Picking an England team (352)
- 21 Oct 07, 06:38 PM
London - England's World Cup final brings to the end another era and there will be a new-look side when the team take on Wales in the Six Nations opener on 2 February.
Not wholesale changes, maybe, but has already retired, while others could follow in the coming months. Brian Ashton - or whoever is the coach by then - will have free rein to start again with his selection.
We asked you earlier on Mark Orlovac's blog from Paris to send in your ideas of England's Six Nations starting XV.
From a very rough survey of about 20 replies, we've compiled the following composite England side.
15. Josh Lewsey (Mathew Tait very close behind)
14. Paul Sackey
13. Mathew Tait
12. Toby Flood
11. David Stettle
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Chuter
3. Matt Stevens
4. Simon Shaw
5. Ben Kay (Tom Palmer close behind)
6. Lewis Moody (James Haskell close behind)
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter
As ever, there will be plenty of other opinions out there, so feel free to get back in touch and debate the side. Obviously, injuries and form will have plenty to say for themselves in the next few months but it will be interesting to see whether this bears any relation to the 15 that do eventually run out at Twickenham in February.
Rob Hodgetts is a ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Sport journalist based in London.
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looks about right
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i like the composite team.
i would like to see cipriani given a run at full back as i think he has real potential.
i think croft of leicester should be pushing hard for a backrow/2nd row spot.
i still think james simpson-daniel injury permitting is one of our finest backs and should be around the fold.
Tom Varndell has serious pace and potential still and should be being considered.
im also a big anthony allen fan and would like to see him pushing toby flood for the 12 spot.
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I disagree over certain issues!!
15. Mathew Tait (showed he can hit lines from deep and proved his defence this WC!!)
14. Simpson-Daniel (has proved his form in the first two matches this season!!)
13. Dan Hipkiss (showed that he is a very good but does need to get more than one step)
12. Toby Flood (showed he can handle the pressure!!)
11. David Stettle (a star of the next WC!!)
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Chuter
3. Matt Stevens
4. Simon Shaw
5. Ben Kay (Alex Brown or Short (plays for bath..??) close behind)
6. Lewis Moody (James Haskell close behind)
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter
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Interesting selection - but any international side worth their salt would target the midfield which is lightweight indeed. Tait's improved as a defender - but that's not saying too much. Flood, as his name suggests, lets far too much past.
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15 Morgan
14 Sackey
13 Tait
12 Lewsey
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson
9 Gomarsall
8 Ward-Smith
7 Rees
6 Haskell
5 Palmer
4 Shaw
3 Stevens
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
16 Forster (maybe too early)
17 Hartley
18 Brown
19 Crane
20 Ellis
21 Flood
22 Hipkiss
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While I rate Tait, Sackey & Strettle very highly James Simpson-Daniel for me is certainly a better winger than all three and possibly a better 13 than Tait. Scarborough is on a par with them all too, and don't forget big Leslie?
If Tait plays anywhere it has to be 13 - he hasn't the kicking game for 15, nor am I sure he as safe under the high ball as Lewsey, Scarborough or Morgan, while Cipriani outdoes Tait for attacking flair.
Priority number one for the 6 Nations is to find a number 12. Flood isn't that - he's more a fly-half than a 12 and Wilko, Barkley & Geraghty are the top 3 there.
Jordan Turner-Hall looks a must to get involved, lots to work on but has the basis of a future sensation. But then you can't blood him in as a centre with Tait & Cipriani at 15 - you need a Tindall or Lewsey somewhere between 11-15 to help them along.
The team is otherwise excellent though it may be time to give Kay & Moody a year off internationals, give Borthwick & Haskell starts and have Croft & Forrester / Robshaw on the bench. I may go for Ward-Smith over Easter too.
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15 Morgan
14 Sackey
13 Tait
12 Lewsey
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson
9 Gomarsall
8 Ward-Smith
7 Rees
6 Haskell
5 Palmer
4 Shaw
3 Stevens
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
16 Forster (maybe too early)
17 Hartley
18 Brown
19 Crane
20 Ellis
21 Flood
22 Hipkiss
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1 Sheridan
2 Titerrell
3 Stevens
4 Corry
5 Shaw
6 Moody
7 Rees
8 Ward-Smith
9 Ellis
10 Wikinson
11 Sackey
12 Tindall
13 Tait
14 Strettle
15 Lewsey
------
16 Mears
17 Vickery
18 Brown
19 Easter
20 Richards
21 Flood
22 Cueto
------
Coach:Brian Ashton
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1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Kay
5. Borthwick
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Easter
9. Ellis
10. Geraghty
11. Varndell
12. Wilkinson (C)
13. Hipkiss
14. Strettle
15. Tait
16. Paice/Hartley/Thompson
17. Vickery
18. Palmer
19. Haskell
20. Wigglesworth
21. Flood
22. Abendanon
I think the front row should contain Sheridan,Chuter and Stevens. Stevens needs as much game time as he can get because he has the potential to be the best in the world(along with Sheridan).Vickery should stay on the bench at least for experience. Chuter should keep the no 2 jersey to slowly ease the next hooker in line,it would be pointless to stick a hooker in straight away(dont know which one though).
I choose Kay in the second again for his experience and could accompany Borthwick very well.
The back should be both dynamic and bulky. The combination of Rees,Moody and Easter could offer just that with Haskell coming on as impact(but needs a permanent starting spot at Wasps).
Scrum half has to go to Ellis after the good form he put in before getting injured.Id let Perry no where near the England shirt so id give it to Wigglesworth(can cover at fly half as well)
I was amazed at Geraghtys creativity yesterday that is why i would put him at fly half with Wilkinson inside him for his influence,distribution and defence.Outside him I would go with Hipkiss who can be a star if given game time.
The back line might be a touch 'fragile' but look at its attacking potential. Strettle had a great 6 nations, Varndell should have been in the world cup squad and Tait was very impressive at full back and could be the succcesor to Robinson.
Ive named Flood as a back up kicker/fly half/IC instead of Barkley because he offers more and proved that against France(6 nations).
Abendanon can cover full back/wing and is one for the future(arent they all )
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I agree whole haertidly with this team. The forwards are a good mix of strength and speed around the park. The backs are whole hearidly tough in defense and dangerous and creative in attack, especially 10. 12. 13. which is a compilation i would like to see in an extended run of starts, perhaps even to the next world cup.
Brilliant selection.
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Mostly correct but surely olly barkley 12 ? His defence is much better and kicking ability is stronger.
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Why are we picking Strettle over Hipkiss......and Corry could carry on for another year or two. As could Vickery
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15 Morgan(or abendnon)
14 may
13 Tait
12 flood
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson
9 Gomarsall(or ellis)
8 Ward-Smith
7 Rees
6 moody
5 short
4 Shaw
3 Stevens
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
we should try and get as many young playes blooded over the next 2 years
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I doubt whether Ellis will be fit for February (definitely not as a starter) Foden (maybe too young? Sale fans do enlighten us) Otherwise, if we all want the nippers in then Danny Care would be a good shout - good enough for the 1/2 the Six Nations anyway.
I'd like to see Hipkiss partnering Flood in the centres with the golden boy Tait on the wing instead of Strettle. Full-Back, Abendanon. He was very close this time and surely Ashton will want to give him a fair crack at the whip.
Otherwise, Dan Ward-Smith (if fit) will start at 8 but I like the fact you've put Lewis Moody at 6. It's definitely his best position and having an athlete like Rees at 7 will compliment his 'mad-dog' nature.
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I would agree with the team suggested apart from a few alterations.
Nick Easter showed he is a solid number 8 but not a dynamic game winner. I would go with Dan Ward-Smith, more mobile and destructive with ball in hand.
Also although Flood and Tait had a good tournament it still looks light weight in a ever increasing physical battle. With Rabeni winning centre of the tournament and Mortlock/ O'Driscoll being standard examples.
I would opt for a mix Flood at 10 Wilkinson at 12 with Noon/Hipkiss at 13 both with power and attacking flair. Noon would be a good option with all newcastle backline providing good cohesion, however Hipkiss looks to have settled well into the England set up.
My team:-
15. Mathew Tait
14. Josh Lewsey
13. Dan Hipkiss (Jamie Noon)
12. Jonny Wilkinson
11. David Stettle
10 Toby Flood
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Chuter
3. Matt Stevens
4. Simon Shaw
5. Ben Kay (Tom Palmer)
6. Lewis Moody (James Haskell)
7. Tom Rees
8. Dan Ward-Smith
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It all depends on how long term you are thinking. Players like Shaw, Kay Chuter etc are worth their place now but should we be giving experience to players to give them the edge in a RWC final in 4 years time? It counted for a lot this year! Based on this logic, my team is:
15 Tait
14 Lewsey
13 Hipkiss
12 Flood
11 Strettle
10 Geraghty
9 Ellis
8 Ward-Smith
7 Rees
6 Moody
5 Palmer
4 Deacon
3 Stevens
2 Hartley
1 Sheridan
16 Wood
17 Chuter
18 Brown
19 Easter
20 Gomersall
21/22 Lamb/Allen/Wilkinson/Morgan
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I'd like to see Allen get another chance. he didn't have the best debut against new zealand last year, but neither did Tait against wales in 05. He's playing well for gloucester an i think he could be what england need. Ithink floods more of a fly ghalf an the last thing england want to do is start putting poeple out of possision. Anyway, with wilko out every other match flood will probably have lots of chances to shine.
Also Vanikolo and sinbad should get a run. O, an yes i do support Glaws.
this would be my team for 07 6 nations
1.Andy sheridan
2.Chuter
3.Stevens
4.Shaw
5.Kay
6.Moody
7.Rees
8.Ward-Smith
9.Ellis
10.Wilko
11.Stretle
12.Allen
13.Hipkiss
14.JSD/Vainikolo/sackey maybe(i dont rate him)
15.Tait/Lewsey if tait plays badly
16.Meers
17.Brown
18.Crane
19.Flood
20.Lewsey
21.vainikolo (to come on at 50)
22.Forster
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I'd like to see Allen get another chance. he didn't have the best debut against new zealand last year, but neither did Tait against wales in 05. He's playing well for gloucester an i think he could be what england need. Ithink floods more of a fly ghalf an the last thing england want to do is start putting poeple out of possision. Anyway, with wilko out every other match flood will probably have lots of chances to shine.
Also Vanikolo and sinbad should get a run. O, an yes i do support Glaws.
this would be my team for 07 6 nations
1.Andy sheridan
2.Chuter
3.Stevens
4.Shaw
5.Kay
6.Moody
7.Rees
8.Ward-Smith
9.Ellis
10.Wilko
11.Stretle
12.Allen
13.Hipkiss
14.JSD/Vainikolo/sackey maybe(i dont rate him)
15.Tait/Lewsey if tait plays badly
16.Meers
17.Brown
18.Crane
19.Flood
20.Lewsey
21.vainikolo (to come on at 50)
22.Forster
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this team is less for the welsh game , more the ideal world of everyone being fit!! To take us to 2011.
1.Sheridan
2.Mears
3.Stevens
4.Borthwick (hugely underated)
5.Worsley(think abt it , still young , could be a good change)
6.Haskell
7.Rees
8.Forrester
9.Ellis
10.Hodgson/Geraghty/Lamb
11.Strettle
12.Wilkinson(Needs to move in one ..he will flurish)
13.Hipkiss/ O.Smith(Based on good form, a huge talent that has suffered horrible personal loss,should recover early promise?)
14.Simpson-Daniel(first name down)
15.Tait(our new fullback makes perfect sense if u look whos inside him)
16.Flatman(still young , great scrummager, good current form)
17.Hartley
18.Jones or Croft(good signs croft needs more time.
19.Moody or Ward-smith/Easter. Easter has been good just think a fit Forrester is exceptional talent !
20.Foden(young and tenacious,rapid feet currently playing fullback. get him bk at 9.)
21.The none selected flyhalf out of the three . Who knows yet ...Exciting)
22.O.Smith or Hipkiss????
** B4 u have a go , think about the Worsley selection . His lineout at the tail is good so could potentially jump good at 4 . He's a big lump and very mobile . Hits well would add to the mobile pack**
Likely Selection 4 Wales-
1.Sheridan
2.Chuter
3.Stevens
4.Kay
5.Shaw
6.Moody/Worsley
7.Rees
8.Easter
9.Ellis (if fit)
10.Wilkinson
11.Strettle
12.Flood
13.Hpkiss
14.Simpson-Daniel
15.Tait
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Tom Biggs From Leeds Carnegie!!!
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whoever would drop wilkinson must be absolutely stupid. England are a completely different composition when Wilkinson is playing to when he isn't. He is quality in defence and his kicking will prove as he gets more minutes on the pitch. Whoever the poster was who said hodgson is better gave me the biggest laugh of the day!
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to eric:
foden would be an excellent choice at scrum half or full back where he has played for the start of this season. he is quick, strong, has a great pass nd is really creative. would deffinitely make my 6 nations team, if not squad
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Tom Biggs From Leeds Carnegie!!!
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Agree that the front 5 is pretty simple, picks its self really:
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Kay
The second rows will not be playing at the next World Cup. Corry will also not, meaning you will have to change the pack gradually. Leaving the back row with Moody, and the likley replacement for Corry is Rees:
6. Moody
7. Rees
After Nick Easters World Cup, you can't drop him.
8. Easter
Gomarsall was outstanding at the World cup for me, but as we're are building for the next World Cup, it has to be Ellis. Wilkinson at 10 - no questions. The Newcastle Falcon's midfield of Wilkinson, Flood, and Tait could be very beneficial for England. However I think Hipkiss has looked very good in the centre and deserves a place.
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
12. Flood
13. Hipkiss
For now I would put Lewsey at Full Back, Tait and Strettle on the wings, potentially moving Tait to Full Back later in his international career.
11. Strettle
14. Tait
15. Lewsey
Could be harsh on Sackey after his World Cup, but I'm a big believer in building for the next World Cup, something we didn't do after 2003.
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15. Olly Morgan/Lewsey
14. James Simpson-Daniel/Sackey
13. Matthew Tait/Noon
12. Hipkiss/Allen
11. Varndell/Strettle
10. Wilko
09. Harry Ellis
08. Dan Ward-Smith/James Forrester
07. Tom Rees
06. James Haskell/Lewis Moody
05. Alex Brown/Tom Palmer
04. Simon Shaw
03. Matt Stevens/Phil Vickery
02. Andy Titterrel/George Chuter
01. Andrew Sheridan/Nick Wood
1st/2nd choice
Yes there are lots of Glos players but i think performances for club have shown their potential, othrs would have been at WC if it werent for injury. Lamb not included for no.10 at potential but kicking very hit n miss at mo.
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If we're looking ahead 4 years we need to be blooding people now for 2011. That means some that people have selected won't be in the team because of their age. Sackey is a great winger but he'll be 31 then. Gomersall is too old, Wilkinson will be 32, Lewsey also just too old.
Cipriani will be 23. Tait, Flood and Gerahty will be good ages.
I'd play Flood at 10, Gerahty at 12, Hipkiss at 13, Tait and Strettle on the wing, Cipriani at FB. I have a problem with the scrum half. I don't see anyone really capable - yet. Ellis will be too old for my liking as well.
Keep some of the guys like Wilkinson and Cueto around for their "experience" should things start to go awry, but try to build for the future. I'll let someone else handle the forwards.
However, all this breaches the anti-ageism legislation doesn't it? :-)
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I think the decision to not include Gomarsall in the starting 15 would be rash considering his outstanding performance in the World Cup. In my own opinion, he was one of the best players in the squad and, bar one or two performances, was consistently good throughout. His box-kicks were superb and overall I think he definitely earned his place.
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I really think that England need to start looking at there team and saying who they think will/won't be involed in the next world cup. And if one thing showed this world cup we didn't actually have that much flair in our team. If we want to be seen as the best in the world we need to have a brilliant all around game, like we did pre 2003. Along with that those players need experience so I think its time to remove a fair bit of the old guard and bring in some new blood, who cares if we loose some test in the short term, England's overall aim should be for 2011 RWC.
1. Sheridan
2. Mears
3. Stevens
4. C. Jones
5. Palmer
6. Haskell
7. Rees
8. Easter
9. Ellis
10.Wilkinson
11.Stretle
12.Flood
13. Hipkiss/Tait
14. Simpson-Daniel
15. Ben Foden
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1. Sheridan.
2. Chuter.
3. Stevens.
4. Shaw.
5. Kay.
6. Moody.
7. Rees.
8. Ward-Smith.
9. Ellis. (Richards?)
10. Wilkinson. (Defs at 10, not 12).
11. Strettle.
12. Barkley.
13. Tait.
14. Sackey. (I don't rate him that highly, but he will certainly play).
15. Lewsey.
I'd also like to see Hipkiss, Flood, Haskell, Palmer and Simpson-Daniel there or there abouts.
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Agree that the front 5 is pretty simple, picks its self really:
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Kay
The second rows will not be playing at the next World Cup. Corry will also not, meaning you will have to change the pack gradually. Leaving the back row with Moody, and the likley replacement for Corry is Rees:
6. Moody
7. Rees
After Nick Easters World Cup, you can't drop him.
8. Easter
Gomarsall was outstanding at the World cup for me, but as we're are building for the next World Cup, it has to be Ellis. Wilkinson at 10 - no questions. The Newcastle Falcon's midfield of Wilkinson, Flood, and Tait could be very beneficial for England. However I think Hipkiss has looked very good in the centre and deserves a place.
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
12. Flood
13. Hipkiss
For now I would put Lewsey at Full Back, Tait and Strettle on the wings, potentially moving Tait to Full Back later in his international career.
11. Strettle
14. Tait
15. Lewsey
Could be harsh on Sackey after his World Cup, but I'm a big believer in building for the next World Cup, something we didn't do after 2003.
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15. Olly Morgan/Lewsey
14. James Simpson-Daniel/Sackey
13. Matthew Tait/Noon
12. Hipkiss/Allen
11. Varndell/Strettle
10. Wilko
09. Harry Ellis
08. Dan Ward-Smith/James Forrester
07. Tom Rees
06. James Haskell/Lewis Moody
05. Alex Brown/Tom Palmer
04. Simon Shaw
03. Matt Stevens/Phil Vickery
02. Andy Titterrel/George Chuter
01. Andrew Sheridan/Nick Wood
1st/2nd choice
Yes there are lots of Glos players but i think performances for club have shown their potential, othrs would have been at WC if it werent for injury. Lamb not included for no.10 at potential but kicking very hit n miss at mo.
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i wouldve thought wed start blooding youngsters 2 build 4 the next world cup, so the likes of cipriani, varndell and hipkiss would start 2 get into the team.
moody should b tripped out of the team 4 what he did in the final
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I think the decision to not include Gomarsall in the starting 15 would be rash considering his outstanding performance in the World Cup. In my own opinion, he was one of the best players in the squad and, bar one or two performances, was consistently good throughout. His box-kicks were superb and overall I think he definitely earned his place.
I realise that age wise he is getting older but he should have at least one more WC in him.
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can someone explain what happened to rees in the world cup? was he injured or just left out? thanks
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1 Sheridan
2 Hartley
3 Stevens
4 Deacon
5 Palmer
6 Haskell
7 Rees
8 Mark Easter (playes for Northampton saints)
9 Ellis
10 Flood
11 vainikolo
12 Allen/Geraghty
13 Hpkiss(but he is too slow and goes into tackels too high)
14 Stretle/Varndell/Chris Ashton(faster than habana if possible but can't really tackel)
15 Tait
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1. Sheridan
2.Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Grewcock
5. Shaw
6.Rees
7. Moody
8. Easter
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Barkley
13. Tindall
14. Sackey
15. Cipirani
Blood the youth before the next world cup, keep the old heads around for this coming 6 nations, and phase them out as the younger players get more game time. Beacuse Vickery, Corry, Shaw, Grewcock and co arent gunna be the world beaters we need in 4 years time.
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A tad too early to go picking a team that won't play 'till February but here goes:
1)Sheridan
2)Hartley (The next Steve Thompson)
3)Stevens
4)Shaw/Croft
5)Palmer
6)Haskell
7)Rees
8)Easter
9)Ellis
10)Wilkinson(C)
11)Vainikolo (If possible)
12)Flood
13)Tait
14)Simpson-Daniel
15)Abendanon
Geraghty and Cipriani definitely in the squad.
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if we are going to genuinely move forward starting from the six nations we need to introduce properly, some of these younger guys. definitely keep wilko, moody, and some of the old timers but realistically we should have a large chunk of, untried or tried and then unceremoniously dumped, young talent, obviously they need to be in form. but those guys who were on the fringes of the world cup squad definitely need a look in, such as cipriani, geraghty who i doubt will be left out, and personally i'd still like to see simpson-daniel in there as i think it was a bad choice to not take him to france. i haven't been watching the premiership because i've been so caught up with the wc but i hear lamb has been tearing it up recently. anthony allen in an unfinished project i reckon and we should persevere.
squad for grinding out wins:
15. Josh Lewsey
14. Paul Sackey
13. Mathew Tait
12. Toby Flood
11. David Stettle
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Chuter
3. Phil Vickery (matt stevens on parr but edged out by captaincy)
4. Simon Shaw
5. Ben Kay (Tom Palmer close behind)
6. Lewis Moody (James Haskell close behind)
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter
team to develop with view of longterm achievement and 2011 success:
()=alternative players
15. abendannon (morgan)
14. Paul Sackey (topsy ojo, simpson-daniel, bishay, odejobi, tait because i think thats where he really belongs)
13. tait (hipkiss, waldouck, jack adams)
12. hipkiss (flood, allen)
11. srettle
10 Jonny Wilkinson (lamb, cipriani, geraghty)
9. Harry Ellis (ben youngs, care, tom parker)
1. Andrew Sheridan (french, wilson, lambert)
2. George Chuter (hartley, paice, thompson)
3. Matt Stevens
4. chris jones (deacon, blaze, croft)
5. tom palmer
6. Lewis Moody (haskell, thorpe, shaw)
7. Tom Rees (rowland, skinner)
8. Nick Easter (dowson, ellis, tait)
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15. Mathew Tait
14. Lesley Vainikolo (Dont start an argument, he is eligble to play for england, and his form so far in the prem justifies selection)
13. Dan Hipkiss (Tait is a better 13, but with time at 13 hipkiss will grow into a fine player)
12. Josh Lewsey (need some experience in the backline)
11. David Stettle
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Chuter
3. Matt Stevens
4. Simon Shaw
5. Ben Kay
6. Lewis Moody
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter
16. Dylan Hartley
17. Phil Vickery (only for a year or so)
18: Chris Jones
19: James Haskell/Magnus Lund
20: Ben Foden (im walking into a wall of disagreement here i dread)
21: Olly Barkley/Shane Geraghty
22: James Simpson-Daniel/Olly Smith
other players to come in within the next 2 years or so:
Anthony Allen: Had his chances but he is still young
Jordan Crane
Tom Croft
David Wilson
Jordan Turner-Hall
Danny Cipriani
Ryan Lamb
Tom Varndell...god id love to see him against habana, he would definitely one-up what Takudzwa Ngwenya did!!
England for the 2011 world cup!!
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15. Olly Morgan/Lewsey
14. James Simpson-Daniel/Sackey
13. Matthew Tait/Noon
12. Hipkiss/Allen
11. Varndell/Strettle
10. Wilko
09. Harry Ellis
08. Dan Ward-Smith/James Forrester
07. Tom Rees
06. James Haskell/Lewis Moody
05. Alex Brown/Tom Palmer
04. Simon Shaw
03. Matt Stevens/Phil Vickery
02. Andy Titterrel/George Chuter
01. Andrew Sheridan/Nick Wood
1st/2nd choice
Yes there are lots of Glos players but i think performances for club have shown their potential, othrs would have been at WC if it werent for injury. Lamb not included for no.10 at potential but kicking very hit n miss at mo.
