Fanster

lostinwales wrote:There you go  - a properly argued piece that isn't offensive. I don't agree with much but thats allowed and that is what forums are for.

Thanks Fanster

Wait, does that red icon mean your post ws reported?

Problem with making a reasonable point, is that it doesn't engage everyone, you seem to have to be far more sensational to garner interest...

England will finish 4th behind Wales, Australia, and Fiji... go!

lostinwales wrote:There you go  - a properly argued piece that isn't offensive. I don't agree with much but thats allowed and that is what forums are for.

Thanks Fanster

I think England must be favourites to top their group. I'm not just saying that out of misguided loyalty. England are at home for both crucial group matches. Out of the SH teams, I think they lucked out by getting drawn against Australia, England can and do beat them at Twickenham with some measure of consistency and I don't see how Australia have improved since last time the two teams me at Twickenham. Wales are always a threat, but England were able to best them in Cardiff last time out, with what many considered an undercooked team and are on something of a mini roll against them. Again, I don't see how Wales have improved since the 6N (they were lucky not to lose against Scotland too), and despite what some on here might like to think, their attacking threat via the backs is denuded. At Twickenham with the little more experience gained since then, you have to go with England (and I think fairly comfortably in that match). England are better then the sum of their individual talent at the moment, there's no denying it, but I'd expect them to reach the semi-finals at least.

After 670 posts, I suspect most of us are debated out. I doubt a new point has been raised in this entire thread anyway and until we actually see some more rugby there is little to add.

LT is right about new material but there is always a chance to rehash some old, so I'll go through the first bit of Fanster's arguments with my own take.

Tight 5 forwards. The only team I'd feel that worried about facing as far as the pack goes is SA. We did obviously have a lot of issues with Ireland in the 6N but with our full pack available we should be more competitive on the ground than we have been Having Launchbury back is a big deal. As far as the props go Cole is very definitely back but the jury is very much out on Corbs, given the change in rules and more importantly his form and fitness. At his best he has been very good, but we now have 2 very strong replacements. Marler is first choice by right now, corbs or no corbs. He had a stellar U20's career but took a while to adapt to the senior international game but has improved very quickly. He has had a difficult time as captain of Quins but it hasn't shown in the internationals to date. And then we have Billy's elder brother. Apparently an improved scrummager he is very handy in the loose.

At hooker Youngs isn't everyone's cup of tea but he is a test lion. His much publicised throwing in issues seem to be more of a problem when he comes on as a replacement rather than as a starter, but it will influence the make up of the rest of the pack and will probably lead to other teams attacking our lineout more than they might of. He does do other things very well, particularly hitting rucks. And he can be pretty explosive ball in hand with him being an ex centre. (Although he does sometimes seem to handle like the English centers of the previous generation). Who plays as reserve hooker is a big issue however.

Rugby fan I agree on Banahan. He's a player I would have loved to work for England. He's certainly got the size but unfortunately he didn't really back this up with meaningful performances. Case in point the infamous Ickle Shane incident when the big un should have crushed the little un but it didn't happen.

Some players unfortunately just don't bring their club form to international level,

As posters go I like Fanster. I think he makes good points. If he is indeed an old poster ( personally I don't think he is) I think he's fine.

It's true - the England squad looks good enough to be solid 4th/5th in the world but it's not going to trouble the likes of SA and NZ unfortunately.

Compared to the benchmark England are still not there. If England want to get to the next level they need to develop the right players.

I think you're right to an extent beshocked. We won't consistently trouble the top 2 as yet but we're getting there. We are attempting to develop players and the squad but given the number of choices it's perhaps harder for us than other countries. There's also that balance between picking the best players or team now or maybe sacrificing a little for the 'next game' if you develop a much better team for the next year.

According to their bbc the squad is to be cut to 45 in the next week and Ben Morgan is in the best shape for years

wilco84 wrote:According to their bbc the squad is to be cut to 45 in the next week and Ben Morgan is in the best shape for years

The best 'shape'?  Is he now perfectly and completely round?

doctor_grey wrote:

wilco84 wrote:According to their bbc the squad is to be cut to 45 in the next week and Ben Morgan is in the best shape for years

The best 'shape'?  Is he now perfectly and completely round?

Project 'bowling ball'

Tom Youngs is very powerful for his size, but I do wonder if his size can be an issue at this level. I'm still waiting to see as he's never been a full on starter to allow us to analyse properly.

