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Haskell on the rise

  • Mark Orlovac - 大象传媒 Sport journalist
  • 1 Mar 07, 05:21 PM

m_orlavac_6666.gif eng_badge.gifLondon - England coach Brian Ashton has maintained his tradition of springing surprises by naming to take on France on 11 March.

Andy Farrell, Nick Easter, Olly Morgan and David Strettle have already been blooded in the three Six Nations games so far so this year 鈥 so could Haskell be next?

Admittedly, Ashton has only named a 28-man training squad but the selection of the 21-year-old Wasp is the stand-out line from the initial announcement.

So why has Ashton included him in a squad charged with bouncing back from the thrashing at the hands of Ireland last weekend?

Haskell, an imposing figure at over six foot three, can play at blind-side flanker or number eight and became one of the Premiership鈥檚 youngest players when he made his first-team debut against Harlequins in 2003.

He is part of the new back-row guard down at Adams Park and is placing immense pressure on club stalwart Lawrence Dallaglio.

And although Haskell does not like it, his dynamic ball-carrying style and work-rate has led to comparisons with the former England skipper.

After claiming England under-18 and under-19 honours, he helped the under-21s win the Grand Slam last year and started on the blind-side as England defeated Ireland 32-8 to secure fifth place at the Under-21 World Cup.

He also featured for England Sevens in 2006 and his rapid rise continued this year when he played in both of the Saxons wins over and .

Whether Haskell actually makes the match-day 22 is another matter but his call-up is further evidence that Ashton is not afraid of giving youngsters their chance if thinks they are up to it.

And Ashton has plenty to think about elsewhere in his squad ahead of his team announcement next Tuesday.

The front row has failed to dominate in the last few weeks and Perpignan prop Perry Freshwater could make way for Julian White in the scrum with skipper Phil Vickery switching to loose-head.

In the second row, Steve Borthwick鈥檚 inclusion in the squad may lead to Louis Deacon missing out while Danny Grewcock鈥檚 costly indiscipline in Dublin could see him deposed with Tom Palmer coming in.

Martin Corry and Magnus Lund have felt the heat after the Dublin debacle but I reckon it is the Sale man most at risk 鈥 even if he is passed fit 鈥 with Wasps flanker Tom Rees crying out for a chance to show what he can do.

The half-backs are safe barring injury but what does Ashton do in midfield?

Andy Farrell has come in for plenty of stick despite playing in only his third union international but Ashton may choose to keep faith with the Saracen rather than opting for Mike Catt.

Outside Farrell, the pace of Mathew Tait may be unleashed against the French but a midfield containing the Newcastle man and Catt does seem a little lightweight.

The choices in the back three are limited considering the injuries to first-choice full-backs Iain Balshaw and .

Josh Lewsey has struggled to get the ball and space he so desires stuck out on the wing and could take the number 15 shirt with Jason Robinson (if fit) and the returning Mark Cueto likely to fill the wing berths.

But has David Strettle of Harlequins done enough to retain his place after a confident display against Ireland?

So what do you think of Haskell鈥檚 inclusion, especially if you are a Wasps fan, and who do you think should make up the starting XV at Twickenham?


Comments  Post your comment

  • 1.
  • At 05:56 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Yedbawon wrote:

A step in the right direction. For me It should run:-

15 Lewsey
14Robinson/ Cueto
13Tait
12Farrell
11Strettle
10
9Ellis( On instruction to run not kick!)

1 Stevens
2 Mears
3 Sheridan
4 Borthwick
5 Corry
6 Worsley
7 Rees
8 Haskell

  • 2.
  • At 06:03 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Yedbawon wrote:

A step in the right direction. For me It should run:-

15 Lewsey
14Robinson/ Cueto
13Tait
12Farrell
11Strettle
10
9Ellis( On instruction to run not kick!)

1 Stevens
2 Mears
3 Sheridan
4 Borthwick
5 Corry
6 Worsley
7 Rees
8 Haskell

  • 3.
  • At 06:37 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • HM wrote:

15 - Lewsey
14 - Robinson
13 - Strettle
12 - Farrell
11 - Tait
10 - Wilkinson

Strettle at outside centre is the answer to all England's problems.

  • 4.
  • At 06:42 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • William wrote:

1-Stevens
2-Mears
3-Sheridan
4-Grewcock
5-Palmer
6-Worsley
7-Rees
8-Haskell

9-Ellis
10-Wilkinson
11-Robinson
12-Tindall
13-Tait
14-Strettle
15-Lewsey

They should all be told to extract the digit and play with some passion.

  • 5.
  • At 06:44 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • ali wrote:

15.lewsey
14.cueto
13.tait
12.farrel
11.robinson
10.wilkinson
9.ellis
8.worsley
7.rees
6.haskell
5.borthwick
4.palmer
3.white
2.chuter
1.vickery

  • 6.
  • At 06:47 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • NINE-FIFTEEN wrote:

I agree as a Wasp fan I see James play week in week out for the club and think he is an outstanding player and like Strettle will shine given the chance. I also feel if he is given a few starts in the furture he could add a brand new style of back-row play with Tom Rees, Lewis Moody and Joe Worsley that England have never played, a sence of dynamism and explosive pace, (something I don't feel Martin Corry posesses)it's exciting what he could bring given the chance just like Strettle, if I were Brian Ashton I would give Haskell a chance against Wales with Tom Rees on the flank and Worslet at No.8 the pace, power physicallity and ability to turn over ball will blow the minds of the Welsh and Martyn Williams wouldn't you agree?

  • 7.
  • At 06:47 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Jonnythegreat wrote:

Well to be honest if Brian Ashton was going fully with blooding in new youngsters for the future then a bright star for the future who has been on form along side David Strettle must be Michael Brown, he has been scintilating for Harlequins and played and took his tries well in the England Saxons.

I agree with Ashton's inclusion of James Haskell and I wonder what an all Wasps back row of Haskell, Rees and Worsley would look like?

My match day 22 would be:

1. Phil Vickery
2.George Chuter
3.Tim payne
4.Steve Borthwick
5.Tom Palmer
6.James Haskell
7.Tom Rees
8.Joe Worsley
9.Harry Ellis
10.Jonny Wilikinson
11.Davis Strettle
12.Andy Farrel
13.Matthew Tait
14.Josh Lewsey/Jason Robinson
15.Michael Brown

16.Julian White
17.Lee Mears
18.Louis Deacon
19.Nick Easter
20.Shaun Perry
21.Mike Catt
22.Mark Cueto

  • 8.
  • At 06:50 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Tom wrote:

I think Ashton's risk taking has been superb so far and i have great faith in Haskell to do well. He and Rees could make a formidable back row partnership reminiscent of that of Hill and Back in years to come.

As for the team as a whole id like to see:

1) Vickery
2) Chuter
3) Stevens
4) Borthwick
5) Palmer
6) Worsley
7) Rees
8) Haskell

9) Ellis
10) Wilkinson - who else?!
11) Cueto (with Robinson as an impact sub?)
12) Farrel
13) Tait
14) Strettle
15) Lewsey

  • 9.
  • At 06:52 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Alexander Baker wrote:

For me i would say the team should be:

15: Lewsey
14: Robinson
13: Tait
12: Farrell
11: Strettle
10: Wilkinson
9: Ellis
8: Haskell
7: Rees
6: Worsley
5: Borthwick
4: Palmer
3: Sheridan
2: anybody bar chuter.....
1: Vickery

  • 10.
  • At 06:56 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Liam wrote:

I could not pick a better team than the one above...although throwing haskell straight into the mix at 8 could be a little worrying

  • 11.
  • At 07:04 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • thomasedward wrote:

1. White (needs to calm down)
2. Mears (only because Chuter cant hack it)
3. Vickery (needs to perform)
4. Borthwick (best lineout option)
5. Palmer (ball carrier)
6. Worsley
7. Rees (deserves it)
8. Haskell/Easter

9. Ellis (cut out the silly mistakes and SPEED UP ball)
10. Wilko
11. Strettle
12. Farrell (give him time)
13. Tait (deserves it, Tindall just doesnt work for England. Great player for Gloucester though)
14. Robinson/Cueto (whoever's in form/fit/faster)
15. Lewsey

  • 12.
  • At 07:06 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Duella Pause wrote:

The temptation is to make wholesale changes to the England team that failed in Ireland on Saturday. Out of sheer frustration at the lack of ability and will power to significantly compete.
Those thoughts won鈥檛 be lost on the 15 who played. Although the signs were there from the kick off, the game was lost in the forwards after about the first 10 minutes. Then it got worse.
In the forwards player by player the only differences in ability are shown most clearly in the second row, and back row. Even on a club day the Irish back 5 would beat the English second and back rows. So the question is, if we cant find a better back 5, can we find players with energy and mental conviction which will galvanize the game, and when all is going badly fire the engine up in the second ten minute period, when so many games are mentally won and lost.
Assuming Richard Cockerill (because his mouth would be as useful as his commitment) is not available Chuter will have to do at hooker. Switch White and Vickery as you suggest. The mantle of leadership is on Vickery. The task ahead will not be lost on him, maintaining fire and passion for 80 minutes. Grewcock鈥檚 best was never great and Deacons best is at club level, he has never made the grade internationally. Bring in Palmer and Steve Borthwick, who has talent and experience, put Chris Jones on the bench. Worsley has probably been the best of the forwards , he can stay. Play Corry for his experience and commitment , but only for the first half - maximum and then replace with Haskell. Rees is hungry for the open side position he has done enough and Lund hasn鈥檛. They will both become better players so he needs to know he is not written off.

Now the girls.
Ellis completely failed to disrupt Stringer. There were signs that his sniping at the fringe could have altered the game. He just didn鈥檛 do it. Does he get another chance? It鈥檚 fair to say that his game won鈥檛 change unless he can get his tail up, and that wont happen if the forwards don鈥檛 give him a platform. Let鈥檚 assume they do and so he gets a reprieve.
If the forward battle is 50-50 and Ellis fails to make a mark, then this should be his last game.
Jonny is a weapon in anyone鈥檚 arsenal. His kicking from hand was poor on Saturday but if you鈥檝e ever tried kicking while going backwards its tough. Sure Carter could do it, but when did he last go backwards. O鈥橤ara is not a pretty sight when in retreat, he is a shambling wreck. Like Carter he doesn鈥檛 have to worry too much about that. No, Jonny is our man.
Farrell cant defend although his distribution is good, he is to easily exploited co Catty has to come in and even change places with Jonny when that鈥檚 tactically appropriate. Woody took the steam off Jonny by using Hodgson wisely and Catt brings in that option too. Mike Catt still has a change of pace that creates space and Tindall could use that. So Tindall is in, defensively sound robust and anxious to do battle.
If Robinson is fit he cant be left out, but Strettle stays on the bench, he will get a game. Cueto on the other wing and Lewsey at full back, he is as sound as a pound.
That鈥檚 as much pace as a back line can handle, with a sound defensive structure too.

Bench is :
Strettle
Freshwater
Jones
Haskell
Farrell
Lund

It will be essential to play Haskell and Strettle to build experience and competence.

By following this simple guide Brian can rebuild our fortunes, win the game and keep building competence for this world

  • 13.
  • At 07:08 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Rich wrote:

15 - Lewsey
14 - Cueto
13 - Catt
12 - Tindall
11 - Robinson
10 - Wilko
9 - Ellis

1 - Vickery
2 - Mears
3 - Sheridan
4 - Borthwick
5 - Deacon
6 - Haskell (Hill when fit)
7 - Corry
8 - Worsley

A few more cup winners in the backs. Farrell would be picked off by Les Bleus. Shame this is all there is. What about Tom Voyce in the back row?

