Players ages by the next world cup:
Nick Abendanon (33)
Steffon Armitiage (34)
Even if they did relax the rules or signed for English clubs they'd potentially be past their primes come the next WC. A generalisation and you'll always get exceptions (Brad Thorn and Victor Matfield, Easter? spring to mind) But generally speaking I reckon at 34 your about done as a back and maybe depending on position a couple more years in the forwards.
Taking that reasoning, the players that either never were that great need to be dropped immediately and others need phased out bring younger players in to get the experience needed for the next WC, hopefully trying to win a couple of 6N ***les along the way.
Jamie George Hooker (age 24) Hopefully gets more game time as an understudy to Hartley initially.
Rob Webber Hooker (age 29) Drop him his form was never good enough domestically
Tom Youngs Hooker (age 28) I like him as an impact sub but could also be dropped for me unless set piece improves or improves to compensate for his deficiencies
*Dylan Hartley Hooker (age 29) He's currently our best all round hooker and most experienced could feature in the next world cup or be the interim if one of the younger guys surpass him
Kieran Brookes Prop (age 25) Looks decent, continue to pick if domestic form is good at Northampton
Dan Cole Prop (age 28) Looked backed to his best pre WC but been ineffective this WC. Experience should keep him around and on form still #1.
Joe Marler Prop (age 25) Needs to improve, and justify his place moving forward
Mako Vunipola Prop (age 24) Hopefully can shake his tag as an impact player with potential to be first choice LH if his scrummaging continues to improve.
David Wilson Prop (age 30) He's an old 30 year old, with injury issues. Great scummager but doesn't offer enough to start giving younger guys some experience
George Kruis Lock (age 25) We're not short on quality Locks, again pick on form but we were a little one dimensional in selection for the WC need to re-establish the scrum so need at least TH lock to choose from.
Joe Launchbury Lock (age 24) Mentioned as a prospect for captain but seems quiet and still young. If fit he's one of the first names I'd have on the team sheet- I'd like to see Slater and Graham Kitchener get a run too.
Courtney Lawes Lock (age 26) Blows hot and cold for me, again just pick on form but could form a long lasting partnership with Launchbury
Geoff Parling Lock (age 31) Won't be around come the next WC I'd not even have him stick around
James Haskell Flanker (age 30) Never given a run by Lancaster and didn't take the opportunity when he did get a start. Drop and never to return
Chris Robshaw Flanker (age 29) I think at his age Robshaw is as good as he's going to get, should be picked on merit but at 6 and personally he's well down my own personal pecking order. Been consistent for England though.
Tom Wood Flanker (age 28) Don't really see what he brings and didn't bring much to the WC part of a one dimensional back row that finally needs to be overhauled
Nick Easter Number 8 (age 37) Retire
Ben Morgan Number 8 (age 26) Class player but never looked fit to me this WC. Needs to regain form and there are others who could edge him out if he doesn't
Billy Vunipola 8 (age 22) Can't believe he's still only 22 scope to improve his overall game by some margin. On form i think Morgan is the more rounded 8 but Billy will be around for a long time.
Danny Care Scrum-half (age 28) Next coaching set up need to decide on a half back pairing and give them time. Care seemed to make Lancaster's sh@t list.
Richard Wigglesworth SH (age 32) Never international standard IMO won't be around to prove otherwise
Ben Youngs SH (age 26) As with Care do one of these two get a run and chance to establish themselves or look at someone else?
Owen Farrell Fly-half (age 24) I've always said when on form Farrell is a good if somewhat limited #10 I think his ceiling is far lower than Fords. Danny Cipriani is only 27 I'd like him to get a run.
George Ford Fly-half (age 22) Showed what he offers over Farrell, I'd like to see him and Cipriani battle it out for starting 10.
Brad Barritt Centre (age 29) Will be binned surely
Sam Burgess Centre (age 26) Go back to his club and decide on and learn a position might be back.
Jonathan Joseph Centre (age 24) Class hopefully will be around a long time
Henry Slade Centre (age 22) Depends on where his club see him long term, would like to see him at 12.
Jonny May Wing (age 25) There's a few young wingers around but one of the less tarnished players of the WC IMO
Jack Nowell Wing (age 22) Could become a very good utility player which is maybe doing him a disservice. Unlucky not to feature in the WC.
Anthony Watson Wing (age 21) Similar to May comes out being one of a few players who performed well, bit more experience could be FB.
Mike Brown Fullback (age 30) I'm not sure about Brown he's been consistent for England and should certainly remain in the medium term.
Alex Goode Fullback (age 27) Good club player but please give someone else a chance and send him back to Saracens never to return to the England set up.