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1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Kay
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Ward Smith
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Tindall
13. Tait
14. Vianakolo
15. Lewsey
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1. Sheridan
2.Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Grewcock
5. Shaw
6.Rees
7. Moody
8. Easter
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Barkley
13. Tindall
14. Sackey
15. Cipirani
Blood the youth before the next world cup, keep the old heads around for this coming 6 nations, and phase them out as the younger players get more game time. Beacuse Vickery, Corry, Shaw, Grewcock and co arent gunna be the world beaters we need in 4 years time.
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1 Sheridan
2 Hartley
3 Stevens
4 Deacon
5 Palmer
6 Haskell
7 Rees
8 Mark Easter (playes for Northampton saints)
9 Ellis
10 Flood
11 vainikolo
12 Allen/Geraghty
13 Hpkiss(but he is too slow and goes into tackels too high)
14 Stretle/Varndell/Chris Ashton(faster than habana if possible but can't really tackel)
15 Tait
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God only knows why Tom Vandrell - the quickest thing in shoe leather - has not been included. He must be second only to Man of the World Cup - Habana
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15. Olly Morgan/Lewsey
14. James Simpson-Daniel/Sackey
13. Matthew Tait/Noon
12. Hipkiss/Allen
11. Varndell/Strettle
10. Wilko
09. Harry Ellis
08. Dan Ward-Smith/James Forrester
07. Tom Rees
06. James Haskell/Lewis Moody
05. Alex Brown/Tom Palmer
04. Simon Shaw
03. Matt Stevens/Phil Vickery
02. Andy Titterrel/George Chuter
01. Andrew Sheridan/Nick Wood
1st/2nd choice
Yes there are lots of Glos players but i think performances for club have shown their potential, othrs would have been at WC if it werent for injury. Lamb not included for no.10 at potential but kicking very hit n miss at mo.
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15 Lee Robinson
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Tom Biggs
12 Sam Cox
11 Ugo Monye
10 Seb Jewell
9 Danny Care
1 Alex Rodgers
2 Steve Thompson
3 Darren Crompton
4 Matt Banahan
5 Richard Blaze
6 Hugh Vyvyan
7 Chris Sheasby
8 Declan Danaher
This would be my starting 15 for the 2012 WRC. I feel there is a lot of talent among the youngsters i have selected and given the time they need to build as a team they will be world dominator's. Look at what 4 years did for South Africa.
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i wouldve thought wed start blooding youngsters 2 build 4 the next world cup, so the likes of cipriani, varndell and hipkiss would start 2 get into the team.
moody should b tripped out of the team 4 what he did in the final
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if we are going to genuinely move forward starting from the six nations we need to introduce properly, some of these younger guys. definitely keep wilko, moody, and some of the old timers but realistically we should have a large chunk of, untried or tried and then unceremoniously dumped, young talent, obviously they need to be in form. but those guys who were on the fringes of the world cup squad definitely need a look in, such as cipriani, geraghty who i doubt will be left out, and personally i'd still like to see simpson-daniel in there as i think it was a bad choice to not take him to france. i haven't been watching the premiership because i've been so caught up with the wc but i hear lamb has been tearing it up recently. anthony allen in an unfinished project i reckon and we should persevere.
squad for grinding out wins:
15. Josh Lewsey
14. Paul Sackey
13. Mathew Tait
12. Toby Flood
11. David Stettle
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Chuter
3. Phil Vickery (matt stevens on parr but edged out by captaincy)
4. Simon Shaw
5. Ben Kay (Tom Palmer close behind)
6. Lewis Moody (James Haskell close behind)
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter
team to develop with view of longterm achievement and 2011 success:
()=alternative players
15. abendannon (morgan)
14. Paul Sackey (topsy ojo, simpson-daniel, bishay, odejobi, tait because i think thats where he really belongs)
13. tait (hipkiss, waldouck, jack adams)
12. hipkiss (flood, allen)
11. srettle
10 Jonny Wilkinson (lamb, cipriani, geraghty)
9. Harry Ellis (ben youngs, care, tom parker)
1. Andrew Sheridan (french, wilson, lambert)
2. George Chuter (hartley, paice, thompson)
3. Matt Stevens
4. chris jones (deacon, blaze, croft)
5. tom palmer
6. Lewis Moody (haskell, thorpe, shaw)
7. Tom Rees (rowland, skinner)
8. Nick Easter (dowson, ellis, tait)
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1 Sheridan
2 Hartley
3 Stevens
4 Deacon
5 Palmer
6 Haskell
7 Rees
8 Mark Easter (playes for Northampton saints)
9 Ellis
10 Flood
11 vainikolo
12 Allen/Geraghty
13 Hpkiss(but he is too slow and goes into tackels too high)
14 Stretle/Varndell/Chris Ashton(faster than habana if possible but can't really tackel)
15 Tait
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can someone explain what happened to rees in the world cup? was he injured or just left out? thanks
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God only knows why Tom Vandrell - the quickest thing in shoe leather - has not been included. He must be second only to Man of the World Cup - Habana
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15 Lee Robinson
14 Marcel Garvey
13 Tom Biggs
12 Sam Cox
11 Ugo Monye
10 Seb Jewell
9 Danny Care
1 Alex Rodgers
2 Steve Thompson
3 Darren Crompton
4 Matt Banahan
5 Richard Blaze
6 Hugh Vyvyan
7 Chris Sheasby
8 Declan Danaher
This would be my starting 15 for the 2012 WRC. I feel there is a lot of talent among the youngsters i have selected and given the time they need to build as a team they will be world dominator's. Look at what 4 years did for South Africa.
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Dan Ward-Smith must come in.
Antony Allen and Ryan Lamb should get some run outs and don't forget John Clarke for next season.
Don't get too excited about reaching the final.
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15.Tait/abendon
14.JSD
13.Hipkiss
12.Turner-Hall (Antony Allen)
11.Stettle
10.Wilkenson
9.Ellis (Gommrs)
1.Sheridan
2.Chuter
3.Stevens
4.Shaw
5.Kay (Palmer)
6.Moody (Haskell)
7.Rees
8.Dan Ward-Smith (Easter)
Vainikolo is a thought as qualifies to play through living here next year. more an impact player though than a starter i reckon.
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Dan Ward-Smith must come in.
Antony Allen and Ryan Lamb should get some run outs and don't forget John Clarke for next season.
Don't get too excited about reaching the final.
Oh, and BTW, has been Tom Varndell been completely written off after one poor display against Tiquiri?
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I think whoever the coach is should have a 22 in their head for them to take through the four years up to 2011. I also think that although players like Tom Croft and Jordan Crane aren't getting picked for their clubs the England coach should pick them and force Leicester to pick them through their displays internationally.
My team for the six nations:
1 Sheridan
2 Chuter
3 Stevens
4 Borthwick
5 Croft
6 Moody
7 Rees
8 Ward Smith
9 Ellis
10 Wilkinson
11 Strettle
12 Flood
13 Hipkiss
14 Sackey
15 Tait
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Vainikolo of gloustershire who bagged 5 trys on his debut is able to play for England at the 6 nations and is better than Habana and Jonah Loumu
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Vainikolo of gloustershire who bagged 5 trys on his debut is able to play for England at the 6 nations and is better than Habana and Jonah Loumu. BEST WINGER IN ENGLAND!!!!
Vainikolo should be used like France use Chabal to exploit tired legs.
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Vainikolo of gloustershire who bagged 5 trys on his debut is able to play for England at the 6 nations and is better than Habana and Jonah Loumu. BEST WINGER IN ENGLAND!!!!
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Vainikolo of gloustershire who bagged 5 trys on his debut is able to play for England at the 6 nations and is better than Habana and Jonah Loumu. BEST WINGER IN ENGLAND!!!!
Vainikolo should be used like France use Chabal to exploit tired legs.
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Shaw is 34 and should surely be on the list of those who will need to be replaced over the next couple of years? Vickery by comparison is only 31...
Looking at RWC 2007 squad, oldest players being Regan, Dallaglio and Catt were 35 at the start of the tournament - which if you take that as a strict age limit for 2011 means that those 3 plus Freshwater, Shaw, Corry, Gomarsall, Farrell and Robinson will have all gone from the scene, the other 23 will still have a chance.
Therefore team to start the six nations next year;
Lewsey; Sackey, Tait, Flood, Strettle; Wilkinson, Ellis; Sheridan, Chuter, Vickery; Borthwick, Kay; Moody, Rees, Ward-Smith.
Can expect the likes of Abendanon, Hipkiss, Allen, Foden, Stevens and Haskell to be blooded more in the next 4 years.
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What England must do, is build a world class team for 2011. One needs therefore some experienced players and also a new generation of players comming through and learn the international skills and how to deal with the pressure.
For the coming 6 nations this should be the sort of team England would want:
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Matt Stevens
4. Steve Borthwick
5. Ben Kay
6. Lewis Moody
7. Tom Rees
8. James Haskell
9. Harry Ellis
10.Jonny Wilkinson (Captain)
11.David Strettle
12.Mike Tindall
13.Mathew Tait
14.Paul Sackey
15.Josh Lewsey
16.Lee Mears
17.Phil Vickery
18.Tom Palmer
19.Dan-Ward Smith
20.Peter Richards
21.Toby Flood
22.Danny Cipriani
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Well, my choice would be:
15 - Josh Lewsey
14 - Paul Sackey
13 - Mat Tait
12 - Toby Flood
11 - Mark Cueto
10 - Jonny Wilkinson
9 - Andy Gomarsall
8 - Nick Easter
7 - Lewis Moody
6 - James Haskell
5 - Steve Borthwick
4 - Simon Shaw
3 - Matt Stevens
2 - George Chuter
1 - Andy Sheridan
Replacements:
Dylan Hartley; Phil Vickery; Tom Palmer; Tom Rees; Harry Ellis; Mike Tindall; David Strettle
I feel this lineup provides a good mixture of proven internationals with young talent for the 6 nations. Shaw kept in to assist development of Borthwick and Palmer as international class second rows.
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my team for 6 nations:
1.Sheridan
2.Chuter
3.Stevens
4.Shaw
5.Palmer
6.Moody
7.Rees
8.Ward-Smith
9.Ellis
10.Wilko
11.Strettle
12.Hipkiss
13.Tait
14.Simpson-Daniel
15.Lewsey
16.French
17.Rawlinson
18.Brown
19.Crane/Haskell
20.Care
21.Barkley
22.Sackey
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Well I am a Welsh fan but I do rate the Eglish team very highly. I rate Simon Shaw highly, but he is now 34 and surely he has to make way for fresh blood. I also agree that Simpson Daniel could be the key to unlock the potentinal that the English backs have, so my squad goes as follows
15. Dan Cipriani
14. Paul Sackey
13. James Simpson Daniel
12. Josh Lewsey
11. David Strettle
10. Olly Barkley
9. Harry Ellis
8. Dan Ward-Smith
7. Tom Rees
6. James Haskell
5. ALex Brown
4. Tom Palmer
3. Matt Stevens
2. Lee Mears
1. Andrew Sheridan
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Shaw is 34 and should surely be on the list of those who will need to be replaced over the next couple of years? Vickery by comparison is only 31...
Looking at RWC 2007 squad, oldest players being Regan, Dallaglio and Catt were 35 at the start of the tournament - which if you take that as a strict age limit for 2011 means that those 3 plus Freshwater, Shaw, Corry, Gomarsall, Farrell and Robinson will have all gone from the scene, the other 23 will still have a chance.
Therefore team to start the six nations next year;
Lewsey; Sackey, Tait, Flood, Strettle; Wilkinson, Ellis; Sheridan, Chuter, Vickery; Borthwick, Kay; Moody, Rees, Ward-Smith.
Can expect the likes of Abendanon, Hipkiss, Allen, Foden, Stevens and Haskell to be blooded more in the next 4 years.
Harsh on Shaw who can be considered genuine world class, and the liklihood is he will be kept on for another year or so yet.
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Shaw is 34 and should surely be on the list of those who will need to be replaced over the next couple of years? Vickery by comparison is only 31...
Looking at RWC 2007 squad, oldest players being Regan, Dallaglio and Catt were 35 at the start of the tournament - which if you take that as a strict age limit for 2011 means that those 3 plus Freshwater, Shaw, Corry, Gomarsall, Farrell and Robinson will have all gone from the scene, the other 23 will still have a chance.
Therefore team to start the six nations next year;
Lewsey; Sackey, Tait, Flood, Strettle; Wilkinson, Ellis; Sheridan, Chuter, Vickery; Borthwick, Kay; Moody, Rees, Ward-Smith.
Can expect the likes of Abendanon, Hipkiss, Allen, Foden, Stevens and Haskell to be blooded more in the next 4 years.
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I think whoever the coach is should have a 22 in their head for them to take through the four years up to 2011. I also think that although players like Tom Croft and Jordan Crane aren't getting picked for their clubs the England coach should pick them and force Leicester to pick them through their displays internationally.
My team for the six nations:
1 Sheridan
2 Chuter
3 Stevens
4 Borthwick
5 Croft
6 Moody
7 Rees
8 Ward Smith
9 Ellis
10 Wilkinson
11 Strettle
12 Flood
13 Hipkiss
14 Sackey
15 Tait
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exactly the team id pick, and one that could be around for the next World Cup even, though i think Lewsey will have retired by then, but im sure someone will fill his shoes nicely by then!
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Shaw is 34 and should surely be on the list of those who will need to be replaced over the next couple of years? Vickery by comparison is only 31...
Looking at RWC 2007 squad, oldest players being Regan, Dallaglio and Catt were 35 at the start of the tournament - which if you take that as a strict age limit for 2011 means that those 3 plus Freshwater, Shaw, Corry, Gomarsall, Farrell and Robinson will have all gone from the scene, the other 23 will still have a chance.
Therefore team to start the six nations next year;
Lewsey; Sackey, Tait, Flood, Strettle; Wilkinson, Ellis; Sheridan, Chuter, Vickery; Borthwick, Kay; Moody, Rees, Ward-Smith.
Can expect the likes of Abendanon, Hipkiss, Allen, Foden, Stevens and Haskell to be blooded more in the next 4 years.
Harsh on Shaw who can be considered genuine world class, and the liklihood is he will be kept on for another year or so yet.
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15-Lewsey
14-Vienakolo
13-Tait
12-Hipkiss
11-Strettle
10-Wilkinson
9-Ellis
8-Haskel
7-Moody
6-Lund
5-Kay
4-Palmer
3-Stevens
2-Chuter
1-Sheridan
Rember veinakolo can play for england now and his strike rate in leasuge for the bulls was amazing. I would have cueto,ciprani,ward-smith,fodden,flood,meers and wood
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I agree with Jonny, Gomers was a key part of the reason England did as well as they did, any team needs the scrum half to link play and he did that magnificently. Of course age is not on his side but England should look to use his experience and spirit, this is a guy who fought back from the brink to be England no.1 remember! and have him and Ellis as principal no. 9s with a very young third choice. Whilst 2011 is four years away there is no point in jettisoning all the useful experience. Except people like Dallaglio and Catt, he's used the last of his 9 lives!
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Shaw is 34 and should surely be on the list of those who will need to be replaced over the next couple of years? Vickery by comparison is only 31...
Looking at RWC 2007 squad, oldest players being Regan, Dallaglio and Catt were 35 at the start of the tournament - which if you take that as a strict age limit for 2011 means that those 3 plus Freshwater, Shaw, Corry, Gomarsall, Farrell and Robinson will have all gone from the scene, the other 23 will still have a chance.
Therefore team to start the six nations next year;
Lewsey; Sackey, Tait, Flood, Strettle; Wilkinson, Ellis; Sheridan, Chuter, Vickery; Borthwick, Kay; Moody, Rees, Ward-Smith.
Can expect the likes of Abendanon, Hipkiss, Allen, Foden, Stevens and Haskell to be blooded more in the next 4 years.
Harsh on Shaw who can be considered genuine world class, and the liklihood is he will be kept on for another year or so yet.
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Shaw is 34 and should surely be on the list of those who will need to be replaced over the next couple of years? Vickery by comparison is only 31...
Looking at RWC 2007 squad, oldest players being Regan, Dallaglio and Catt were 35 at the start of the tournament - which if you take that as a strict age limit for 2011 means that those 3 plus Freshwater, Shaw, Corry, Gomarsall, Farrell and Robinson will have all gone from the scene, the other 23 will still have a chance.
Therefore team to start the six nations next year;
Lewsey; Sackey, Tait, Flood, Strettle; Wilkinson, Ellis; Sheridan, Chuter, Vickery; Borthwick, Kay; Moody, Rees, Ward-Smith.
Can expect the likes of Abendanon, Hipkiss, Allen, Foden, Stevens and Haskell to be blooded more in the next 4 years.
Harsh on Shaw who can be considered genuine world class, and the liklihood is he will be kept on for another year or so yet.
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I'm sorry but i really think that wilkinson needs to be phased slowly out of the england team. They rely too much on his 'talismanic' ability, and when it doesn't deliver (and he is by no means the best fly half in the world at the mo)the team simply fall too pieces. We can't afford to be in the same situation as we were in the SA group stage game and we need to bring Geraghty, Flood and Olly Barkley (who is an outstanding player with a much needed turn of pace alongside is vision) much more reguarly into the first team. Nick Easter needs to learn not to give away stupid penalties and Strettle and Varndell, not to menion James Simpson Daniel, should be really given a chance. Tait proved he can play on the international stage, as did Hipkiss, who showed he was strong enough to make runs, and stay on his feet while support caught up with him. THAT is the crucial thing though: SUPPORT! And it doesn't just mean being on the shoulder for a pop ball just before contact, it means not giving away silly avoidable penalties and playing as a team.
We need to start grooming a new 10 and 12......and we need to start doing it right now!
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15) Morgan (solid under high ball, good boot and strong counter attacking)
14) Lewsey ('Nuff said)
13) Tindall (Strong boot, leadership, solid tackling (defensive organiser), big powerful runner, back on form and you can't fault him.) Could also be Hipkiss
12) Allen (He's a young talent and these two have made the centre combination their own in the premiership, there's no one else with such balance of skill and bruteforce)
11) Strettle (The guy is unmatched and England need the creativity out wide.)
10) Wilkinson (Injury permitting obviously, with Allen outside could make a great combination, Flood as other option.)
9) Gomarsall (No-one can fault such commitment in an England shirt and I believe he's the best leader and ball distributor in the 9 shirt in England)
1) Sheridan (What can you say?)
2) Chuter (Strong, powerful, and direct in the line-out, my man of choice)
3) Stevens (A strong scrummager with plenty of years in him, can play on both sides of the scrum.)
4) Shaw (Still has some years and is a force in the line-out, he was the 4 of the world cup XV, leads from the front.)
5) Brown (Not given his due chance and I believe can make the shirt his own, performs week in, week out at club and needs the time to establish himself, good line out technician and fierce tackler)
6) Moody - (The man is built for speed but has plenty of size behind him, makes solid tackles and with this following no.7 will allow England finally to establish a quick back row.)
7) Rees ( Young, energetic and a constant performer, has many years in him and is a deffinite no.7 choice for England for the next decade even? Close run with Hazell but has the extra bulk.)
8) Forrester (If fit, will bring the speed and bulk to Englands pack, would make a awesome back row and will challenge the best in the world once again. If not Ward-Smith would be a wise choice.)
Reps:
16) Titterell (Strong lineout ball and good in the loose, with age on his side is a wise choice for the next world cup)
17) Forster (very young but scrummages like a demon on E, his experience already is unparrelled and if given the chance will do the job for England, the next Vickery?)
18) Borthwick (Strong scrummager and brilliant line out technician, also a good leader.)
19) Haskell (can play any back row position and would be a wise choice for the future)
20) Richards (Utility isnt even the word for the strength of positions this man can play, been spotted at flanker, scrumhalf, centre and wing in the last 2 seasons, and his speed and passion for destroying defenders in open play could be a game breaker)
21) Barkley or Flood (Depending on fitness of Wilko obviously, but both able to play fly half and centre, Flood has also even played wing at club level, both young prospects to go far in the next world cup)
22) Tait (what else can you say? he's set to be a star)
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I think the following will be close to the team. I have not included Ellis as he is out for the season. I hope that Leics give Ben Youngs a good run as he is 18 and looks special - more so as they are short of quality at 9.
1 Sheridan
2 Chuter
3 Stevens
4 Shaw
5 Kay
6 Moody
7 Rees
8 Easter
9 Gomersall
10 Wilkinson
11 Lewsey
12 Flood
13 Hipkiss
14 Strettle/Sackey
15 Tait
Bench:
Hartley
Wilson
Blaze
Haskell
Richards
Cipriani
Smith
Future development will see Cipriani coming through at 10 to replace Wilko - he is better suited to this position and only plays 15 for Wasps because they had a multitude of 10s last season and VG lost form at 15.
Tait has long been pencilled in for 15. His pace and attacking lines are unmatched and wasted in the centres with the modern defence. He has a great boot - look at his clearances on Saturday, inside 22 to inside oppo 22! He will need high ball practice and one on one tackle practice though. He will learn from Matt Burke!
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15-tait
14-Ashton
13-hipkiss
12-geraghty
11-vianikolo
10-Wilkinson
9-ellis
1-sheriden
2-mears
3-stevens
4-shaw
5-Kennedy/Roche
6-moody
7-rees
8-Easter
my teams simple really i could see glocester wing being a deadly threat just like lomu, in my lock forwards i can see london irishs nick kennedy or keiron roche because they are two of the best lineout stealers in the preimership, we need the older players out to start to build for 2011 its the only way
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1. Sheridan
2 Chuter
3 Vickery (c)
4 Kay
5 Shaw
6 Easter
7 Rees
8 Ward-Smith
9 Ellis
10 Wilko
11 Strettle (Cueto pushing)
12 Lewsey
13 Tait
14 Vainikolo (Sackey close)
15 Cipriani
Stevens
Mears
Brown
Worsley
Wigglesworth
Hodgson (definitely not barkley)
Sackey/Cueto/Abendanon
Vickey CANNOT be dropped; he is the most experienced member of our side and a good captain with an excellent all round game. He is only 31, and Os du Rant is 36 yet a double world cup winner. Vicks can be that as well.
Shaw was outstanding at the RWC and deserves as much time as possible whilst still at the top of his game.
Easter to 6, because Ward-Smith will add a HUGE dimension to the back row with his power and pace.
Strettle on 1 wing, Vainikolo on the other because big lesley will score loads of tries. Cipriani at full back because he can add the genuine flair that we need to compliment players like lewsey and wilko. Ellis back in at scrum half is a definite.
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i like the composite team.
i would like to see cipriani given a run at full back as i think he has real potential.
i think croft of leicester should be pushing hard for a backrow/2nd row spot.
i still think james simpson-daniel injury permitting is one of our finest backs and should be around the fold.
Tom Varndell has serious pace and potential still and should be being considered.
im also a big anthony allen fan and would like to see him pushing toby flood for the 12 spot.
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No NO No No NO!
You have all demonstrated that there is a hell of a lot of depth to the selectable pool in England. So...do what needs to be done. Choose TWO First XVs. Probables, Possibles, Definites, Likelies - call 'em what you like. Mix experience with youth. Players who all train together (club v country another argument). Totally compatable; completely interchangeable - all wanting that starting number on their back. Competition and, let's face it, the ruthlessness you need to WIN! I'd love to see a Strettle, Tait, Simpson-Daniel, Sackey, Cueto battle for selection.
By the way - I'd also love to see Habana V Tait in a head to head sprint. I reckon that over 100M Habana would edge it; over 200M Tait would walk it. Promlem is, a rugby pitch is....how long!? :))
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1. Stevens
2. Titterrell
3. Sheridan
4. Deacon
5. Kay
6. Haskell
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson c
11. Sackey
12. Flood
13. Tait
14. Strettle
15. Abendanon
16. Chuter
17. Freshwater
18. Palmer
19. Moody
20. Foden
21. Cipriani
22. Hipkiss
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I would agree with the selection, but I would like to see the bench with the following players.