  • 14.
  • At 07:12 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Phillip Keates wrote:

I think its necessary to blood as many young faces as possible in full internationals at this stage, in the quest to regenerate strength in depth. One problem with 2003 - 2004 was the exodus of first choice players after the world cup. Suddenly hard working second choices were all grouped together without the necessary guidance to work together and the third choices weren't given the proper motivation to compete.

Last week Ireland did us English a favour. It means we don't go to the world cup believing we are invincible and have been made aware of our naivity as a group of players. For now we should remember English core values, namely work, work and work some more.

The inclusion of larger numbers of youngsters increases the chance of finding the next Johnson or Dallaglio and co.

The world cup team began being constructed after the '91 cup final defeat to Australia at Twickenham, 12 years before we actually won it, so a couple of games are too few to become consistent world beaters as of 2001 - 2003.

Never forget though, we'll give everyone a bloody nose, whether we drop the ball or not.

  • 15.
  • At 07:15 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Will wrote:

1-Vickery/Stevens (Have to have Vickers on the field, he is a good captain but looking at Stevens he seems to be a good all round player and knows how to bind properly!!)
2-Mears
3-Sheridan (The beast returns...)
4-Grewcock
5-Palmer
6-Worsley
7-Rees
8-Haskell

I am liking the wasps 5-8 though i dont want it now! We are struggling to stay in the top 4 and dont need all our players away for internationals. The difference was shown at newcastle, for anyone who didnt know we had 9 players on international duty and lost 37-11 with 35(!!!!) turnovers conceded. Despite this Rees and Haskell have frequently outplayed the opposition. And at home our back row players have had a total of 6 man of the match awards (2 for Haskell). Any wasps fans will know that we have very good competition for the 6,7 and 8 positions, with 6 internationals (Dallaglio, Worsley, Haskell, Rees, O'Conner and Leo- best back row player in the pacific isles)

9-Ellis
10-Wilkinson
11-Robinson/Cueto (Cueto been good since recent comeback, but not sure if he has the same finishing as robinson, that is what we sorely lacked all through November)
12-Farrell (give him a chance, if you saw him play league you would see why)
13-Lewsey (watch him at wasps, once a game charges and nearly kills someone)
14-Strettle
15-Tait

  • 16.
  • At 07:16 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • John wrote:

This would be my team:

15-Lewsey
14-Robinson
13-Farrell (why not?)
12-Catt
11-Strettle
10-Wilkinson
9-Ellis

1-Sheridan (if fit)/ Julian White
2-Mears
3-Vickery
4-Grewcock
5-Palmer
6-Worsley
7-Rees
8-Corry (no one else with a lot of experience available)

  • 17.
  • At 07:25 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Gareth Cornell wrote:

i think its a great idea to start bringin youngsters in now. we're pretty much guaranteed 3rd palce in the 6 nations, which at least is better than the bast 2 years. and as for the world cup, who are we kidding, the best we can hope if honest with ourselves is the semis. so let ashton start a four year plan for the next world cup. its what s woodward did to great effect.
as for haskell specifically, wasps and england need an up-and-coming number 8. as much as i am a fan dallaglio, as a wasps fan, i kno he hasnt got many seasons left in him and he will leave a huge gap in our back row if we do not breed someone to fill it. and lookin at england, corry needs competition as his game has been below par for some time now, and dan ward-smith is out of the running for the short term.
the same should be said for every place in the england side. there needs to be high class competition for places. new zealand could put out two sets of world-beating XV's. we need to be able to do the same.
as much as i hate to see england lose, its encouraging to see the likes of strettle and rees making impressions and the talent that is growing in england at the moment could be very exciting.
my next call would be: why not pick alex brown?

  • 18.
  • At 07:37 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • john wrote:

1 Freshwater
2 Mears
3 Vickery
4 Grewcock
5 Corry
6 Worsley
7 Lund
8 Haskell

9 Ellis
10 Wlkinson
11 Strettle
12 Tindall
13 Tait
14 Robinson
15 Lewsey

Although im not sure about Strettle or Cueto. But this is pretty much the best team we've got, not including injured platers.

  • 19.
  • At 08:17 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • ross wrote:

1-Stevens
2-Mears
3-Vickery
4-Alex Brown
5-Tom Palmer
6-Lund/Rees
7-Haskell
8-Worsley

9-Ellis
10-Wilkinson
11-Strettle
12-Barkley/Tait
13-Tindall/Tait
14-Cueto
15-Robinson/Lewsey

Recently England's problems in the forwards has been a lack of balance. the back row and second row provides a much better balance of dynamism and power. Just look at the great irish back row. Wallace is getting to every breakdown allowing quick ball whilst easterby and leamy are providing more running power.

In the backs olly barkley is good with ball in hand and is also another kicking option whilst tindall provides good strength and defensive skills. Cueto has proved his worth several times over, whilst strettle looks like one of the most exciting british talents. For me lewseys kicking just isnt up to scratch which is why robinson gets the nod. Tait is difficult to fit in but england should not ignore him as he is a great talent, perhaps with some game time he can establish himself in the 12 13 or 15 shirt

  • 20.
  • At 08:21 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Paul wrote:

15. Lewsey
14.Cueto
13.Tindall
12.Farrell
11.strettle
10.Wilkinson
9.Ellis
8.Haskell
7.Lund
6.Worsley
5.Jones
4.Palmer
3.Vickery
2.Mears
1.Freshwater

Strettle in for for robinson as he really struggled against dominci when sale played st. francais,keep the centres farrell should be a good match for jauzion. In the pack keep Lund he went off injured against ireland give him a chance, We need a new No 8 so give haskell a chance if he can play their. Althougth Jones is not in the squad, he and palmer were the stand out 2nd rows in the autumn, Mears at 2 as chuter doesnt seem to be doing much, and white should not be in the squad, god knows how he has not picked up any skill apart from scrummaing in all his years playing rugby, what does he do in training!?!

  • 21.
  • At 08:32 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Alex wrote:

john you say why not play farrell at 13. well i'll tell you, at 13 you need pace. I'm a firm advocate of the mantra that a good 13 can do a job on the wing, and likewise a good 12 can do a decent job at being first receiver. Farrell has no pace, his attributes are based around his hands and his kicking, not running lines. keep him at 12. my backline would read:

9. ellis
10. wilkinson
11. strettle (deserves another run out)
12. farrell
13. tindall
14. robinson
15. lewsey

  • 22.
  • At 08:34 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

i say give ashton a bit more time and a full fit squad we wil be okay!


1. stevens
2. chuter
3. vickery (c)
4. grewcock
5. borthwick
6. moody
7. rees
8. ward - smith

9. ellis
10. wilkinson
11. strettle
12. farrel
13. tait
14. robinsons
15 cueto


16. mears
17. sheridan
18. corry
19. haskell

20. richards
21. flood
22. lewsey


here you have a solid front row with a bit more mobility with stevens, and good cover on the bench with seridan. give chuter more time to get a bit of form and he wil be playing well like he does for leicester. vickery is a good leader and captian so he stays.
borthwick and grewcock have played together a lot and are winners. corry on the becn for cover.
the backrow will be a lot stronger with moody in his better postion of 6. rees who is looking like a verry good player every game he plays in. and ward - smith at 8 who should give more pace and power off the back of the scrum. haskell on the bench.

ellis is capable of playing verry wel indeed so give him more time to gain more confidence and become more of an all round player.
wilko obvioiusly give him more freedom to do what he wants to do. watchin him it feels like he is being told to do this and do that and not playing to his full potential. farell and tait in the cenres will be dangerous as farrel is good defensivley and a great passer with taits flair and pace with his runing lines.

the back 3 will be dangerous as there is robinson and strettle on the wings 2 out and out finishers who can WIN you games.
cueto is solid at full back and offers you great running lines.

bring on the future!!!

  • 23.
  • At 08:39 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Eric W wrote:

15 Lewsey
14 Robinson/Coueto
13 Tait
12 Farrell
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson (c)
9 Ellis
1 Payne
2 Mears
3 White
4 Palmer
5 Borthwick
6 Haskell
7 Lund/Rees
8 Worsley

Chuter, Vickery, Deacon, Correy, Perry, Flood, Tindall

I dont think Mike Catt is the way to go, he's 36 and I think Farrell and Tait will make a good partnership with a few games behind them. No problems with the back three and half backs.
Im not convinced about Vickery this six nations, he's definately out of shape and will be put under pressure in the scrum, White has to be at tighthead against Milloud and Payne should be given a go. Same goes for Correy, just not good enough at the moment, someone else deserves a chance. Grewcock is probably a smart guy generally, but for all his rugby playing skills, he's a neanderthal on the rugby field!!

  • 24.
  • At 08:54 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • luke wrote:

as a wasps fan i love the thought of having 3 international players in the back row. however the only 1 of the 3 that deseve a plase is worsley. haskell is a great player but will be lucky to make the bench, let alown start. quite frankly he shouldnt start ahead of corry and definatly shouldnt start at 8! a combination i would like to see is Rees at 7 and lund at 6, because i feel this could be the next hill/back pairing, with maybe haskell in that 8 roll in the future.

  • 25.
  • At 09:46 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Smarty wrote:

15 Lewsey
14 Cueto
13 Tait
12 Drahm
11 Simpson-Daniel
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
1 Vickery (c)
2 Chuter
3 Stevens
4 Palmer
5 Borthwick
6 Worsley/Hill
7 Rees
8 Dallaglio
Bench:
Abbott, Richards, Sheridan, Robinson, Lund, Mears, Jones

Having Lawrence back would add some pace to the back row and maintain experience.
Drahm would add pace at 2nd receiver with the ball skills. I would also bring JSD into the side to add some much needed skill to the back 3 who never seem to play as a group. How often do you see them passing to each other on fielding a kick in order to open up more space across the pitch instead of going it alone!! Drives me mad.

  • 26.
  • At 11:02 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • Lardinio wrote:

15 Lewesy
14 Robinson
13 Tait
12 Tindall
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Haskell
7 Rees
6 Worsley
5 Grewcock
4 Palmer
3 Vickery
2 Mears
1 White

That's lightening quick pace in the back row and wings/fullback, pace and power in the centre. Better skills in second row. Keep Danny in, he's a liability but still the best choice. White has to strenghten the scrum and Mears deserves a bow.

  • 27.
  • At 11:42 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • sam wrote:

England's WORLD CUP dream team!!! ....with this team england REALLY can retain the world cup...........(why is cueto always mentioned, he is slow and well overrated...simpson daniel offers pace and creativity, much more of a threat! )

15- josh lewsey
14- jason robinson
11- simpson- daniel
13- tait
12- farrell
10- wilkinson
9 - ellis
8 - ward-smith
7 - rees/lund
6 - hill (if fit) otherwise moody/worsley
5 - borthwick
4 - jones
3 - vickery (c)
2 - chuter/mears (isnt there anyone better???!)
1 - sheridon

16- stevens
17- mears/chuter
18- grewcock
19- moody/worsley
20- richards
21- lamb (gloucester)
22- strettle / balshaw

PLEASE NO!!! - CUETO (most overrated player of all time!), morgan (solid, we need spectacular) noon, white (whats he ever done??), corry (too slow), barkley

  • 28.
  • At 11:53 PM on 01 Mar 2007,
  • sam rowan wrote:

Ok firstly whoever suggested Strettle should play inside centre is silly, hes a specalist wing, u wouldnt ask Worsley to prop now would you? But anyway, my 15...