Nick Abendanon (33)
Steffon Armitiage (34)
Even if they did relax the rules or signed for English clubs they'd potentially be past their primes come the next WC. A generalisation and you'll always get exceptions (Brad Thorn and Victor Matfield, Easter? spring to mind) But generally speaking I reckon at 34 your about done as a back and maybe depending on position a couple more years in the forwards.
Taking that reasoning, the players that either never were that great need to be dropped immediately and others need phased out bring younger players in to get the experience needed for the next WC, hopefully trying to win a couple of 6N ***les along the way.
Jamie George Hooker (age 24) Hopefully gets more game time as an understudy to Hartley initially.
Rob Webber Hooker (age 29) Drop him his form was never good enough domestically
Tom Youngs Hooker (age 28) I like him as an impact sub but could also be dropped for me unless set piece improves or improves to compensate for his deficiencies
*Dylan Hartley Hooker (age 29) He's currently our best all round hooker and most experienced could feature in the next world cup or be the interim if one of the younger guys surpass him
Kieran Brookes Prop (age 25) Looks decent, continue to pick if domestic form is good at Northampton
Dan Cole Prop (age 28) Looked backed to his best pre WC but been ineffective this WC. Experience should keep him around and on form still #1.
Joe Marler Prop (age 25) Needs to improve, and justify his place moving forward
Mako Vunipola Prop (age 24) Hopefully can shake his tag as an impact player with potential to be first choice LH if his scrummaging continues to improve.
David Wilson Prop (age 30) He's an old 30 year old, with injury issues. Great scummager but doesn't offer enough to start giving younger guys some experience
George Kruis Lock (age 25) We're not short on quality Locks, again pick on form but we were a little one dimensional in selection for the WC need to re-establish the scrum so need at least TH lock to choose from.
Joe Launchbury Lock (age 24) Mentioned as a prospect for captain but seems quiet and still young. If fit he's one of the first names I'd have on the team sheet- I'd like to see Slater and Graham Kitchener get a run too.
Courtney Lawes Lock (age 26) Blows hot and cold for me, again just pick on form but could form a long lasting partnership with Launchbury
Geoff Parling Lock (age 31) Won't be around come the next WC I'd not even have him stick around
James Haskell Flanker (age 30) Never given a run by Lancaster and didn't take the opportunity when he did get a start. Drop and never to return
Chris Robshaw Flanker (age 29) I think at his age Robshaw is as good as he's going to get, should be picked on merit but at 6 and personally he's well down my own personal pecking order. Been consistent for England though.
Tom Wood Flanker (age 28) Don't really see what he brings and didn't bring much to the WC part of a one dimensional back row that finally needs to be overhauled
Nick Easter Number 8 (age 37) Retire
Ben Morgan Number 8 (age 26) Class player but never looked fit to me this WC. Needs to regain form and there are others who could edge him out if he doesn't
Billy Vunipola 8 (age 22) Can't believe he's still only 22 scope to improve his overall game by some margin. On form i think Morgan is the more rounded 8 but Billy will be around for a long time.
Danny Care Scrum-half (age 28) Next coaching set up need to decide on a half back pairing and give them time. Care seemed to make Lancaster's sh@t list.
Richard Wigglesworth SH (age 32) Never international standard IMO won't be around to prove otherwise
Ben Youngs SH (age 26) As with Care do one of these two get a run and chance to establish themselves or look at someone else?
Owen Farrell Fly-half (age 24) I've always said when on form Farrell is a good if somewhat limited #10 I think his ceiling is far lower than Fords. Danny Cipriani is only 27 I'd like him to get a run.
George Ford Fly-half (age 22) Showed what he offers over Farrell, I'd like to see him and Cipriani battle it out for starting 10.
Brad Barritt Centre (age 29) Will be binned surely
Sam Burgess Centre (age 26) Go back to his club and decide on and learn a position might be back.
Jonathan Joseph Centre (age 24) Class hopefully will be around a long time
Henry Slade Centre (age 22) Depends on where his club see him long term, would like to see him at 12.
Jonny May Wing (age 25) There's a few young wingers around but one of the less tarnished players of the WC IMO
Jack Nowell Wing (age 22) Could become a very good utility player which is maybe doing him a disservice. Unlucky not to feature in the WC.
Anthony Watson Wing (age 21) Similar to May comes out being one of a few players who performed well, bit more experience could be FB.
Mike Brown Fullback (age 30) I'm not sure about Brown he's been consistent for England and should certainly remain in the medium term.
Alex Goode Fullback (age 27) Good club player but please give someone else a chance and send him back to Saracens never to return to the England set up.