Hipkiss showed class,
Dan Ward Smith should of gone to RWC instead of Dayglo,
Geraghty who is shaping into a great 10,
and the young SH Care.
It is very encouraging to think that Strets and Ellis were both injured, and both better players then what we took to France.
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Need to embrace more youth.
1.Sheridan
2.Ward
3.Stevans
4.Palmer
5.Shaw
6.Haskell
7.Rees
8.Crane
9.Ellis
10.Wilkinson / Lamb if JW unfit
11.Strettle
12.Allen
13.Tait
14.Simpson Daniel
15.Abendanon
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Great options available all-round, it's a promising & opportune time to be a red-rose fan.
Will make the assumption that everyone is fit & available.
My 22;
1.Sheridan
2.Chuter
3.Vickery (C)
4.Borthwick
5.Shaw
6.Moody
7.Rees
8.Haskell
9.Ellis
10.Wilkinson
11.Vanikolo
12.Tindall
13.Tait
14.Strettle
15.Lewsey
16.Forrester
17.Hartley
18.Stevens
19.Richards
20.Flood
21.Simpson-Daniel
22.Lund
We've got to get Varndell into the mix ASAP. & he together with other high potential players (such as Geraghty, Allan, Garvey,Ollie Smith, Crane, Morgan & Co) need to be on the 7s circuit & or playing for the saxons.
Ward-Smith unlucky to miss out & loses out to Lund on the line-out strength.
Still looking for a quality options at 1st Centre & hooker.
Forrester & Sinbad need to be seen as what they are , "rare talents" & need to be given the opportunity to express themselves.
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For the problem no. 12 position look no further than young Adam Powell at Sarries. With Faz away the lad has been 1st choice at Vicarage Road so far this season and is playing out of his skin. And, unlike a number of players suggested here, he is a specialist IC, not a Jack-of-all-trades.
As for Vainikolo, scoring a gazillion tries against Leeds counts for little, Sarries sent the second team up there and thrashed 'em. The Volcano was rubbish against Sarries a week after the Leeds match. Still got it all to prove.
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I think that england should include vanikolo
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If you have not yet seen Chris Ashton play then hold back on your choices for the wing, I am 100% certain he will play for England in the next 2 years!
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With all due respect, Vainikolo *has* to be given a go on the wing. The man's a try scoring machine! I'll be interested to see how the likes of Strettle and Varndell cope with his mix of power and pace.
The next Jason Robinson, maybe?
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For me the main thing is to get the team together, regardless of players, for more sessions and more time before each match. We could have the greatest players but we need to get them bonded as one unit!
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Mixture of experience, youth, speed and power....
1. Stevens
2. Hartley
3. Sheridan
4. Kay
5. Corry
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith
9. Ellis
10.Geraghty
11.Strettle
12.Wilkinson
13.Hipkiss
14.Vainikolo
15.Cipriani
16. Chuter
17. Freshwater
18. Palmer
19. Haskell
20. Wrigglesworth
21. Tait
22. Abedenon
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What about Charlie Hodgson????
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1. I agree with the original selection apart from Geraghty at 10 (initially as an understudy to Wilko). He needs as much international experience as possible in the next 4 years.
2. The new 'Stellenbosch' rules which should be in force well before the next WC will also need considering as the game will suit the fittest, fastest and most agile. Much more SAQ training at grass roots please!
3. Come on let's officially start work on merging the codes, the best of both would be brilliant, it's happening bit by bit anyway!
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Why keep persisting with Noon, Barkley etc?!
They arent up to top level international rugby imo.....good honest prem league players but Noon & Barkley have done nothing against the top nations....
Lets give the likes of Cipriani, Flood,Gerahty,Tait, Flood & Allen there chances to cut the mustard.....
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When you look at al the postings above you realise that England does have a large number of good younger players ready to make the breakthrough to the main England team. How exciting's that for the next few years? So, I've cheated and named a starting XV with 13 replacements !!
Happy days are coming.
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Borthwick
5. Shaw
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Sackey
12. Barkley
13. Tait
14. Simpson-Daniel
15. Lewsey
Replacements:
Mears, Abendanon, Titterell, Easter, Haskell, Strettle, Cipriani, Flood, Vainikolo, Hipkiss, Gerahty, Richards, Lund,
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Team For Six Nations
15.Lewsey
14.Strettle
13.Tait
12.Powell
11.Sackey
10.Wilkinson
9.Ellis
1.Sheriden
2.Chuter
3.Stevens
4.Shaw
5.Kay
6.Rees
7.Moody
8.Ward-Smith
16.Hartley
17.Vickery
18.Brown
19.Haskell
20.Gomersall
21.Scarbrough
22.Lamb
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Draoid (number 81): you are so right. Great post. Poss vs prob squad of 30 to 40 players (allowing for replacements) will create some very fierce competition.
Oz
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I agree pretty much with this lineup. However Anyone who would drop Wilko is mad. They guy showed what class he is this world cup... 60 odd points with a dodgy ankle(I said straight after the france game he was probably carrying an injury) I would also like to see Varndell given another go!
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Is Toby Flood really good enough and can Ellis become world class?
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Team For Six Nations
15.Lewsey
14.Strettle
13.Tait
12.Powell
11.Sackey
10.Wilkinson
9.Ellis
1.Sheriden
2.Chuter
3.Stevens
4.Shaw
5.Kay
6.Rees
7.Moody
8.Ward-Smith
16.Hartley
17.Vickery
18.Brown
19.Haskell
20.Gomersall
21.Scarbrough
22.Lamb
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What about Mike Catt !?!
He was the STAR against Australia and France! His EXPERIENCE would be invaluable to the youngsters in this 6 nations. A steady head with great vision and tactical kicking would be crazy to overlook - especially as we turned out to be the Top 6 nations side at the WC and so everyone will be really going for us.
Leave out Catty at your peril!
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No Chris Jones? Forrester? Hipkiss? James Simpson Daniel? Steve Hanley? Ollie Smith? Abendanon?
In short I think the future does look bright for England, but we need to start preparing for the next world cup in the six nations and bleed some players through. The only area where I really have concern is the front row as other than Stevens and Sheridan I don't really see anyone with the potential to be world class players coming through at the moment.
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I agree with some of this team but think there could be some changes. Personally i don't see the point in playing Shaw and Kay together. They wont be available for the next WC so i'd pick one of them with somebody like Tom Palmer. That way Shaw/Kay can pass on their experience.
I would play Rees and Lund in the same team. Maybe put Lund at 7 and Rees at 6. They are both quick and always at the breakdown. I think that they would create quite a deadly combination.
Re 82 i agree get Titterall in the team. He hits his line outs and is very agile. It's like having a 4th back rower.
Now the exciting part. Who to have in the backs. There are so many to choose from out there at the minute that i really dont know. I think i would probably have Cueto over Strettle as he is a proven try scorer and more solid in defense. I would love to see Simpson-Daniel in the set up as well. I really dont know what he has to do to get a look in. Whenever anything is asked of him he does it but this still isnt enough. They asked him to put some weight on which he did but no call up. I'd also like to see Ryan Lamb being brought through as i believe he could be one of the players of NZ 2011. Writing this has made me realise why Gloucester are doing so well this season. Glad London Irish beat them!
Get Cipriani in the gym to put a bit of weight on then look at bringing him through in 2009. He's still only 19/20 at the minute so no point rushing.
One final word to whoever is ultimately responsible for picking the England team. Please do not pick The Volcano. Lets not do what New Zealand do. Let him play for Tonga and help the second tier teams to improve even more than they showed us they have at this World Cup. Ultimately it can only be good for Rugby.
The future looks bright.
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15 Abendadon
14 Sackey
13 Tait
12 Gerrahty
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson
9 Gomarsall
8 Ward-Smith
7 Rees
6 Haskell/Moody
5 Croft
4 Shaw
3 Stevens
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
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What about the lad at northampton...Chris Ashton....looks a talent, let's fast track him as much as humanly possible.
Also I would like us to at least ask vainakolo...it could be the ultimate impact player.
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1.sheridan
2.chuter
3.vickery
4.shaw(if he doesnt retire)
5.kay
6.rees
7.moody
8.easter
9.ellis(awesome potential)
10.wilkinson
11.sackey
12.flood
13.tait
14.strettle
15.lewsey
16.freshwater
17.stevens
18.worseley
19.borthwick
20.hipkiss
21.geraghty
22.cueto
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Adam Powell In The England Squad With Lamb And Allen
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Clearly, the problem here is finding a number 12, with no one convinced that Flood is world class nor heavy enough to sit alongside Tait, what about Hipkiss? Can he adapt and start playing inside centre?
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This my starting 15,replacements and coaches for the 2011 world cup and also the 6 nations of the next 4 years. We need to plan ahead like South Africa did.
Coach:Richard Hill(bristol coach)
Assistant coaches:Martin Johnson,Neil Back,Steve Thompson,Matt Dawson,Paul Grayson and Will Greenwood.
1 Sheridan(Captain)
2 Mears
3 Stevens
4 Shaw
5 Palmer
6 Worsley
7 Moody
8 Ward-Smith(finally)
9 Richards
10 Wilkinson
11 Sackey
12 Flood
13 Tait
14 Vainikolo
15 Abendanon
16 Hartley
17 Vickery
18 Borthwick
19 Rees
20 Wigglesworth
21 Geraghty
22 Hipkiss
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Does anyone else think it might be an idea to start taking the U21 workd cup a little more seriously in the interest of player development? Look at SA...
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1.sheridan
2.chuter
3.vickery
4.shaw(if he doesnt retire)
5.kay
6.rees
7.moody
8.easter
9.ellis(awesome potential)
10.wilkinson
11.sackey
12.flood
13.tait
14.strettle
15.lewsey
16.freshwater
17.stevens
18.worseley
19.borthwick
20.hipkiss
21.geraghty
22.cueto
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Will we be getting a similar chance to pick the starting lineups for Wales and Scotland (& Ireland), or have we resorted back to being the EBC?
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15.Lewsey (Capriani)- phase in
14.Sackey
13.Tait (Greeenwood on Speed)
12.Tindall (Have to have a blugen)
11.Strettle
10.Wilkinson
9.Ellis
8.Haskall
7.Moody
6.Rees
5.Palmer (Kay)
4.Borthwick (C)(Watch this guy blossom)
3.Stevens
2.Mears
1.Sheridan
16.Forster
17.Chuter
18.C Jones
19.Lund
20.Richards
21.Geragthy
22.Abendanon
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it has to be along the lines of:
1 Sheridan
2 Chuter
3 Vickery
4 Shaw
5 Kay
6 Moody
7 Rees
8 Easter
9 Gomarsall
10 Wilkinson
11 Vainikolo(sp)
12 Hipkiss
13 Tait
14 Sackey
15 Lewsey
Why wholesale changes, yes build for 2011, but only Vickery, Shaw, Kay and Gomarsall (maybe Lewsey and Vaini) will noyt be forces in 2011. We cannot take a step backwards by not winning the 6 nations. the best side should be selected and perhaps youth can be chosen over experience on the bench to 'blood' players. It is an insult to the heroes of the past few weeks to drop them. they must be eased out slowly when another good enough quality player comes along...corry,regan,Catt,Dallaglio,Robinson(self-imposed)all have feasible replacements, at second row there is not one stand out player better than Shaw, and Kay has done a good job thus far, and maybe he is the one to be eased out now by Borthwick.Ward-Smith is quality, byut drop easter, arguably in top 3 players for England at the world cup?
16 Stevens
17 Hartley
18 Borthwick
19 Ward-Smith(Worsley still challenging-top lineout option Haskell too)
20 Ellis is the next scrum half, but the versatility of Richards?
21 Flood
22 Strettle
Clearly players like Waldouch, Cipriani etc will break through, but until their club form is better than the man in possesion i would have no problem playing the experience card. we dont want to lose matches because we go with the 2nd best youth rather than the top quality experienced players. We will need a core of players who played in this final at the next RWC, that was proved by the run our experienced team made!
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Some interesting thoughts here and the balance of integrating the youth with experience poses some questions. However for me the starting XV would be:
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Deacon
6. Worsley
7. Moody
8. Easter
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Hipkiss (surely his best position at internationla level)
13. Tait
14. Sackey
15. Lewsey
Bench:
16 Vickery, 17 Mears, 18Croft, 19 Rees, 20 Richards, 21 Flood, 22 Simpson-Daniel
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1. sheridan
2. chuter
3. stevens
4. shaw
5. palmer
6. haskell
7. rees
8. ward smith
9. ellis
10. wilko
11. strettle
12. clarke (northampton)
13. tait
14. vainikolo
15. morgan
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Has everyone forgotten Ryan Lamb and Anthony Allan.... Not even a mention for these 2.
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I cannot believe the number of people still taking about putting Lewsey at FB. Incredible. Look at the other talent we have; need to build for the future (by the way, Tait is not defensively sound enough to play FB)
15 Morgan
14 Sackey
13 Tait/Hipkiss
12 Allen
11 Strettle/Cueto
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Ward-Smith
7 Rees
6 Haskell
5 Palmer
4 Shaw
3 Stevens
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
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Lets shake it up a little:
15 Abendanon
14 Simpson-Daniel
13 Tait
12 Tindall
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
1 Sheridan
2 Chuter
3 Stevens
4 Shaw
5 Borthwick
6 Haskell
7 Rees
8 Ward-Smith
Subs:
Flood
Foden
Hipkiss
Mears
Flatman
Corry
Moody
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I think we should be looking towards being a nation that can field two seperate teams as and when, like SA, France, NZ etc. We've got the players. Nothing wrong with starting the heroes like Jonny, Gommersall, Shaw etc as a strong foundation but we should start bringing guys like Geraghty, Lamb, Anthony Allen, Haskell etc into the fold when we're on the front foot so they can get some positive experiences. Maybe bring Geraghty/Lamb on for Wilko at 60 when we're ahead and the pack's got dominance over the opposition. Haskell/DWS on to run rampent when the legs are tired. Some of these young guys showed they can play with passion and heart just like the big boys when they beat the NZ Maori in the Churchill Cup. It was a great display. And maybe for the next WC, Danny Care at scrum half. He's going to be a legend.
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9: Paul Hodgeson????
Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Basically the team make up is pretty good, although I would have a couple of name and positional changes:
15 Tait, Looked very comfortable there in the final, and put in 1-2 massive clearance kicks, still needs to keep improving his defense, but going the right way.
12 Lewsey, Plays there more and more at club level (he did start his career at 10!!) Will bring a solid experienced player there much like Catt, to help bring on the youngsters.
13 Hipkiss Is starting to find his feet at this level and does provide a stand up option rarely seen in the modern ruck everything game. Sinbad, and Olly Smith should also be seriously looked at aswell.
14 Varndell, no brainer quickest thing in an England shirt. His defense is improving, but look at the Habanas/Howletts/Rocokokos of the world you NEED an absolute flyer in this tight defensive day and age.
As for the forwards, the only other players I would add to that would be Ward-Smith, and Lund
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15 abendanon
14 strettle
13 tait
12 tindall
11 lewsey
10 wilkinson
9 ellis
8 ward-smith
7 rees
6 haskell
5 grewcock
4 deacon
3 stevens
2 mears
1 sheridan
cipriani, browne, sackey, simpson daniel, hipkiss, turner-hall, flood, noon , barkley, smith, abbot, hodgeson, gheraty, lamb, allen, moody, easter, borthwick, brown, palmer, crain, white, chuter, foden,titerall, vickery
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15. Lewsey
14. Sackey
13. Tait
12. Flood
11. Cueto
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
1. Sheridan
2. Hartley
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Kay
6. Moody
8. Haskell
7. Rees
I don't believe wholesale changes should be made as the best way to bring young talent through is into an experienced and hopefully winning environment. All in all there is some talent out there but I'm concerned at 2nd row area and scrum half if Ellis gets injured.
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Team looks about right. I'm still yet to be convinced by Tait. I know he sets the premiership alight, week after week but I feel like I've yet to see him really perform in an england shirt. He lacks a bit of pace for me, where someone like Armitage from London Irish or Tom Voyce, both of who can score try's for fun, might be better options for 15 cover.
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9: Paul Hodgeson????
Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson, Paul Hodgeson!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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There's no sign of Vickery or Corry in most peoples selections and is the issue of the captaincy hasn't really come up (and forgive me if it has but I haven't read all the posts yet!)- who for captain- any responses of Wilkinson will not be appreciated.
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sometimes there is just to much talent and some selections will work some wont. England need to win the 6 nations to re-assert their authority in the Northern Hemisphere. A summer tour for the A & B team and then, A team to Aus/Nz B Team to Argentina. Then assess and rebuild into 2009 get as many on the next lions tour and then spend 2010-2011 building the world cup team. Young players should try to get Super 12 contracts during this period to hone their skills in the South.
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15 Lewsey
14 Strettle
13 Tait
12 Tindall
11 Cueto
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Easter
7 Moody
6 Worsley
5 Kay
4 Shaw
3 Vickery C
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
16 Mears
17 Stevens
18 Borthwick
19 Corry
20 Gomersall
21 Flood
22 Noon
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1 Sheridan
2 Chuter
3 Stevens
4 Shaw
5 Kay / Corry / Croft
6 Haskell
7 Rees
8 Easter
9 Ellis
10 Gerahty
11 Strettle
12 Flood
13 Hipkiss
14 Sackey
15 Tait
You will without doubt notice the lack of wilko in my side. I think the man is an absolute god, dont get me wrong, but its time for the team to move on from him. He will not be at his world beating best next world cup, so we need to become less depedant on him, so this would be my XV for the future.
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I think it's important to stick with the team that got the results in the world cup. Then slowly introduce the players with talent, via the saxons and those that perform get 20/30 mins off the bench regularly. Then when they are consistant performers bring them in when they are better or the first choice guys are injured. It would be detrimental to just throw all our young talent together now and let them play... look at the Tour of Hell back in I think 96 maybe 97.
So I would go with these guys to start, and some players who may be their replacements by 2010/11 in time to be at their best come the 2011 World Cup.
15. Lewsey (Abendanon/Cipriani)
14. Sackey (Simson-Daniel/Strettle)
13. Tait (Hipkiss)
12. Flood (Allen)
11. Cueto (Vainikolo/Varndell)
10. Wilkinson (Barkley/Geraghty)
9. Richards (Ellis/Wigglesworth)
8. Easter (Ward-Smith/Forrester)
7. Rees (Lund)
6. Moody (Haskell)
5. Borthwick (Palmer)
4. Kay (Alex Brown/Deacon)
3. Stevens (?)
2. Chuter (Titerell/Hartley/Mears)
1. Sheridan (Wood)
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15.Abendanon(Bath)
14.Sackey
13.Tait
12.Barkley(Bath)
10.Wilkinson
9.Ellis
8.Easter
7.Rees
6.Moody
5.Grewcock(Bath)
4.Borthwick(Bath)
3.Stevens(Bath)
2.Mears(Bath)
1.Sheridan
I SUPPORT BATH!!!!!
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Looks pretty much there... maybe not think that Lewsey should be the automatic choice anymore, though... he's getting old, and beginning to look it... so Hipkiss should be a real consideration
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15 Lewsey
14 Strettle
13 Tait
12 Tindall
11 Cueto
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Easter
7 Moody
6 Worsley
5 Kay
4 Shaw
3 Vickery C
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
16 Mears
17 Stevens
18 Borthwick
19 Corry
20 Gomersall
21 Flood
22 Noon
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About right.
Peaople like corry need to be around the squad. Also the form of Charlie hodgson is something to consider. Also if england start playing 'attractive rugby' Mark Cuesto is a must.
Chris Jones, Magnus Lund, Andy Titterall and Mike tindall are not bad either. (Jones especially is one of the best line out jumpers around)
Also has anyone seen Sales new wonder Fullback?
Ben Foden! A surprise yes but I have been extremely impressed with his running, tackling and cathing high balls! He's learnt something from Billy Wizz I think!
Varndell.... lets see, hes messed up before. I like dave strettle tough. And Sackey.I had my doubts but if it aint broke dont fix it!
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15.Abendanon(Bath)
14.Sackey
13.Tait
12.Barkley(Bath)
10.Wilkinson
9.Ellis
8.Easter
7.Rees
6.Moody
5.Grewcock(Bath)
4.Borthwick(Bath)
3.Stevens(Bath)
2.Mears(Bath)
1.Sheridan
I SUPPORT BATH!!!!!
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To kick off against Wales, has to be:
15: Tait
14: Sackey
13: Hipkiss
12: Geraghty
11: Strettle
10: Wilkinson
9: Ellis
8: Easter
7: Rees
6: Haskell
5: Borthwick (c)
4: Grewcock
3: Stevens
2: Mears
1: Sheridan
Grewcock can be a liability but with Borthwick - we have our Botha/Matfield partnership. Shaw has been fantastic but time to move on. Geraghty inside Wilko gives the extra boot in the line and Hipkiss capably backs him up with some brute force.
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Team looks good. I would like to see Tom Varndell on the wing, very fast and a good player.
My concern looking forward to the future is Matthew Tait, he showed in RWC that he can be versitile by playing centre, wing and finishing a full-back.....please please please who ever is manager play the guy in one position and do not move him about too much (remember Catt, Lewsey, Robinson and to some extent Healey). Interchangable players are good but play in regular positions.
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what about dan norton at glos. he is a great player with rapid pace.
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My 15 would be:
15) Lewsey
14) Sackey
13) Tait
12) Allen
11) Strettle
10) Wilkinson
9) Ellis
8) Ward-Smith
7) Rees
6) Moody
5) Shaw
4) Kay
3) Stevens
2) Chuter
1) Sheridan
I think Allen will be a truly fantastic player and needs to be given a run of games. Tait is developing into a top class player and I think England missed Strettle.
RS
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15 Lewsey
14 Strettle
13 Tait
12 Tindall
11 Cueto
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Easter
7 Moody
6 Worsley
5 Kay
4 Shaw
3 Vickery C
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
16 Mears
17 Stevens
18 Borthwick
19 Corry
20 Gomersall
21 Flood
22 Noon
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PIE BOY #52 - you need to get up to speed mate. The next RWC is in 2011, not 2012. As for buidling for towards this date, Steve Thompson has already retired and is coaching in France and Chris Sheasby is coaching Bracknell in South West 1. Though he does play the occasional game for them at No.8, I can't really see him filling the openside role for England in 2011/12! Crompton might also be struggling for fitness at this point. Strange that no one in the current squad gets a look in.....
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15. Lewsey(vice-captain)
14. Vainikolo
13. Tait
12. Flood/Allen - PROBLEM POSITION
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
8. Ward-Smith
7. Haskell
6. Rees
5. Palmer
4. Shaw
3. Stevens
2. Hartley
1. Sheridan(captain)
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my 30-man squad for the six nations depending on availability through injury
enjoy
Sheridan
Titterell
Stevens
Palmer
Brown
Haskell
Rees
Easter
Ellis
Wilkinson
Strettle
Allen
Tait
Simpson-Daniel
Morgan
Vickery
Chuter
Kay
Moody
Gomarsall
Flood
Varndell
Forster
Paice
Croft
Forrester
Foden
Geraghty
Hipkiss
Abendanon
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15 Tait
14 Lewsey
13 Hipkiss
12 Flood
11 sackey
10 Wilko
9 Gomarsall
1 Sheridan
2 Chuter!
3 Vickery
4 Shaw
5 Kay
6 Moody
8 Easter
7 Rees
Ellis - maybe!
Stettle - Very close!
Stevens - pushing!