Jamie George is a big boy and played some cracking rugby this season. He's a big time carrier aswell.

I think the issue we have is that we have a huge depth of similar level players. But very few who would be selected in a world XV at the moment .

I think a few could make that team if they keep progressing however .

Fanster wrote:I'll change topic...

I've avoided this thread mainly because I'm having a rough time with the Welsh on this forum, I thought the English would really take it bad if I commented on their squad, but alas I cannot hold my tongue.

I'm a little worried by the squad, in terms of potential and ability I think England are up there with the very best, I like a lot of players on that list, and theres probably a shout for 45+ to get a squad place, which is extremely competitive!

There are a few names i'm unsure of, however I think Englands biggest issue will be in hard nosed forwards and experience!

They are lucky in the fact that Wales are not what they were 2 seasons ago up front, and from what I see Australias pack seems a bit less than usual, but Englands tight 5 could be considered a bit up for grabs.

Cole and Corbisiero are cracking players and at their very best have both been world beaters, but I don't see much fear from opposition props recently, and Hartley has been a plonker leaving Youngs who isn't exactly a powerhouse.

The locks are different, the talented ones are a bit lightweight, and the tough nuts aren't particularly talented. There is potential but it's not ready.

The back row is exactly the same, Robshaw is the rock, but isn't a great 7, and the ball carrying options on Morga and Vunipola are 1 dimensional (well to win a RWC anyway)

My point is, the talent is there, the raw power is there, but I dont see the combination of both, or the combinations in each unit.

I think England are favourites to get out of their group, I don't see Australia beating them, and I think Wales could go either way but with Twickers maybe England the favourite there too.

Despite my criticisms, my support goes to Wales, then every other home nations team, in that order, this isn't the 6N where I like to think of England as the old enemy, its the RWC and if England get out of the group and Wales don't i'll wish England the best in the final gainst Ireland.

Thank you for the analysis fanster, although I don't agree with all of it it's nice to see someone actually write a well thought out argument for their views!

A few things I picked up on though:

1. Hard nosed forwards, what do you mean by this? If you mean abrasive forwards then we do have Lawes and to an extent T Youngs and Cole, who are all physical and like to get in their oppositions faces in different parts of the game. Yes we don't have any old gnarly dirty players, nore do we have any old sneaky player but with the rise of the TMO, I don't think these guys are needed much any more.

2. Front row wise, yes Cole and Corbs have both struggled with form and injuries, but Marler, Mako, Wison, Brookes, Mullan and co all seem to fill in very well. Rowntree for any other faults seems very good at getting front row players to slot in seamlessly or as close to. Youngs is much maligned but I think far better then gived credit and I'd take him over Hartley any day just on form and skill alone.

3. I agree about the locks. We seem to have either/or; either lighter more all round players, or heavier but fairly limited players. But the game plan suits the first choice guys, and if they stay fit i'm not worried.

4. This I think is totally wrong. It's been shown a fair few times, especially in his teams biggest wins, that Robshaw is an adept 7. What he isn't is a gambler, where a guy like Armitage will go for any ball no matter if it's really achievable or not and hope that the odds bare out, Robshaw will wait and go for the high percentage balls, equalling less turn overs, but also far less conceded pens and points, and cards. It's also worth noting that when the team are in trouble and it's really needed, he's more then happy to go for the hail mary turnover, and has quite a good record of getting them. As to our one dimensional 8's yes I'd say that's pretty true Vunipola, but then that's his job. And although he isn't Read or Parisse, he can still make offloads, make a shed load of tackles and works well in the scrum, so that's 4 different uses from him. Morgan can do these things too but also has an eye for a gap and a startling turn of pace for what is essentially a blancmange on legs! Neither i'd say are really one dimensional, and if it looks like they are, well that's probably the game plan needed when you have two all rounders at 6 and 7.

I don't think England's pack is perfect in any way. But to my mind it's the second most consistent in the world over the last few years, and where it has come second best to a team, that teams pack has usually had one of the best games of their recent history (bar NZ). What usually lets these guys down is the preparation before hand, and the game plan on the day and our backs.

Yappysnap I would hardly say Robshaw and Wood are all rounders - neither are good ball carriers/ particularly powerful. They don't bully teams. Both great workhorses but not particularly abrasive like a Worsley or Moody. I think Fanster is right when he says England lack a bit of hard nosed players.

