With Lancaster's squad being released today, i think we've got some very good options to play with. The squad, for those who haven't seen it, is as follows:
Props: Cole, Corbisiero, Marler, Vunipola, Wilson
Hookers: Youngs, Hartley
Locks: Launchbury, Parling, Attwood, Lawes
Flankers: Robshaw, Wood, Kvesic, Johnson
No. 8's: Vunipola, Morgan
Scrum Half: Youngs, Care, Dickson
Fly Half: Burns, Farrell, Flood
Centres: Twelvetrees, Tomkins, Burrell, Trinder, Eastmond
Wings: Ashton, Yarde, Wade
Fullbacks: Goode, Brown, Foden
So, a few new faces in there to take the place of the forced absentee's. With a (slight) Gloucester bias, i'd love to see Burns, Twelvetrees and Trinder line up at 10-12-13. With a big dominant pack in front of them i'd love to see what they could do with lots of front foot ball. Also, their understanding from playing at club level with each other could give them the edge over other combinations.
Back 3... a real tough one. The only nailed on starter for me should be Yarde. He thoroughly deserves his chance, had a great summer tour and has looked really good at the start of this season.
The pack, if Corbs is fit, the front 3 picks itself. Parling is a dead cert to start for me. Solid set piece, lively in the loose and a good pack leader. Launchbury i think should partner him, although Lawes' thundering defence is a tempting prospect. The back row, Wood is a definite, and i believe captain this autumn. The rest, wide open. Robshaw for Quins hasn't been up to his usual level, although he has been the captain for the last two tournaments and consistently puts in the most work of any England player. Kvesic is a natural ball winner, something i think this England team desperately needs. At 8, Morgan has been in really poor form and doesn't justify his call up. Personally, Ewers had a much better claim. Vunipola to squeeze into the 8 shirt.
My personal team choice, although admittedly biased, should allow England to play some very expansive rugby and finally score some tries!!!
1. Corbisiero
2. Youngs
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Parling
6. Wood
7. Kvesic
8. Vunipola
9. Youngs
10. Burns
11. Yarde
12. Twelvetrees
13. Trinder
14. Ashton
15. Brown
16. Hartley
17. Vunipola
18. Marler
19. Lawes
20. Robshaw
21. Care
22. Farrell
23. Foden
I think it would be ok against Australia and Argentina, however against the all blacks i'd be keen to re-jig the back line. Farrells reliable boot and solid defence would make him potenitally number 1 for this match, and perhaps Burrell at 13 to add some extra muscle both going forward and in defence.
Whats your teams guys?
The England Squad
posted on 2/11/13
thought Lawes and B.Vunipola in particular were excellent, as was the scrum, Lawes MOTM for me
posted on 2/11/13
I think Lawes struggled too much at the Lineout for MOTM but he was incredible around the park.
Billy and Mako carried really well.
The whole pack were beastly today - especially in defence, the 2003 lads would have been proud of defending like that.
posted on 2/11/13
cant listen to Robshaw talk without laughing im afraid
posted on 2/11/13
Still better than Borthwick and his interviews chugging a power drink after yet another terrible England performance! God those were dark days.
posted on 2/11/13
thought the Aussie back row was very poor
posted on 2/11/13
at least Farrell brings a sound or normality to the team rather than the posh public school boys
posted on 2/11/13
Yes to both points
There's definitely the seeds of something special here with this team. Very excited
posted on 2/11/13
yes, the forwards are excellent and i think Yarde and Brown are nailed on for the back line, but 3 or 4 should be changed in the back, id like to see
15. Brown
14. May
13. Tuilagi
12. Twelvetrees
11. Yarde
10. Burns
9. Care
posted on 2/11/13
That back line has tries written all over it - let's hope it can defend to international standards as well and it could be electric!
posted on 2/11/13
Have to say gents. I found it rather uninspiring and probably there were more negatives than positives.
That said. Oz have just finished the 4 nations(i refuse to call it that arrogant name they use for that tournament)
while England are just coming back together and you can expect rustiness. So from that perspective. I am well impressed. I love the positive vibe coming from the England players. But still a fair bit to work on going forward. The AB's are not going to be troubled by that performance.