Cueto - not quite
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I think the time has come to doff the cap to our veteran players and thank them for their heroics over the years whilst at the same time drawing a line under their Interntional careers. If they are going to be older than 32 at the next RWC, they don't get selected.
Accordingly, my squad:
1. Sheridan (Wood, French)
2. Hartley (Paice, Thompson)
3. Stevens (Bernard,Forster)
4. Blaze (Palmer, Kennedy)
5. Deacon (Skivington, Brown)
6. Croft (Dowson, Deacon
7. Rees (Woods, Lipman)
8. Haskell (Crane, Forrester)
9. Ellis (Foden, Care)
10. Wilkinson (Lamb, O'Gerhaty)
11. Strettle (Varndell, Pryce)
12. Flood (Allen, Barkely)
13. Tait (Hipkiss, Ollie Smith)
14. Simpson-Daniel (Vainikolo, Visser)
15. Houghton (Abendanon, Morgan)
Will this team get spanked? Yes. Will they learn hard lessons? Yes. Will we then have a new hardened nucleus of players to pick from? Yes.
Before anyone says it, I know Hodgson will be young enough, but I pray that the selectors realise that he has shown his failings often enough to the selectors.
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There is not a hope in hell that Tait will be an international centre..he is way too lightweight and he seems a bit of a soft touch to be honest. i dont know why everyone is banging on about how good he was in the WC..he hardly set it alight bar one run in the final. as for flood being his partner..you have all got to be joking..the mans a human turnstile on the pitch.
For the 6Ns i guarantee it will not be those 2 in the centre...will be a mix of Tindall, Hipkiss, Noon or possibly Wilko, with Hodgson at 10 (the forgotten man on this thread)
if i had to pick an england team, it would be as follows:
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Grewcock (been monumental for Bath so far)
5. Borhtwick (compliments the enforcer Grewcock)
6. Haskell (has more to his game than Moody)
7. Rees (is the new improved Neil Back)
8. Easter/Ward Smith (pretty much a coin toss)
9. Ellis (when fit..so unlucky with that pre WC injury)
10. Hodgson (been doing well for Sale)
11. Strettle (class act)
12. Wilko (started his career in the centre..may finish it there)
13. Noon (strong fast and a bone crunching defender)
14. Sackey (did enough in the WC 0to show he should keep his place)
15. Tait/Abendanon (i honestly the latter is the finest english talent at the minute)
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15. Lewsey
14. Tait
13. Hipkiss
12. Tindall
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Kay
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Easter
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I think we should just wait and see how some of these young lads do in the upcoming european cup. It is the best nursery for our future players (look at Hipkiss for Leicester), many of the games are like test matches. The WC2007 showed that experience counts for a lot when it comes to winning titles, look at the top 4 teams, experience a plenty. The young guns need to win regular first team places at their clubs and perform under presure in the tight end of season games, and not by running in tries against calvisano etc. Some players will put their hand up during the next few months of club rugby, winning at tough venues - we need these guys to represent us. Form and experience the criteria not reputations.
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my 30-man squad for the six nations depending on availability through injury
enjoy
Sheridan
Titterell
Stevens
Palmer
Brown
Haskell
Rees
Easter
Ellis
Wilkinson
Strettle
Allen
Tait
Simpson-Daniel
Morgan
Vickery
Chuter
Kay
Moody
Gomarsall
Flood
Varndell
Forster
Paice
Croft
Forrester
Foden
Geraghty
Hipkiss
Abendanon
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1 Sheridan
2 Hartley
3 Stevens
4 Palmer
5 Brown
6 Haskell
7 Rees
8 Ward-Smith
9 Ellis
10 Wilkinson
11 Strettle
12 Allen (Flood is a 10 in my book)
13 Tait (possibly Hipkiss)
14 Sackey
15 Morgan (possibly Tait)
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There are so many youngsters that need a chance - but they can't be dropped if they have a ropey game. I bet Berrick Barnes won't be dropped after being put under pressure and having a so-so game against England.
I'd bench Jonny and give the likes of Flood and Geraghty a run. The later was awesome at the weekend. I think Jonny needs a season with the Falcons to get back to his best and we need to start using some of the younger guns - the last thinkg we need is to be relying on him and hi getting injured and being out for months.
Abendenon (excuse the spelling), Ciptiana, Lamb, Haskell (always seem to be scoring for Wasps), Rees, Strettle (has done well so far), Simpson-Daniel (if he can stay fit), Ward-Smith are all amazing talents that need their shot in the 6N this year. My only concern is at Hooker and Prop - who is there to replace the current selection when tehy retire or are injured?
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1. Sheridan
2. Chuter/Mears
3. Stevens/Vickery
4. Shaw...
5. Kay
6. Ward-Smith
7. Rees - best option to let a true 7 develop - took Neil Back several years....
8. Forrester
9..Key position - Ellis when fit.. at the moment Gommers..
10 JW... when injured... its inevitable they way he plays...At the moment it has to be Hodgson (let Ellis kick for goal??) but in a year or two Flood or Lamb to be the established understudy.
11 Strettle.. could be a great...
12 Hipkiss.. young, skillful and ox like..bit like Tindall but with more skill...
13 Tait..Guscott eat your heart out!!
14 Sinbad .. not too sure about his defence...but ball in hand..awesome...
15 Lewsey.. solid, strong and tackles tanks, will need him there for a season or two with inexperienced centres - then Cipriani
Bench...
Vickery/Stevens
Mears/Chuter
Brown
Lewsey
Richards
Cipriani
Flood/Hodgson (Lamb... in a year or 2//)
Plus also Sackey/Varndell/Lund/Cueto/Allen/Forster all there are there abouts...
Actually, things look very rosy, an england side with an immense front five, a back row with speed, skill (Rees/Forrester) and fierce defence (Ward Smith and Rees)
Howitzer boot - Wilko, Tait, Cipriani, and lets hope - some running fiz - actually really excited about Tait combining with Strettle JSD and Cipriani in a year or so.....
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15. Lewsey
14. Tait
13. Hipkiss
12. Tindall
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Kay
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Easter
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Id just like to bring a few points to the fore.
1. Can a 28 year old injury-prone jonny wilkinson's body handle another four years of week in week out physicality?
2. Your forgetting that both Geraghty and flood are not out and out fly-halves and have both admitted to being aspiring England 12's. Also they are not likely to get any game time at 10 for there clubs over the next few years as both clubs have other 10's likely to start ahead of them. - the same can be said for Barkely who probably won't make Bath's starting-line up because of how well Berne is playing at 12 at the moment.
3. Lets see who plays where for there clubs and more importantly who performs in the GP before we start making brash staements about who should play where. Both Lamb and Hodgson are looking awesome for their clubs at 10 at the moment.
Lets not forget the week in week out games and select on merit. Geraghty had a 10 minute flash in the pan moment against France at fly-half and has hardly played since due to injury. I urge you all to follow all GP clubs on a week in week out basis and take heed of which players deserve to wear the England shirt based on performance.
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I think the time has come to doff the cap to our veteran players and thank them for their heroics over the years whilst at the same time drawing a line under their Interntional careers. If they are going to be older than 32 at the next RWC, they don't get selected.
Accordingly, my squad:
1. Sheridan (Wood, French)
2. Hartley (Paice, Thompson)
3. Stevens (Bernard,Forster)
4. Blaze (Palmer, Kennedy)
5. Deacon (Skivington, Brown)
6. Croft (Dowson, Deacon
7. Rees (Woods, Lipman)
8. Haskell (Crane, Forrester)
9. Ellis (Foden, Care)
10. Wilkinson (Lamb, O'Gerhaty)
11. Strettle (Varndell, Pryce)
12. Flood (Allen, Barkely)
13. Tait (Hipkiss, Ollie Smith)
14. Simpson-Daniel (Vainikolo, Visser)
15. Houghton (Abendanon, Morgan)
Will this team get spanked? Yes. Will they learn hard lessons? Yes. Will we then have a new hardened nucleus of players to pick from? Yes.
Before anyone says it, I know Hodgson will be young enough, but I pray that the selectors realise that he has shown his failings often enough to the selectors.
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15. Lewsey
14. Tait
13. Hipkiss
12. Tindall
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Kay
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Easter
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15 Abendanon
14 Sackey
13 Hipkiss
12 Gerahty
11 Strettle
10 Wilko
9 Ellis
1 Sheriden
2 Regan
3 Stevens
4 Palmer
5 Deacon
6 Moody \
7 Rees mad back row
8 Easter /
simpson-daniel
varndell
flood
cipriani
all have to be in contention
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We need to start preparing for 4 years time now and that means identify 30 - 40 players who should be about then - Injury and loss of form will take some out of the equation as will people suddenly coming through from no where. Therefore as well as they played over the last 7 weeks because of their ages messrs - Catt - Gommersall- Regan - Chuter-Shaw- Dallaigio- Corey must have played there last game for England as all will be nearer 40 than 30 come 2011. Likewise Vickery must be on the bordeline with his injury problem . look what happened after 2003 certain players were allowed to go on too long. Problem areas are hooker, and scrum half in other positions we are spoilt for choice but we need to develop a style of play that all are comfortable with and can fit into which means being secure up front but with adventure outside
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I think the problem with the current England side is the lack of midfield power! Someone to unleash the likes of Tait and the back three. Hipkiss looks promising but needs to develop greater footwork as he is too predicatable in attack. Looking outside the loop recruiting long term from some of the rugby league talent particularly with their ability to offload in the tackle i would like to see. Tom Reece must be involved at 7! Moody had a great world cup but think moving him to 6 with a ball carrying No 8 like Easter has a great balance. The front five have the power to compete against the best so the added pace of the backrow opens more possibilies in terms of gameplan.
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The change from the "old guard" to the new MUST be gradual introducing them almost like New Zealand did with their two teams though the same mistakes cannot be made.
15.Cipriani (Abendanon possibly)
14.Strettle (Sackey)
13.Tait (Hipkiss)
12.Tindall (Allen)
11.Lewsey (Cueto)
10.Wilkonson (Flood/Lamb/Gearethy)
9.Ellis if fit (Gomarsall)
8.Easter (Wardsmith)
7.Moody (Rees)
6.Corry (Haskell)
5.Kay (Brown/Borthwick)
4.Shaw (Deacon/Croft)
3.Vickery(Stevens)
2.Chuter (Hartley of Northampton)
1.Sheridan(Forster)
What do you think?
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Rees has to start regularly now - he has 'future captain' written all over him and he needs game-time in a white shirt. The old-guard have to go gracefully now as well - Vickery's not too old yet, but Stevens is better.
Chuter can do a job for a while, but we need some class at Hooker - such a key position - and I don't see any anywhere in the GP.
Borthwick's not an international lock, never has been, never will be. Shaw and Kay fine for a while, but need to start looking for understudy's soon. Palmer to be involved soon - Always liked Chris Jones of Sale too. Tom French at Wasps had a huge Heineken Cup Final and could eventually push Sherridan - there's some merit in the statement that Big-Ted's strength overpowers weak scrummagers like the Ozzies but against good technical tight-heads he struggles a bit...
Don't think Easter should be there - was solid enough in RWC but was swept along with the tide of passion in the team. That will disappear as we return to playing the Celtic minnows in the 6N. ;) Time for class to come in to the back-row in the form of Ward-Smith & Haskell - Moody's also in with a shout.
Ellis is a shoe-in at 9 when he's fit. Can't believe anyone's considering putting Wilko anywhere other than 10 - he's 28, fit(ish!) and still the best 10 in the world - leave him be! 12 is a problem area - Flood increased his stock hugely at RWC - Tindall on great form at Gloucester though. Tait at 13 - being pushed all the way by Hipkiss. Wing very competitve with Sackey, Cueto, Simpson-Daniel & Strettle all looking good.
15 has to be Lewsey still - could still be there in 2011 and is the best 15 we've got - Cipriani could be the man to oust him though.
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You forgot to mention Dan Ward Smith in your Blog, Very disappointing. I see others on here were better informed and agree with me on this.
Were it not for his injury early on this year he would have been a massive bonus to England and although he's getting on a bit now he is a must if he's fit and playing as well as we know he can!! He was arguably the best back row player in the country until he injured him self. Mark my words he'll be back for the next 6 nations!
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We need a balance of experience and youth for a year or so. Dan Carter became such a good player for NZ because in his first few games he payed alongside Tana/Mauger /Marshall etc
15 -Lewsey / Cipriani
14 Sackey /Simpson Daniel
13 -Tait /Allen(Northhampton)
12 - Tindall /Hipkiss
11- Strettle / Cueto
10 -Wilkinson/Flood
9 - Ellis /Care
8 -Ward -Smith /Easter
7- Rees / Haskell
6- Moody /Corry
5- Shaw / Brown
4- Grewcock /Borthwick
3- Vickery /stevens
2 -chuter/Hartley
1-sheridan/flatman
+ Abendonon/Allen/Foden/Forrester/Luund/Worsley /Mears
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I think we need to look at a blend of younger guys who are going to be around in 4 years' time and a few of the older guard who can show them how to play test rugby:
15. Tait
14. Sackey
13. Hipkiss
12. Tindall
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
8. Corry
7. Rees
6. Haskell
5. Palmer
4. Shaw
3. Stevens
2. Chuter
1. Sheridan
16. Richards
17. Lamb
18. Lewsey
19. Forester
20. Croft
21. Hartley
22. Barnard
Jones, Borthwick, Lund, Deacon, Allan, S-Daniel, Morgan, Cipriani, Varndell, Foden, Stephenson, Ward-Smith, Geraghty, Mears, Abendanon, Flood, Clarke, Waldouck all unlucky not to make the cut..! Come on England!
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15. Tait
14. Varndell
13. Hipkiss
12. Ollie Smith
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
8. Ward-Smith
7. Rees
6. Moody
5. Borthwick (c)
4. Kay
3. Stevens
2. Hartley
1. Sheridan
16. Titteral
17. Vickery
18. Croft
19. Haskell/Easter
20. Richards
21. Flood/Cipriani
22. Vainkolo/JSD
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There is certainly no need for wholesale changes at the moment, and we should resist the urge for 'blooding' of youngsters now in time ofr 2011. What England most need is evolution and more importantly the habit of winning - that was the main reason England got through to the RWC final, they managed to win a couple of tough games which game them self-belief.
As long as the 'older' players - shaw, vickery, corry, gomersall have the hunger for a six nations, then they should be given every oportunity. At the same time we should have the next generation identified and included in England squads now.
It is essential England start building a winning habit and blood players into that environment - it's no good dropping half the side now, and going back to square one with a new team who do not know what it takes to win.
A final comment about the younger players - taking Tait and Wilkinson as examples. When Tait was first picked for England he didn't have the physicality to play at international level. Wilkinson was the complete opposite - he had the physicality in abundance - just think back to his big hits early on in his career for England. Any young player must have the physicality to match up to whoever they may come across in international rugby - otherwise they'll get picked, get tramped over by a Mortlock or an O'Driscoll and destroy their confidence for a couple of years - a la Tait.
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LESLEY VAINIKOLO!!!!! DOES ANYONE KN OW IF HE HAS ASPIRATIONS TO PLAY FOR ENGLAND?? GET SOME POLONESIAN POWER IN THE TEAM!!
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England need to evolve. There is little point in making a dozen or so changes straight away...let the team take shape over the next 4 years (as it did during Clive Woodward's tenure). Therefore my team for the next 6 nations would be as follows:
1. Sheridan (world class)
2. Chuter (definite problem area)
3. Stevens (needs game time)
4. Kay (organisational skills at RWC was exceptional)
5. Shaw (short term measure - maybe Palmer or Grewcock or Short in the longer term)
6. Haskell (needs to play regularly at Wasps)
7. Rees (going to be the best openside flanker in 4 years time)
8. Ward-Smith (I know Easter had an awesome RWC, but Ward-Smith was (before his injury), and remains the form number 8)
9. Ellis
10. Geraghty (his vision is something else)
11. Strettle (form winger before the RWC)
12. Wilkinson (captain fantastic)
13. Hipkiss (class act - needs to learn another way of beating people other than stepping though)
14. Lewsey (been there, done it - special mention to Simpson-Daniel though...straight replacement for Josh if he doesn't recover quickly from his injury)
15. Tait (lines are awesome and he seems to have learnt to kick!)
Replacements
16. Vickery (experience)
17. Titterell (if he gets back to the form that took him on the Lions tour)
18. C.Jones (covers 2nd row and back row)
19. Forrester (awesome impact player)
20. Foden (Sale need to play him at scrum half for the benefit of England asap)
21. Flood or Hodgson (cover for Shane and Jonny)
22. Vainkolo/Abendanon (depending on whether you want the ultimate impact player or a class act).
Those unlikely to miss out:
Forster
Hartley
Palmer (question marks over his international class)
Cueto (quality, but I think his time has been and gone)
Lamb
Allen
Morgan
Easter (like Cueto)
Cipirani
Haughton (looking awesome this year)
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Here goes...
1. Sheridan - future capt but at the mo let him scrummage - what wouldnt you give to see him at 6 tho!!
2. Mears - for the future - not close to the finished article yet tho..
3.Big Skip Vick.. or Stevens may displace him..
4. Sure to be Shaw - a potential capt in place of Vick??
5. Kay.. awesome WC
6.. Ward Smith
7. Rees - closest we have to a 7 .. let him develop, took Neal Back several years
8. Forrester.. pace, skill and now the bulk
9. Ellis when fit, but Gommers in the mean time - a few up and comings but not established enough yet in premiership..
10. Wilko.. and when injured, which he will be.. at the moment it has to be Hodgson, with Flood or Lamb being groomed as the naturak understudy..
11. Strettle .. could be a wonder
12.. Hipkiss.. Tindall with more skill
13. Has to be Tait.. could this be the long awaited conductor to orchestrate the back 3 a la Guscott?
14. Sinbad or Sackey... real close one, Sinbad I feel is a little light defensively, Sackey I think has actually been lucky defensively.. but both bring loads with ball in hand... JSD edges it tho - not only pace, but guille..
15.. Has to be Lewsey, a great defensive 15, tackles tanks and the inexperienced centres and wings will need him for a year or 2... then Cipriani.. an awesome, unhewn diamond.
Bench..
Chuter
Stevens
Brown..can also play at 8
Lewsey
Richards..mister play anywhere..ideal for the bench.
Flood/Lamb/Allen
Abendendon/Cueto/Varndell/ (Hopefully one day gain Ben Cohen) Also competing for a slot..
Actually it is not looking bad... An massive aggresive tight 5 - Stevens, Shaw, Sheridan, Vicks - should get us over the gain line.
A mobile - and i think what we have lacked since Hill/Dayglo and Back is a skillful back row... at the moment we are way too 1 dimensional, pcik up and grunt, and little else. Also dont think they read the game very well..
With Forrester and rees you have the pace and great ball skills, and with Ward Smith and Rees you have great defence.
Plus - the Howitzer boots of Wilko, Tait and Cips - lets face it, its a godsend to punt from your own 22 to the oppositions when you are under pressure..
But what is really exciting is Tait orchestrating JSD, Sackey, Strettle and Cipriano in a year or 2.. Pace, flair and nouse....
One thing is for sure tho... BA needs to keep the job for that to develop.
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1. Sheridan
2. Regan
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Palmer
6. Moody
7. Haskell
8. Easter
9. Gomarsall
10. Wilkinson
11. Strettle
12. Barkley
13. Tait
14. Vainikolo
15. Lewsey
Pick Sackey if Vainikolo chooses Tonga (though he'd be mad to do so). Move Abendanon in for Lewsey against Wales and Italy.
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You forgot to mention Dan Ward Smith in your Blog, Very disappointing. I see others on here were better informed and agree with me on this.
Were it not for his injury early on this year he would have been a massive bonus to England and although he's getting on a bit now he is a must if he's fit and playing as well as we know he can!! He was arguably the best back row player in the country until he injured him self. Mark my words he'll be back for the next 6 nations!
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I think it's important to stick with the team that got the results in the world cup. Then slowly introduce the players with talent, via the saxons and those that perform get 20/30 mins off the bench regularly. Then when they are consistant performers bring them in when they are better or the first choice guys are injured. It would be detrimental to just throw all our young talent together now and let them play... look at the Tour of Hell back in I think 96 maybe 97.
So I would go with these guys to start, and some players who may be their replacements by 2010/11 in time to be at their best come the 2011 World Cup.
15. Lewsey (Abendanon/Cipriani)
14. Sackey (Simson-Daniel/Strettle)
13. Tait (Hipkiss)
12. Flood (Allen)
11. Cueto (Vainikolo/Varndell)
10. Wilkinson (Barkley/Geraghty)
9. Richards (Ellis/Wigglesworth)
8. Easter (Ward-Smith/Forrester)
7. Rees (Lund)
6. Moody (Haskell)
5. Borthwick (Palmer)
4. Kay (Alex Brown/Deacon)
3. Stevens (?)
2. Chuter (Titerell/Hartley/Mears)
1. Sheridan (Wood)
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Have to start playing the youngsters to get them the experience they need but also need to get them in the right position so every position is covered.
Props are sorted with Stevens and Sheridan picking themselves. Titerell and Chuter the two hookers in the squad, start Titerall against Wales and bring in Chuter if it goes wrong.
Tom Palmer and Ben Kay in the second row, with Louis Deacon ready to come on. I'd have Ben Kay because I think he can play for another two years nd help the likes of Palmer and Deacon grow more than Shaw could.
Back row is three of Easter, Rees, Haskell and Ward-Smith, for me that would be Easter at 8, Rees at 7 and Haskell at 6. A nice mix of experience and youth in the pack.
Half backs are Ellis and Geraghty. Geraghty is the natural choice to repace Wilkinson at the next RWC, has real attacking flair and needs his chance to feel comfortable at international level - needs to start starting games to learn how to control them. Wigglesworth as the replacement 9.
Centres are Wilkinson at 12 and Tait at 13. We've seen how good Tait can be at 13, and with Wilkisnon inside him giving advice to Geraghty, running the odd crash ball and tackling like a dervish he'll feel free to express himself. He also needs to get in the gym, but he's got time to do that - he wants the confidence of knowing he's going to be a regular. From 10 to 13 there's real attacking potential, and a pretty strong defence, on the evidence of this world cup. Wilkinson won't make it to the next RWC as a starter, so over the next few games either Allen or Hipkiss needs to start coming on for Wilko earlier and earlier. Or, Geraghty, if he's having trouble running the game and Wilkinson can move to 10. Flood is also an option here, but if anything he's even more lightweight than Tait. For me, Hipkiss has eanrt the spot after his RWC performance. But, he needs to show he can improve...
Strettle deserves his spot on the wing, and Simpson-Daniel (or Varndell provided Brian Ashton believes he can teach him to tackle and catch the high balls) on the other side. Cipriani has everything you want in full-back - pace, a good step and a kick. He's got to be groomed to to be our next 15. That may mean starting him and it may mean him coming on for Lewsey in the bigger games, but it provides another option for cover at 10 in case of injury etc if we go with Hipkiss and Tait in the centres.
So, for Wales I'd go with:
1 Sheridan
2 Titerell
3 Stevens
4 Palmer
5 Kay
6 Haskell
7 Rees
8 Easter
9 Ellis (if fit)
10 Geraghty
11 Simpson-Daniel
12 Wilkinson
13 Tait
14 Strettle
15 Cipriani
The bench:
Chuter
Deacon
Ward-Smith
Vickery
Wigglesworth
Hipkiss
Lewsey
And I'd say to the guys: 'A lot of you are new. You think you're under pressure to perform. Forget that. Go out there and have some fun. You're all here because we believe you form the basis of the RWC squad in 4 years. So unless you get injured you'll all be back in a fortnight for the next game. Enjoy...'
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Couple of general comments.
Tait at FB, looked really good there. Not keen on Cueto at FB.
Starting to think SinBad is getting a bit over-rated. He's not cut it at international level yet and whilst he could, he needs to prove it. For me he's an OC, not a wing.
