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Useless, might as well try something different and play burns. Flood has had his chances and hardly set the world alight

Flood is an average club player. England have probably 3 better fly halfs then Flood.

I thought Owen Farrell was the next Dan Carter but better? At least thats the way he was talked about. Surely he's has the number 10 spot for England nailed down. Cant imagine a better player then Dan Carter in the squad.

With regards to Freddie Burns, I like the look of him but he's only been looking England class this season. I believe that a player should play a full top qality season for his club side before getting the England start, and then get a sustained run of at least 5 matches if he maintains club form.

There will be lots of time for Burns.

#2 - 3 better English fly-halves than Flood?! Can I have what you're taking.
#1 - Behind average packs in poorly managed teams with no continuity of selection. The only time he was given a decent run in the team we won the 6N and the defeat in Dublin was becuase our pack got murdered, not due to Flood. As a reward for this Johnno dropped him for Wilko, who was at least 4 years past his sell by date and was woeful in the WC. Flood still deserves a proper chance at 10.

Ahh posh boys! Play Burns. He went to a kinda comp! We won't though.

The issue isn't the pack. Its that without a dominant pack, Flood can't add anything. He has no 'je ne sais quoi' and the opposition know it.

Owen was over promoted and found out. Flood may not be the best in the world but there is no serious challenge to him in England.

Floody - he seems alright but my goodness his written pieces in the Torygraph were dull as hell.

He is on form, has some experience against the SH teams and is playing well.

However, he also gets to play behind the best pack in the league which makes most half-decent 10s look good.

More importantly whenever he has played against the top teams he has been the second best 10 on the pitch. Furthermore he doesn't create opportunities against the best teams - ever.

He probably should be the starting 10 but we need to bring through some more threatening attacking options. Some of the swash buckle espoused by the blog author's previous partner in crime - Ben Dirs.

I'd like to see Burns and Ford fast tracked and Cipriani rehabilitated - get some 10s who can really play to at least be on the bench.

Unfortunately Andy Farrell will have other ideas on selection but I haven't heard any rugby fans of any team tell me Owen Farrell should be close to selection at 10 this season as he doesn't play there as first choice for Sarries and he can't pass well.

Doesnt help his game that hes grown through a rugby philosophy with the national team where England have TRIED to play passing rugby but when things go tits up the full backs have reverted to kicking away possession and the scrum halves have relied on the pack to drag things forward. Good player in his own right still.

Toby Flood is too predictable to play against for the top quality sides. He does not look confident kicking out of hand in open play. More cross field kicks to wingers etc may give him the variety his game needs

Flood is world class when he is playing in a team on the front foot, as he has the ability to play very flat and off quick ball he is lethal. He has also massively improved his goal kicking this season. But there have always been question marks over his ability to control the game for 80 mins, he deserves his chance this autumn

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Toby Flood is not world class. What of England's players currently are? Seriously. I want to know which of England's players would make a 'World XV'? England have better options than Flood yet he is rated highly enough to stay in the team. He's not a Wilkinson and certainly not a Carter. He's at an age where he won't learn anything new so why not move on and try some of the younger guns?

Ok, so Tigers fan here, so take my view however you wish.

Floody's had a good season thus far at Leicester, Farrell hasn't been playing at 10 for Sarries and Burns has no England caps (yet, they WILL come though) so who would realistically start the Autumn series at 10? Flood's done nothing to warrant being dropped and the other 2 contenders for the spot either lack the experience or aren't playing the position regularly...Seems to me that the coaches are going to go with the only realistic option at this point in time.

I'm still more intrigued about the centers than 10, and I'm ecstatic the 12trees has been brought in as cover...because personally I think he's the real deal in the middle. He can kick, pass, run and tackle...3 of these are things Barritt can't/doesn't do...so it'll be interesting to see what opportunities Billy gets in this environment! He'll be good foil for Tuilagi! I'm a bit disappointed that JSD has been over-looked though...although, saying that, he'd probably drop the phone on his foot and break something as soon as he hangs up knowing his luck when it comes to England selection...