1. White(liability yes, but much needed aggression at break down)
2.Chuter( lack of better hooker)
3.Vickery(On his day utterly destructive n does solid job)
4.Borthwick(Lineout specalist needed desperatly..)
5.Grewcock(Same reasoning as white)
6.Worsley(Ball carrying un-equaled)
7.Rees/Haskell(both young guns bring much to the table, hard choice)
8.Corry(experience, enough said)
9.Ellis(to snipe n run, not kick!!)
10.Wilkinson(never in doubt)
11.Robinson/strettle(dependant on fitness, but robinson in own class)
12.Farrell(give him time, maybe slow, but distribution excellent)
13.Tait(screw the "charge" mentality of tindall, let tait swan through the french..best young centre in Eng)
14.Cueto(Engs best winger after robinson, dependable n try to game ratio awesome)
15.Lewsey(Incredibly strong, anyone else remember last ditch tackle against SA in Nov?)

Ok few lasting points..
1. Dont panic change in scrum, get right blend of experience and talent...
2.Leave off Farrell, hes got potential to be incredible, n the best option ( Catt) is old and nearly as slow
3.Tait needs to play centre, one on one hes deadly and id rather see him find the gap than see Tindall try n run over the man in front of him.. Plus, you say the midfield could be lightweight, how many Horgans are there in the French team? not many...
4. Lewsey may not score many tries anymore, but his tackle count is insane, and he saves enough tries to warrant his place, remember SA in Nov??
5.This team needs time to gel and the odd tweak here n there will help tht... Dont forget we have Thompson, Sheridan and moody to come into the pack. I hate to say it, but follow the Irish on this one, give a team a chance... Look where they are now
Cheers people.

  • 29.
  • At 12:37 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Pete wrote:

Yes Sam there is someone better at 2 lets face it it wouldn't be hard,his names Dylan Hartley a hard scrummaging ball carrying hooker who has a brain to add to the brawn
15.Lewsey
14.Cueto
13.Tait
12.Farrel
11.Strettle
10.Wilkinson
9.Ellis
1.Sheridan
2.Hartley
3.Stevens
4.Palmer
5.Brown
6.Lund
7.Rees
8.Haskell/Worsley
All over the park pace,power and ball players just love to see that side have a go.

  • 30.
  • At 01:01 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Finn wrote:

As an Ireland fan, I would have been a lot more worried if this team had lined up against us at Croker:-

1. Payne (looks much better for Wasps than Vickery)
2. Chuter
3. White (delighted you didn't pick him against Horan!)
4. Shaw (is he injured?? Every time I see him, he impresses me a lot)
5. Kay (could give POC and DOC a contest in the line out)
6. Hill (saw him play for Saracens and I was amazed how good he looked)
7. Rees (proper #7)
8. Corry
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle (very impressed with his guts after Shaggy had welcomed him to Dublin)
12. Tindall
13. Tait / Simpson-Daniel (pace)
14. Cueto (very underrated finisher)
15. Robinson (shame he was injured- he's back to his best)

16. Vickery
17. Mears
18. C.Jones
19. Worsley
20. Perry
21. Barkley
22. Simpson-Daniel / Tait

Freshwater looked weak against Hayes and Lewsey looks as if he's lost half a yard of pace to me. Anyway, do Ireland a favour and beat the French. Good luck!

  • 31.
  • At 01:52 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • sam mills wrote:

15-robinson
14-cueto
13-lewsey
12-catt
11-cohen
10-wilkinson
9-ellis
8-worsley
7-rhys
6-hill
5-grewcock
4-palmer
3-stevens
2-mears
1-vickery

  • 32.
  • At 01:57 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • BA wrote:

Thanks for the help guys. I have decided to pick

1: Vickery
2: Chuter
3: Sheridan
4: Palmer
5: Borthwick
6: Worsley
7: Rees
8: Haskell
9: Ellis
10: Wilkinson
11: Strettle
12: Farrell
13: Tait
14: Robinson
15: Lewsey

I have been planning to play Tait outside Farrell for a while and now seems like the right time. Andy can pass, and John Fletcher tells me Taity can both catch and run so we think we鈥檝e found the right balance in the centres at least.

Martin is a great bloke but after Zinzan hit a raw nerve when he compared him to a Morris Minor driving up hill I have been searching for someone a bit more dynamic. Obviously DWS was in line but got injured. Luckily young James has been stepping up close to the mark at Wasps. If he manages to crock Martin in training he will definitely be in. He should have no trouble catching him, but I've warned him not to break his fist on Cozzer's nose.

The one thing we are really trying to exploit from the Woody era is the introduction of techniques from other sports. I think I am right in saying that the Croke Park game was the first time Bull Riding techniques have been introduced to rugby. We like the way the bull is driven to a more dynamic performance when the pressure is applied with that strap around his groin and we are expecting a bigger game from Worse against France as we increase the pressure this time around. Of course you will notice we could only tighten the strap around his head, because we felt it inappropriate to affect his family chances. This had the bonus of retaining more than usual amounts of blood in his brain.

To be honest we believe we have the selection at hooker spot on鈥 BUT鈥 George does need to cultivate his beard a little more. It seems he is Samsonesque in his reliance on hair. Luckily this is a rest week and with two weeks between games he should be able to conjure up enough growth to make even, Ibanez look smooth as a babies鈥 proverbial. This we hope will produce more than a little insecurity in their captain causing a bout of the Bleu鈥檚. If that doesn鈥檛 work we have asked The Chute to give Le Skipper a beard burn, that should induce a penalty or two.

Strettle's staying! Anyone who take a forarm smash like the one from the big hairy one is alright by me. Reminds of Big Daddy when he stood up to Gaint Haystacks at that place under Blackpool Tower when I was a lad.

The other tactics are secret, so I can鈥檛 tell you. But, it was that great Englishman Bruce Forsyth who said 鈥減oints mean prizes鈥 and it鈥檚 never truer in Rugby than in a World Cup year.

BA

  • 33.
  • At 03:42 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Simon wrote:

Haskell - never seen him play, but there are enough comments here to make me say play him.

Any changes in the rest of the pack will be amongst players who have been there, so blood somebody to build that depth.

If he is with his two back row mates, then hopefully they will understand each others game.

As for the backs. I watched Strettle and liked what I saw. Leave him there and make the others compete for the other places for the France game.

Faz. We need a big clever lump and a quick dangerous wizkid. How you pair those up is beyod me.

Not in this game but certainly against Wales. Toby needs plenty of game time. I would even start him. Charlie will not be getting a lot of game time before the WC so better get a back up No. 10 going now.

Otherwise I am surprisingly happy with Brian's approach so far. For me, he has until the summer tour 2008 to get us winning again, and worrying teams.

  • 34.
  • At 08:08 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • andrew wrote:

Ashton has to use the rest of the 6N as an exercise to play his full 22 or even 30 he has in mind for the world cup. Forget the sniping ffom the old boys Moore Guscott and Carling and be resolute in selecting a squad that will knit together and fight each other for the starting 15.The AB's can perm anyone from 30 and know they can fit straight in and without any disruption.
Ashton has an uphill challenge to break the club country quarrel but has to focus on the WC and beyond. I think he has the balls to do it and lets hope the armchair pundits stop the negatives and understand what he is trying to build.

  • 35.
  • At 08:30 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • mike wrote:

Duella,

You should be in charge. Dead set!

  • 36.
  • At 08:42 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Fightmonkey wrote:

Please stop calling for mears and chuter for lack of anything better! Titterell is bigger and faster and on loose ball is another back row, ideal for iincreasing our mobility and ball retention.

  • 37.
  • At 09:01 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Paul Hunter wrote:

At the end of the day and combination of those 28 players are not up to the job.

The sad fact is Brian doesn't have the players to work with at the moment and is unlikely to be able to build a side to rival the world cup winners in the short to medium term.

How many of them would get a spot on the Ireland side that convincingly beat them at the weekend?

Johnny (thought not imo) and maybe Strettle for Hickie, and Lewsey for Dempsey.

Thats the real problem facing English rugby.

  • 38.
  • At 09:20 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • robert wrote:

i can not believe it!correct me if im wrong but dalliagio wears no 8 at wasps not haskell!no one seems interested in one of our greatest back row forwards,the guy has obviously mentored rees,worsley and haskell and if i can remind people it was only 2 years ago he was the key man for the lions when injury struck!corry isnt good enough at this level and the only no8 in the country that is is dallaigio,he may not be the quickest but he has much more than that.....presence,motivation,experience,knowledge of how and what to do at key times in an international and most important leadership to mould the forwards together!!! thats whats missing.....rant over

  • 39.
  • At 09:35 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • martin wrote:

Big problems against the irish were the set piece, and lack of intent in attacking running lines.

Set piece - need Sheridan and Stevens to come back and then its two from three inc Vickery. Well documented that White is too one dimensional, regardless of any old school bleating about scrummaging.

Need to lose one of Grewcock of Deacon, bring in Palmer. Ideally Palmer and Jones would be a bit more imposing as that brings the most dynamism but you can't have everything. Corry needs to go. Unless you put him on the bench along with another back row.

Intent - after 15 mins back row stopped expecting the backs to go through the gainline and altered their game accordingly. Problem with Farrell is expectation. Great league player but would he have ever offered that much more than Henry Paul, Iestyn Harris as a convert? The only value in converts is either big runners who can break tackles and get teams turning, or players who can do alot with little space. His vision/distribution skills are probably overegged because its measured relative to what was around him in league (have you watched a game recently? great power, pace and some woeful hands). But who to play at 12? if we've not really got a genuine distributor then next game:

15 - Lewsey
14 - Cueto
13 - Tait
12 - Tindall
11 - Strettle

10 - Wilkinson
9 - Ellis

8 - Worsley
7 - Rees
6 - Hill
5 - Palmer
4 - Grewcock
3 - Sheridan
2 - Mears
1 - Vickery

16 - Hartley
17 - Stevens
18 - Corry/Jones
19 - Haskell
20 - Perry
21 - Robinson
22 - Farrell

  • 40.
  • At 09:46 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • martin wrote:

Set piece - need Sheridan and Stevens to come back and then its two from three inc Vickery. Well documented that White is too one dimensional, regardless of any old school bleating about scrummaging.
Need to lose one of Grewcock or Deacon, bring in Palmer. Ideally Palmer and Jones would be a bit more imposing as that combo brings the most dynamism around the field and line out options but you can't have everything. Maybe for the longer term though. Corry needs to go. Unless you put him on the bench along with another back row for the time being.

Intent - after 15 mins back row stopped expecting the backs to go through the gainline and altered their game accordingly. This is a really big problem for England in that the running lines of supporting players are always aiming maybe 5 yards shorter than the Irish and the French because we don鈥檛 expect to find gaps or make half-breaks past defenders. Its not just opposition back row that are slowing our breakdowns, its us as well because doubt is slowing momemtum.

