[2013 EOYT] England

[TRF_Olyy]

10. Cipriani.

Been the standout 10 in the prem this season, with another great showing today (even Sarries fans saying he was far better than Charlie/Farrell today).


I think Burns is playing himself out of an England spot, to be honest, which is a shame. Partly the fault of his pack - he doesn't have the luxury of a dominant forward display that Flood/Farrell have, but he's not doing himself any favours with his kicking display.

I still think Flood is very underrated (which is strange to say considering he's a Tiger) - many seem to have come to the conclusion that he's naff because he's behind Farrell in the pecking order. I think he's a good all round Flyhalf - going forward he threatens the gainline (though not the extent of Cipriani), defence is good (though not as good as Farrell) and kicking from hand is solid (though not as good as Ford). I know he's got a decent number of caps, but he's deserved more starts under Lancaster than he has (has he ever started under Lancaster?).

 

[j'nuh]

If the 10 is required as a kicker, then I agree that Burns is playing himself out of contention.

But there's a good chance that Twelvetrees will now take the kicking duties for Gloucester. If he posts a better percentage than Farrell (Farrell's isn't impressively high) and becomes a legitimate kicking option, then perhaps Burns can get away without kicking his goals.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I agree that goal kicking shouldn't be a big factor if there's another kicker in the side, but I've not been impressed with his kicks from hand either.
Ball in hand/distribution wise he's not been terrible, but nowhere near as good as previous years.
Obviously the pack has a part to play in this, but if Lancaster is watching an average Farrell performance and an average Burns performance then he'll pick Farrell every time. I just can't see him getting selected anytime soon unless he really steps it up.

 

[Maverick1987]

Looks like he might be going to Leicester if the rumours are true so there will be no poor tight 5 excuses then . We may see him really front up (fingers crossed) and displace Farrell

 

[Patchey]

I really wouldn't be surprised to see Cipriani in the EPS in place of Burns for the Six Nations. As mentioned, Burns is going through what would kindly be described as a rough patch. Glos having a weak pack hasn't helped of course but there you go. Cipriani is playing his best rugby since he won is last cap and seems to have learned to tackle as well.

The moment Flood goes to France he'll be in but like I said, I would in no way be surprised if Burns gets dropped next year.

 

[Peat]

I still think Flood is very underrated (which is strange to say considering he's a Tiger) - many seem to have come to the conclusion that he's naff because he's behind Farrell in the pecking order. I think he's a good all round Flyhalf - going forward he threatens the gainline (though not the extent of Cipriani), defence is good (though not as good as Farrell) and kicking from hand is solid (though not as good as Ford). I know he's got a decent number of caps, but he's deserved more starts under Lancaster than he has (has he ever started under Lancaster?).

Quite a few starts in fairness, and he hasn't sold the argument. Doesn't help that he got injured in two. But then, there's been all sorts of other issues, and I reckon he's offered more than Farrell. I definitely believes he has more to offer in general.

 

[Maverick1987]

He really should be too

If he is playing as well as olly says and it's not just a bit of sale bias then Lancaster should stand by his word and put DC in .

When does the EPS get approved ?

 

[SelimNiai]

I wouldnt say Flood is underrated Olyy but more like he is overly criticised, although you could argue semantics saying theyre both the same thing. I see more hate for him on social networking than I do for any other England player (Ashton in 2nd place) and for the most part I can't see why. He's a more than competent 10 and has had some good games for England in the past.

I think playing Cips would be a risk and I dont peg Lancaster as that much of a risk taker.

 

[Patchey]

IMO the pecking order for tens, on form, should be something like this:

Flood
Burns/Cips
Ford
Farrell

I've really lost all of the support I had for Farrell when he first came onto the scene/ He needs to improve his kicking (because he really isn't as icy cool as people suggest), work with a good sprint coach and learn to attack the line more than once a tournament.

On form and with a team willing to let him lead the attack, something England refused to do last year against Italy which was the last game he started, Flood is the best we have. Burns and Cips are on a level at the moment for me. Ford is a good prospect but still has that young player knack of varying wildly from week to week. One game he looks like he should be in the test jersey already, the next like he should be loaned out in the Championship.