Cueto would get my vote over Sackey, (just). He's a finisher, you must have that at international level. Strettle on the other wing. Need to get Varndell onto the bench.
As I remember Lewsey as a 10 at Briz, I've always felt his best position is IC. Agree that Anthony Allen deserves another chance, think there's class there. Flood's not an IC.
Need to start moving away from ouor reliance on Wilko. Flood deserves a chance, and Barkley played well there when he did!! Geraighty and Lamb are the future, and need to eased in asap.
Perry's blown it, and Richards remains an "off the bench" back up. Ellis definitely in the driving seat, but Crane needs to be brought through.
Easter is the man in possession at 8, but Ward-Smith was unlucky and deserves a chance. Forrester is a 6 for me.
Bye-bye Worsley, hasn't cut it. Moody at 6 just, but Haskell close behind.
Rees needs to be given time to establish himself outside of the heat of a run up to a WC. Also need to get Seymour in, gotta have more than one out and out 7.
Shaw is now too old. Kennedy from LI looks good, as does Gillies (if he doesn't turn into Grewcock!) Kay doesn't cut it for me, ok at everything but great at nothing. Always believed Palmer had what it takes, but doesn't seem consistent. Borthwick isn't the future.
Front row picks itself, (although maybe Thommo will be back!) Need to develop a real dog of a hooker though, and could do with another couple of good, young props to bring on.
Don't want to sound negative though, the future is a lot brighter than people were making out 6 months ago.
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For the first match of the 6 nations
1 Sheridan
2 chuter
3 stevens
4 shaw
5 kay
6 haskell/worsley
7 rees/hazell
8 easter/ward-smith/forester
9 ellis/perry
10 wilko
11 stettle/
12 flood/allen
13 tait/hipkiss
14 Vainikolo/simpson daniel/varndell/
15 lewsey/cipriani
16 Hartly
17 vickery/woods
18 brown/corry/palmer
19 ward-smith/forester/hazell/worsley
20 perry/foden/wigglesworth
21 lamb/Gearethy
22 varndell/simpson daniel
there is so much potential in england with young players i.e croft/crane at the tigers along with glousters back division. who is in charge of england needs to bring in these youngsters to give them 1st team experience. this should then lead to a settled squad in 2 years to build to the world cup
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15 Morgan (all day every day)
14 Sackey
13 Tait
12 Flood
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
1 Sheridan
2 Chuter
3 Stevens
4 Shaw
5 Tom Palmer
6 Moody
7 Tom Rees
8 Haskell
Stick to this team and soon They would start making miracles happen.
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Sorry Chris 170..
I dont think that will happen..
If you give the players their head every game, when do you start to instill that desire to win..? For me succesful teams have a combo of skill and guts, and sometimes guts prevails...That is why playes like Lewsey, Vicks, Shaw, Moody, Cory will always need to be there.. skillful players, but also winners, or more importantly will fight for the last inch if that is what is needed..
Consider this..If Hodgson was everybit as good a kicker, and nearly as good defensively as Wilko, who would you go for?? Poss Hodgson as he is a better attacking 10, and creates more space for his 13 & 15 than JW.. BUT does he have the same guts and belief....?
Running rugby is easy when you are going forward, not so when you are up against it.
What is needed is a blend, yes, with a maxim of always going for pace and ball skills if you can... but not at all costs, because it will cost!
And remember, the coach has only got his seat for as long as the RFU want him to sit there....
Try and defend these stats as the coach:- played 5, won 2, lost 3 in the RBS 6N's for the next two seasons. Your main argument being, the ones we won were great ran the ball from everywhere and scored a hatful of trys....!
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I think it's important to stick with the team that got the results in the world cup. Then slowly introduce the players with talent, via the saxons and those that perform get 20/30 mins off the bench regularly. Then when they are consistant performers bring them in when they are better or the first choice guys are injured. It would be detrimental to just throw all our young talent together now and let them play... look at the Tour of Hell back in I think 96 maybe 97.
So I would go with these guys to start, and some players who may be their replacements by 2010/11 in time to be at their best come the 2011 World Cup.
15. Lewsey (Abendanon/Cipriani)
14. Sackey (Simson-Daniel/Strettle)
13. Tait (Hipkiss)
12. Flood (Allen)
11. Cueto (Vainikolo/Varndell)
10. Wilkinson (Barkley/Geraghty)
9. Richards (Ellis/Wigglesworth)
8. Easter (Ward-Smith/Forrester)
7. Rees (Lund)
6. Moody (Haskell)
5. Shaw (Palmer/Deacon)
4. Kay (Borthwick/Alex Brown)
3. Stevens (?)
2. Chuter (Titerell/Hartley/Mears)
1. Sheridan (Wood)
By 2011 I could see an England side as follows:
15. Cipriani
14. Strettle
13. Tait
12. Allen
11. Varndell/Simpson-Daniel
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
8. Ward-Smith
7. Rees
6. Moody
5. Borthwick
4. Palmer
3. Stevens
2. Hartley
1. Sheridan
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You have to have a blend of young an old so players like shaw must play. Also players need more than one chance in an england jersey and i think allen is the sloution to no.12. ON this logic my team would be:
15.Tait
14.Sackey
13.Lewsey
12.Allen
11.Strettle
10.Wilkinson
9.Gomarsall
8.Ward-Smith
7.Rees
6.Moody
5.Shaw
4.Palmer
3.Vickery
2.Chuter
1.Sheridan
16.Stevens
17.Hartley
18.Palmer
19.Haskell
20.Ellis
21.Hipkiss
22.Simpson-Daniel
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15.Tait
14.Simpson-Daniel
13.Hipkiss
12.Allen
11.Strettle
10.Wilkinson
9.Ellis
8.Haskell
7.Ress
6.Moody
5.Palmer
4.Shaw
3.Stephens
2.Titteral
1.Sheridan
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I think it is important to remember that while we need more balance in the team, essentially our most succesful teams have been based on excellent organisation and a solid pack. With this in mind it is not possible to pick a backline full of all the young guns in the 6 nations as although they are all talented, there is no way they can all be moulded into a coherent back line, you need solid players who do the basics well such as a tindal to link it all together. Henry found this to his cost when he made the unbelievably arrogant decision to leave mauger out against france. The biggest, quickest and most skillful all together does not always work. I believe come 2011 england will look something like this.
15. Olly Morgan (has and does everything a full back should)
14. Strettle
13. Jon Clarke
12. Toby Flood
11. Tait
10. Jonny (if fit and been playing well over the 4 years consistently. cant see lamb as an international 10)
9.Lamb 9 lets see what you can do)
1.Sheridan
2. Hartley
3. Stevens
4. Palmer
5. Kay
6.Moody
7. Rees
8.Haskell
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the team has got to be:
15. Abendanon (lot of potential)
14. Strettle (best winger)
13. Tait (class act)
12. Geraghty (genius in the making)
11. Vanikolo (tank)
10. Wilko (who else?)
9. Ellis (best 9)
8. Easter (brute)
7. Rees (neil back in the making)
6. Moody (had a great world cup)
5. Kay (solid)
4. Blaze (trust me, he's good)
3. Vickers (captain fantastic)
2. Chuter (ricky gervais)
1. Sheridan (an absolute beast!)
there we go. a team with pace, strength, experience and loads of creativity. Wales would get munched!
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1 Sheridan
2 Chuter
3 Stevens
4 Deacon
5 Shaw (C)
6 Moody
7 Rees
8 Haskell
9 Ellis
10 Geraghty *
11 Strettle
12 Flood
13 Hipkiss
14 Sackey
15 Tait
* Geraghty in there for the long term prospect, perhaps starting as understudy to wilko, coming on for 30 mins but he must be given as much international experiance as possible - he will be a class act
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We need a sensible transition. A managed evolution, not a mad revolution.
The backs build on the RFWC. Tait was a revelation at FB, Hipkiss clearly has the potential and Flood seems a better option than Barclay outside JW. Sackey did little wrong in France and is still improving. Strettle was a big miss and, if fit, must come back:
15. Tait
14. Sackey
13. Hipkiss
12. Flood
11. Strettle
The half backs are fairly obvious, fitness permitting.
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
The forwards retain 5 of the final side. Easter tired in the final but his strength and workrate give the side vital shape and a rallying-point. Rees is the (only) natural open-sider - allowing Moody to go back to No6. Haskell isn't ready yet and Ward-Smith needs a few more games to rediscover 2006 form. Shaw is still the best lock, although Borthwick may ease out Ben Kay. Vickery is still (if he wants to be) captain and prop. Sheridan is an automatic choice, but I would give young Hartley an early opportunity.
8. Easter
7. Rees
6. Moody
5. Borthwick
4. Shaw
3. Vickery (c)
2. Hartley
1. Sheridan
On the bench, a mixture of experience (Gomersall, Barclay and Stevens)and promise (Mears, Ward-Smith, Haskell and Abendanon.
16. Mears
17. Stevens
18. Ward-Smith
19. Haskell
20. Gomersall
21. Barclay
22. Abendanon
Geraghty, Palmer and Forrester are the next likeliest. This is too early to throw in the likes of Vainikolo and Cipriani. Let this team settle for a couple of seasons, refresh in 2009 and then settle again for a run on the 2011 RFWC.
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Gomersall at 9 he turned the w/c around for us and we desprately need robinson to keep playing or tait at 15 and strettle 1 wing and sacky the other!! Dan hipkiss never in the team sorry to say
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Hartley, Ellis, Vainikolo, Pryce,
Gillies, Croft, Haskell, Blaze, Rees, and the two Lunds to be added...
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I'm still a big fan of Iain Balshaw as full back, if only he could stay fit.
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15-J.Lewsey
14.-P.Sackey
13-M.Tait
12-J.Simpson-Daniel
11-D.Strettle
10-J.Wilkinson
9-A.Gomarsall
8-N.Easter
7-L.Moody
6-T.Rees
5-T.Palmer
4-S.Shaw
3-M.Stevens
2-G.Chuter
1-A.Sheridan
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Gomersall at 9 he turned the w/c around for us and we desprately need robinson to keep playing or tait at 15 and strettle 1 wing and sacky the other!! Dan hipkiss never in the team sorry to say
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I fail to see how fielding an entire back line of young guys is going to actually help. It is setting them up to fail. multiple losses in the next 4 years and you may as well just stick with the same team as we had to get us to the final - cos a team used to losing isn't suddenly going to win the world cup!
I agree with all the youngsters being mentioned needing to come in and get in the engalnd shirt - but its 4 years away. That works out to roughly 12 tests a year. I hope that in the course of nearly 50 games all of these guys would get time on the pitch and in the squad, but wholesale changes in the 6 nations will NOT be of benefit if England start dropping down the rankings again! We do need to give these player time on the field, but they DON'T have to START every game before now and the next cup. A mixture of 7s, Saxons and European cup experience will be more useful than being blooded in an England team that is scraping in to 4th in the 6 Nations!
However, Catt, Corry, Dallaglio, Regan DO need to make way and - uh-oh! - Wilkinson needs to miss the 6 nations for his own, and Englands, good.
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Not Tom Rees at 7, you put Moody at 7 and have Haskell at 6 and then you've got yourself a decent team.
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Not Tom Rees at 7, you put Moody at 7 and have Haskell at 6 and then you've got yourself a decent team.
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First comment is that is that Hipkiss should still be in that line up!!
Number of comments on here about England backline being frail.
Given their excellent defensive performances against Aus, France and SA - only one try conceded in three games - that is rather harsh!!
Admittedly only one try scored (okay it should really be two but not going there again!). Agree that it will be good to see Strettle in the side and there are other young players to look to "blood" for England
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Dan Ward-Smith has to start....
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A lot of people are saying "must pick a team for the next world cup". I agree that is the ultimate goal but it needs to be gradual. The 6 Nations remains a fine tournament and I would like us to also treat that as a priority too and not just write it off.
4 years is a very long time in sport. We have seen how Ashton turned it around in under a year. I am not saying repeat that - but I would not like to see too many youngsters and too many changes at once with "4 years in mind". I think some of the younger players will benefit being alongside more experienced heads for maybe the first year of this 4 year cycle.
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my team for the six nations match against wales:
15 LEWSEY
14 VARNDALL
13 SIMPSON-DANIEL
12 HIPKISS
11 TAIT
10 WILKINSON
9 ELLIS
8 CORRY
7 REES
6 MOODY
5 KAY
4 DEACON
3 WHITE
2 CHUTER
1 VICKERY
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This should be the 22 for 6 Nations.
15. Tait
14. Sackey
13. Hipkiss (hope he's got some other moves)
12. Flood (Left, right kickers can switch 10-12)
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis (if fit)
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Vickery
4. Shaw
5. Borthwick
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Easter
16. Stevens
17. Titterall
18. Palmer
19. Ward-Smith/Lund
20. Richards
21. Cipriani/Abendanon/Geraghty (any would be able to slot into the backs)
22. Vainikolo (got to use the pace and power of the bench)
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You seem to have missed out Vainikolo. Lets face it, AB's and to a smaller degree Australia both "use" the pacific island resources - and to good effect
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I'd like to see a more attacking and creative England team. The Forwards generally decide who wins games and so strength up front is key but should you be matched or bettered up front it is important that your half backs and those outside them are tactically astute and creative enough to make the most of the possession they get, be it scraps or quality fast possession.
15 - Josh Lewsey / Morgan
14 - Simpson-Daniel / Sackey
13 - Tait / Hipkiss / Tindall
12 - Allen / Flood
11 - Strettle
10 - Wilkinson / Lamb / Geraghty
9 - Ellis / Richards
8 - Easter / Forrester / Ward-Smith
7 - Hazell / Rees
6 - Buxton / Worsley
5 - Brown / Kay
4 - Palmer
3 - Sheridan
2 - Chuter
1 - Stevens / Wood
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why the hell is everyone thinking that old andy sheridan is the best prop that england have got. There are better props in the English set up than andy.
He's gotng to go out the way Thompson is and also he can not prop.
Lampofdoom
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15 Flood
14 Sackey
13 Tait (Geraghty) Brilliant Rugby brain.
12 Hipkiss (put some beef in the back-line)
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Easter
7 Rees
6 Moody
5 Palmer
4 Grewcock :D
3 Stevens
2 Mears
1 Sheridan
Coach Brian Ashton
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I don't think there si any need to look just 4 years ahead, but at the same time the team that lines yup for the first game of the 6 nations is going to depend a lot on who has retired.
I would personally say that a second row of both Kay and Shaw is looking a bit long in the tooth, so I would play one of those plus maybe Palmer, look for either Chuter or Stevens to go into the front row, start with Tait at centre for now, but I wouldn't be rushing to leave Gomarsall out for instance. I think he can hang around for a year or two and make one of the reserve scrum halves earn there place for 2011.
But I thinbk a mistake we often make in this country is forgetting the job in hand, and solely aiming on the long term task. One of the reasons Sir Clive Woodward managed the team so well is he was clear in his own mind both on long term AND short term goals. Winning chanpionships between now and 2011 will be crucial in building confidence.
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Just one more thing! If England are serious about developing properly we should pull out of the British Lions tours - too many injured players recently and not enough developement. Gone are the days when they played loads of matches against quality opposition, what was the last tour 8 matches? including the three tests, and over forty players - good for the southern hemisphere as a confidence booster, the lions will find it difficult to win again. Instead we should take full strength tours as England and play 8 games - that would be a developement tour! (with no home-union politics either) Who would you rather support any way?
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1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Shuter
3. Matt Stevens
4. Tom Palmer
5. Lewis Deacon
6. James Haskell
7. Tom Rees
8. Dan Ward-Smith
9. Harry Ellis
10. Jonny Wilkinson
11. Lesley Vainikolo
12. Toby Flood
13. Josh Lewsey
14. David Strettle
15. Matthew Tait
16. Phil Vickery
17. Mak Regan
18. Ben Kay
19. Lewis Moody
20. Peter Richards
21. James Simpson-Daniel
22. Danny Hipkiss
Reserves-Nick Easter, Tom Varndell, Martin Corry and the rest of Dad's army
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1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Kay
6. Haskell
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith
9. Ellis
10. Geraghty
11. Strettle
12. Wilkinson
13. Tait
14. Sackey
15. Cipriani
Other squad players: Easter, Forrester, Lund, Moody, Flood, Gomarsall, Allen, Lamb, Hipkiss, Varndell, Vainikolo, Palmer, Abendanon, Barclay, Hartley, Erinle, Lewsey.
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I say we get rid of wilkinson his world cup form wasnt very good, put in barkley maybe. have him and flood swap round...
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were building for the future
so hers my team
1 sheridan
2 titerell
3 stevens
4 borthwick
5 palmer (maybe ben kay because of his experienced)
6 haskell (maybe moody if his still around and good enough)
7 rees
8 easter (maybe dan ward smith)
9 ellis( with gomarsall on the bench for experienced)
10 wilkinson
11 strettle
12 hipkiss ( he can play at inside center to)
13 tait
14 vainikolo
15 cipiriani
bench: corry chuter varndell dan ward smith gerathy vikery allen
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15 Tait
14 Lewsey
13 Hipkiss
12 Flood
11 Sackey - strettle not ready yet
10 Wilkinson
9 Gomasall - ellis is a near miss
1 Sheridan
2 Chuter
3 Vickey C - Stevens not quite there
4 Kay
5 Shaw
6 Rees
7 Moody
8 Easter
ENGLAND'S TEAM 2007 - ???
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oh, dear, not a very imaginative line up is ut?! I seems like a case of "out of sight out of mind" for most.
Perhaps most disappointing about the amalgamated team is the names Dan Hipkiss and David Strettle are missing....no honourable mentions for Dan Ward-Smith, Shane Gerhaty and James Haskell!?
OK, maybe the latter has too much competition in his position to be considered just yet.
Hipkiss performed far better than Tait at outside centre in the RWC (Tait did his best work at Full Back and Wing and was generally anonymous at centre).
Lets face it, Wilkinson can kick the goals and put in the tackles, but his tactical kicking is generally average in a world class arena and his management of the attacking side of a game is just plain poor.
Strettle is good, lets not forget he was the man in possession before injury.
Dan Ward-Smith was almost the man in possession, but got injured just at the wrong moment, hence Easter was drafted in. Easter is now the man in possession, but I have a feeling Ward-Smith is the better long term no 8 and Easter the better blindside prospect.
Let us not forget that Lewsey has not produced his best form since around Spring 2004. His defensive positioning has gone to pot (altough his tackling is still good) and he's not attacking with his old verve either.
Fair play, he was clever enough to steal that try against France, but Tait at full back is going to be the stronger option going forward.
Lets also hope that Thompson's return to play for Brive is a sucess. Regan is a hero, Chuter is dynamic, but they're both mediocre lineout throwers and Thompson has an all round game to match them both.
15. Tait
14. Sackey
13. Hipkiss
12. Gerhaty
11. Strettle
10. Flood
9. Ellis
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter (for now)
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Kay
6. Easter
7. Rees/Moody?
8. Ward-Smith
The subs are hard to call, but I guess they should include Corry, Gomarsall, Wilkinson, Vickery and Allen.
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I agree mostly with this team but the midfield needs a bit more bulk possibly bring in Mike Tindall who can also kick, also you cannot leave out Vickery as he has been brilliant for years now so I would keep stevens on the bench with Dylan Hartley,Tom Palmer, Dan Ward-Smith,Peter Richards, Toby Flood and danny Hipkiss (who would be pushing tait for a starting place at 13)
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I like the team overall, I think its a bit harsh to call the midfield a bit lightweight but the only way they are going to get better is by playing constantly. England need to use the next 4 years wisely and build a competitive team for NZ 2011
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"We need a sensible transition. A managed evolution, not a mad revolution."
Of course! All this talk of not picking players because they "won't be around" for 2011 is silly. Sure you aim for the next World Cup but there's a few tournaments before then.. Saying not to select players like Sackey because they're 27 is ridiculous. Of course if it's a simple matter of losing every game but then winning the World Cup you'd take it but it doesn't work like that. Just because you aim everything to the goal of winning doesn't mean you will and then you look back at the tournaments you didn't win on the way.
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Lesley Vanokolo anyone?
149 tries in 152 Super League games!!!
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I think the suggested teams all have their merits, my concern is that the primary focus is the RWC2011 at the cost of international friendlies and the superb six nations tournament. I would not like to see England going in to the six nations with the view to getting a new side experienced at the top level, the six nations has been a fantastic competition and we should aim to be at our most competitive. Imagine losing to Scotland and then reading the news headlines the following day saying "despite our performance it was a useful run out and we are looking to the next world cup". Success breeds success.
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well i said i like the team but Gomarsall for Ellis then i would like the team, Gomarsall was phenomenal at scrum half and should be first choice for me, with Ellis a close second
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Id just like to bring a few points to the fore.
1. Can a 28 year old injury-prone jonny wilkinson's body handle another four years of week in week out physicality?
2. Your forgetting that both Geraghty and flood are not out and out fly-halves and have both admitted to being aspiring England 12's. Also they are not likely to get any game time at 10 for there clubs over the next few years as both clubs have other 10's likely to start ahead of them. - the same can be said for Barkely who probably won't make Bath's starting-line up because of how well Berne is playing at 12 at the moment.
3. Lets see who plays where for there clubs and more importantly who performs in the GP before we start making brash staements about who should play where. Both Lamb and Hodgson are looking awesome for their clubs at 10 at the moment.
Lets not forget the week in week out games and select on merit. Geraghty had a 10 minute flash in the pan moment against France at fly-half and has hardly played since due to injury. I urge you all to follow all GP clubs on a week in week out basis and take heed of which players deserve to wear the England shirt based on regular performance as opposed to popularity.
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1 Sheridan (best loose-head in world)
2 Chuter (great at finding his jumpers at the line-out)
3 Stevens (started when Vickery was suspended and did well)
4 Shaw (great RWC and good experience)
5 C. Jones (given a run could really develop into a top-class lock)
6 Moody (deserves to keep place)
7 Rees (great replacement for Corry)
8 Easter (fantastic run in France)
9 Ellis (would have been first choice if fit for RWC)
10 Wilkinson (no explanantion needed)
11 Strettle (best wing in Prem.)
12 Flood (Falcons 10-12-13 will work wonders - good right/left combo with wilko)
13 Tait (showed class in RWC final)
14 Sackey (awesome finisher)
15 Lewsey (safest hands in rugby)
16 Titterell (solid)
17 Corry (second row)
18 Haskell (dynamic young back-row - good impact sub)
19 Ward-Smith (would have pushed Easter for place if fit)
20 Wigglesworth (good but lack of players in this position)
21 Hipkiss (battering ram when opposition are tired)
22 Cipriani (can play fly-half or full back)
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well i said i like the team but Gomarsall for Ellis then i would like the team, Gomarsall was phenomenal at scrum half and should be first choice for me, with Ellis a close second
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i think that this is a bit silly to be honest. The players for england rugby team should consist of :
jonny wilkinson
because he is the best at everything and he can do everything.
NOT
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The most important thing is that we pick a team that will win. It is useless blooding youngsters into suicidal situations a la Tait and Allen and seeing their progress ruined for a year or so. We need to blood youngsters into a winning team. Therefore,the squad should be very similar to the World Cup, with only players who force their way in involved:
15. Cipriani (super talent)
14. Lewsey (will be around at the next RWC due to his excellent physical condition, maybe not as a starter)
13. Tait (will become a superstar)
12. Tindall (looking to bring somebody else in)
11. Strettle
10. Wilko (will only be 32 at the next RWC and is in excellent physical condition)
9. Ellis/Gomarsall (whoever plays better between now and then)
8. Easter/ Ward-Smith (whoever plays better)
7. Rees
6. Moody
5. Kay (will lead our lineout to 2011- a possible skipper?)
4. Shaw (will have to be replaced but no quality locks currently)
3. Sheridan
2. Chuter
1. Stevens
Nowadays 34 is not too old to play international rugby due to the excellent conditioning of players- look at Catt, Gregan, Pichot, Ledesma, etc... Players such as Lewsey, Moody, Wilko, Vickery, Kay will be key at the next RWC as they will have experienced 2 Finals.
