I was looking back at this, I know it was a month ago, but I think some things have changed...
Loosehead - I know they say Corbs is fit for good, but that's a believe it when I see it. Him and Marler is a good to very good pair of props to have - potentially the best combo in international rugby - but I feel both have a little proving to do in terms of consistent form/fitness. Vunipola is lagging a little behind, needs to improve his scrummaging, although he's safe from Mullan/Waller/Catt for a little at least. Good if Corbs is fit, Acceptable if he isn't.
Mullan is looking really good! So we have Corbs, Marler, Vunipola, Mullan, and Catt/Waller as back-up. Lacks a world-class player when Corbs isn't fit, so I'd promote this to an
Excellent if Corbs is fit and
Good if not.
Blindside - Hopefully we might finally see the Croft vs Wood selection battle. If we don't, Jamie Gibson might be starting to push a case. Garvey's ankle problem is frustrating. I'm not a huge fan, but Johnson is a decent fall back option, and maybe Fearns could string together some games as well. Plus most of our opensides can play (better) here. Excellent
Croft is out. Fearns is out. Gibson not challenging. Slater is out. Thankfully, we have Haskell and Ewers. Unfortunately, Lancaster wants Clark! Wood is not a star player. Would put this only as an
Acceptable
No 8 - Bill and Ben the Flowerpot Men's a fantastic pair of options as long as they don't break, at which point we panic... maybe Ewers? Should have mentioned him as a 6. Waldrom, thanks no thanks. Only two guys with only one of them an 80 minute man (if that) means only Good
Binny and Morgan are great players. Morgan is in very good form for Gloucester (it has been a long time since I could say that) and appears to be improving by the week. Ewers is in great form too and is a realistic option here. Haskell makes up the depth. I'd rate this
Excellent. In fact, other than loosehead when Corbs is fit, I'd say that this is our best position.
Fly-Half - We know Farrell's gonna get picked and get the Lion's share of the time, but what about guys like Burns/Cips/Ford who have more natural talent and instinct but have things to prove at that level? Is Farrell actually good enough? What if he gets injured? I feel there's too many questions around the shirt, exciting as some of the might be, to be happy. The situation is Acceptable but that is a conservative prognosis.
This had potential to be promoted to
Good and then Lancaster didn't pick Cips. Burns' star has completely faded now. Myler is our third-choice. I feel that if Ford doesn't make the step up to international level, then we are reliant on Farrell, who really isn't that great himself.
Concerning.
Inside-Centre - So we've been over this... Burrell has defensive points to prove, plus I want to see him coping with an international blitz defence, and with the distribution role. Twelvetrees is not a consistent decision maker or as technically gifted as we once thought him to be but can be a strong option. Eastmond has defensive points to prove. Barritt would have to prove that he can prosper in a more attack minded England. The kids are all alright, but not there yet. Hill might be knocking on the door very loud though. Nevertheless, it is Concerning.
Concerning puts it mildly! This is the stand-out worrying position in the entire England squad. Plenty of options, every option has an Achilles heel. (Eastmond is not a defensive leader, Twelvetrees turns off in games, Barritt is uninspiring, Burrell can go missing. I would argue our best 12, an option no one really talks about, is Allen. Fantastic player. Always injured.)
Losing sleep.
Wing - Some might disagree, but I don't think we've got a single winger who we can rely on defensively and expect big attack from. Nowell might genuinely be our best winger now, crazy as it is. There's a ton of talent, a lot of which is starting the season well, but a lot of points to be proven. Concerning.
Rokoduguni making headlines. May in real good form. Nowell getting more game time in the position. Ashton out of the squad. Plenty to be happy about here. Yarde going backwards is the only slight disappointment. Still, I think we are on the up. I'd adjust this to
Good!
Full-back - I'm not overly happy about Foden being on the bench for Northampton, cos that means the main pressure on Brown is from Goode, which is not happy news. I mean, he's not awful, but... anyway, Brown/Foden/Goode with Tait, some of the youngsters, Arscott and maybe Pennell in the background is strong in theory, but could easily turn out to be thin in practice. Just Good.
Foden got some good form! And then wasn't picked in the squad. <_< Goode is officially second-choice. Demoting this position to
Acceptable.