 

[Chikwa]

IMO the pecking order for tens, on form, should be something like this:

Flood
Burns/Cips
Ford
Farrell

I've really lost all of the support I had for Farrell when he first came onto the scene/ He needs to improve his kicking (because he really isn't as icy cool as people suggest), work with a good sprint coach and learn to attack the line more than once a tournament.

On form and with a team willing to let him lead the attack, something England refused to do last year against Italy which was the last game he started, Flood is the best we have. Burns and Cips are on a level at the moment for me. Ford is a good prospect but still has that young player knack of varying wildly from week to week. One game he looks like he should be in the test jersey already, the next like he should be loaned out in the Championship.

I can tell you for free that all your international opponents will be rooting for Flood.And that should tell you something .

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I can tell you for free that all your international opponents will be rooting for Flood.And that should tell you something .

That they don't watch rugby?

 

[Patchey]

That they wish England to be amore competitive, attacking side?

 

[The Jones Boy]

As long as Andy Farrell is sitting next to lancaster its gonna be real hard for Cips or anyone to get passed his kid into the no.1 starting position for the England number 10 jersey.
Cips has found his form again and he deserves a chance to show his quality but i doubt he'll get a look in.

 

[ratsapprentice]

Seeing as though Lancaster has worked with Danny before with the Saxons I'd say he already knows whether he wants to include him or not (obviously dependent on form).

http://www.espn.co.uk/england/rugby/story/207891.html

Wade out for up to six ****ing months!

 

[Ragey Erasmus]

Fate seems to be conspiring against us ever putting out a back line that isn't completely crap.

 

[Feicarsinn]

10. Cipriani.

Been the standout 10 in the prem this season, with another great showing today (even Sarries fans saying he was far better than Charlie/Farrell today).


I think Burns is playing himself out of an England spot, to be honest, which is a shame. Partly the fault of his pack - he doesn't have the luxury of a dominant forward display that Flood/Farrell have, but he's not doing himself any favours with his kicking display.

I still think Flood is very underrated (which is strange to say considering he's a Tiger) - many seem to have come to the conclusion that he's naff because he's behind Farrell in the pecking order. I think he's a good all round Flyhalf - going forward he threatens the gainline (though not the extent of Cipriani), defence is good (though not as good as Farrell) and kicking from hand is solid (though not as good as Ford). I know he's got a decent number of caps, but he's deserved more starts under Lancaster than he has (has he ever started under Lancaster?).

 

[Patchey]

Fate seems to be conspiring against us ever putting out a back line that isn't completely crap.

If we have enough injuries we'll have to play using the Saxons instead, which might be a good idea...

 

[TRF_Olyy]

So that's strettle and goode into the 23 then.
And Ashton starting every six nations game.
F***s sake.
I hope Lancaster takes a punt on Jack Nowell. Even putting Eastmond on the wing would be preferable.


Also Feic: I seem to remember Cipriani absolutely rinsing your lot for England, so you can suck a fat one!

 

[Crapspray]

9. Dickson
10. Flood
11. May
12. Twelvetrees
13. Trinder
14. Watson
15. Brown

21. Youngs
22. Farrell
23. Daly

Is still possible...

9. Dickson
10. Farrell
11. Strettle
12. Twelvetrees
13. Barritt
14. Ashton
15. Brown

21. Youngs
22. Flood
23. Goode

Is likely... God save us. We're doomed.

 

[Patchey]

9. Dickson
10. Flood
11. May
12. Twelvetrees
13. Trinder
14. Watson
15. Brown

21. Youngs
22. Farrell
23. Daly

Is still possible...

9. Dickson
10. Farrell
11. Strettle
12. Twelvetrees
13. Barritt
14. Ashton
15. Brown

21. Youngs
22. Flood
23. Goode

Is likely... God save us. We're doomed.

Nice analysis if the situation we find ourselves in. Even with this many injuries there is the potential of a very handy, if inexperienced, back line. however we'll almost certainly get a pile of cr*p instead.