Problem with Farrell is expectation. Great league player but will he ever offer that much more than Henry Paul, Iestyn Harris as a convert, (without 2-3 seasons bedding in, which he鈥檚 not going to get)? The only value in modern converts is either big runners who can break tackles and get teams turning, or players who can do alot with little space. Chev Walker is the much better prospect. Farrells vision/distribution skills should have been measured relative to what was around him in league (have you watched a game recently? great power, pace and some woeful hands). But who to play at 12? if we've not really got genuine pace or distribution then next game:

15 - Lewsey
14 - Cueto
13 - Tait
12 - Tindall
11 - Strettle

10 - Wilkinson
9 - Ellis

8 - Worsley
7 - Rees
6 - Hill
5 - Palmer
4 - Grewcock
3 - Sheridan
2 - Mears
1 - Vickery

16 - Hartley
17 - Stevens
18 - Corry/Jones
19 - Haskell
20 - Perry
21 - Robinson
22 - Farrell

  • 41.
  • At 09:53 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • lukey from cromford towers wrote:

With whats available at the moment!!

15. Cueto
14. Strettle
13. Tait
12. Farrell
11. Robinson
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
8. Haskell
7. Rees
6. Worsley
5. Grewcock
4. Palmer
3. White
2. Chuter
1. Vickery

  • 42.
  • At 09:54 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Sean wrote:

The balance of young / old is vital to England - use the rest of the 6 nations to blood a potential world cup team at test level, I think Farrell is going to be a good/great player come autumn provided he gets game time and Larder has a point about trying him at blind side Flanker although the learning curve is a bit steep for autumn . Grewcock and White can provide the nasties at the breakdown and Cueto / Robinson and Strettle are looking very good. Fill in the gaps at Hooker, Second Row and Open side and by autumn its going to be a different England Team - by the way do us Irish a favour and beat France by 10+

  • 43.
  • At 09:54 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • robert wrote:

DALLIAGIO MUST BE THINKING HE IS INVISIBLE AS ALL HIS BACK ROW TEAM MATES GET PICKED-DAN WARD SMITH WOULD HAVE BEEN AN EXCELLENT PROSPECT AT NO 8 BUT UNFORTUNATELY HE GOT INJURED!SO YOU HAVE TO PICK DALLAIGIO .... I WOULDNT MIND BETTING THAT WASPS WIN THE TITLE THIS YEAR..AND I HOPE THEY DO THEN YOU WILL HAVE TO PICK DALLAIGIO FOR ONE LAST TIME!

  • 44.
  • At 10:02 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Julian wrote:

When's Sheridan coming back?

  • 45.
  • At 10:12 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

does anybody else think that corry could be the answer in second row. too slow for modern 8 but quick for engine room and a better ball carrier tha any locks in the squad. Modern rugby is about quick ball and pace.

  • 46.
  • At 10:27 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Alex wrote:

I am going to put the cat amoungst the pigeons with my selection. Though I think that this could be a truely exciting prospect.

1. Vickery
2. Titterel(mobility and skill)
3. Stevens
4. Borthwick
5. Jones/Palmer (depending on form/fit)
6. Worsley
7. Rees
8. Haskell
If needed I would put Lund at 7 Rees 6 and Worsley 8.

9. Ellis
10. Flood
11. Strettle
12. Wilko
13. Tait
14. Robinson
15. Lewesy

I feel that our pack should stop trying to rely on bulk and learn some technique. This pack gives a good balance of mobility and savagery.

In the backs I think it would do no harm at all to try the midfield I have suggested. This would give some real pace and free Wilko up to do some more exciting running the likes of which has not had the room for since his first season. Tait is a must for me - Tindall can be put on the bench and come on at 12 and slip Jonny to 10 if we want to try something more orthodox.

But for god sake please keep Catt away from the team - surely we have better inside centre options - don't we?? I would rather see us return to give Anthony Allen anouther crack at it. I know people always hark on about needing a robust midfield but lets be honnest as Jonny has proved for years it is bravery that counts not size in the tackle and speed in attack.

  • 47.
  • At 10:28 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Richard Hope wrote:

Love the fact that most people are sticking with farrell in the midfield, nd putting tait to outside centre, if he can run lines off of farrell, i think he can find some gaps. Farrell gives another 1st reciever option in the same way that Catt does, hes just a bit younger, and a bit stronger than Catt. I play at 10 so dont really have a clue about the forwards, but I would love to see a back row thats going to run hard all day, somthin that the likes of Correy dont seem to do any more, and to me, Lund just doesnt look strong enough, Rees would be the better option. If Haskell is 1/2 as good as people say he is, then i rekon give him a go.

  • 48.
  • At 10:40 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Marcel wrote:

Think most of what I've seen makes sense. Tait should be given the chance at 13, Strettle at wing with Robinson (or Cueto if injured).

Keep Faz there. Phil Larder's proposal to put him in at blind side is very interesting but maybe not worth trying vs the French!

If we were to go for youth why not bring in the pacy, 17 stone Ayoola Erinle into the squad? Also Ben Skirving (nr 8) who was along side Haskell in the U21 slam winning Engaldn team?

  • 49.
  • At 10:52 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Judith Chalmers wrote:

Definitely need a stronger captain and Dallaglio has the cv to fit the role. Need to have the presence to make the decisions on the pitch.
Would also like to see Catt in some role for England...maybe player/coach and on the bench as an impact player if things go the wrong way. What about Voyce?
Grewcock is just about a guaranteed yellow card at some stage!
15. Cueto
14. Strettle
13. Tait
12. Farrell/Catt
11. Robinson/Voyce
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
8. Dallaglio
7. Rees
6. Worsley
5. Grewcock
4. Palmer
3. White
2. Chuter
1. Vickery

  • 50.
  • At 11:12 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • armchair expert at work wrote:

I wouldnt play Tindall at 12, his distribution isnt quite good enough and he usually chooses to try and crash through the opposition (doesn't work much either!!)

It will be hard going against the French pack and I fear that england will be on the back foot in the scrum and the breakdown, I think our forwards will have their work cut out!
I feel Tait should start at 13 because I'd like to see him running at the French
Whatever happened to Anthony Allen and Stuart Abbot?
....and Simpson daniel?

  • 51.
  • At 11:30 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Alex wrote:

The only posible reason to play Chuter/Mears over Titterel is a percieved improvement in line-out work. As a former jumper I know that there are two main things that cock up a line out:

1. Lack of Communication
2. Lack of Practice

I say get those two right and you can play Titerell and have an more dynamic pack.

  • 52.
  • At 11:39 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Alex wrote:

Why do people insist on Chuter/Mears they are not that good at the set piece and not that good in the loose.

Give Titterell a try - he would give us the mobility that might enable our backs to not have to do all the rucking rather than the running.

  • 53.
  • At 11:43 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • bryan the pirate wrote:

There was much talk of the vaunted leicster pack at thomond, but the reality was that there weren't too many english players in that pack, so yet again, the premiership has no bearing on the england team.

It's easy for players to look good when the team dominates, ellis?, really good players look good even when they are on the losing team. Who got man of the match england-italy?

Wilkinson is one of the best fly-halfs the game has ever seen, but even he couldn't get into the match in dublin. The english team did not turn up, I know, the irish team used to do this all the time. Passion, thats a problem when it's professional, you could switch clubs tommorrow, but you can't switch country. (well almost). They lacked passion, so does your soccer team, Is this something bread into english sport, who knows, that penalty shootout in the world cup smelled rank, only 3 players seemed to care, or tried to stop it, Terry(passion), hargreaves, lennon.

Take england ireland last year, who kept us in the game, when we were against the wall, Brian o'Driscoll, he always pops up with a score, even when we are going backwards, it's unreal, thats what we missed against France, we should have lost that by 10 points, we went back 10 yards every time we tried to attack, only skill kept us in touch. Remember, we only beat england by one score last year, in a brutal 6n nations for england, have we really gotten that much better, or is the england revival actually a reversal.


I can't believe the club country debate, the pinacle is country, not club, it should be arranged to put the best international team out. It's a crazy metality, there is nothing better than roaring on your countries team, and I'm sure the players see it as the ultimate honour. Thats how the AB's see it.

The fact is, clubs should use international windows to blood new players, not desperately try to hold onto the international ones, we all know the players are burnt out, thus you need strength in depth, and you can't get this by playing the same bunch week in week out. You get healthy attendances for provincal games here, because we want to see Irish players, world class irish players, and we should only bring in outside talent to add something to the team, with their greatness being emparted on irish players below them.

Look at the FA premiership, how are you supposed to have passion for a team with no english players, it's desperate, a fluke of brilliant marketing, liverpool, arsenal

  • 54.
  • At 11:45 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Steven wrote:

Alex (46) Wilkinson is a specialist number 10! We had enough of barmy selections under Robbo thanks.

  • 55.
  • At 11:51 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Ed2003 wrote:

Some people seem to be picking a team which they think is the long-term solution and others are picking a team from the squad announced for the France game. So from the squad I would pick:

1. Vickery
2. Mears
3. White
4. Palmer
5. Grewcock
6. Worsely
7. Rees
8. Haskell

9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Farrell
13. Tait
14. Robinson (if not fit then Cueto)
15. Lewsey

The team I think should play the majority of the WC games:

1. Sheridan
2. Titterall
3. Stevens
4. Jones/Palmer
5. Borthwick
6. Worsely
7. Rees
8. Haskell (Or DWS if back to full fitness)

9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Farrell
13. Tait
14. Robinson
15. Lewsey

There is absolutely no point in going back to Dallaglio. We're buildig a team for the future so start giving promising players experience now.

Almost everyone seems to agree that Farrell/Tait centre partnership is the best option.

I think the team I've picked for the WC has a real good balance to it. Power and pace in the forwards. Creativity and pace along the back line.

  • 56.
  • At 11:52 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • bryan the pirate wrote:

strettle for outside center, someone to take advantage of space created on the inside, that is if either farrell or tindal can do this job, and they should Darcy is for ireland, and he's not a big man. If you watch sevens, he's got serious skill, pace and size, for beating the one on one tackle, with robinson on his shoulder, very dangerous

Robinson back on the wing if fit.

the french pack was a thing of beauty in the last section of the first half against wales, and creamed ireland, at least in the maul, I don't know if engerland can deal with this, I hope you can.