We need to get the youngsters to bulk up a bit but apart from that we are fine.
Depending on form I would look to include:
Abendamon, Sackey, Cueto, Varndell, Hipkiss, Flood, Geraghty, Hodgson, Vainikolo, Leon Pryce, Chris Ashton, Allen, Lamb, Waldouck (surprisingly hasnt been mentioned??), Foden, Care
Vickery, Wood, Forster, Mercey, Blaze, Palmer, Borthwick, Brown, Croft, Haskell, Crane, Skirving, Forrester, Lund, Hartley, Thompson (now returning from retirement)
I would instruct these young players to bulk up and only select them if they are playing consistently well for their clubs.
Noon, Titerall and Deacon are not good enough for England and should never play for us again- they are good club players but no more.
Don't force everyone to retire now, phase them out gradually.
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I completely agree with the team selection.
I don't understand why people are putting in names like Geraughty and Lamb at 10. They're great players, but Jonny Wilkinson is the best fly half in europe, even when hes kicking at 60%.
Also, why would you move him to 12? Why change a winning formula in Gomarsall and why move Tait from 13 to 11/14?!
Haskell should be brought into the squad for definite at some point, as should Allen.
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15: Lewsey (Abendanon / Ciprianni)
14: Strettle (Vinikollo)
13: Tait (Hipkiss)
12: Tindall (Lamb)
11: Sackey (Cueto/Varndell)
10: Wilkinson (Hodgson / Flood)
9: Ellis (Richards)
8: Ward-Smith (Easter / Forrseter)
7: Rees (Lund)
6: Moody (Worsley / Haskell)
5: Kay (Borthwick / Brown)
4: Shaw (Grewcock / Palmer)
3: Vickery (Stevens)
2: Chuter (Mears / Thompson)
1: Sheridan (Payne)
Keep with the front 5 and bring on the younger backrow, need to give the young backline time to gel.
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1 Sheridan ( best loose head in world)
2 Chuter ( performed admirably throughout world cup so deserves chance)
3 Stevens ( time has cum for him 2 step into vickerys shoes)
4 Shaw ( his experience wil be vital for the younger players)
5 Palmer ( time has come for him 2 dominate the lineout like he has done for club)
6 Moody ( one of the biggest stars of world cup, one of the first names on the teamsheet)
7 Ress ( undoubted superstar, has the ability to live with the likes of richie mccaw and george smith, can dominate the breakdown)
8 Ward-Smith ( controversial decision as Easter had such a good world cup but this lad is the future and Easter can provide competition)
9 Ellis ( often underperformed for England in the big games but his talend in unquestionable, need to take his form for leicester forward)
10 Flood- feel his creativity is vital, and with Wilkinson on his shoulder will work wonders, will aslo split up Tat and Flood which is necessary
11) Strettle- proved in last year that he is a more than capable international winger
12) Wilkinson- will provide the link for the backs and if Flood is struggling then they can switch and he stil has his boot and high percentage kicking
13) Tait- Englands biggest find of the World cup, solid throughout until burst onto the scene like everyone has been waiting for in thwe final with a great display, future of English rugby.
14)Vainokolo- The guy is a beast, could be the threat we have required on the wing for a long time, will need games 2 adapt to the rugby union game but can be dominat as he has been for Bradfrod Bulls
15) Lewsey- Mr consistency, rarely makes mistakes and the cool head required at the back.
16)Titterell - require impact players of the bench and his quickeness round the park near the end of games could be vital
17) Payne ( Solid scrummager who could come on and take advantage of tired oppostion)
18) Jones-(another great impact player who can play both lock and in the back row, can be dangerous wit both his pace and can be dominant in lineout)
19) Easter-(Can bring a different element of the bench to replace Ward-Smith and will provide able support and a wise head)
20) Wigglesworth-(bright little scrum half with good service who can bring some energy off the bench)
21) Hipkiss- ( can provide a different option of the bench, lots of flair players in the 3/4 so can bring some strength and some good offloads.
22) Cipriani- ( very bright player who can play in numerous postions and can create something out of nothing)
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Looking forward to Wales beating that team already!
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15 Morgan
14 Simpson Daniel
13 Tindall
12 Tait
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson Captain
9 Gomersall
8 Haskell
7 Hazell
6 Moody
5 Brown
4 Kennedy
3 Stevens
2 Hartley
1 Sheridan
subs Flood, Ellis, Allen, Rees, Palmer, Mears, Vickery,
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Personally, I think that this should be the team:
15 Cipriani
14 Cueto
13 Tait
12 Flood
11 Sackey
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Ward-Smith
7 Rees
6 Moody
5 Deacon
4 Palmer
3 Stevens
2 Mears
1 Sheridan
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I know Ellis was a shoe in for the number nine jersey till he got injured, but Gomarsall was one of our players of the World Cup and deserves to keep his place!
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Hey droppedoutat22 (178), I'm not saying that they'll be the team come-what-may. Just that they need to know that they won't have the one chance to impress or they'll be gone for two/three years in a mirror image of what originlly happened to Tait.
Show them some faith, and watch them repay it. With Sheridan, Stevens, Easter, Kay, Ellis, Wilkinson, and Tait there is plenty of experience on the pitch, alhough I admit 10 and 15 are key positions an neither o my starting xv have experience. But with Wilkinson at 12, 10 is covered and Lewsey can come on at 11 or 14 to help Cipriani if it doesn't work.
Chuter can come on if the line-out isn't working. Deacon can come on if Palmer isn't cutting it (I think he will though).
It's amazing what happens when you start to trust youngsters. If you give them the freedom to learn as well as play, they'll play well and learn fast. If you stifle them, they won't learn anything, and they'll play badly too.
I think a fresh attacking attitude is exactly what England need right now. It's a risk, but then nothing worth having is obtained without taking a risk or two...
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Personally, I think that this should be the team:
15 Cipriani
14 Cueto
13 Tait
12 Flood
11 Sackey
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Ward-Smith
7 Rees
6 Moody
5 Deacon
4 Palmer
3 Stevens
2 Mears
1 Sheridan
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There are some good sides listed here but we may have missed a few key points.
Geraghty, Lam & Turner-Hall etal are great prospects but so was Matthew Tait when he lined up in Cardiff 3 years ago and we all remember what happened there ! Pick a good young 15 and put them in the Saxons for the next 2 years, so that they get used to the set up. They can even use the same plays as the 1st XV.
We don't want to get like France and change the team purely on club form. We need some regulars who know the setup and strategies, that way there is less cohesion issues. Do we really all agree that Chabal, Michelak & Hairy Donkey shouldn't start games ?
Let's not get players playing out of position. Flood is a fly-half, he only plays 12 for the Falcons, to ensure that he gets a game. England play their best Rugby with a creative 12 & a bullock at 13. This dependancy on a kicker to 'take the pressure off of Jonny' is ridiculous. Did Andrew, Fox or Lynagh have a specialist kicker beside them ?
On a personnal note, I'd also like to see Robbie Deans come in as head coach with a 4 year remit to win back the World Cup.
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Why are we automatically discarding Shaun Perry, he didn't have the best world cup but he never got the forward platform the Gomersall enjoyed. Ellis is overrated and is only in the squad because he plays for leicester. My team-
15. Tait
14. Sackey
13. Allen
12. Tindall
11. Vianakolo (when does he qualify?)
10. Wilko
9. Perry
8. Ward-Smith
7. Forrester
6. Rees
5. Kay
4. Palmer
3. Stevens
2. Ronnie Regan
1. Sheridan
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For what its worth here is my team for the Welsh game
15. Tait
14.Strettle
13.Hipkiss
12.Tindall
11.Lewsey
10.Wilkinson
9.Ellis
8.Ward-Smith
7.Rees
6.Moody
5.Kay
4.Shaw
3.Vickery
2.Chuter
1.Sheridan.
I wouldn't change the team too mcuh to begin with. I would let the backs and the back-row start of playing behind a solid platform set up by the front 5 and supported by the back row. Once the back row has a bit more experience then I would gradually phase in some youngster players for Lewsey/Tindall (eg Sinbad/Ashton/Abendanon, Allen/Flood/Geraghty) and also start to phase out Shaw (Palmer/Crane) who surely cannot make it to the next world cup. Are problem last time wasnt necessarily not giving the younger players experience before the world cup but possibly jettisoning some players a little too early (eg, Back, Dawson) on the back of some hefty retirements (Johnson, Leonard) and Injuries (Vickery, WOodman, Thompson, Wilkinson).
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I'm not quite sure why you would play Rees at blind side when he is a specialist openside and the only genuine one in the country. Makes no sense to me
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Tait and Flood are far too lightweight in the centre, I'd have either one but not both.
Hipkiss looks like he will develop into a fine international centre so he'll do or just bring back Jamie Noon.
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15 Abendanon
14 Strettle
13 Tait
12 Hipkiss
11 Sackey/Lewsey
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Easter
7 Rees
6 Haskell
5 Shaw
4 Borthwick
3 Vickery
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
I couldn't leave strettle out simply because of the talent that he posesses, so It's either Sackey or Lewsey on the wing, and i think this will depend upon club form. Maybe a place for Dan Ward Smith as well?
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15. Olly Morgan (best proper full back in england)
14. Paul Sackey/Vainikolo (if eligible)
13. Matthew Tait/ Mike Tindall(awesome early form this season and a leader)
12. Toby Flood / Anthony Allen (forms a great partnership for gloucester with tindall and so would work well together)
11. David Strettle
10. Jonny Wilkinson
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Chuter
3. Matthew Stevens
4. Simon Shaw
5. Alex Brown / Tom Palmer
6. James Haskell
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter
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Varndell has to play. watched him at dubai 7s 2yrs ago and he blew all opposition away. He is a match winner. last year strettle looked slow in comparison. Varndell just needs game time for confidence just as Balshaw always did (brain ashton likes him so don't bet against a come back for the lancashire lad). Still will be good to see your suggested light weight back line get munched by messers Dewey, Henderson and the Lamont brothers come the spring.
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I'd try and get quite a few young'uns in for this Six Nations, otherwise we run the risk of clinging onto players who just aren't going to make it to 2011. I do, however, believe in bringing them through alongside more mature players. Therefore, Brian Ashton (I assume it will still be him) will have to find the right balance...
STARTING 15:
1. Sheridan
2. Paice
3. Stevens
4. Kennedy
5. Borthwick
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Easter
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson (C)
11. Vainikolo
12. Turner-Hall
13. Tait
14. Strettle
15. Cipriani
BENCH:
16. Chuter
17. Wood
18. Palmer
19. Haskell
20. Foden
21. Flood
22. Hipkiss
Overall, I think this team represents the right balance between youthful exuberance and experience in the form of international caps.
The front row is solid, with the only new boy being David Paice. He has played for the Saxons and looks good for the present and future. George Chuter is on the bench in case things go wayward. Nick Wood provides fresh young legs and has got the potential to become an awesome prop - bring him on in the last 20 each game.
The second row is new - Kennedy has been in great form for London Irish over the past seasons and is a real presence in the lineout. Borthwick is also a smooth lineout operator. This is what England need to build - a good, consistent set piece. Both of these guys should make it to 2011. Tom Palmer can make an impact off the bench and has a few caps to his name already.
Moody, Rees, Easter seems to be the back row that many fancy. It has a great balance. Moody offers sheer grit and determination, whilst Rees on the other flank brings pace to the break down and open play. With Easter using his bulk and ball handling skills, this back row has the potential to be top-class. James Haskell on the bench - what an impact he would bring. With the size he possesses, he has the potential to be the English "Seabass".
It was such a shame that Ellis wasn't able to feature in the World Cup, but Gommarsall did so well in his absence. However, if England are ever going to move forward, the management have to be bold and pick players who will make it to 2011. This is why Gommarsall doesn't even make the bench. If he was just 4 years younger, he would have the 9 shirt. Ellis, though, was playing just as well before the World Cup as Gommars did during the World Cup. He will be great for the next 4 years. Foden needs to be weened into the squad, starting regularly from the bench. He could push Ellis for scrum-half come 2011.
Wilkinson has to be there. England haven't found anyone to succeed him YET. Flood has the potential to be good, but let him jump off the bench and fight Jonny for the 10 shirt. Jonny is captain through his ability to carry the team when under pressure.
The back line is where the selectors have got to grit their teeth and go for it. The English back line just hasn't fired for the last 3 years, and now wholesale change is necessary.
The centre pairing I have selected really excites me. Jordan Turner-Hall is one that I watch regularly down at the Stoop and he is an incredible talent. He is big, strong, powerful and quick too. He probably needs to add a kicking game to his itinerary, but once that is there he can be WORLD-class. Tait is a very different player - slight and quick. With JTH bashing holes and releasing Tait, this pairing could work as well as Tinds and Shaggy in 2003, if not, better.
A successful try-scoring team needs two different styles of try-scoring wingers in my view. That’s why Strettle and Vainikolo make it on the wings – little and large but so effective. With Vainikolo’s power and Strettle’s footwork, they look like a real formidable duo. If one is injured, Tait moves to wing – nothing gained but nothing lost.
Cipriani is in the full back slot for his many talents. He’s quick and has a huge boot. Reminds me of a certain Francois Steyn in the way he plays – and that’s the kind of youngster we need at full back. Seems to be able to play anywhere in the back line which always helps.
This, I think would be the perfect sort of team for the Six Nations. Shame it won’t get picked! But, seriously, I think from now on, we need to take some risks. It will pay off come 2011.
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If we are goin to start this Six Nations on high and keep it at that level then we need a great England team and mine would be:
1) Sheridan
2) Chuter
3) Stevens
4) Shaw
5) Kay
6) Moody
8) Easter
7) Rees
9) Gomarsall
11) Strettle
10) Wilkinson
12) Tindall
13) Tait
14) Sackey
15) Lewsey
Subs:
16) Thompson (he can play now)
17) Vickery
18) Grewcock
19) Worsely
20) Ellis
21) Hipkiss
22) Cueto
Now i believe if this team train hard together and get loads of games they can be winners.
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Here's My England Team
1:Sheridan (Sale)
2:Hartley (Northampton)
3:Barnard (Wasps)
4:Shaw (wasps)
5:Kay (Leicester)
6:Corry (Leicester)
7:Rees (wasps)
8:Easter (Harlequins)
9:Ellis (Leicester)
10:Wilkinson (Newcastle)
11:Tait (Newcastle)
12:Barkley (Bath)
13:Clarke (Northampton)
14:Cueto (Sale)
15:Lewsey (Wasps)
16:Mears (Bath)
17:Vickery (wasps)
18:Grewcock (Bath)
19:Haskell (wasps)
20:Perry (Bristol)
21:Tindall (Gloucester)
22:Ojo (London Irish)
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Excellent posts here and all seem to have a good argument. However it baffles me that people r tryin to slot Wilko at IC and in other posts, Lewsey at OC, true they r world class performers but after so many years in the England team and club, how can u expect them to change positions at this late stage in their career, crazy! Wilko's a number 10 and Lewsey's a wing come fullback, the later definately his best position, although I agree he seems to have lost his enthusiasm to make his direct runs as of late.
Vainikolo is not English, c'mon fellas, he's an awesome player but surely at 28, 32 come the next WC there's no need to introduce him into the fold when you've got players like Strettle, Varndell, JSD, Tait, Sackey, Hanley, Pryce, Lewsey already in the mix.
Yes, I mentioned Karl Pryce, have u guys seen him, he's a monster and still so young, 6ft 6 and 18 stone and quick too, the guy's awesome and surely will break into the set up once he's found his union boots, although I admit the competition in the centres and wing is extremely strong, all bodes well, with the likes of Tindall, Tait, Flood, Hipkiss, Noon etc...
Titterall has always been a favourite of mine, dynamic isnt sufficient a word and with 2 hulking props beside him, whether its Sheridan, VIckery, Forster, Stevens...his lack of inces shouldnt b an issue, more an advantage in open play.
Its gona b difficult for the nxt few years grooming and blooding these players sufficiently cos there's such competition for places, especially in the backs, there's good argument for most of the contenders so I think it's important the coach, whoever that may be, has a clear plan in place as to who r his core players, although form may dictate the decisions. My line up:
1. Sheridan (power n power)
2. Titterall (techincal n mobile)
3. Stevens at the mo or Forster (Is he a 1 or 3?)
4. Shaw (in peak form and not so old that he cant play in WC2011)
5. Blaze (this guy's gona b a world beater)
6. Rees (all the makings of the nxt Neil Back)
7. Moody (dymaism at its best, hopefully can maintain physicality over nxt 4 years)
8. Ward-Smith although maybe just past his peak at nxt WC)
9. Ellis (man in form) with FOden as back up (outstanding versatile prospect)
10. Wilko (at 32 may not be past his best if he can stay injury free, yeh rite!) otherwise options with Flood and Gerahty (amazing creativity)
11. Strettle (best winger in Europe, Luger with more direction)
12. Hipkiss (good signs and has good combo of power and skill)
13. Tait (no doubt an exceptional runner and defence has clearly improved)
14. Varndell (his pace gives him the edge)
15. Lewsey (the guys been the man over the last few years and his age shouldnt hold him back from nxt WC, look at Montgommery)
I've surprised myslef with the exclusion of JSD and Allen cos I rate these guys so much, Tindall also cos he's a monster with brains...so I wouldnt b surprised of disappointed to see and of them in the starting line up, at the expense of who its hard to say. Players like Tait, Lewsey and even JSD could play across the back 3, only arndell and Strettle r specialist wingers.
I feel sorry for players like Sackey, Gomarsall, Kay, Worsely, Chuter and Easter cos they all performed admirably at the WC, but perhaps this was a serious purple patch and I doubt they can rise to such standards again either thru age or just pure ability, I think Easter is solid but he's just too bulky and doesnt use this too good affect either, rarely breaks the gain line. I like Worsely but I feel he's not ever gona reproduce his club form for country. Gomarsall is simply not gona b around in a couple of years so wot's the point, Kay has had his day, awesome jumper but tis time to get the new blood in, Chuter is ok but Titterall has more to offer, and Sackey, well this one's tough cos he had an excellent WC, but the players ahead of him r simply too good...Varndell, Tait, Strettle, maybe he'll get his shirt every now and again, but will certainly feature in the squad. I havent mentioned Cueto yet cos I feel he's always been overated, pace is not anything special, ok he's a decent finisher but he just doesnt have that x factor others possess.
I'd like to mention again the name of Karl Pryce cos I feel he hasnt gotten his just exposure on this link yet...he's an unbelievable talent, watch out for this guy, it's gona be interesting to c how he develops because he has all the potential to be one of the best backs in the world, be it on the wing or in the centre, we have such a wealth of talent in our backs, which is such a nice feeling after the showings these last few years, what a list to choose from for the next coach...Wilkinson, Geraghty, Foden, Cipriani, Lewsey, Pryce, JSD, Varndell, Hipkiss, Tindall, Tait, Flood, Ellis, Richards, Strettle and I havent even mentioned Cohen and Balshaw (the forgotten injured man), its not too late for them to stake a claim if they can get fit and sharp again. Hanley's another winger who I've always been impressed with but he's never been given his chance, Noon has strength in abundance but too many centres ahead of him now.
We need to find a consistant midfield, think back to Carling n Guscott (Haliday pushing), Greenwood and TIndall (Catt pushing), who's next...Allen n Tait is my bet with Hipkiss pushing.
Anyways, the future looks bright, hope they can all develop as their potential suggests:)!
Ok, thats enough from me...my hands n fingers r tired!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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15. Tait
14. Lewsey
13. Noon
12. Flood
11. Varndell
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis/Gomarsall
8. Easter/Ward-Smith
7. Rees
6. Lund
5. Grewcock
4. Shaw (c)
3. Stevens
2. Titterell
1. Sheridan
I hate to agree with Eddie Jones but I think Tait's best position would be full-back, he was sheer class against the Springboks when Robbo went off. Varndell needs to be given another chance, Tait wasn't great on his debut but now look at him! Give Shaw the captaincy because if he keeps his discipline he is a born winner and a leader. Bring Lund in to play with Rees and Easter in the back row. The rest picks itself.
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have we all forgotten about tindall??? he's a great player, and he constantly performs, he would make a great centre partenship with tait, with taits speed and tindall's strength it balances out.
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If I was the RFU i'd be reallly happy with the young talent coming through. So much ability and a good few years to nurture it.
My Starting Line Up for the 6 Nations 2008 (bearing in mind time for these players to develop)
1. Sheridan
2. Hartley
3. Stevens
4. Palmer
5. Deacon
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith
9. Ellis
10.Wilkinson
11.Strettle
12.Geraghty
13.Tait
14.Varndell
15.Cipriani
But then again if you really wanted to change it for the 2009/10 6 Nations it could be:
1.Sheridan ( he'll be a old dog but still immense)
2.Hartley
3.Stevens
4.Blaze
5.Croft
6.Haskell
7.Rees
8.Crane
9.Ellis
10.Cipriani
11.Varndell
12.Allen
13.Waldouck
14.Ojo
15.Abendanon
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15: Tait
14: Sackey
13: Hipkiss
12: Flood
11: Strettle
10: Gherity
9 : Ellis
1 : Sheridan
2 : Chuter
3 : Stevens
4 : Shaw
5 : Kay
6 : Moody
7 : Rees
8 : Corry
16: Mears
17: Vickery
18: Borthwick
19: Easter
20: Richards
21: Wilkinson
22: Lewsey
Gherity is a playmaker, flood can do the kicking and Tait is a superstar
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1.A.Sheridan
2.G.Chuter
3.M.Stevens
4.S.Shaw (c)
5.Short
6.J.Haskell
7.T.Rees
8.D.Ward-Smith
9.A.Gomersall
10.J.Wilko
11.D.Strettle
12.M.Tait
13.G.Hughes (Bath Player Excellent Potential)
14.J.Lewsey
15.N.Abendanon
Young Players are the Key!
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15 - Morgan
14 - Sackey
13 - Tait
12 - Allen
11 - Strettle
10 - Wilkinson / Lamb / Geraghty
9 - Ellis / Richards
8 - Easter / Forrester / Ward-Smith
7 - Hazell / Rees
6 - moody
5 - Brown / Kay
4 - Palmer
3 - Sheridan
2 - me
1 - Stevens
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Chris Post 211 you hit the nail on the head. Lets not go mad with everyone needing to be under 32 for the next world cup. Shaw was 34 and one of our most best performers.
You also need a captain and I can't see how you can drop Vicks, Shaw, Corry and Lewsey for thier experience. Maybe wilko, but for me he has enough on his shoulders already. I really can't see past Vicks, too much competition in the back row for Corry.
The problem was the 2003 side probably had about 7 chaps who could have been skipper, now it looks a bit thin.
Inside centre has been our problem position since Will Greenwood retired and Catt probably the best option there has been since.
Ideally we want a chap who can run, pass well, kick (ideally off their right boot outside wilko) and be solid in the tackle. Gerhaty, Flood and Allen (actually not sure on the kicking) do most but look a bit weak in the tackle.
There are a couple of players Hodgson and Perry, who I am afraid may have the talent, but don't seem happy with the pressure of their postions in big international games.
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1.sheridon
2.mears
3.stevens
4.borthwick
5.palmer
6.haskell
7.reecs
8.easter
9.ellis
10.wilkinson
11.strettle
12.allen
13.hipkiss
14.tait
15.morgan
16.wood
17.hartley
18.brown
19.lund
20.wriggleswoth
21.cipriani
22.abendanon
what ever happens youth has to take place because we will be back to square one in four years time.