I think you're getting muddled there Beshocked, both are good carriers in the tight and loose but neither stand out eg all rounders

Being a "good carrier" is about more than smashing through people and making big yards. Haskell was great at that, especially in his younger days. But he was also great at getting isolated and delivering slow ball or losing it altogether.

A major role for carriers in the forwards is to turn slow ball into quick ball. What's important is to draw tacklers, get over the gain line and get the ball back quickly. How far you go isn't as important. Wood and Robshaw are both good at this and typically carry into a bunch of 2 or 3 tacklers in order to tie up the defence.

England probably do need one more big crash ball carrier in the pack, but it's more likely to come from the front row than the back row. Cole and Youngs have both carried well at international level. Mako and Haskell can do it well as impact subs. Marler is capable of doing it at club level but hasn't at international level so far - I suspect he needs another notch in fitness, which the training camp might give him.

And I'll say it again. I think the concept of "world class players" is largely bovine faecal matter. Rugby's a team game; when the team gels, players look great.

In addition, the contribution that some players make is only visible in hindsight or (if they're lucky) with time. We only realised how important Richard Hill was through his absence. We only realised how important Will Greenwood was when we tried to find someone to replace him. How many people recognised Conrad Smith's importance to the ABs in his early games?

England have a pool of players that's probably good enough to win the RWC. But they have gelled only fitfully (largely because of injury disruptions), lack experience and have some tactical vulnerabilities. The lack of experience can't be fixed, but the other two could be addressed in training camp. That plus depth might be enough to be competitive.

Woodman, Thomson, Vickery/Leonard, Johnson, Kay, Hill, Back, Dayglo.


How much would we now be moaning about the lack of carriers in that pack?

I'd hope we wouldn't LT!

Thommo, Vickery, Johnson and Dallaglio were an excellent set of carriers, and the others weren't exactly lightweight either

Poorfour Both Morgan and Billy are better ball carriers than Haskell.

You talk about getting over the gain line. I don't think Wood or Robshaw do that enough IMO. Billy and Morgan do. They do tie in defenders in a way that Robshaw and Wood don't.

Morgan's biggest weakness is his fitness. Robshaw and Wood in comparison must be two of the fittest backrowers in England.

Robshaw and Wood have their strengths but carrying isn't one of them. Their work rate and effort at the breakdown are their greatest asset.

Londontiger they had more power though. That's a powerful pack. Robshaw and Wood are not powerful IMO.

Yappysnap

Picking up on Fanster's point, my question in response would be how many real hard-nosed forwards are there in the international game now?

South Africa still build the team round a powerhouse set of forwards, and you can probably argue that it's Ireland's biggest asset at the moment as well.

However, New Zealand, who are obviously the benchmark for modern rugby, have been going down the road of a more athletic and versatile pack for the last decade, and relying on the set piece being 'good enough'. Australia even more extreme, with the set piece on occasion falling to 'not really good enough'.

England under Lancaster look to be going down a similar path - OK, we are not as far down the path or as good at integrating forward and back play, but it is probably the right way to go, especially with young .

My main concern is with hooker - I like what Youngs brings in terms of ball carrying and at the breakdown, but I worry about him in the scrum (his throwing having been discussed to death). It's not a lack of power, more that I think a short hooker between two props who are well over 6' causes an imbalance.

Well if the squads being cut by 5, the only way to identify who is by how they've gone in the training camp. Will be interesting to see who it is.

The current make-up of the 50 is:

4 hookers
7 props
6 second rows
7 flankers
3 number 8s
4 scrum halfs
5 fly halfs
6 centres
6 wings
2 full backs

We can definitely say that both full backs will remain. I think it's also reasonable to assume that all 4 hookers and scrum halfs will remain otherwise we are one injury away from having to pull in someone from outside the squad for a specialised position.

It is reasonable to think that Matt Mullan may be cut given the current make-up of the props is 4 LHs and 3 THs - I'd be tempted to get rid of Corbs however on last seasons performances.

With 5 fly halfs I expect Myler will miss out as well, unless Cipriani's latest indiscretion counts against him. I'm guessing it wont however as Lancs has stated they will wait until the police finish their investigation to make a decision there.

7 flankers with 3 or 4 in the final squad is lopsided. As such Clark will be looking over his shoulder. Itoje should be fine given his versatility and Burgess surely wont be cut at this stage given how highly Lancs rates him.

The wings are also double what we will likely have in the final squad. Given he was last to join the squad Rokoduguni is probably favourite to miss out here. Unless he has impressed a lot in a short space of time and then Ashton or Yarde would be next in line.