No Grewcock, I can't believe he's in the england side, how many games ahs he lost over the years, in the high teens, his penalty count is massive, you knew that he's get carded against ireland, and he was, i should have lobbed down a few bob on it happening

  • 57.
  • At 11:52 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • NINE-FIFTEEN wrote:

Right, it's time to put the Haskell talks aside and think how we're gonna beat the French. They've ruined our tournament parites a few times in th past and after that shocking defeat in Paris last year it's time we wiped the smiles off their faces.
FRONT ROW- Why has Ashton ignored the calls of Tim Payne he is a specialist on both sides of the scrum, a destructive in the loose and does not stop working he is the loose-head prop to take on the french pack.
SECOND-ROW- Tom palmer is the best lock in the preniership and yet he is on the bench start him! he is mobile, dominant in the lineout and he scores a few tries playe Grewcock for the first half and then bring on Borthwick he will raring to go
BACK-ROW Bring Farrell onto the blind-side he is much more destructive and with the experience of the centre he will pick brilliant support lines and has hands of a back, move Worsley to No.8 (Corry is not performing) Joe is dynamic and will not stop working and get Tom Rees on the Open-side he is 10 times better the Lund you cannot have a 6ft or over 7 there not as sly and Rees has explosive pace.
BACKS- Keep Strettle on the wing with Robinson and Lewsey at full-back, Betsen is going to try and get into Wilko right from the word GO unless we have an extra Kicker on the field and the man thats saved England's neck so many times in the past and has kept the pressure off Jonny is Mike Catt: he is a leader and is in the form of his life who cares how old he is if was too old he would know and retire he is the perfect 12 and with the pace and brilliance of Tait and both their defensive qualities what more could you want and if we need some physicallity we should keep Tindall on the bench (he can also play wing if needed)heres my team on paper to beat the French
1. Tim Payne
2. George Chuter
3. Phil Vickery
4. Tom Palmer
5. Danny Grewock (for the 1st half)
6. Andy Farrell
7. Tom Rees
8. Joe Worsley
9. Harry Ellis
10.Jonny Wilkinson
11.Jason Robinson
12.Mike Catt
13.Mathew Tait
14.Dave Strettle
15.Josh Lewsey

16. Lee Mears
17. Julian White
18. Steve Borthwick
19. James Haskell (why not?)
20. Peter Richards
21. Mike Tindall
22. Mark Cueto

  • 58.
  • At 11:55 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Baz wrote:

Some nice comments and interesting team selections have been posted. If we're realistic England are probably not going to set the World Cup alight whatever team we pick. Having said that Ashton will take a punt with some of these younger lads though and I'm all for it. Grewcock (indiscipline) and Corry (plodder)should be bench warmers at best. A combination of Rees / Lund / Haskell with Worsley as the anchor makes my mouth water. Borthwick (experience) and Palmer looks good. Strettle and Tait in the same team could be a stretch though. Lewsey should always be at fullback (see 1st South Africa game).

  • 59.
  • At 11:55 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • si wrote:

15 Lewsey
14 Robinson
13 Strettle
12 Tindall
11 Cueto
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Haskell
7 Rees
6 Worsley
5 Palmer
4 Grewcock
3 White
2 Chuter
1 Vickery

  • 60.
  • At 11:55 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Ed2003 wrote:

Some people seem to be picking a team which they think is the long-term solution and others are picking a team from the squad announced for the France game. So from the squad I would pick:

1. Vickery
2. Mears
3. White
4. Palmer
5. Grewcock
6. Worsely
7. Rees
8. Haskell

9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Farrell
13. Tait
14. Robinson (if not fit then Cueto)
15. Lewsey

The team I think should play the majority of the WC games:

1. Sheridan
2. Titterall
3. Stevens
4. Jones/Palmer
5. Borthwick
6. Worsely
7. Rees
8. Haskell (Or DWS if back to full fitness)

9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Farrell
13. Tait
14. Robinson
15. Lewsey

There is absolutely no point in going back to Dallaglio. We're buildig a team for the future so start giving promising players experience now.

Almost everyone seems to agree that Farrell/Tait centre partnership is the best option.

I think the team I've picked for the WC has a real good balance to it. Power and pace in the forwards. Creativity and pace along the back line.

  • 61.
  • At 11:58 AM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Rob Sirett wrote:

大象传媒 Rugby Coverage- Could it get any worse???

I cant help saying I cannot believe quite how poor the coverage of Rugby has become on the 大象传媒.

It was quite cute to be old fashioned when Bill McClaren held the reigns but for an older guy he kept abreast of law and playing style changes.

Currently the 大象传媒 retain Moore and the welsh chap, who just argue insesantly and not even a minor grip on the way the game is played.

We have to put up with Mooro (great player) gibbering on about squint put in (check out when he played its no different) and recently having to listen the welsh chap coughing up phlegm.

The camera management is all wrong, to the extent that had sky covered the Englan vs NZ gae in November you can be sure the disputed try would have been given. You can barely tell what is going on in the game because they cut from too close to too far away.

If it doesnt change or improve soon, the 大象传媒 will be responsible for the lack of growth of a sport that has been promoted brilliantly in its coverage at club level by SKY.

Please reply if you agree

  • 62.
  • At 12:11 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Alex wrote:

Steven (54) If Wilko is such a specialist no. 10 then why has he been standing at 12 so often (seen JR try against scotland). His distribution and understanding is excellent and it is the understanding and tactical awareness that Faz needs time to develop and as I said if we feel it is n't working then we can always pull in a sub ie Tindal to play at 12.

I am all for the concept of playing players in thier positions but i believe this concept, originally mooted after the last WC, could actually work and I think would be used on the Tyne were it not for one Jamie Noon.

  • 63.
  • At 12:31 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • geoff matthews wrote:

Robinson, Larder and Lydon must be laughing their socks off! Apparently it was all their fault. Does that mean it is now all Brian Ashton's fault? I think neither is true. The basic problem is the quailty of the current crop of players. Go through the team man for man and compare the Irish game incumbents with the equivalent in the 2003 RWC final. There are only about 4 who stand up to the comparison. The coaches are trying to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. My only critisism of Robinson is that I would have in early 2004 started blooding young players and launched a three year development programme to get ready for 2007. Unfortunately it is now too late to do that for the 2007 RWC so we might as well start planning for the 2011 RWC.
One additional comment re. the Farrell debate. I find it ludicrous that Carling / Guscott / etc. are slating Farrell as though the Ireland thrashing was all his fault. Still smacks of old school Union guys having a 'pop' at a League convert. Most of the England team under performed so please pick on somebody who played in his 'normal' position and has played Union all his life. As it happens I agree that Farrell should not be playing in the centre, but that is not his fault, it is the selectors fault. For Wigan he played only occasionally in the backs as a temporary fill in, and now he is selected to play at INTERNATIONAL level in a position he does not know, after only a handfull of games in the 'Union' code. Now tell me where the fault is! As for lack of pace, I happen to agree with nthat also - but then to suggest Mike Catt should replace him - how many minutes does it take Catt to do 100 metres these days? Gerry and Will - get real guys!

  • 64.
  • At 12:35 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • David Ware wrote:

I hate Wasps and Bath, being a Gloster boy. However players such as Haskell and Rees from Wasps and Barkley from Bath are the future and good enough to play now. I must thank Ashton for leaving the better Gloster boys at home and taking Tindall. Big shame about Morgan though, a JPR style player im the making and his running ball in hand much underrated.

Tally Ho chaps!

  • 65.
  • At 12:40 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Bill Mason wrote:

Might be controversial but in my opinion Englands strongest team at the minute


1 Sophie Hemming
2 Amy Garnett
3 Katy Storie
4 Tamara Taylor
5 Jo McGilchrist
6 Georgia Stevens
7 Maggie Alphonsi
8 Catherine Spencer
9 Susie Appleby
10 Karen Andrew
11 Danielle Waterman
12 Rachel Burford
13 Claire Allan
14 Sue Day (c)
15 Charlotte Barras

16 Emma Layland
17 Vanessa Gray
18 Sarah Beale
19 Sarah Hunter
20 Katy McLean
21 Michaela Staniford
22 Amber Penrith

three matchs, three wins, three lock outs. Give the French something to think about

  • 66.
  • At 12:41 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • David Ware wrote:

If you really are serious about a good blind side flanker then get Alex Brown to stop pissing about in the second row and convert. Fast around the park and hits like an express train (ask Seb Chabal) and "oh!" he might be another option in the line out. I tell you he wouldnt need much converting. Also forgot a good ball carrier as well. With a converted Brown then you could have Chris Jones and Palmer in the 2nd row. Haskell and Rees completing the back row and you probably have the fastest back five from the scrum in northern hemisphere rugby. Good lineout jumping as well.

Ole!

  • 67.
  • At 12:47 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • ed barker wrote:

1. sheridan
2. chuter
3. vickery(c)
4. borthwick
5. grewcock
6. worsley
7. rees
8. corry

9. ellis
10. wilkinson
11. robison/strettle
12. catt
13. tait
14. cueto
15. lewsey

  • 68.
  • At 12:52 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Jamie wrote:

I'm quite shocked at some of the team selections on this blog!!! The fact is, is that these players are proffesional because they specialise in one or maybe two positions. People think that every prop can be easily switched from loose to tight, this isn't always the case.

I'm seeing corry in the Second Row??? I haven't seen Corry play there since Lions 2001. Strettle at outside centre??? Are you mad, great player one of Englands best against Ireland, but in no way an outside centre.

England are going through a rough patch, we are not going to get out of it for a couple of years. Look at Ireland; Ireland are what England were 3/4 years ago.

We do have Rees, Lund, Haskell, Strettle, Tait, Morgan, Lamb, Allen, some great talent coming through, and it will come together.

In Brackets ideal/future!

15.Lewsey - (Morgan)
14.Cueto - (Sackey)
13.Tindall - (Tait)
12.Farrell - (Allen
11.Robinson - (Strettle)
10.Wilkinson - (Lamb)
9.Ellis - (Richards)
8.Corry - (Ward - Smith)
7.Rees/Lund
6.Worsley - (Haskell)
5.Borthwick
4.Palmer
3.White - (Payne)
2.Chuter - (Hartley)
1.Vickery (c)

Everyone just needs to calm down, Ashton is doing a great job and will lead England to success.

  • 69.
  • At 01:24 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • David Jones wrote:

I am picking a team which I thought would be starting 2007 WC Final against France. But this team is a team based on Englands 2005 performance against the All Blacks and includes players who are injured and one injured into retirement.

15 Lewsey
14 Cueto
13 Tait
12 Farrell
11 Robinson
10 Wilko
9 Ellis

1 Vickery
2 Thompson
3 Woodman (Early retirment due to injury but the best prop at the 2003 WC)
4 Borthwick
5 Palmer
6 Hill
7 Lund
8 Forrester (he has the skills to play centre as well)

Bench
Sherindon
Titteral
Grewcock
Ward Smith
Richards
Abbott
Varndell

It is a shame that England has had so many injuries since 2003 WC, does anyone know what injuries other nations have had since the 2003 WC and would Ireland be as could as they are now if BOD had been out for 3 years?

  • 70.
  • At 01:59 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Wee man wrote:

Nice to see a few posts on this blog include Ben Cohen at 11, did anyone catch his try against quins the other week, granted they lost the game. However, the last 10-15 yards where a winger need power and pace is Cohen's territory. Think about the international try scoring records for England, you'll find that he and Will Greenwood are drawn in 2nd place. He scored against NZ in the AIs and he's still scoring tries, 2 recently from outside centre in the HC. If it ain't broke..... A big powerful winger is the answer, Leicester have Rabeni and Tuilagi, power and pace!!! Ireland, Horgan for thump!! with either Hickie or the speedster Trimble on the oppsite wing. Ben should be looked at with Jason Robinson or Cueto at 14 with Strettle as an attacking option on the bench, Lewsey at Full Back. All the pace and power you need, and proven that it works. The problem isn't in the backs, it's in the forwards. If they can get it together and do as planned, the backs will have the platform they need to shine. Then the headlines will change.

  • 71.
  • At 02:01 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • David Jones wrote:

I am picking a team which I thought would be starting 2007 WC Final against France. But this team is a team based on Englands 2005 performance against the All Blacks and includes players who are injured and one injured into retirement.

15 Lewsey
14 Cueto
13 Tait
12 Farrell
11 Robinson
10 Wilko
9 Ellis

1 Vickery
2 Thompson
3 Woodman (Early retirment due to injury but the best prop at the 2003 WC)
4 Borthwick
5 Palmer
6 Hill
7 Lund
8 Forrester (he has the skills to play centre as well)

Bench
Sherindon
Titteral
Grewcock
Ward Smith
Richards
Abbott
Varndell

It is a shame that England has had so many injuries since 2003 WC, as half the World Champion Team would have been prime for 2007 WC. However, injuries along with long term factors mean quarter finals at the most. Does anyone know what injuries other nations have had since the 2003 WC and would Ireland be as could as they are now if BOD had been out for 3 years?