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1. Sheridan
2. Chuter ( hartley to come on)
3. Vickery ( stevens to come on)
4. shaw
5. kay
6. moody
7. Rees
8. easter
9. ellis
10. wilko
11. strettle
12. flood
13. tait
14. sackey
15. lewsey
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15.LEWSEY
14.SACKEY
13.SIMPSON-DANIEL
12.TINDAL
11.STRETLE
10.WILKINSON
9.ELLIS
1.SHERIDAN
2.MEARS
3.VICKERY
4.BORTHWICK
5.BROWN
6.CORRY
7.HAZEL
8.EASTER
first of all i am a gloucester supporter.
Fullback: Olly Morgan isn't experienced enough to play for England neither is Cipriani.
Wing:Lesley Vainokolo wont play for England.
Centre:Sinbad and tindal in the centre is a proved partnership for Gloucester and i do like Tait a lot and he'll probably play instead of sinbad as he always gets injured for England and i just don't rate Hipkiss
Scrum-Half: Perry should never play again, Richards is an impact sub, but his step before the pass means opposition defence is up in Englands face soon as they touch the ball.
Fly-Half: Johnny, Hodgson and Barkley and Cipriani back-up, Lamb is to variable
Props: Stevenson, Bell and Wood, White is too old and the person who said Forster earlier is having a laugh
Hooker: Chuter back-up and Titeral is a half-decent squad player
Second Row: Grewcock lacks discipline, Shaw and Kay are good experienced players, Tom Palmer is there as well
Flanker: Tom Rees, and Moody got back-up, HOW ANDY HAZEL IS CONSTANTLY OVERLOOKED IS BEYOND A JOKE - the best flanker in the Premiership, Ward-Smith has to re-prove himself for international
There you go thats what i think
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dont know about that one..i think it should be:
15.Lewsey
14.Sackey
13.Tait/Hipkiss
12.Flood/Gerahty
11.Strettle
10.Wilkinson
9.Gommarsal/Richards
1.Sheridan
2.Regan
3.Stevens
4.Shaw
5.Kay/Palmer
6.Worsley/Moody
7.Rees
8.Easter/Ward-Smith
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15.LEWSEY
14.SACKEY
13.SIMPSON-DANIEL
12.TINDAL
11.STRETLE
10.WILKINSON
9.ELLIS
1.SHERIDAN
2.MEARS
3.VICKERY
4.BORTHWICK
5.BROWN
6.CORRY
7.HAZEL
8.EASTER
first of all i am a gloucester supporter.
Fullback: Olly Morgan isn't experienced enough to play for England neither is Cipriani.
Wing:Lesley Vainokolo wont play for England.
Centre:Sinbad and tindal in the centre is a proved partnership for Gloucester and i do like Tait a lot and he'll probably play instead of sinbad as he always gets injured for England and i just don't rate Hipkiss
Scrum-Half: Perry should never play again, Richards is an impact sub, but his step before the pass means opposition defence is up in Englands face soon as they touch the ball.
Fly-Half: Johnny, Hodgson and Barkley and Cipriani back-up, Lamb is to variable
Props: Stevenson, Bell and Wood, White is too old and the person who said Forster earlier is having a laugh
Hooker: Chuter back-up and Titeral is a half-decent squad player
Second Row: Grewcock lacks discipline, Shaw and Kay are good experienced players, Tom Palmer is there as well
Flanker: Tom Rees, and Moody got back-up, HOW ANDY HAZEL IS CONSTANTLY OVERLOOKED IS BEYOND A JOKE - the best flanker in the Premiership, Ward-Smith has to re-prove himself for international
There you go thats what i think
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bullet proof wrote -
"Just one more thing! If England are serious about developing properly we should pull out of the British Lions tours"
I think Mr Proof will find , like the British Empire, that the British Lions have been consigned to history - I believe they have been the British and Irish Lions for one or two years. if he insists on shorten their name then surely the Lions would suffice.
I would generally agree with the point he makes however
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Lewsey
Sackey
Tait
Wilkinson
Strettle
ghereghty
Ellis
Sheridan
Chuter
Stevens
Kay
Brown
Moody
Rees
Easter
Vickery
Mears
Shaw
Lund
Richards
Flood
Cueto
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15 cipriani
14 sackey
13 tait
12 flod
11 strettle
10 wilkinson
9 ellis
8 haskell
7 rees
6 moody
5 chris jones
4 shaw
3 stevens
2 dylan hartley
1 sheriden
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1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Kay
5. Borthwick
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Easter
9. Ellis
10. wilkinson
11. Varndell/Vainikolo
12. Allen
13. Hipkiss
14. Strettle
15. Tait
hipkiss is a great centre and has shown that in the prem. vardell has the pace and has a great hand off but his defence is questionable.
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Whoever leaves out Wilkinson must need their head testing. England are a completely different propostion to play against when wilkinson is in the team to when he is not. Also whoever said Charlie Hodgson should be played ahead of Wilkinson how drunk where you?
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We should start anew now, with as few players over 30 as we can manage, we have to build a new team for the next world cup.
1. Sheridan
2. Mears
3. Stevens
4. Shaw (still need to keep his grit in the pack, help palmer develop)
5. Palmer (long term replacement for shaw)
6. Haskell (is the next dallaglio, god knows why he was left out of world cup was awesome against france in warm up game.)
7. Rees
8. Easter
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Simpson Daniel
12. Geraghty (a sintilating player, a much needed gain breaker)
13. Hipkiss
14. Sackey
15. Cipriani
16. Hartley
17. Forster
18. Jones
19. Ward Smith
20. Foden
21. Lamb
22. Tait
This is the team should be played because, it has an established front row, with mears adding some new dynamism. The second row combination is the hardest, and most mobile in the premiership, and palmer plays very well alongside shaw. the back row has easters grit, rees and haskells pace and power. Could be world class. Ellis and wilkinson are an established parnership, while geraghty has awesome pace and skill, and hipkiss provides the power. Simpson Daniel is englnds most talented back, and Sackey our best finisher. Cipriani has awesome pace handling skills and kicking. Has played through hc finals at full back so is well proven for his age. On the bench we have dynamos Hartley Jones and Forrester, with the great potential of forster. Foden lamb and tait are all live wires and could turna game on its head coming off the bench.
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If you are going for the best team and not youth this should be it.
15. Josh Lewsey
14. Paul Sackey
13. Mathew Tait
12. Mike Catt
11. David Strettle
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Mark Regan
3. Phil Vickery (How can he be left out)
4. Simon Shaw
5. Ben Kay
6. Lewis Moody
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter
However if you are thinking of the wouthful starting line up mixed with experience it should be different
15. Josh Lewsey (Danny Cipriani or Matt Tait or Nick Abendanon)
14. Paul Sackey (Danny Cipriani)
13. Mathew Tait (Dan Hipkiss)
12. Mike Catt (Anthony Allen)
11. David Strettle
10 Jonny Wilkinson (Shane Geraghty)
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Chuter (Hartley)
3. Phil Vickery (Matt Stevens)
4. Simon Shaw (Tom Palmer)
5. Ben Kay (Tom Palmer)
6. Lewis Moody (James Haskell or Magnus Lund)
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter (Dan Ward-Smith)
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If you are going for the best team and not youth this should be it.
15. Josh Lewsey
14. Paul Sackey
13. Mathew Tait
12. Mike Catt
11. David Strettle
10 Jonny Wilkinson
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Mark Regan
3. Phil Vickery (How can he be left out)
4. Simon Shaw
5. Ben Kay
6. Lewis Moody
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter
However if you are thinking of the wouthful starting line up mixed with experience it should be different
15. Josh Lewsey (Danny Cipriani or Matt Tait or Nick Abendanon)
14. Paul Sackey (Danny Cipriani)
13. Mathew Tait (Dan Hipkiss)
12. Mike Catt (Anthony Allen)
11. David Strettle
10 Jonny Wilkinson (Shane Geraghty)
9. Harry Ellis
1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Chuter (Hartley)
3. Phil Vickery (Matt Stevens)
4. Simon Shaw (Tom Palmer)
5. Ben Kay (Tom Palmer)
6. Lewis Moody (James Haskell or Magnus Lund)
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter (Dan Ward-Smith)
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well - my team would look similar but there are a few differences:
1. sheridan
2. chuter
3. stevens
4. palmer
5. kay
6. worsley (haskell really impressed me in pre-matches - but worsley for experience - which we now KNOW counts)
7. moody
8. easter
9. ellis
10. wilkinson
11. varndell
12. tindall
13. hipkiss
14. erinle (really have to pick him)
15. lewsey
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1. Andrew Sheridan
2. Brian Moore
3. Victor Ubogu
4. Bill Beaumont
5. Martin Johnson
6. Richard Hill
7. Tom Rees
8. Lawrence Dallaglio
9. Dewi Morris
10. Stuart Barnes (hahahahaha)
11. Dan Luger
12. Will Carling
13. Jeremy Guscott (still the best 13 in the country)
14. Josh Lewsey
15. Jason Robinson
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15. Tait (cipriani)
14. Sackey (surely someone else will emerge)
13. Hipkiss
12. Barkley (tindall is the same age as wilkinson)
11. strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. ellis
8. easter
7. rees
6. Haskell (moody for the experience this backrow needs)
5. Croft
4. palmer
3. stevens
2. hartley
1. sheridan
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1- Sheriden
2- Chuter
3- Stevens
4- Shaw
5- Kay
6- Moody
7- Rees
8- Easter
9- Ellis
10- Wilkinson
11- Strettle
12- Flood
13- Hipkiss
14- Varndell
15- Tait
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100 teams, all of them pretty exciting, apart from Pie Man's, which was hilarious. But let's not get too far ahead of ourselves. We don't need to plan for 2011 now. As Francois Pienaar kept saying: "Next 5 minutes". NZ planned ahead and look what happened. No, we need to maintain momentum and restore belief. If we send out a bunch of youngsters to get tonked by the French, Irish, Welsh and possibly the Scots, we'll be back to square one. Personally, I want to win the Six Nations almost as much as the World Cup. If we win the next four, with a couple of Slams thrown in, that'll do nicely. So evolution, not revolution, tempting though it may be to watch the young boys blaze away. And I think we have to remember how we succeeded in the last few weeks. By playing aggressive power rugby. How will the likes of Anthony Allen and Cipriani stand up to Jauzion and Steyn and Rabeni and Mortlock who are big, powerful blokes? There's a huge difference between club and international rugby, as Tait has discovered. It's taken him a dozen games to get up to pace. So let's count our blessings not sell them down the river. Let's introduce 1, 2, maybe 3 newcomers in February, but let's keep faith in the ones picked this WC - people like Easter, who had a stormer, and Hipkiss, who didn't get a real crack, and Borthwick who did nothing wrong, and Richards who looked bloody good. Let's try Strettle again because he was unlucky to get injured, and think about Tindall, who has always given opponents problems. And then, over the next four years, gradually tune the violin whilst adding a few new strings to the bow every year. But please don't rush headlong into mayhem.
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I agree with the importance of new players,likes of Tom Rees,Matthew Tait,Toby Flood,Matt Stevens etc should all be integrated into a team not necessarily for 2011 World Cup but for 2009 Six Nations,at least for now.However,the idea that all older members of the squad need to go is ludicrous.South Africa this year,England in 2003,Australia in 1999 etc,all had a blend of new & exciting talents with experience.We need to avoid keeping players of a certain age and now is the right time for Catt,Dallaglio,Regan & others bordering on 35 to withdraw with dignity.Don't put them into the mix for Six Nations 2008,it will be a wasted tournament.There are a few exceptions of course to the withdrawal rule I feel.Firstly, Shaw - one of England's players and a match-winner for at least another season, have him around to help younger second rows.Then Gomarsall,if anyone justifies selection for next Six Nations it has to be him. He was 1 of the main reasons England found themselves in the final and if he doesn't get his time at no.9 now then,well what kind of selection criteria are players chosen on!This is a guy who has ambition and quality.He's England's best scrum-half by far and a sure bet for at least another 3 years, look at Catt and he didn't ever get close to the wilderness of amateur rugby!,of course include Ellis,he's probably the best of the others and will learn hugely of Gomers,in time taking over.Maybe even have some 19/20 year old as 3rd choice, getting experience through being part of the squad.Anyone who thinks Johnny Wilkinson should be out of the team obviously hasn't watched rugby since,well,Rob Andrew or has shares in Sale (and Charlie Hodgson).He's England's best fly half ever.The facts don't lie.
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Now I profess to be not being an expert on the English game and may be a bit out but my 15 would be:
15 Lewsey
14 Strettle
13 Tait
12 Hodgson(I feel he gives the right balance of good hands but also v.accomplished out of hand)
11 Sackey or Simpson Daniel
10 Wilkinson (Altho I feel his best days may be behind him, his punting is nowhere near the same standard as four years ago)
9 Ellis( best of a bad bunch in my opinion tho)
1 Sheridan(Best Scrumagger around)
2 Chuter (Not solid at lineout tho)
3 Stevens
4 Grewcock
5 Shaw
6 Rees
7 Moody
8 Easter
This is a good line up to try and aim at the next WC but it will have to develop extensively I feel to be in with a real chance of competing with the Southern Hemispheres conveyer belt of talent
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15. Abendanon
14. Lewsey
13. Hipkiss
12. Barkley
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Borthwick
5. Palmer
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith
With Cipriani, Varndell, Tait, Sackey, Geraghty and the Irish back 3 (not sure if they are all English?) plus a fit Simpson-Daniel, England have a world-class backline to compliment an ever-reliable and dominant pack.
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15. Abendanon
14. Lewsey
13. Hipkiss
12. Barkley
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
1. Sheridan
2. Chuter
3. Stevens
4. Borthwick
5. Palmer
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith
With Cipriani, Varndell, Tait, Sackey, Geraghty and the Irish back 3 (not sure if they are all English?) plus a fit Simpson-Daniel, England have a world-class backline to compliment an ever-reliable and dominant pack.
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Interesting to see all the teams! Whoever wrote Jack Forster doesnt much about rugby, he dosent even regularly get into the Gloucester side! Onto the team!
1 A.Sheridan
2 G.Chuter
3.P.Vickery (C)
4.A.Brown(T Palmer)
5.S.Borthwick(Ben Kay or Simon Shaw if they continue)
6.M.Corry
7.L.Moody(Andy Hazell, best openside statistically in the Prem)
8.N.Easter(Dan Ward-Smith)
9.H.Ellis(Gomarsall if he carries on)
10.J.Wilkinson
11.D.Strettle
12.M.Tindall(D.Hipkiss was impressive)
13.M.Tait
14.P.Sackey
15.J.Lewsey
Subs
16.M.Stevens
17.A.Titterall(Very mobile, although so is Lee Mears)
18.D.Grewcock, T.Palmer, S.Shaw, B.Kay
19.T.Rees, J.Worsley, A.Hazell
20.P.Richards, A.Gomarsall
21.T.Flood, S.Geraghty, C.Hodgson
22.A.Allen, J.Simpson-Daniel, J.Noon, M.Cueto, A.Farrell(No 22 is very competitive
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Johnny has to go.
England must adopt a more attacking running game. The era of field position so that JW can go for field goal is over.
we must adopt the free running approach of the southern hemisphere teams.
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my ideal line up would be
15. Tait
14. Lewsey
13. Hipkiss
12. Catt
11. Sackey
10. Barkley
9. Gomarsall
1. Sheriden
2. Chuter
3. Vickery
4. Shaw
5. Kay
6. Corry
7. Moody
8. Easter
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Yeah looks like a pretty interesting side, wioth much of the younger players having gained some veryvaluable test match experience in games that both teams are willing fight tooth and nail for. It would interestign to experiemnt with ahving Tait at 15 working closely with lewsey. It is no secret that Tait is more comfortable at 13 but it would be groovy to keep opposing teams guesing at this revived attacking back line up!
Well done england btw
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Great news from France. Chuter is nowhere near good enough.
1.Sheridan
2.Thompson
3.Stevens
4.Kay
5.Borthwick/Grewcock
6.Easter/Moody
7.Moody/Rees (Moody has to be somewhere)
8.Ward-Smith
9.Ellis
10.Wilko/Barkley/Lamb
11.Vanicola/Varndell
12.Allen/Lewsey
13.Clarke (won't happen though,)/Hipkiss
14.Strettle/JSD
15.Lewsey/Tait
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How about Turner-Hall of Quins to beef up the midfield? The guy is a tank and, whilst still young, he could become something special for England. It would probably be an idea to start him on the bench though. Gomarsall should also remain (if he hasn't retired) as he was one of the keys to our world cup turnaround. I am also a believer that Lewis 'walking penalty' Moody should be dropped. He gives away far too many points (note WC final)..
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1 Sheridan
2 Hartley
3 Stevens
4 Palmer
5 Shaw
6 Moody
7 Rees (c)
8 Ward-Smith
9 Ellis
10 Wilkinson
11 Strettle
12 Allen
13 Hipkiss
14 Simpson-Daniel
15 Tait
16 Lewsey
17 Vickery
18 Easter
19 Jones
20 Gommersall
21 Flood
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We def need to build for the 2001 world cup now. I'd go for:
15-Tait
14-Vainokolo
13-Simpson-Daniel
12-Flood
11-Strettle
10-Wilkinson
9-Ellis
8-Easter
7-Rees
6-Haskell
5-Kay
4-Palmer
3-Stevens
2-Hartley
1-Sheridan
Subs:
Varndell
Sackey
Moody
Hipkiss
Cipriani
Abendanon
Ward-Smith
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15- Lewsey
14- Simpson Daniel
13- Tait
12- Flood
11- Strettle
10- Wilko
9- Ellis
1- Sheidan
2- Hartley
3- Stevens
4- Palmer
5- Shaw
6- Moody
7- Rees
8- Ward-Smith
16- Titterall
17- Vickery
18- Brown
19- Haskell
20- Richards
21- Allen
22- Van Gisbergen
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Has anyone been watching Chris Ashton?
Recently switched codes and moved to Northampton Saints. Learning the game well in NL1 but definately looks like he has the potential to be at WC2011 and he has age on his side too. Needs to get into the England fold sooner than later.
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I think John Duggan post 273 has a point but i believe its the coaching set up not the players who dictate the overall game plan and they have been getting it wrong.
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15 - Tait
14 - Sackey
13 - Hipkiss
12 - Flood
11 - Strettle
10 - Wilkinson
9 - Ellis
8 - Ward - Smith
7 - Rees or Moody
6 - Haskell
5 - Kay
4 - Shaw
3 - Stevens
2 - Chuter
1 - Sheridan
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Given that form does vary I am not sure yet who should be IN the starting XV but I am sure who should be OUT. Perry is too slow, Martin "Clank Clank, I'm a tank" Corry is strong and brave - but too slow in thought and deed.Lewis "Headless chicken, don't know the laws" Moody and Nick "I've got two left feet" Easter. With a half decent back row we might actually have pulled it off in the final.
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the team should be
1 sheridan
2 thompsan (if fit)
3 stevans
4 shaw
5 kay (palmer is close 0
6 moody (haskell is close)
7 rees
8 Ward Smith
9 ellis
10 wilkinson
11 cohen (if fit)
12 noon
13 tait
14 strettle
15 lewsey
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My 30 man squad would be as follows:
15- Morgan
14- Lewsey (c)
13- Hipkiss
12- Wilkinson
11- Strettle
10- Geraghty
9- Ellis (Possible future captain)
8- Easter
7- Hazell
6- Moody
5- Kay
4- Borthwick
3- Stevens
2- Hartley
1- Sheridan
16- Wood
17- Chuter
18- Vickery
19- Palmer
20- Brown
21- Narraway
22- Rees
23- Forrester
24- Care
25- Lamb
26- Tait
27- Tindall
28- Allen
29- Sackey
30- Cipriani
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1 Sheridan
2 Hartley
3 Stevens
4 Shaw
5 Borthwick
6 Hill
7 Rees
8 Haskell
9 Ellis
10 Wilkinson
11 Strettle
12 Cipriani
13 Smith
14 Tait
15 Lewsey
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1. Andrew Sheridan (world class already with a lot left in the tank)
2. Mears
3. Matt Stevens
4. Stephen Jones (line out technician and loves to get in the thick of it)
5. Palmer (Tailored 2nd row)
6. Haskell (a real emerging talent)
7. Rees (Pick of the back three next year mark my words)
8. Easter (Power and pace)
9. Ellis (Only young - talented and experienced)
10. Hodgson (still only 26 - loads od experience, still lots to give and playing well for his club - he is worldclass but unproven - Wilko will not last 4 years)
11. Strettle
12. Geraghty (good balance and vision, wants to play 12 and has said that this is his preferred position)
13. Hipkiss (talent similar to a french centre)
14. Varndell (no substitute for pace - young and learning all the time)
15. Tait (the next lewsey, also a good utility back)
16. Dylan Hartley (beef cake at 20 yrs old - a rare breed)
17. Magnus Lund (natural athlete)
18. Andy Titeral (the future of union front row players, i.e. mobile)
19. Haskell (immense power, speed, balance)
20. Cueto (fantastic experience - more to come cover at 14 + 15)
21. Ryan Lamb (the next big thing in 3-4yrs time)
22. Olly Barkely (cover at 10 + 12)
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My 30 man squad would be as follows:
15- Morgan
14- Lewsey (c)
13- Hipkiss
12- Wilkinson
11- Strettle
10- Geraghty
9- Ellis (Possible future captain)
8- Easter
7- Hazell
6- Moody
5- Kay
4- Borthwick
3- Stevens
2- Hartley
1- Sheridan
16- Wood
17- Chuter
18- Vickery
19- Palmer
20- Brown
21- Narraway
22- Rees
23- Forrester
24- Care
25- Lamb
26- Tait
27- Tindall
28- Allen
29- Sackey
30- Cipriani
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1. Sheridan (enough said)
2. Mears (nother reagan type)
3. Stevens
4. Borthwick (after matfield, hes the best lineout forward in the world.)
5. Palmer
6. Haskell
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith
9. Ellis
10. Wilko (obvious)
11. Strettle (the next habana??)
12. Flood
13. Tait
14. Sackey
15. Abendanon (Robbo 2.0)
16. Chuter
17. Vickery
18. Brown
19. Moody
20. Geraghty
21. Barkley
22. Morgan
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Van Gisbergen as 15
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1. Sheridan
2. Lee Mears
3. Stevens
4. Borthwick
5. Palmer (Shaw is 34-not gonna be around for much longer, even if he is the best).
6. Moody (Haskell is still learning)
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith/Easter/Forrester
9. Ellis
10. Wilko
11. Strettle
12. Hipkiss if he learns to kick, or Ollie Smith
13. Tait
14. Vainakolo/Cueto
15. Lewsey/Simpson-Daniel
Got to build for the future, mixing youth with experience, i think this is a good side that can grow as well, but we really need a 12 from somewhere, as no one is up to it yet!
Would have Cipriani in next season as back up for Wilko when he learns to tackle. Same goes for Varndell when he can learn to pass and tackle!
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1. Sheridan
2. Lee Mears
3. Stevens
4. Borthwick
5. Palmer (Shaw is 34-not gonna be around for much longer, even if he is the best).
6. Moody (Haskell is still learning)
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith/Easter/Forrester
9. Ellis
10. Wilko
11. Strettle
12. Hipkiss if he learns to kick, or Ollie Smith
13. Tait
14. Vainakolo/Cueto
15. Lewsey/Simpson-Daniel
Got to build for the future, mixing youth with experience, i think this is a good side that can grow as well, but we really need a 12 from somewhere, as no one is up to it yet!
Would have Cipriani in next season as back up for Wilko when he learns to tackle. Same goes for Varndell when he can learn to pass and tackle!