Anyways; I'm excited about this series! Go for it boys!

Surely it's flood to start, if he does well then stick with him unless they start coming back at you a bit in which case maybe consider shutting-up shop with Farrell on to close the game down ( I don't buy that it's just down to his dad's influence and media hype, you can tell that boy grew up watching Wilkinson and he's young so who knows how good he could get )

If Flood struggles then Cipriani or Burns to come on and change things are great options to have, either has the potential to be much better than TF and add another level to the teams overall performance, but it's obviously too early for either to start for England, you'd need to see a much longer period of consistency from Cipriani and can't just throw Burns on from the start with no experience.

Flood will start, he is about the best of the available bunch and I also think he gets more stick than he should. Burns needs game time in the England squad but I would like to see him given a chance - has has been on very good form and merits a few games

I think we have more of a problem in the centres, whilst Tuilagi is undoubtedly quick and strong he isn't the most inventive of players and without a good playmaker on the inside I don't see much of a spark being created - but who is the question? I like Barritt for his tackling and work rate and he gives everything in a game but he's not in the same class as Will Greenwood; who in my humble opinion was one of our best centres

Farrell needs more time, he's still very young and you can tell he has a good work ethic. I think he can become a much better player. I really think if we want to upset teams and change our game plan then we need someone like Cipriani in the side - I know he's not popular but he's also unpredictable on the field, and if there's one thing you can guarantee about England it's predictability! There is also a flash of something to his game, he makes oppositions wary and that leads to doubt in defence, I reckon he deserves another shot. Geech saw something in him and that should be enough in my book anyway!

Why on earth are people suggesting Cipriani? Have you lot seen him play so far this year? Woeful doesn't do it justice!

Flood is solid, and can ask for nothing more at this stage (especially against the Tri-Nations teams), however I'd have liked to see Burns be given a run-out at some point. He's been playing great for Glaws so far this year, however the only negative I'd have against him is that his kicking from hand can be erratic at times.

Feeling fairly positive about these AI's, I think we'll win at least 2 of them. Won't be pretty though...

Please people come to your senses. The other 10s seem to lack a tackle. Flood can defend and against good teams he defends like JW did. Thea autumn internationals will be 'in your face rugby' the southern hemisphere plays that way. He knows the pressure situation, Freddy burns has never been there, nor Fordy. He's had his bad days in the england jersey and is still willing to stand up. He's not had the best run, he is no Dan Carter, but he can control the game. Who would have thought Charlie Hodgson would help england win 2, 6 nations games, he plays flat and has poor kicking skills out of hand. Rugby is a team game. A great team can make a 10 look great. A poor team can make a 10 look hopeless.

Sifting through these rather similar comments and taking just one, pretty much at random:

"Its that without a dominant pack, Flood can't add anything. He has no 'je ne sais quoi' and the opposition know it."

That, my friend, is a comment you could apply to any fly-half in the world, including Dan Carter. The only 10's I've ever seen shine behind a poor pack are Jonathan Davies and Carlos Spencer, both players who were rather special - and playing in a different era. Since then, nothing. Doesn't mean Flood is a poor player as everyone here seems to be suggesting.

Agree with comment 14 - the issue is not fly-half, it's the centres. Surely Lancaster is the only person in England (and the world) who thinks Barritt is a good player. Get Twelvetrees on the pitch! Or at least Allen.

@17 not sure what you've been watching this season. I'm not suggesting for a second that Cipriani is ready for another England call-up, there are still a few areas that need improvement, mainly defensively, but by no means has he been dire this season. He's providing a genuine attacking threat and put in a MoM performance with just 30 mins against Cardiff.

For me I would be happy to see Flood start but would be nice to see Burns get some exposure, maybe against Fiji. I would also take Twelvetrees at 12 over any of the other candidates, could do some real damage with Tuilagi outside him.

I'd keep Flood in as he has picked up his form well after his injury break and although I'm a big fan of burns I think he could really benefit from some time in and around the England setup as Lancaster has suggested to get to know and be comfortable in the environment. Doesn't need too much time though and i'd definately try and get him some exposure before the autumn is out as he is really playing well at gloucester this season.