  • 72.
  • At 02:05 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Wee man wrote:

Nice to see a few posts on this blog include Ben Cohen at 11, did anyone catch his try against quins the other week, granted they lost the game. However, the last 10-15 yards where a winger need power and pace is Cohen's territory. Think about the international try scoring records for England, you'll find that he and Will Greenwood are drawn in 2nd place. He scored against NZ in the AIs and he's still scoring tries, 2 recently from outside centre in the HC. If it ain't broke..... A big powerful winger is the answer, Leicester have Rabeni and Tuilagi, power and pace!!! Ireland, Horgan for thump!! with either Hickie or the speedster Trimble on the oppsite wing. Ben should be looked at with Jason Robinson or Cueto at 14 with Strettle as an attacking option on the bench, Lewsey at Full Back. All the pace and power you need, and proven that it works. The problem isn't in the backs, it's in the forwards. If they can get it together and do as planned, the backs will have the platform they need to shine. Then the headlines will change.

  • 73.
  • At 02:11 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • patrick` wrote:

Some interesting choices going on but people have to remember that one of the downfalls of Robinson's reign as coach was inability to pick players in their positions.

So Tindall must remain outside centre, Faz inside centre (he barely has any experience and if we are thinking about the world cup, we need to stop moving him around)

Corry is a number 8-although when Ward-Smith is fit, get him in.

Worsley is a 6- its just a massive shame Moody isn't around to put pressure on his place (I would always have Moody over Worsley). Good to have competition at 7- I think Rees just edges Lund (what were you doing apologising to O'Driscoll for!). Palmer and Borthwick at 4/5 (Borthwick was one of the best players for England over the last few years before injury). Front row, Vickery, Cuter and Stevens (need mobility)

If nothing else, at least there is a bit of competition for places in the forwards- the hallmark of the world cup winning team was the competition for places....

Obviously Ellis 9- since Richards and Perry are budget.

10 picks itself (WHO ON EARTH SUGGESTED FLOOD OVER WILKINSON!!! Absolute rubbish)

Strettle at 11 (form and element of unexpected)

Lewsey at 15 (most consistent player for England so far this championship)

Robinson at 14 (if injured Cueto- although he hasn't had much game time)

Centres if everyone was fit, I would be looking at Allen and Tait. Young, fast, great handling, both punch above their weight. But as it is, has to be Faz and Tait.

Tait looks pure class everytime he plays, great vision, speed and awareness- something that can't be said of many other English players.

What England need is to get quick ball to Jonny and Faz and unleash Tait, Strettle, Robinson and Lewsey - 4 of the most dangerous backs in the Northern Hemisphere.

Right, rant over, back to work

  • 74.
  • At 02:19 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • andy wrote:

i cant believe how many people here would play cueto before robinson! granted robinson is 33 but hes a natural finisher. for me cueto still has a lot to prove and to bring him straight in the starting 15 wud be a mistake.

in saying this im an irishman in scotland and dont see much of the premiership and wouldnt dare comment on your best 15. but if i was french id much prefer to see ceutos name on the team sheet.

  • 75.
  • At 02:45 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Patrick wrote:

Looking at some of the first posts on this discussion makes me flinch as it harks back to the "Robinson era". Why play players out of position when they play other positions week in week out? From what I've seen, Worsley plays most of his rugby at 6 and should stay there where he seems comfortable. We have enough cover for 8 in Easter and maybe Haskell, with Corry occupying the contingency bench. Also, could someone tell me what's happened to Alex Brown? Chabal may not be playing for France, but I'm sure he'd relish dumping some other poor Frenchmen on their behinds! And while Tindall was player of the month in the Prem a while ago, for England all he seems able to do is crash ball runs. Tait would be a very welcome change at 13 while keeping with Farrell. And to those who say its a pairing that lacks power, stop living in the past! The Henson tackle was ages ago and Tait's progressed immensely since then! Rugby (as New Zealand has shown) is not about running through people, but rather AROUND them, and Tait's got some serious pace to add to a solid grasp of the game.
Anyway, on to what I'm sure you've all been waiting for, my pick for the France match:
15. Lewsey
14. Cueto
13. Tait
12. Farrell
11. Strettle
10. who? oh yeah, that guy...
9. Ellis
8. Easter
7. Rees
6. Worsley
5. Palmer
4. Borthwick/Brown
3. Payne
2. Mears
1. Vickery(c) (someone pin some red cloth to the French players, I wanna see this guy raging again)

16. Freshwater (White is too easily riled up and gives away silly penalties too often)
17. Chuter
18. Deacon
19. Haskell
20. Perry
21. Flood
22. Robinson

Wouldn't it be great to see Sackey and Strettle lined up at the WC? And is it just me or do Robinson's skills only get sharper with more international game time? He's looked much better since lacing up his boots for England again.

C'mon England! Ruin the French party!

  • 76.
  • At 02:46 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • tom wrote:

oh dear some of those teams have been shockers, corry at 7? dallaglio adding pace? however its all about opinion, so they are fair comment, here is my team for the weekend:

stevens
mears
vickery (c)
borthwick
grewcock
lund
rees
worsley

ellis
wilkinson
strettle
flood
tindall
robinson
lewsey

freshwater
chuter
palmer
easter
perry
farrell
tait

vickery cant be dropped unfortunately, and he cant play loosehead, especially against de villiers, so no julian white. stevens has been on great form since he returned at bath, freshwater on the bench to cover, he hasnt done anything wrong, has he?
mears with borthwick and grewcock has been the mainstay of baths lineout for years and will show that. corry does nothing good for the team, replace him with worsley then play lund and rees left and right. will add pace, and ball winning, with dynamic carrying in the loose, right up ashtons street.
flood comes in at 12 for another tactical kicking option, and a left right kicking choice. i would like tait at 13, but england midfield needs some bulk in defence, hence tindall. back 3 is self explanitory, strettle was englands motm, robinson is top try scorer, lewsey is a 15, and suffers from being fast enough to be on the wing.

bench has cover everywhere, stevens is able to do both sides, easter can come on as a specialist 8 if worsley doesnt work. farrell is a 12, and flood could move to 10.

i can see why some of you put tait in, he deserves to start, but tindall cant play at 12, and farrell doesnt work with wilkinson, he is not experienced wnough, he has poor kicking, hasnt shown any of his 'exceptional' passing yet. i would prefer allen to come in......

  • 77.
  • At 02:52 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • GeordieFalcon wrote:

Interesting Posts.

1) It seems that Northampton have an explosive young hooker - Hartley. Big and abrasive. Worth a look or too early?
2) Whats happenend to the Dave Seymour crew?
3) Whats the crack with Ben Skirving - big tough number eight.
4) How about Tim payne at prop?
Finally (and this is where ill get poo pooed) If we need a quality no 8. What about Hugh Vivyan, :o)
He was class at the falcons. Could do a job for England. Surely better than Corry.

  • 78.
  • At 03:04 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • redhander wrote:

Lads

Your problem is not your players who are all talented. Its the way you play.

Until you release your players from trying to bludgeon through the middle of the park you're never going to get anywhere.

I don't remember seeing a single England offload in the tackle at the weekend, which slows your game down no end, and enables the oppo defence time to get organised.

Admittedly, your current back row is far too slow. Corry in particular. For all his effort, the guy doesn't cut it. You can't walk around the pitch at international level and get away with it. You have no chance if you get to the breakdown second, which England did, time after time at the weekend. Off the scrum as well they were always 2nd best - which speaks volumes as the Irish scrum should have been under pressure.

With a go-forward pack, your backline has the legs to trouble teams, especially with robinson in the team.
Why lewsey isn't at full-back i will never know, but there you go. Not sure if Tindall is creative enough at outside either. Has anyone ever seen him beat a man on the outside, rather than try to go through him?

But that aside, you have the tools just not the gameplan. Rugby has moved on from 4 years ago and until you move away from regimented marching you're only going to cause the so called "weaker" teams hassle. Jonny's boot will make a big difference in games - when you're moving. As Saturday showed when you're not moving, like any other outside half, he's ordinary.

Bish, bash, bosh then boot won't work with your current pack. Not sure if it would work these days with your WC winning pack. The game has speeded up significantly and you need mobility, the ability to look, see and make the offload and the rest of your team to have the pace/fitness to follow the play. Head down and charge with your eyes closed thinking i'm heavier we'll make yards eventually is a non starter.

  • 79.
  • At 03:07 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Happy Irishman wrote:

Harry Ellis is no where near an international class scrum half, he looked good against Scotland because they were simply inept and forgot one of the basic rules of defending which is defend from the inside out. Italy showed that they are as equally talented as him.

  • 80.
  • At 03:10 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • steve wrote:

I am pleased to see Richard Hill getting remembered.

His work rate is unquestionable and his experience and reliability is what we need at the moment.

Im also pleased to see new blood as I think we hang on to many players (sentimentally) for too long.

Corry Im afraid to say is a place wasted. Plenty of new blood could do better than him.
Julian White needs to work harder and give away fewer penalties.
Vickery is still not feared enough a la Johnson as Captain and needs to elevate himself to this.
Chuter is a lightweight in my opinion and our line out ball is very irregular.

I would like to see Simon Shaw and Chris Jones involved also.

The backs is a mess so far as we never use them, they may as well stay in the changing room. The pack has been a real let down so we need to take time to rebuild which sadly means not enjoying the successes prior to 2003 for a little while yet as the new and younger players grow into the team we all hope them to be.

Id keep with Farrell too!

  • 81.
  • At 04:17 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • charlie grace wrote:

1. vickery
2. chuter
3. white
4. grewcock
5. borthwick
6. moody (if fit) otherwise worsley
7. lund
8. worsley/ dan ward smith
9. Ellis
10. Jonny Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Mike Catt/Anthony Allen
13. Tait
14. Jason Robinson
15. Josh Lewsey

16. Andrew Sheridan
17. Mears
18. Corry
19. Deacon
20. Perry
21. Hodgeson
22. Tindall

This would be my ideal world cup sqaud. You have a combination of leadership with Wilkinson, Catt and Borthiwick with Vickery. It would be nice to see Varndell in there being the quickest player on the planet but unfortunatly he isent getting picked at the moment.

  • 82.
  • At 04:24 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • ac wrote:

There have been some very interesting picks on this blog.

I think that what must be accepted is that any England improvement must come from the pack first.

Pack - to me the focus here should be improved athleticism coupled with good technique, and controlled aggression. We need players who can get to the break down, know what to do when they get there, and ruthelessly clear the ball. Even in the set pieces technique (as the French have often shown) is more important than shear brute strength. Therefore, for me I would oust: Corry, Grewcock, and Chuter completely. Now I know he does not appear flavour of momment but rate Lund highly. My prefered pack would be:-

Vickery
Titterell
Stevens/Payne
Palmer
Jones
Worsley(Lund)
Rees
Haskell(Worsley)

The brackets are obviously a 2nd half option whith Lund on the bench.