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1.sheridan
2.mears
3.stevens
4.palmer
5.borthwick
6.haskell
7.rees
8.easter
9.richards
10.flood/barkley(eng need to move on without wilko)
11.Strettle
12.geraghty
13.hipkiss
14.sackey
15.tait
16.hartley
17.vickery
18.shaw
19.lund
20.ellis
21.cipriani
22.cueto
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15 Lewsey
14 Sackey
13 Tait 16 Mears
12 Tindall 17 Stevens
11 Strettle 18 A Brown
10 Wilkinson 19 Haskell
9 Ellis 20 Gomarsall
8 Skirving 21 Hodgson
7 Rees 22 Flood
6 Moody
5 Kay Can Someone please
4 Borthwick comment on this side
3 Vickery [c]
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
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I cannot understand why Dan Hipkiss is being ignored by so many? Last season Leicester came within a game of winning every trophy on offer, and Hipkiss was their most consistent player throughout......he won awards for this. So why do people choose the likes of Toby Flood ahead of him? It makes no sense people!!
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Whilst all competitions are important to English rugby and the fans, why don't the RFU take a practical view with the team for the coming season and say, "we are trying out players, giving them experience at 1st team level and looking to invest in the future, so do not be disappointed with results". Surely all dedicated fans can see that England need to re-group and start working on the next world cup and winning the likes of the 6 nations in a season or two's time. Anything we do win on the way will be a bonus and not an expectation until the team is sorted.
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A team picked for youth and pace!
15. Abendanon
14. Cueto/Vianokolo
13. Tait
12. Geraghty/Flood
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
1. Stevens
2. Chuter/Mears
3. Sheridan
4. Shaw
5. Grewcock
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Easter
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A team picked for youth and pace!
15. Abendanon
14. Cueto/Vianokolo
13. Tait
12. Geraghty/Flood
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
1. Stevens
2. Chuter/Mears
3. Sheridan
4. Shaw
5. Grewcock
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Easter
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A team picked for youth and pace!
15. Abendanon
14. Cueto/Vianokolo
13. Tait
12. Geraghty/Flood
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
1. Stevens
2. Chuter/Mears
3. Sheridan
4. Shaw
5. Grewcock
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Easter
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For 6 nations:
1 - Sheridan (LEGEND)
2 - Chuter (has a beard - nuff sed)
3 - Stevens
4 - Borthwick
5 - Palmer
6 - Moody (getting on a bit but experience is good)
7 - REES (went to school with him. therefore in the team)
8 - Easter (wat a world cup)
9 - Ellis/Gommarsal
10 - Berkley
11 - Lewsey
12 - Wilko
13 - Tait
14 - Varndel
15 - Vainikolo
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Really interesting to read all the views on selection BUT the first priority, having fought our way to the world cup final, is to now go and win the Six Nations - from a psychological point of view as much as anything.
The wheels completely fell off in 2004 and I believe it set the tone for the woes of the next three years. And the Six Nations will be hard. There are five other nations out there who are hurting and will want to hurt us.
And YES we have to bring in new blood and YES we have to learn to score tries again and YES we have to arrive at the next WC in better shape than we did this one.
So get these young guys in the squad and bring some of them off the bench for half an hour. We don't have a good track record with throwing guys in at the deep end - Tait, Perry......
And finally, we have to learn to manage injuries. Ellis will return but he is injured and he needs to be allowed to go back and get it together with his club and make sure he is FIT before he comes back. Look at the false starts Wikinson had over the last three years and look over to cricket and the Flintoff situation.
That's all
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Really interesting to read all the views on selection BUT the first priority, having fought our way to the world cup final, is to now go and win the Six Nations - from a psychological point of view as much as anything.
The wheels completely fell off in 2004 and I believe it set the tone for the woes of the next three years. And the Six Nations will be hard. There are five other nations out there who are hurting and will want to hurt us.
And YES we have to bring in new blood and YES we have to learn to score tries again and YES we have to arrive at the next WC in better shape than we did this one.
So get these young guys in the squad and bring some of them off the bench for half an hour. We don't have a good track record with throwing guys in at the deep end - Tait, Perry......
And finally, we have to learn to manage injuries. Ellis will return but he is injured and he needs to be allowed to go back and get it together with his club and make sure he is FIT before he comes back. Look at the false starts Wikinson had over the last three years and look over to cricket and the Flintoff situation.
That's all
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I cannot believe some of these comments putting Mike Tindall at inside centre. He wore 12 in 2003 because of superstition with the incomparable Shaggy wearing 13 (best commentator at RWC 2007 btw). During the experimenation 2 years ago, when HRH was put at I/C, he was slaughtered by posters because he is an outside centre. If he has rediscivered his abillity to run round not into people, put him in the squad for his experience & leadership but in the right position. Have we learnt nothing form Traille Corner. A centre at full back & we are in the final. THe ABs did the same.
If we want young talent in a certain position, get the RFU to speak to the clubs & do the ecperiment at this level, not in internationals.
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1.Sheridan
2.Mears
3.Stevens
4.Palmer
5.Borthwick
6.Moody
7.Rees
8.Easter
9.Ellis
10.Wilkinson
11.Strettle
12.Flood
13.Tait
14.Sackey
15.Abendanon
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a team for the 6 nations
1.sheriden
2.chuter
3.vickery
4.shaw
5.kay
6.corry (followed closely by worsley)
7.moody
8.dallaglio
9.gomarsall
10.wilkinson
11.cueto (strettle)
12.barkley
13.tait
14.sackey
15.lewsey
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15. Lewsey
14. sackey
13. Tait
12. Farrel (not too old yet, will have plenty of expriance by next world cup, and is a good foil for tait)
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
1. Sheridan
2. Mears (give him a go)
3. Stevens
4. Shaw
5. Borthwick
6. Moody
7. Reece (only real seven we've got)
8. Easter
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no. - starter - pushing
15 Tait - Cipriani
14 Vainkolo - Cueto
13 Hipkiss - s.daniel
12 Lewsey - Allen
11 Strettle - Varndell
10 Barkley - Lamb
9 Ellis - p.hodgson
8 Crane - Lund
7 Rees
6 Moody - Haskell
5 Shaw
4 Palmer - Borthwick
3 Stevens - White
2 Chuter - Mears
1 Sheridan
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1- Sheridan
2- Chuter
3- Stevens
4- Shaw
5- Kay
6- Moody
7- Rees
8- Ward-Smith
9- Ellis
10- Wilkinson
11- Strettle
12- HELP IM STUCK HERE - Barkley too small, farrell too crap, turner-hall too inexperienced to partner tait, noon to slow, catt too old, allen too small - thoughts?
13- Tait
14- Simpson-Daniel
15- Lewsey
16- Vickery
17- Mears
18- Grewcock
19- Forrester
20- Richards
21- Hipkiss
22- Vainikolo
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Good to see people considering Vainikolo already...it will be good if he does commit to playing for england he is exactly what we need in the centre channel.
Also to consider not now but in a years time when they have been bedded in and have shown there clear potential is Chev Walker and karl Pyrce
And I agree why are we ignoring Hipkiss so much
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Please please please keep picking Wilkinson coz he is a disaster; all other 6N teams will be delighted. Placekicking at 60% - he has missed 5 drop goals in two RWC finals - 1 out of 6 is 17% (rounded up). He nearly cost you quarter and semi which due to the brill play by your pack in particular you should have won both by 20 pts. As many of you acknowledge his kicking from hand is so short and inconsistent and he will never make a clean break.
But he whinges well - whether its the ball, his right leg (why was he playing if not fit ???) or his arrogance in not wearing his runners up medal on Sat.
Keep him in - the rest of us are delighted !!!
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1. Andrew Sheridan
2. George Chuter
3. Matt Stevens
4. Steve Borthwick
5. Tom Palmer
6. James Haskell
7. Tom Rees
8. Nick Easter
9. Andy Gomarsall
10. Jonny Wilkinson
11. David Strettle
12. Josh Lewsey
13. Dan Hipkiss
14. Paul Sackey
15. Matt Tait
16. Lee Mears
17. Phil Vickery
18. Dan Ward - Smith
19. Joe Worsley
20. Harry Ellis
21. Lesley Vaianikolo
22. Nick Abendanon
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Corry must go. Hazell is rubbish.
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1 sheridan
2 chuter
3 stevens
4 shaw
5 blaze
6 worsley
7 rees
8 east/haskell
9 ellis
10 barkely
11 sackey
12 geraghty
13 tait
14 cueto
15 abendanon
steve thompson now going to start playing for french team may be back in contension for no2 shirt
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N0. 131 is spot on. Agree with every single selection.
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Players in contention for each position:
Full Back: Morgan, Cipriani
Wingers: Lewsey, Sackey, Strettle, Cueto
Outside Centre: Hipkiss, Tait, Ollie Smith
Inside Centre: Noon, Allen, Flood
Fly Half: Wilkinson, Barkley, Lamb
Scrum Half: Gomarsall, Ellis
No.8: Ward-Smith, Easter
Flankers: Worsley, Haskell, Lund, Moody, Rees
2nd Rows: Kay, Shaw, Palmer, Borthwick
Hookers: Chuter, Mears
Props: Sheridan, Stevens
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I agree except for FLood in the centre. I would have Geraghty or Tindall in the centre. In the future i would have Jordan Turner Hall. I would bring Simbad on in the wing
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15 lewsey
14 Sackey
13 Tait
12 Brakley
11 Strettle
10 Wilkinson
9 Ellis
8 Ward-Smith
7 Rees
6 Croft
5 Palmer
4 Shaw
3 Stevens
2 Chuter
1 Sheridan
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Viankolo is gettin engliush citzenship so id have him on the wing
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15. Abendanon
14. Strettle
13. Tait
12. Flood
11. Sackey
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
1. Sheridan
2. Hartley
3. Stevens
4. Borthwick
5. Palmer
6. Haskell
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith
16. Chuter
17. Wood
18. Brown
19. Forrester
20. Richards
21. Geraghty
22. Simpson-Daniel
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We need a team with power,speed and skill. We need a team to develope for the next 4 years. We need a team to be able to go into the 6nations wiht no pressure. We need a team of new guys and players able to play for the World cup 2011( wiht 2 exception) this is my six nations 30
1.Stevens
2.Hartley
3.Sheridan
4.Blaze
5.Croft
6.Haskell
7.Rees
8.Wardsmith
9.Ellis
10.Barkley
11.Vandell
12.Allen
13.Tait
14.Strettle
15.Abendanon
Replacements
16.Mears
17.French
18.Abraham
19.Crane
20.Flood
21.Smith
22.Ciriani
Others
Lund
Forrester
Wigglesworth
Morgan
Palmer
Hipkiss
Chuter
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It seems to me that there is a general agreement about the forwards which encourages a certain amount of continuity, but the issue comes with the backs. Wilkinson and Ellis seem like thobvious choices and I think Tait has justified a place in one of three positions. The problem positions for me are at 14 and 12. We really need a very strong centre to come through as I do not rate Flood there and at 14 Sackey seems too lightweight and not adept enough to help progress this team. The team I would like to see is:
15. Lewsey
14. Vainikolo (although no-one really stands out)
13. Tait
12. Allen
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
8. Easter
7. Rees
6. Moody
5. Kay (to be replaced by Palmer who I think is excellent)
4. Shaw
3. Stevens
2. Chuter
1. Sheridan
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It seems to me that there is a general agreement about the forwards which encourages a certain amount of continuity, but the issue comes with the backs. Wilkinson and Ellis seem like thobvious choices and I think Tait has justified a place in one of three positions. The problem positions for me are at 14 and 12. We really need a very strong centre to come through as I do not rate Flood there and at 14 Sackey seems too lightweight and not adept enough to help progress this team. The team I would like to see is:
15. Lewsey
14. Vainikolo (although no-one really stands out)
13. Tait
12. Allen
11. Strettle
10. Wilkinson
9. Ellis
8. Easter
7. Rees
6. Moody
5. Kay (to be replaced by Palmer who I think is excellent)
4. Shaw
3. Stevens
2. Chuter
1. Sheridan
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I think Gomarsall should be scrum-half
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we need 2 get players ready for the 2011 world cup.
6 nations 2007 i would have a mix of experience and some youngsters (e.g a player like wilkinson for experience but some1 like cipriani 4 a youngster.)
then six nations 2008 you have 2 drop every1 who will be to old for 2011. so my team 4 then would be
15)cipriani
14)sackey
13)tait
12)hipkiss
11)strettle
10)flood
9)???????
im not sure about the forwards, tom paslmer, haskell, ward-smith etc all should be there
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we need 2 get players ready for the 2011 world cup.
6 nations 2007 i would have a mix of experience and some youngsters (e.g a player like wilkinson for experience but some1 like cipriani 4 a youngster.)
then six nations 2008 you have 2 drop every1 who will be to old for 2011. so my team 4 then would be
15)cipriani
14)sackey
13)tait
12)hipkiss
11)strettle
10)flood
9)???????
im not sure about the forwards, tom paslmer, haskell, ward-smith etc all should be there
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Am I the only one massively fed up with playing a fly half at inside centre! Flood in the centre is 100% a no!
The priority has to be to find a good inside centre not someone that can 'do a job there!'
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Forwards
01 - Sheridan
02 - Chuter
03 - Vickery
04 - Grewcock
05 - Shaw
06 - Moody
07 - Easter
08 - Forrester
Half Backs
09 - Ellis
10 - Wilkinson/ Lamb (Needs to be broken in gently
Backs
11 - Strettle
12 - Tait
13 - Hipkiss
14 - Simpson-daniel
15 - Lewsey
Replacments
16 - Titeral
17 - Stevens
18 - Borthwick
19 - Ward-smith
20 - Richards
21 - Flood
22 - Allen
The front row that has been chosen is big bogof pack with a heavy set of forwards all round.
The backs are a very much a running set of backs that can also do the hard yards. Tait has grown in yards with his game. Since the game against Gavin Henson, I am sure that when ever someone is looking to run over him he just shes the face of Henson and just smashes the player. Hipkiss has proven himself as a big impact player in the last 20 minutes and needs to be given an oppurtunity to start and see whats what. With Allen on the bench that should be the way to go about breaking in Allen who will be a extremly effective bench player.
I feel that you must keep Wilkinson in because he will be a very influencial player for when he needs to show the youngsters the international way.
With the departure of Robinson, Lewsey needs to reclaim his spot at 15.
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It's really great to see so much consensus throughput these comments. The front row choice seems unanaimous as Sheridan/Chuter/Stevens (excellent though will Chuter last until 2011?). Second row is tougher as Shaw was superb but won't last & neither will Kay - I'd go for Borthwick & Palmer. Backrow choices are a superb combination of Rees/Moody/Ward-Smith.
The Ellis/Wilko combination gets the nod but for me the real debate is in the back 5. Don't ask in which order but I really want to see some combination of Flood/Hipkiss/Strettle/Simpson-Daniel/Tait/Varndell - that's tough on Sackey & I don't think lewsey will last! Good luck England & look forward not back!
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Olly Barkley at 10! Jonny Wilkinson to replace at 60 minutes if needed!
Matthew Tait at full back!
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1.Sheridan
2.Chuter
3.Stevens
4.Shaw
5.Borthwick
6.Moody
7.Rees
8.Ward-smith
9.Ellis
10.Wilkinson
11.Strettle
12.Geraghty
13.Hipkiss
14.Lewsey
15.Tait
Replacements
Mears
Vickery
Crane
Haskell
Gomersall
Flood
Tindall
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Mixture between youth and experience. Not to sure about centre pairing though
1.Sheridan
2.Chuter
3.Vickery
4.Shaw
5.Palmer
6.Easter
7.Rees
8.Ward-Smith
9.Ellis
10.JW
11.Strettle
12.Hipkiss
13.Simpson-Daniel
14.Lewsey/Vainikolo
15.Tait
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Geraghty is the way of the future. His vision is incredible and he can see the tiniest gap. He should be Wilkinson's understudy. Flood is not able enough to adapt to the next level and Barkely has shown he is not up to the standard.
Allen and Tait are also great young prospects for the future and Cipriani looks like he could become a great.
Sure, we must try and get these new players in but at the same time we cannot just ush youngsters in straight away. They need to get experience and play with the older players so they can get used to the game. That is how New Zealand managed Dan Carter and it is the way to go. We do not want to have more cases of what happened to Tait in his first appearance.
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we need to build for the next world cup NOW! so with that in mind:
15 - cipriani
14 - sackey
13 - tait
12 - lewsey (or hipkiss) (lewsey did not see enough of the ball - he can turn games with taits pace beside him)
11 - strettle
10 - wilkinson
9 - wigglesworth
8 - easter
7 - rees
6 - haskell
5 - palmer
4 - deacon
3 - vickery (or stevens)
2 - thompson (yes, i said thompson. he's back soon) (or chuter)
1 - sheridan
it is going to inexperienced with replacements like flood, geraghty and not forgetting magnus lund BUT in four years they will know how to play as a team with lots of international experience (four years worth of six nations, tests and tours)
also, coach - WARREN GATLAND
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Same old same old guys! We need to build for the next world cup today. Why are we picking guys who will not be around in 4 years time for the next world cup. Lets be brave and start to give young guys a run out before its too late. Out of the young guys from this world cup I was impressed with Hipkiss, Tait, Sheridan, Stevens (Awesome), Flood. Why don't we build a team around them and stop talking about Shaw, Corry, Vikery etc! Come on guys! Look forward not back. Why don't we get young guys settled now and get some caps under there belts, then by next world cup we will have guys with the experience and the youth and pace to take back the William Webb Ellis from the Saffas. Also we need to be playing Flood at stand off NOW! Why not play Wilko at 12, switching in with Flood as Catty did with Wilko the last two world cups.
Dougie
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Can someone tell me what happened to Ben Cohn ?
He was a dynamic player and still young and strong enough to have tremendous impact on any game.
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Andy Gomersall was our man of the tournament in France he has got to start at number 9 in the 6 nations!
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1. Sheridan
2. the young lad from Northampton
3. Stevens
4. Grewcock
5. Kay
6. Moody
7. Lund
8. Rees
9. Ellis
10. C Hodgson
11. Varndell
12. Barkley
13. Tait
14. Strettel
15. Lewsey
16. Titterall
17. ?? cant think of any good props
18. C Jones (sale)/ Shaw
19. Easter
20. Gomersal
21. Flood
22. Simpson Daniel/ Hipkis
23. Sackey
24. Vesty
I know Wilkinson isn't on there, but in all honesty, i feel i have selected better players
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This is my 30-man England squad for the next world cup:
1.Sheridan
2.Hartley
3.Stevens
4.Blaze
5.Brown
6.Haskell
7.Rees
8.Easter
9.Ellis
10.Wilkinson
11.Strettle
12.Turner-Hall
13.Tait
14.Flood
15.Cipriani
16.Paice
17.Forster
18.Crane
19.Steffon Armitage
20.Foden
21.Lamb
22.Geraghty
23.Mercey
24.Titterell?
25.Evans
26.Croft
27.Allen
28.Ben Youngs
29.Abendanon
30.Hipkiss
Some changes will be made to the starting line-up as players will emerge and demand selection. Flood on the wing but playing as another fly half/centre as he has done for newcastle. People who i couldnt fit in were Mike Brown (Harlequins), Jack Adams (Gloucester) and Tim Visser (Newcastle) though all should be involved in some way.
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My team for this six nations is:
1.Sheridan
2.Hartley
3.Stevens
4.Brown
5.Shaw
6.Moody
7.Rees
8.Easter
9.Gomersall
10.Wilkinson
11.Flood
12.Geraghty
13.Hipkiss
14.Strettle
15.Cipriani
16.Chuter
17.Forster
18.Croft
19.Haskell
20.Foden
21.Lamb
22.Abendanon
This is picked assuming that Harry Ellis is unfit. If fit, he would take Gomersalls place with Foden staying on the bench for experience.
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sorry. horribly missed out Tait there. Move Hipkiss onto bench and Tait slots in at 13.
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what we need is GOMARSAL to play for lyk 50mins than bring on ELLIS. if we do that with all the young players we can gradualy having them get used to playing properly, i say have a MAINLY young bench so that they can be eased in gradually.
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1. Sheriden
2. Thompson(Dnt forget hes making a comeback)
3. STevens
4. Borthwick
5. Kay
6. Moody
7. Rees
8. Haskell
9. Ellis
10. WIlkinson(soon to re eshtablish himself as the best flyhalf in the world.)
12. Flood
13. Tait
11. Strettle
14. Sackey
15. Lewsey
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15. Morgan
14. Lewsey
13. Tait
12. Allen
11. Strettle
10. Wilko
09. Ellis
08. Ward-Smith
07. Rees
06. Moody
05. Palmer
04. Shaw
03. Stevens
02. Chuter
01. Sheridan
16. Flood
18. Richards
19. Easter
20. Vickery
21. Titeral
22. Sackey
Done.
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1 - Sheridan
2 - Chuter
3 - Stevens
4 - Borthwick
5 - Kay
6 - Moody
7 - Rees
8 - Easter
9 - Ellis
10 - Wilkinson
11 - Sackey
12 - Flood
13 - Hipkiss
14 - Tait
15 - Lewsey
16 - Mearsh
17 - Vickery
18 - Shaw/Jones
19 - Worsley
20 - Richards/Gomarsall
21 - Geragty
22 - Simpson-Daniel
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9: Paul Hodgeson!!!!!!!!!
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Although we need to bring younger players through, it is important that some experienced is left in the side. It would be silly to throw a bunch of lads together ie, flood, tait, morgan rees, etc as they all have no more than 10-15 international caps. They all have the makings of becoming fantastic players but leave players such as vickery, lewsey and corry for the next year in so that their will be guidence for these youngsters. Brain Ashton is a fantastic coach and he should remain in control, but he will be 69 i believe at the next world cup...will he want to be in charge of such a high pressured job at that age?? If he doesnt, then England must make sure that another coach has a lengthy spell in charge...ie 2-3 years.
Watch out for a young scrum half and leicester...Ben Youngs. He could well be 2012 star player.
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1. Sheridan
2. Thompson - (lets hope he stays out of retirement)
3. Stevens
4. Brown
5. Palmer
6. Haskell
7. Rees
8. Ward-Smith
9. Ellis
10. Wilkinson
11. Sackey
12. Flood
13. Tait
14. Strettle
15. Cipriani
16. Hartley
17. Freshwater
18. Jones
19. Easter
20. Wigglesworth
21. Hipkiss
22. Simpson- Daniel
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in reply to comment 336:
Ben Cohen withdrew himself from world cup selection as his wife was expecting (and had twins during world cup) - he's had problems at northampton too after being passed over for captaincy so I think he's having a bit of family time off (before signing for london irish and making a full come back?? lol)
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I think that englannd need to start looking towards the future in time for rwc 2011. We need a few experienced players like Wilkinson and moody but need to have a young quick and powerfull team. england need to balance the side. This is the side for RWC 2011 MY SIDE:
15.N.Abendanon
14.D.Strettel
13.M.Tait
12.J.Wilkinson
11.l.Vanikolo
10.T.Flood
9. H.Ellis
8.D.Ward-Smith
7.L.Moody
6.J.Haskell
5.T.Palmer
4.C.jones
3.M.Stevens
2.Hartley
1.A.Sheridon
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15.Tait
14.S.Daniel
13.Hipkiss
12.Allen
11.strettle
10.Flood
9.Ellis
1.Sheridan
2.Hartley
3.Stevens
4.Palmer
5.Brown
6.Haskell
7.Rees
8.Forrester
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I have read most the posts here and am suprised not to have seen Nick Abendenon get a mention. For me he is a massive talent and will also be pushing along with all the others to be in the starting 15. Also, to whoever said lund should be in the back row i have to disagree. I was all for him playing but after watching him play for england a couple of times he has shown that he doesnt have the physicality needed on the international arena, although i do agree he is a great player at club level!
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