[2013 EOYT] England

[Patchey]

As long as Corbs can start then the loss of Mako and possibly Marler isn't so bad. If he has to bench again though the scrum is going to be in, if not dire, certainly unstable shape come next weekend.

Wade being fit would be very useful as well, simply as we could finally get rid of Ashton. I'd take a Wade/Foden wing combo over an Ashton/Yarde one any day.

 

[Prestwick]

I think Lancaster missed a massive trick not having Strettle in the squad as cover. Experience, form, scoring tries for fun and FIT!

Not a long term option I know...

 

[Patchey]

I think Lancaster missed a massive trick not having Strettle in the squad as cover. Experience, form, scoring tries for fun IN THE PREMIERSHIP and FIT!

Not a long term option I know...

Fixed that for you

 

[Prestwick]

Well what else can he do? He wasn't picked for the summer tour so short of storming Pennyhill Park and running rings around everyone I'm not sure what else he can do? Also he's never really had a howler in an England jersey.

Also how did Wade get into the elite squad this summer I wonder? Certainly wasn't down to his good looks was it? It's because he was scoring week in week out in the Premiership. That's why.

 

[Peat]

Strettle is a proven failure at international level. Some players just can't step up. I don't know why, but it just doesn't happen for him.

 

[ratsapprentice]

He wasn't picked for the summer tour so short of storming Pennyhill Park and running rings around everyone I'm not sure what else he can do?

Sorry what?

He was and he butchered 3 clear try scoring opportunities and was rightly considered to be behind Yarde and Wade after showing that he was clearly nowhere near their quality.

And as Peat points out, he is clearly one of those players who simple doesn't cut the mustard - regardless of their domestic form.
You must also bear in mind that he is just finishing tries for the most dominant team in the league, he's not really standing out as an individual.
Whereas Wade and Yarde are scoring in mid and lower table teams respectively whilst also being widely known about and subsequently targeted.

 

[Patchey]

My pont was that while scoring tries in the Premiership is a requirement for any winger wanting to be picked internationally, it isn't the only thing to consider. Being a prolific scoring at your club is (usually) what results in an international call up. However once that stage has passed Premiership form counts for less. You still have to be in form of course but as we've seen, once you're 'known' to the international coaches different selection criteria often apply. Yes, Strettle is scoring lots and is arguably the better of Sarries two regular starting wingers. However he has had plenty of chances in England colours under different coaching regimes to show he has the goods at international level. IMO he has never transferred his Premiership form into international form.

Wade on the other hand, and Yarde as well, have shown signs that they can carry what they do at club level into the international arena. Obviously the Argentina tour was only a taster of international rugby, they may end up not quite making the transition, which happens to plenty of talented club players. However for the moment we've seen no evidence to suggest they can't perform in the England jersey.

Based on the above I'd say that while all three wingers are scoring tries in the Premiership because of his previous time in an England shirt that less relevant when talking about Strettle's selection.


EDIT: Peat basically made my point in once sentance, FML.

 

[Prestwick]

The problem with Strettle always was that he did indeed have plenty of chances with different coaches but suffered from a similar run of bad luck with injuries that has now beached JSD for the rest of his career.

When he did turn out in England colors he did pretty well. Certainly didn't do himself any harm that's for sure.

I think it fanciful that he should be at the front of the queue or even on the bench if you have three guys ahead of you. However, if Wade and Yarde were out injured I would have preferred Strettle to have been in the squad to cover for just this eventuality.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

The problem with Strettle always was that he did indeed have plenty of chances with different coaches but suffered from a similar run of bad luck with injuries that has now beached JSD for the rest of his career.

When he did turn out in England colors he did pretty well. Certainly didn't do himself any harm that's for sure.

Apart from look poor against 2nd/3rd string Argentinians and arse up scoring a try that would've had us draw with Wales in the Six Nations a couple of years back.

Apart from that he was tip....top.

 

[Prestwick]

Look you silly people,
I'm trying to stimulate debate on alternatives as injury cover for Wade/Yarde

The only other suggestions so far to the potential issue of Wade/Yarde being crocked so far have been:

- Have Ben Foden on permanent standby.
- Steve Borthwick
- A prop.
- Steve Borthwick again.
- Keep Ashton on for the sole purpose of going mental at him next weekend.


Don't make me mention Banahan... Because I will if nobody suggests someone who isn't:

- Chris Ashton
- A full back
- A forward

I'm deadly serious here

 

[ratsapprentice]

The other potential wingers who are currently in the squad:

Anthony Watson
Kyle Eastmond

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Just as there is "Anyone but England" I think we need "Anyone but Ashton".

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Yeah, if only one of Wade/Yarde were fit for this weekend I'd keep Foden on one wing and drop Ashton.

 

[Patchey]

Look you silly people,
I'm trying to stimulate debate on alternatives as injury cover for Wade/Yarde

The only other suggestions so far to the potential issue of Wade/Yarde being crocked so far have been:

- Have Ben Foden on permanent standby.
- Steve Borthwick
- A prop.
- Steve Borthwick again.
- Keep Ashton on for the sole purpose of going mental at him next weekend.


Don't make me mention Banahan... Because I will if nobody suggests someone who isn't:

- Chris Ashton
- A full back
- A forward

I'm deadly serious here

Even threatening to mentioned Banahan is heresy. Burn him!


Injury cover for Wade and Yarde:

Foden, who unlike Brown has played winger before and has the pace for it.
Watson, in the squad and had an incredible start to the season.
Sharples, never given enough of a chance by Lancaster IMO
May, up from the Saxons, real young talent.
Eastmond, not ideal but preferable to Strettle.


As Olyy says, if one of Yarde/Wade was fit I'd keep Foden on one wing and drop Ashton.


EDIT: Uh oh... http://www.theguardian.com/sport/2013/nov/11/chris-ashton-england-new-zealand-twickenham?CMP=twt_gu

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Why can't we put Foden on the right wing


Hell, put Binny out there: he probably hits/runs as hard as Savea :lol:

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Ffs how many chances does Ashton need? Lancasters desire to keep him despite saying last year that Ashton really had to up his game or be dropped (something he didn't do) makes me begin to question Lancasters ability. I feel he's having the same problem as Johnson did, he has a set of players and won't drop them regardless of how poor they are performing.

 

[Wasps For Life]

Ffs how many chances does Ashton need? Lancasters desire to keep him despite saying last year that Ashton really had to up his game or be dropped (something he didn't do) makes me begin to question Lancasters ability. I feel he's having the same problem as Johnson did, he has a set of players and won't drop them regardless of how poor they are performing.

I have always backed Wade over Ashton. But to be fair most of the posters before the Aussie match said he should start over wade and he did. Not something I agree with.
And then Wade Got injured a couple of days before the match and Lancaster couldn't call someone up when he hadnt seen them train. So he gave Ashton a go. And he sucked.
But This weekend we still have no idea who's fit this weekend. But I think wade will be fit and so will Yarde so hopefully we should be fine

 

[Patchey]

Why can't we put Foden on the right wing


Hell, put Binny out there: he probably hits/runs as hard as Savea :lol:

Exactly. If Foden is being shoe horned in anyway does it really matter which wing he is on? I guess if he does loose out to Yarde at least we won't have Goode on the bench.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I guess if he does loose out to Yarde at least we won't have Goode on the bench.

Don't count your chickens...

 

[Prestwick]

That's it. You all asked for it. Don't say I didn't warn you...

...MATT BANAHAN FOR WINGER!!!