New England starting 15?

[SelimNiai]

Anyone know how long his contract is?
I've heard rumours about a move to Gloucester - Maybe he'd be interested in Bristol if they came back up, as he's from there.


Edit: Just seen his contract is until the end of next season.

Oh hell yes.

His first club was Dursley, half way between Bristol and Gloucester. Don't think I ever played against them, if I did I might have packed down against him

 

[gingergenius]

I played against Dursley a few times at U12 or that kind of age. Maroon and gold if I remember rightly.

 

[Wilko's left boot]

About this 3rd scrum half question, Dickson would probably the obvious choice but I thought that Spencer played very well for Saracens for a while. With Lancaster leaning towards youth does anyone think that he might have a chance?

 

[gingergenius]

he might but i think that would be very premature to pick someone on the back of 10 games...

 

[j'nuh]

I don't think Lancaster is going deliberately for youth, merely that he's picking players who are young enough to make the next WC, but have the form to compete at international level. Dickson's 26, will make the next WC, and as far as I'm aware, is now the third best scrum-half available. He probably won't get much/any time at the 6N though.

 

[Teh Mite]

I don't think Lancaster is going deliberately for youth, merely that he's picking players who are young enough to make the next WC, but have the form to compete at international level. Dickson's 26, will make the next WC, and as far as I'm aware, is now the third best scrum-half available. He probably won't get much/any time at the 6N though.

Youngs will be the shoe-in starter. Come Summer Care will return to being no. 2 choice, but for now I imagine Simpson will become the bench warmer and Dickson will be on standby. Upon Cares return, Dickson can return to being Englands forgotten man.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Do Sale play Saints during the Six Nations? If so I'm very much in favour of Dickson going to England, they're a different side without him.

Jokes aside he's in better form than Youngs or Simpson, so should be there.

 

[HowieLO6]

Do Sale play Saints during the Six Nations? If so I'm very much in favour of Dickson going to England, they're a different side without him.

Jokes aside he's in better form than Youngs or Simpson, so should be there.

Before hearing of Flood's injury, I would have been inclined to go with Youngs. Keen - inadvisable or otherwise - in picking halfbacks with a degree of chemistry. Now that this isn't the case, i'm all for giving Dickson a chance at the highest level.

On another note, I'm personally very keen for Lancaster to get some of the up-and-coming "yoot" involved with the senior squad, especially those who are starting to demonstrate their abilities in the Premiership. While Ford has yet to get a crack at it with Leicester, it can only be of benefit to have the likes of Daly (like him at 12, long-term), Wade and Kvesic mixing it with the best.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I hadn't realised Flood was injured until this morning, seems he could miss the first two matches.

Will be interesting to see who starts the Scotland match now, whoever it is will be a newbie (unless Charlie Hodgson is selected as an 'old head').

Presumably (going off of what I imagine the EPS will look like) Farrell start, Burns bench, and then the reverse for the Italy match.

 

[Don't Skip Leg Day]

If flood is out i'd actually be tempted to keep Charlie hodgson in just to give a little bit of stabiltiy to the team, theres no point in having all youngsters in the whole backline. Maybe

1. Corbs
2. Hatley
3. Cole
4. Attwood
5.Palmer
6.Croft/ Robshaw
7. Wood
8. Morgen
9.Youngs
10.Hodgson
11.Sharples
12. Farrell
13.Trinder
14. Ashton/ Wade/ Benjamin
15. Foden

16.Gray
17.Marler/ JDJ (can cover both sides of the scrum)
18. Robson
19.Croft/ Robshaw
20. Simpson
21.Burns
22.May

Thats thinking theres no Lawes, Flood, Tuilangi. Hmm not a bad team but take out Hodgson and the backs have very little shape to them.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

I'd be very similar, my choice would be:

1. Wood
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Lawes (Attwood)
5. Palmer
6. Robshaw
7. Seymour
8. Morgan
9. Youngs
10. Hodgson
11. Sharples
12. Barritt
13. Trinder
14. Ashton
15. Foden

16. Gray
17. Doran-Jones (Unlucky on Corbsiero, but PDJ plays #1 better than Corbisiero plays #3, and that's useful when you only have one prop on the bench)
18. Attwood (Myall/Day/A.N.Other, not sure who will be in the mix for locks)
19. Wood
20. Simpson
21. Burns
22. May/Benjamin/Wade/A.N.Other (not sure who will be included as wing)


Brackets by Lawes because I don't know if he'll be fit (think he will though).
Austin Healy has said today that he thinks Lawes should be England captain.

 

[RAWWeyman]

Hodgeson over Burns? I thought you were in love with Burns Olyy?

Otherwise thats a bloody good team. Barritt/Trinder would be crazy.

 

[TRF_Olyy]

Don't worry, I am

However I wouldn't want too much change - it'd be a brand new midfield, and Sharples with no experience of int. rugby as well - Hodgson would be good to steer the ship before bringing on Burns for a bit towards the end and then starting him vs Italy

 

[Peat]

Burns still has kinks in his game at fly-half. I'd be happy for him to go on the bench, but would be gibbering fearfully if he started.

Charlie Hodgson is the only international standard fly-half left standing.

 

[HowieLO6]

Charlie Hodgson is the only international standard fly-half left standing.

Creatively, spot-on. Still have nightmares when it comes to the very notion of him having to so much as contemplate a tackle.

That said, not as if i've got any alternative ideas. Barkley?

 

[Wilko's left boot]

I think Barkley's around 30 so there might be doubts about long term (2015 etc etc), but if we are really stretched for options now then he might be a decent squad man covering flyhalf & centre in the short-term until people return from injuries/youngsters step up.

 

[Peat]

Creatively, spot-on. Still have nightmares when it comes to the very notion of him having to so much as contemplate a tackle.

That said, not as if i've got any alternative ideas. Barkley?

He's better than he was and besides, he'd be far from the only international fly-half who needs hiding.

Its the chances of his kicking game imploding that worries me most.

 

[HowieLO6]

I think Barkley's around 30 so there might be doubts about long term (2015 etc etc), but if we are really stretched for options now then he might be a decent squad man covering flyhalf & centre in the short-term until people return from injuries/youngsters step up.

With Hodgson knocking 30 himself, he's not going to be in Englands long-term plans either. While he's most certainly the more creative of the two, he's a turnstile when it comes to defence. Granted, Barritt is a more than capable defender outside him, i'd rather not see any 6N team sending wave after wave of players at our flyhalf.

That said, i'm a big fan of George Ford, and he's not exactly the type to cut anyone in two!

 

[TRF_Olyy]

He's a turnstile when it comes to defence.

You do realise this isn't 2005, right?

He's more than capable in defence.

 

[gingergenius]

If Flood is out, then I really don't mind bringing in Farrell. With other young players, you might think 'yeah lets throw in an older guy to steer the ship', but Farrell has proved time and time again that pressure doesn't phase him. Plus, his game will suit the shite weather in the Burgh.

With no Care, and assuming Flood & Tuilagi are injured, my team for Scotland:

1. Corbisiero
2. Hartley (c)
3. Cole
4. Lawes
5. Palmer
6. Robshaw
7. Wood
8. Waldrom
9. Youngs
10. Farrell
11. Sharples
12. Barritt
13. Trinder
14. Ashton
15. Foden

16. Gray
17. Stevens
18. Attwood
19. Croft
20. Simpson
21. Burns
22. Armitage

I'll admit my midfield has a total of 0 international caps - which is why Armitage over Brown on the bench is even more important.