[2013 EOYT] England

[Patchey]

My thoughts too. The BBC reporter seems to suggest we have a shortage of full backs. We had such a shortage a while back but now there is plenty of potential and the questions is more who will be used rather that who can be used.

 

[j'nuh]

Fullback is easily England's best position for depth. No one who particularly stands out in the way Halfpenny does, but plenty of options ranging from good to very good, plus hopefuls: Brown, Foden, Goode (meh), Abendanon, Tait, Cook, May, Pennell, Arscott (x2), Watson, Nowell, Miller, plus Morgan if he gets back from injury.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I might get a bit of a slating for this but i really want to see the Bath centre partnership for england. I have always been a massive supporter of 12trees though but.....

With Tuilagi out we need to look at options.
The pair are both playing well together and that added understanding at club level would help them internationally.
They both offer something different and it looks better as a pairing than 12trees and tomkins!

I have always thought we should focus on a club pairing at international level as i think it would help with the flow of the game so so much more:

So...

12 trees & trinder
Eastmond & JJ
Allan & Tuiagi
Casson & Lowe (for the saxons really)
Bell & Daly (Saxons again)
Barrit & Tomkins wouldn't really work in attack

I know this won't work all the time but it's a nice idea anyway.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd like that too, but unfortunately Gavlar is Welsh.....oh wait, you mean the other parternship

 

[ratsapprentice]

http://www.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/story/200583.html

I saw the injury and he actually played on for 2-3 minutes after a quick chat with the physio.
It didn't look all that bad, he was back sat on the sidelines with a bit of ice afterwards.
I'm guessing he'll still be included - he's played very well, and the injury itself didn't look too bad.

 

[Crapspray]

Concerning. I think it's our turn to have all the injuries after the Welsh had theirs last year. I'm praying Corbisiero is hermetically sealed in an aseptic underground bunker.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Bloody hell

With the exception of loosehead, I'm happy with our depth at every position - however I really wanted Attwood to stake his claim this Autumn.
Hopefully nothing too bad.

 

[ratsapprentice]

I can't imagine it's too bad, it happens around 2-3 minutes into the game (you can see it on the prem tv video) and he plays on until the first try a couple of minutes later.
I'd imagine he'll be fit if he rests for a few weeks, he's already put in some good performances and there isn't really anyone else offering what he does so I think he should be good to go for the Autumn.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

I can't imagine it's too bad, it happens around 2-3 minutes into the game (you can see it on the prem tv video) and he plays on until the first try a couple of minutes later.
I'd imagine he'll be fit if he rests for a few weeks, he's already put in some good performances and there isn't really anyone else offering what he does so I think he should be good to go for the Autumn.

That is a concern of mine, if Attwood is injured we don't really have another meaty lock to bring out. Lawes (however much i love him at club level) has serious flaws in his international game and Garvey seems to be seen as a 6. There was Kruis for saffacens but i didn't really know if he was a 5 or 4?

Please guys no more injuries!!!!!!

 

[Peat]

Kruis ain't a heavyweight. Next heavyweight (ish) off the ranks is Ed Slater.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Kruis ain't a heavyweight. Next heavyweight (ish) off the ranks is Ed Slater.

I can't belive i forgot about him!!! I guess he won't be overlooked playing at tigers.

 

[ratsapprentice]

None of them are lineout callers though... Attwood is really excelling as one this season.

 

[McTallshort]

There is always Steve Borthwick......what?

 

[Saint Matt]

Yeah, he's very good and probably good enough to be around the England squad (or at least around the Saxons), but there are loads of 15s around now (a bit of a difference to a few years back!) - I'd take a few over him.

Pretty much agree with this. He's been in great form as people have pointed out, but the standard of full backs in the competition at the minute is as strong as it's been for a while. Certainly deserves a shot with the Saxons in my opinion but as stated above he's still down the pecking order. Shows how much strength in depth England have at 15.

Couple of difficult decisions to be made in the Back Row as well in my opinion. Robshaw had a decent 6 Nations on the whole and you can't fault his leadership capabilities but as pointed out, Kvesic has made an excellent start to the season. He's fantastic at the breakdown and would complement both Wood and Morgan/Vunipola well. Deserves a chance in my opinion, although I suspect Lancaster will keep faith in the Wood, Robshaw and Morgan combination.

As pointed out, hopefully Atwood's injury isn't too serious. Would like to see him in an England shirt this Autumn.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

There is always Steve Borthwick......what?

I just threw up in my mouth.

 

[McTallshort]

I just threw up in my mouth.

Make you spit not swallow

 

[Patchey]

Let's hope Lancaster doesn't read TRF, he might take us too seriously...

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

My new revised england team after reading the TRF and talking to Martin Johnson:

1 Stevens
2 Paice
3 Chuter
4 Borthwick
5 Skirvington
6 Crane
7 Haskell
8 Waldrum
9 Wigglesworth
10 A Goode
11 Ceuato
12 Banahan
13 Tindall
14 Biggs
15 Morgan

My team of to rival the world!!!!!!!!

 

[Patchey]

Your forgot Hape...

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

Your forgot Hape...

i don't even think he's good enough to get into that team!