Unfortunately I don't think Farrell deserves the second 10 badge as he simply hasn't performed for quite some time now and although he is our best place kicker his hands and passing ability are not where they should be either for club or country. Burns has a much more rounded game and is a serious threat on the gameline and therefore, for me, overtaken Farrell.

Just on a side note is JSD not being considered because he's just turned 30? I really hope this isn't the case and they simply forgot to pick him as he is still the best winger we've got and has been for a over a decade! I know he has had his fair share of injuries but the guy is sheer class and has the most rounded game of any winger in world rugby right now. People say if he'd been born Welsh he'd have been lauded as one of their greats. I'd argue that this would have been the case if he'd been born a kiwi.

What has happened Farrell? I think he is another Ciparani...built up to be great by his own media when in fact he is at best average. Flood at least is consistant. He may not be flash but he is solid.

Will, I always thought that JSD would make a really good international full back (though only bad luck has denied him 40-50 caps on the wing).

As for the Flood thing, I've seen Dan Carter's name mentioned way too many times here, we don't have a Dan Carter and neither does anybody else including New Zealand when he retires, Cruden's good but not as.

We need our 10 to be the best we have the best player that he can be, not a Carter and not a Johnny Wilkinson.

Flood is probably the most underated player in England. He's just not fashionable for some reason.

People forget that the only time he has been given a decent run at fly half that England have played their best attacking rugby for the last decade (Autumn internationals 2010 and Six nations 2011, bar the Ireland game).

Re: any England players making a world XV, I think that Dan Cole is probably pushing it pretty close right now.

Agree Mike, Cole is a solid prop and a great player around the park now. If Lawes gets a good injury free run I think he 'could' prove to have the talent too.

England certainly wouldn't have many players picked for a world 15 at the moment; indeed I've read a fair few opinions saying they won't have many players in the Lions either. Guess the good thing at the moment is that these players are actually complimenting each other and producing some decent results. 1st and 2nd in the last 2 6 Nations and pushed Wales to the limit during the last tournament.

I would prefer Burns to start to see what he can do but at the moment I have a strange feeling which i believe is actually trust in an England manager.

Lawes is another player who we all thought and still think will be a great player...but he has yet to show the consistency top players show. Sure he has had a lot of injuries but thats no excuse. He needs to really step up his game if he wants to make the Lions. Which I think he will because of the lack of competition in the second rows but he is far from world class.

Acadamy, please don't buy into this ´óÏó´«Ã½ orientated nonsense that all of the best northern hemesphere players are Welsh and Irish. Ireland play one good game in 5 and the Irish teams do well in Europe because of the compression of all of their talent and money into 3 clubs.

Wales had a good run of form for about 6 months a year ago which included a World cup where they lost 3 out of 7 matches, woopty doo.

Gm, I didn't say that I think all the best players are Welsh or Irish but to be fair they do have a lot of good players at the moment. If the Lions were being picked now I think there would be a good spread. i think you're doing Wales a bit of a dis service as they've been up there with England as the best sides for the last couple of seasons and I expect that to be the same come the new year.

Unfortunately England just dont have any world class players at the moment apart from the Samoan guy who plays center. If the Lions was picked now I think England would struggle to have 2 players make the first test team. Rugby in England is at an all time low right now with the clubs not performing in Europe and the international team looking like a barbarians team...but I think England will come good in the next 2-3 years in time for the WC.

Academy, GM. I know we are going a bit off topic but I can't resist when it comes to the Lions! I would certainly take a large pool from each of England, Ireland and Wales to Australia. Scotland - certainly Gray and Denton and possibly Rennie (although the back row is going to be seriously competitive) and Ford.

In terms of English contingent I would argue that if we are picking a squad to leave tomorrow (I am for arguments sake!) I would consider taking a number of non test playing players: Easter, D. Armitage, Simpson Daniel, maybe even Sheridan as he's keeping a seriously good Welshman in Gethin Jenkins out of the Toulon side.