The final one of the five is more difficult to call. 6 second rows is a bit heavy with Itoje also there but I can't really imagine any of them being dropped. Launchbury, Lawes and Parling are nailed on then Slater, Attwood and Kruis all have their attributes. The later two have recent international experience as well. That 5th man could come from the centres as well with either Daly or Eastmond then looking vulnerable.

How about:

Chris Ashton (Saracens)
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons)
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
Sam Burgess (Bath Rugby)
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks)
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Alex Corbisiero (Northampton Saints)
Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
Elliot Daly (Wasps)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
Nick Easter (Harlequins)
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
Jamie George (Saracens)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
Rokoduguni (Bath)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby)
Rob Webber (Bath Rugby)
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

I could see Easter missing out if Morgan is back to his best.

lostinwales wrote:I could see Easter missing out if Morgan is back to his best.

Very possibly from the final 31, but unlikely from the 45.

I think it'll be straight forward as above:
Cipriani
Clark
Daly
Dickson
Roko

Easter covers 8 and lock. He might not make the 31...but I suspect he'll make the 45.

GeordieFalcon

I'd be very surprised if they cut Dickson. That would leave the 45 man squad one injury away from not having enough SHs for the final squad.

Clark, Daly and Roko I agree. Cirpiani may depend on the non-rugby issues, him or Myler will certainly be one of the guys cut looking at the make-up of the squad though.

The fifth I think will be Mullan as we already have 4 LHs in the 50 man squad and I just can't see them looking past Marler, Mako and Corbs.

Close call between Cips and Myler I would prefer Cips. I also think Corbs has got to step up and prove some sort of form in training as he was nowhere near his best post injury and Mullan has been consistently excellent last season.

I've got to say that Australia's 40 man squad is looking pretty good with Pocock back from injury, Giteau and Mitchell recalled and Dean Mumm back in the fold.

It's interesting to see Nick Cummins, James O'Connor, Benn Robinson and Ben Alexander overlooked however.

Extended Wallabies Squad: Rory Arnold (Brumbies), Adam Ashley-Cooper (Waratahs), Kurtley Beale (Waratahs), Quade Cooper (Reds), Dave Dennis (Waratahs), James Hanson (Reds/Rebels), Scott Fardy (Brumbies), Tetera Faulkner (Force), Israel Folau (Waratahs), Bernard Foley (Waratahs), Will Genia (Reds), Matt Giteau (Toulon), Scott Higginbotham (Rebels), Greg Holmes (Reds), Michael Hooper (Waratahs), Rob Horne (Waratahs), James Horwill (Reds), Samu Kerevi (Reds), Sekope Kepu (Waratahs), Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies), Christian Lealiifano (Brumbies), Stephen Moore (Brumbies), Drew Mitchell (Toulon), Wycliff Palu (Waratahs), Ben McCalman (Force), Sean McMahon (Rebels), Dean Mumm (Waratahs), Taqele Naiyaravoro (Waratahs), Nick Phipps (NSW Waratahs), David Pocock (Brumbies), Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs), Scott Sio (Brumbies), Rob Simmons (Reds), Will Skelton (Waratahs), James Slipper (Reds), Toby Smith (Rebels), Henry Speight (Brumbies), Matt Toomua (Brumbies), Joe Tomane (Brumbies), Nic White (Brumbies).

1.Slipper
2.Moore
3.Kepu
4.Mumm or Skelton
5.Simmons
6.McMahon
7.Hooper or Pocock - Or play both on either flank
8.Higginbotham

9.Phipps
10.Foley or Cooper

11.Mitchell
12.Giteau
13.Kuridrani or Ashley-Cooper
14.Speight
15.Folau

Add to that experience and talent such as Horwill, Simmons, Genia and Beale. Along with McCalman, Lealiifano, Toomua and Tomane who have recent international experience in which they impressed. It's a squad with plenty of options and bags of talent.

Read that Cips rang Lancs immediately after police intervention and he would only be discarded if charged, or at least not be dropped purely for being stopped by the police. Given the baa baa game would be very surprised if he was dropped on the first cut.

So that would suggest Myler is out.
I think for the FH situation it'll be
Ford, Farrell with Slade who can cover a few positions. Goode will also be in, so he can cover 10 aswell.

That Aussie side will cause major problems. Makes me very nervous.

Think Goode may be hanging on by his fingertips come the WC squad.