Backs - here I think we have more quality than we think. Speed and slick exicution will enable us to be a real threat. I think the key is obviously is 10 and 12 - oh and quick ball from the pack. We need JW back to his best where he has the ability to commit inside defenders. What we need then is quick hands and awareness at 12. Much as I think Faz has come in for unfair critism I think he needs a little longer to gain the tacticle awareness needed at 12. I am quite excited at our options beyond 12 the challenge is to get them firing. so I would pick:-

Ellis
Wilkinson
Strettle
Allen (prob Tindal from current squad)
Tait
Robinson
Lewesey

  • 83.
  • At 04:38 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Will wrote:

1. Freshwater
2. Chuter
3. Vickery
4. Borthwick
5. Palmer
6. Haskell
7. Rees
8. Worsley

9. Ellis
10. Wilko
11. Robbo
12. Farrel (distribution is fantastic)
13. Tait (pace off Farrel)
14. Strettle
15. Lewsey

  • 84.
  • At 05:12 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Smarty wrote:

It's all very well building for the future but the first priority is the WC this year and for that anyone playing should be in the mix.

Based on this Hill has to be brought back. Experience and the best #6 of the last decade. I would also bring Dallaglio back in. Haskell still hasn't displaced him at Wasps and Corry has never been the answer (how did he ever become captain!). Would be nice to see DWS but he's busted up.

The forwards are where we are loosing the games and they need to be toughened up. 2nd row needs sorting out but not sure what to do there!

  • 85.
  • At 07:20 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • Adam Perry wrote:

I think the front row should be white,chuter and freshwater. Vickery should be dropped as he has done nothing in any of the games.

Bring in Ben Kay to the second row along with Deacon. Borthwick on the bench.

The backrow should be lewis moody, corry and worsley. But until moody returns give rees a chance. Corry Should be captain. The backrow has got loads of great players competing for positions but that doesn't include Farrell.

Wilkinson
Ellis
BRILLIANT

Drop Farrell. Bring in Jamie Noon he was the only good player for England in the autumn and should be brought back. Lewsey would get more ball here and with his strength and speed is a real threat. Tindall is ok but Catt should come on at some point.

Wingers Robinson (or strettle) and Cueto(or Tom Varndell). Full back should be Olly Morgan if fit otherwise Lewsey.

so:

White
Chuter
Freshwater
Kay(Borthwick)
Deacon
Worsley
Moody(Rees)
Corry (C)
Ellis
Wilkinson
Robinson (Strettle)
Catt(Lewsey)
Tindall (Noon)
Cueto (Varndell)
Morgan (Lewsey)

  • 86.
  • At 08:58 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • ED wrote:

1.Vickery
2.Thompson
3.sheridan
4.borthwick
5.palmer
6.worsley
7.Lund
8.corry/Dallaglio
9.Ellis
10.Wilko
11.robinson
12.catt
13.tait
14.cueto
15.lewsey

  • 87.
  • At 09:00 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • ED wrote:

1.Vickery
2.Thompson
3.sheridan
4.borthwick
5.palmer
6.worsley
7.Lund
8.Dallaglio (experiance,experiance!!)
9.Ellis
10.Wilko
11.robinson
12.catt
13.tait
14.cueto
15.lewsey

  • 88.
  • At 09:07 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • ED wrote:

1.Vickery
2.Thompson
3.sheridan
4.borthwick
5.palmer
6.worsley
7.Lund
8.Dallaglio (experiance,experiance!!)
9.Ellis
10.Wilko
11.robinson
12.catt
13.tait
14.cueto
15.lewsey

  • 89.
  • At 11:05 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • ian macko wrote:

For comment No.9,you state that Farrell can't defend,he was playing the sliding defence long before it was introduced into RU at the age of 17,making 30 plus tackles a game.Some don't seem to realise that before he came to RU he was playing Prop Forward at Wigan.Anyway, if England are to do anything against the french the pack has to lay a platform and Wilkinson then should throw the ball around and put the opposition on the back foot and stop thinking about kicking for goal everytime.

  • 90.
  • At 11:18 PM on 02 Mar 2007,
  • ian macko wrote:

Apology to comment No9 about Farrell it should have been comment No 12.

  • 91.
  • At 10:03 AM on 03 Mar 2007,
  • alex bellars wrote:

Tempted not to bother naming players, as we are all going around and around the same 25 names...

Seems to me, the main thing is, we have simply GOT to get some pace into the team! I am pleased to see Ashton in charge, and I appreciate that it is unrealistic to expect a magic wand to be waved in the space of 5 matches, but I was hoping to see more of a pacey, attacking approach from the off.

Against the Irish (but also in the other two games, only masked by the poorer opposition...), our scrum was second to almost to everything - and would have been third if there'd been more than two teams on the pitch!

Sorry, but great player though he was, Farrell has come on board too late in his career, and was never that quick anyway. As for our pack, they are simply too slow in the loose, but still manage to get shoved off the ball at set-piece...how does that work?

Finally, as Rory Underwood says in his article elsewhere on the 大象传媒 Sport site, how on earth can we expect to when we drop/knock on the ball so often in every match?

  • 92.
  • At 11:15 AM on 03 Mar 2007,
  • wrote:

Brian Ashton has definitely brought in new members of squad to add some pace to the pack. If we are to compete with France we need to compete at the breakdown and support the players making the break throughs. A fast pack is the only way of doing achieving this goal. This will secure faster ball and retain momentum allowing our backs a chance to give it ago. In the backs we need some more pace so I think Matt Tait instead of Farrel, with Farrel playing in the Saxons to gain the experience he needs. Strettle showed his worth so should stay in the starting 15. I reckon he will start with the same 15 as the Ireland game, but bring on the pace guys as the game progresses.

  • 93.
  • At 08:39 PM on 03 Mar 2007,
  • Jack wrote:

Enland need to improve in the centers dramatically. At the moment there is no pace skill or class. All Faz does is takes in crash ball and passes. And there is no real quality in Tindal, no, the future lies in the likes of Tait and Strettle. We need pace and thses to speed merchants suply it with flair and a sense of class. But I still think that we have to stick with Mike Catt. Yes he mabye 36, and yes he mabye a bit rusty round the fringes, but he suplies pace and another option at stand off. The only negative is mabye his defensive play. The pack has to change. Freshwater adds nothing to the squad. He is very 1 dymentional with no real attributes. Chuter and Vickery have aslo under acheived in the recent games. As captain Vickery is intitaled to a second chance but Chuter has got to make way. Second row has also got problems. Deacon has no other elements to his game than the line out (and even that was exposed at Ireland). Grewcock however has got to sort out his disipline, as England are conceding to many penalties, especially at the breakdown and that is not just Grewcocks fault but the back rows as well. Against Irleand England were roughed up and batterd in areas where prehapes the Irish were a bit rufless. If you take away the score for the penalties that the Irish got the score is still embaresing yet less flattering. The answere lies in a new back row. The back would start with open-side Tom Rees. He has the work rate and attitude of a young neil back, and his mentallity is never in dowt. Blind-side flanker would have to stay with Joe Worsley. But the Number 8, personally, would have to go to James Haskell. He has a very good understanding and partner ship with felow back-rowers (Rees and Worsley) and England are just too 1 dymentional, Haskell provides pace and power and a rare talent that has the same physical preasence as another wasps back-rower Lawrence Dallaglio. This would be my England squad to play France:-

1. Sheridan ( If not fit then Vickery at tighthead and Julian White at loose head)
2. Mears
3. Vickery
4. Palmer
5. Grewcock (initially Bothwhick, but he has developed an injury to Worcester)
6. Worsley
7. Rees
8. Haskell
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson (As long as this injury is not serious)
11. Robinson
12. Catt (Would play at Fly half if Wilinson is not availible for selection)
13. Tait
14. Strettle
15. Lewesy

16. Chuter
17. White
18. Deacon
19. Lund
20. Richards
21. Flood
22. Cueto

  • 94.
  • At 08:43 PM on 03 Mar 2007,
  • Jack wrote:

Enland need to improve in the centers dramatically. At the moment there is no pace skill or class. All Faz does is takes in crash ball and passes. And there is no real quality in Tindal, no, the future lies in the likes of Tait and Strettle. We need pace and thses to speed merchants suply it with flair and a sense of class. But I still think that we have to stick with Mike Catt. Yes he mabye 36, and yes he mabye a bit rusty round the fringes, but he suplies pace and another option at stand off. The only negative is mabye his defensive play. The pack has to change. Freshwater adds nothing to the squad. He is very 1 dymentional with no real attributes. Chuter and Vickery have aslo under acheived in the recent games. As captain Vickery is intitaled to a second chance but Chuter has got to make way. Second row has also got problems. Deacon has no other elements to his game than the line out (and even that was exposed at Ireland). Grewcock however has got to sort out his disipline, as England are conceding to many penalties, especially at the breakdown and that is not just Grewcocks fault but the back rows as well. Against Irleand England were roughed up and batterd in areas where prehapes the Irish were a bit rufless. If you take away the score for the penalties that the Irish got the score is still embaresing yet less flattering. The answere lies in a new back row. The back would start with open-side Tom Rees. He has the work rate and attitude of a young neil back, and his mentallity is never in dowt. Blind-side flanker would have to stay with Joe Worsley. But the Number 8, personally, would have to go to James Haskell. He has a very good understanding and partner ship with felow back-rowers (Rees and Worsley) and England are just too 1 dymentional, Haskell provides pace and power and a rare talent that has the same physical preasence as another wasps back-rower Lawrence Dallaglio. This would be my England squad to play France:-

1. Sheridan ( If not fit then Vickery at tighthead and Julian White at loose head)
2. Mears
3. Vickery
4. Palmer
5. Grewcock (initially Bothwhick, but he has developed an injury to Worcester)
6. Worsley
7. Rees
8. Haskell
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson (As long as this injury is not serious)
11. Robinson
12. Catt (Would play at Fly half if Wilinson is not availible for selection)
13. Tait
14. Strettle
15. Lewesy

16. Chuter
17. White
18. Deacon
19. Lund
20. Richards
21. Flood
22. Cueto

  • 95.
  • At 09:11 PM on 03 Mar 2007,
  • toddle wrote:

1. vickery
2. mears
3. sheridan
4. palmer
5. borthwick
6. lund
7. rees
8. corry
9. ellis
10. wilknson(if fit)
11. strettle
12. tindall
13. tait
14. robinson
15. cueto

  • 96.
  • At 12:20 AM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • thomasedward wrote:

if borthwick is injured - got to bring in chris jones of sale. he can play 4,5,6, or even 7. verstility is what england need.

if wilkinson really is injured then mike catt surely has to come in the picture. otherwise, he is too old to be considered in a team "looking towards the future".

Starting XV

1. White/Stevens
2. Mears/Hartley by WC 2007
3. Vickery/Sheridan
4. Palmer
5. Jones/Borthwick
6. Worsley
7. Rees/Lund
8. Huskell/Easter/Dan WS

9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson/Gerahthy
11. Strettle/Varndell
12. Farrell/Catt
13. Tait/Tindall
14. Robinson/Cueto
15. Lewsey/Morgan/Cueto

  • 97.
  • At 12:24 AM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • thomasedward wrote:

if borthwick is injured - got to bring in chris jones of sale. he can play 4,5,6, or even 7. verstility is what england need.

if wilkinson really is injured then mike catt surely has to come in the picture. otherwise, he is too old to be considered in a team "looking towards the future".