In the end whoever gets on that plane i think this is going to be the most competitive lions squad (apart from at 10) since the last time we were down under.

Well James, Here again. Isn't Wales best player that Tongan who plays at number 8 although I think that the Welsh guy who plays for England is and will be better.

I think that England will contribute more than 2 players to a Lions test squad and Scotland will contribute small but high quality to the pack.

What we will see here is a lot of Welsh fans defaulting to their own teams player because they don't know who the rivals are from the other home nations.

Jamesmathew id argue if you were picking the squad today then a lot of englidhmen would have to be considered for the 1st team.

Please tell me who you'd pick over and above the following Englishmen.

Hartley
Cole
Robshaw (at 6) Lydiate and Ferris are injured
D. Armitage (a couple of Welshman might have a say but he is playing out of his skin at the moment)
Youngs or Care (both Englishmen are playing extremely well for their respective clubs)
Tuilagi
Brown (if halfpenny is not picked as the kicker)

Slightly left field but with no number 10s standing out currently how about Charlie Hodgson to run the Aussies raged. He is arguably playing the best rugby of his career right now.

Forgot to mention that A. Jones is out injured at tight head and Ron Kearney at full back also.

Ron is Rob's slightly better younger brother by the way!?!?!

@Will123bay - Firstly I actually think there will be much more then 2 players from England on the first test team but if it was picked now Id struggle to pick more then 2.

Secondly its pointless to pick the team now...but come Lions tour Brown wont even be on the squad, neither will Armitage, Youngs and Robshaw will be lucky to make it.

Hartey, Cole and Tuilagi should def make the squad and possibly the test team.

I do think the majority of players will be form Wales because I believe Wales will win the GSlam and when playing well are the best team in the NH.

36: The reason i said if it was picked now is because if it was next year there's too many variables. People could get injured, lose form, not get picked in the first place. I personally think the majority will be from Wales because Gatland knows them but he may well surprise me.

I know you do these posts to somehow wind people up but they're too obvious to actually bother most people and just make you look silly.

Well if Farrell could kick from hand, and pass, he would have played league. Read also Stephen Myler. Realised they could make a better living just kicking for goal in Union. Should have chosen NFL instead -)

Only playing. I'll be tuning into the AI's for the atmosphere of your International game. Fingers crossed for a try or 2

A lot of people saying about how England have no players in a world XV. Better question to ask is would any NH players get into the NZ side and improve it? Possibly a scrum half but that's about it.

JSD heard there was an England fixtures coming up so got injured this weekend, wouldn't be surprised though for a Lions call up.

Lions team are always random, but at the moment, its only the French who have really set alight the HCup which is the only means of comparing players at the moment till the 6nations.

I hope no England players go on the Lions tour. It'll be another laughable shambles just like the previous tours in the modern era with the Lions probably getting whitewashed. The fewer England players associated with that shower the better.

England need to go on a tour and continue to gel and form partnerships. That's what's important.

The Lions is just a rugby sideshow.

Perhaps it’s because he looks like someone who was bullied at school, but Flood is criminally underrated by most England fans. Injuries aside, his level and consistency of performance over the last 2 or 3 seasons puts him head and shoulders above the other contenders. And you lot seem to forget his hand in resurgent England performances in the autumn of 2010 and the 6N’s of 2011 – if Johnno hadn’t bottled-it and pulled the rug from under Flood in favour of JW and a conservative gameplan for the 2011 WC then who knows where English rugby would be today.

He just seems to be one of those players who isn’t a favourite with fans for no particular reason – how people can question Flood yet tout Cipriani is beyond me. I reckon Flood will push Sexton very hard for the Lions starting 10 jersey next year...

Although the competition isn't great, Flood is currently the best FH in the NH. A definite 1st choice for England (for the moment) and the Lions.

I don't think jamesmathews actually knows anything about rugby.

I don't get the negativity towards Flood. He is best our choice 10, Burns is playing well but where was he last season?

As for the Lions I don't think Garland will rely too heavily on the Welsh just because he knows them. He once criticized Johnno for wasting English talent. Here's his chance to use some of that.