Starting XV

1. White/Stevens
2. Mears/Hartley by WC 2007
3. Vickery/Sheridan
4. Palmer
5. Jones/Borthwick
6. Worsley
7. Rees/Lund
8. Huskell/Easter/Dan WS

9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson/Gerahthy
11. Strettle/Varndell
12. Farrell/Catt
13. Tait/Tindall
14. Robinson/Cueto
15. Lewsey/Morgan/Cueto

  • 98.
  • At 09:12 AM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • David Ware wrote:

England need to pick a new type of team. The one that won the world cup was one dimensional but so good it worked. You cant expect the same thing to work twice and with players that are not of the same standard. England needs to build a team built around speed. Speed with ball in hand and speed to the breakdown and to back up players. We may have a powerful pack but they plod around the field. We should also be building, how can you expect players to develop if not given a chance to play. The front row is power and will have to be chosen on its ability to destruct. The second row we have people like Jones, Palmer and Brown who are not only quick around the field but are great tacklers and ball carriers and are good line out jumpers. Back row definitly needs more pace and a little flair when carrying the ball. Rees at 7 (even though I am Hazell fan) Haskell I do like, and for those who say he isn't a first choice at Wasps, how come he has paid more than a dozen games in the league. Play him at 6 and number eight with Forrester and DWS injured go for Easter.

In the backs I am not going to name names but we need centres with good distribution and an eye for a gap and there are some around but Tindall is not one of them as good as his defence is. Half backs I like Wigglesworth and Wilkinson is the only option at the moment until we see who develops best in the next couple of years out of Gerahrty, Flood and Lamb.

Wingers we have many its getting the ball to them with space to run at defenders I am a JSD fan but as long as Cohen (tap dancer) is not one of them then I am happy with a Robinson, Sackey ,Lewesey, Balshaw (but please not at full back), Cueto, Strettle and a few .Full back Morgan if fit, if not Lewesey he prefers wing but for England he has performed admirably at full back.

Please lets not lose any more time and start to develop a team for the future, some places the future is not ready but in others there are people available Morgan, Strettle and Easter all on debuts have done OK with this so called lack of international experience. Allen lacks physicality but his appearance in the autmn shows how lines can be broken, it was his defence that had him side lined.

Let GO build for the future now.

  • 99.
  • At 03:55 PM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • I. wrote:

My team for France would be as follows:

1. Phil Vickery
2. George Chuter
3. Julian White
4. Chris Jones
5. Tom Palmer
6. Joe Worsley
7. Tom Rees
8. James Haskell

9. Clive Stuart-Smith
10. Shane Geraghty
11. David Strettle
12. Anthony Allen
13. Josh Lewsey
14. Jason Robinson
15. Delon Armitage

16. Matt Stevens
17. Lee Mears
18. Alex Brown
19. Pat Sanderson
20. Andy Gomarsall
21. Toby Flood
22. Mark Cueto

This may seem a very strange team selection, but let me explain:

1. Vickery is a loosehead! He looks very unsure on the tighthead, but as one of the few leaders he needs to play.
3. White will do a number on any opposition loose-head.
4/5. Players who are energetic, on form and rarely have bad games
7/8. Two young dynamic players who have shown they have the potential to cut it at the top.
9. Forget Ellis, Perry! The last time CSS had a bad game for the Scarlets, I can't remember-he'd walk into any premiership team without a foreign scrum half.
10. Wilko only works if the pack goes forward; he was shown up last weekend that he is pretty ineffectual without forward dominance. He doesnt run the backs, but geraghty does.
11. Deserves another chance, very promising player
12. Out and out 12 with more vision than farrell, who doesn't understand union enough yet to cut it.
13. He plays here for his club admirably, why does england insist on paying him out of position?
14. Who else?
15. Inspiring runner at L Irish, deserves chance at top-level match.

On the bench, mears is a useful sub, brown and sanderson are dynamic, and stevens covers both sides of the scrum. Gomarsall is probably the best english 9 in the premiership, I have felt this for years. Flood needs games at top level as he will probably be competing with geraghty in a few years time, and cueto covers most of the backline.

The problem with england though, is that without forward platforms, the backs fail to operate even worse than with a forward platform. Wilkinson is rubbish without the 2003 pack in front of him, which was streets ahead of the rest ofthe world. The backs lack basic ball skills and vision, not to mentionall round pace and physicality. Look at BOD or Darcy, and to a lesser extent tom shanklin-strong runners with great skills, also tackle very hard and effect turnovers. There seems to be no passion, which is why a younger team, with more energy and a want to prove themselves, could give a better result, as they will fight more. Give them games together, I would put money on them being a force to be reckoned with come 2011. Its too late for 2007, so ashton needs to start blooding young players alongsode older heads like chuter, vickery, white, worsley, lewsey and robinson.

BTW I'm welsh, so here's hoping to a welsh win in two weeks time over england eh? Only hoping though...

  • 100.
  • At 05:17 PM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • Nick wrote:

1. Vickery (c)
2. Chuter
3. White
4. Deacon
5. Palmer
6. Worlsley
7. Rees
8. Corry

9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Tait
13. Tindal
14. Robinson/Simpson-Daniel
15. Lewsey

16. Mears
17. Freshwater
18. Jones
19. Haskell
20. Perry
21. Flood
22. Simpson-Daniel/Cueto

  • 101.
  • At 05:37 PM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • Chris wrote:

i have to say, jonny is struggling in the department of decision making, whether that is a lack of playing over the past years i don't know, so i recon having farrell outside him isnt working that great. i think Farrell is a great player but Robinson only made an impact on rugby union coz there was a strong English side. I think if you bring Mike Catt into inside centre and just for atleats half a match see what he can do with jonny it might be something special. Mike Catt has practically raised the new London Irish fly half who is doing awesome atm but i think jonny just needs a bit of help from an experienced player outside him, it could be a nice duo. then after wilko has had enough time to make a full comeback and set himself in, then bring in farrell again?

  • 102.
  • At 05:43 PM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • simon pocock wrote:

I think after the weekend of injuries the team could look like this

15 Lewsey
14 Robinson if fit otherwise Cueto
13Tait
12Farrell if fit otherwise Flood
11Strettle
10Geraighty Wilko looks crocked
9Ellis
8Easter
7Rees
6Haskell if Wurzel is crocked
5Palmer
4Deacon/Jones
3Payne
2Chutter
1White

Sheridan/Stevens
Mears
Deacon/Jones
Corry
Perry
Flood

  • 103.
  • At 06:57 PM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • rory wrote:

My team for the world cup would look like this
1.Vickery
2.Mears
3.Sheridan
4.Grewcock
5.Kay
6.Hill
7.Sanderson
8.Dalliagio
9.Elis
10.Wilko
11.Strettle
12.Farrell
13.Tindell
14.Robinson
15.Lewsey

this team has the best chance of winning the world cup for England!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
They need game time to grow together as a unit.
Rory...age 11!!

  • 104.
  • At 08:11 PM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • robert wrote:

Lets look at the experienced players...
vickery-needs game time but will come good for world cup.
wilko-needs game time but obviously world class.
tindall-back to his best,you try and stop that lump.
robinson-world class full stop!any team would be worried with him on the team sheet.
So the key here is motivation,the experienced players can get serious about a world cup and righty so ,they have been let down since the last world cup.my point is that the experienced players now motivated can and will make a difference so therefore we need to be thinking about players who have been there and know what it takes,dallaigio,hill,kay,sanderson,shaw and so on all world camps....the problem with new blood is they dont know what it takes and therefore the learning process is for england to long for this world cup,there is no subsitute for experience and they have regained the motivation and desire without the rfu!

  • 105.
  • At 10:03 PM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • chris brierley wrote:

Anyone who considers an England side without Grewcock knows very little about forward Rugby. If you think 2nd row forwards are there just to catch line-out ball you are very much mistaken. you are there to intimidate and scare the hell out of the opposition and engage in the dark arts. yes and sometimes be downright nasty and Grewcock does it in spades. he would be the first name on the forwards sheet for me. The main problem for him is he is on his own.
I was aghast when I saw Lund apologising to O'Driscoll for taking someone out in the air. Fine apologise to the ref to avoid the yellow card but I would be saying to O'D, "your next" not "sorry" what has the game become?
Wade Dooley et al must be turning in their bath chairs.

  • 106.
  • At 10:29 PM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • delwilcox wrote:

England v France:
Vickery[Sheridan], Mears and Stevens[White]
Palmer, Borthwick[Grewcock]
Rees, Haskell, Worsley.
Ellis, Wilkinson[ Geraty] Tindall[Catt] Simpson Daniel[Tait]
Robinson, Cueto[Lewsey]Strettle
Replacements:Those in brackets +Flood,
Lewsey, Perry, jason leonard and Graham Dawe

  • 107.
  • At 10:32 PM on 04 Mar 2007,
  • stuart wrote:

Farrell has to be given a full crack at the centre position, he is a very good rugby player with great vision, hands and power. It will come good and Tindall is playing at the top of his game. Be patient it's all in place.Good squad, inspired leadership.

  • 108.
  • At 10:37 AM on 05 Mar 2007,
  • Dave M wrote:

SO the injury list ....

Vickery, Robinson, Wilkinson, Farrel .. I've probably missed a few more..

Could the club v country row be more sharply brought into focus ?

When the hell are both sides going to wake up to the fact, they're killing interest in the game by undermining the strength of the national team.

Yet again, we're going to put out a much weakened side and get torn apart .. how is this going to encourage a young fan base to come into rugby .. the only thing that can do that is a winning / strongly competetive team.

And while we're reforming the game, lets kick out all the foreign "talent" thats come over here to collect a big wedge, looking to quietly retire because they can't make it into their national squads now..

We need young English talent playing in the club games to get experience... we need more Haskells, and we need a coach to pick on form, if that's a new player, then get them in .. look how well Strettle did, we was one of the few players looking to create agaist Ireland.

  • 109.
  • At 02:18 PM on 05 Mar 2007,
  • Eganosrap wrote:

1.Sheridan
2.Mears/Chuter
3.Vickery
4.Grewcock
5.Palmer
6.Rees
7.Lund
8.Easter
9. Ellis/Perry
10.JW
11.Strettle
12.Farrell
13.Tait
14.Robinson
15.Lewsey

  • 110.
  • At 03:16 PM on 05 Mar 2007,
  • honest tim wrote:

if you really want to beat france then you have to play (assuming they're passed fit):

15 lewsey
14 cueto
13 tindall
12 catt
11 robinson
10 wilkinson
9 ellis
8 worsley
7 rees
6 hill
5 grewcock
4 borthwick
3 vickery
2 mears
1 sheridan

  • 111.
  • At 12:26 PM on 06 Mar 2007,
  • Will wrote:

15 Scarbourgh (great last man defence, clever and good hands)
14 Robinson (solid)
13 Hipkiss (tindall with more skill)
12 Allen (great hands and vision)
11 Strettle (great runner)
10 Wilkinson/lamb (lamb is great kicker who can run)
9 Ellis (solid)
8 Ward smith (great power and pace)
7 Rees (great pace and breakdown play)
6 worsley (great tackler and ball carrier)
5 Brown (lineout forward with bit more in loose than borthwick)
4 Jones (Best row in the loose)
3 Vickery (solid)
2 Hartley (more pace and power than anyother hooker)
1 Sheridan (solid)

Clarke,chuter,shaw,haskell,perry,lamb/geraghty,tait

  • 112.
  • At 01:40 PM on 06 Mar 2007,
  • Jon Berridge wrote:

Will is spot on, great selection. Ward-smith is sadly missed.

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