Don't need to say much, just like the old England, we've put in all the work upfront required to win a game of rugby and lost it through blunt backplay (and brilliant Welsh defence & flankplay)... If this were any normal test playing team, performances like that from Banahan and Hape in particular would have played themselves off the plane to New Zealand. As it is, I'd be highly surprised if Johnson doesn't take them.
I cannot understand England's centres. Flutey is a bit of an unknown quantity, since he can be class but only if fit and on form. But for the past two years, the two best teams in England have had the two best 12s in the premiership and they're both English-qualified.
Yet instead of giving Anthony Allen and Brad Barritt even an opportunity in the past year, what logic do we get?
We get a tour to Australia with England's number 12 being Shontayne Hape, a Kiwi and a recent convert from rugby league who's been playing quite well at 13 for one of the premiership's upper-mid table teams.
And despite having had one decent game there (Samoa), Hape continues to be picked. Who else has Johnson lined up for the 12 shirt, after 3 years in charge and with just one more game left before the world cup? Flutey, and, of course, England's very own Sonny Bill Williams - Matt Banahan. Another logical move here - a second row who can make it as a decent winger in the premiership so must naturally be able to play both 13 and 12 for England - despite not even being a good enough winger for test rugby.
All this, let's put it bluntly, stupidity in selection at 12, things might be OK if we had something special at 13. But no. We've tried Matthew Tait, but in a team that was told to kick at every opportunity. We've then tried Ayoola Erinle (remember him?), Dan Hipkiss, Jamie Noon, and Mike Tindall. Ouch. So we go into the world cup after three years of trying centre partnerships out, and the nation's hopes will be resting with a 20 year-old with one cap to his name. Of course, even though there was a chance to try out one of the few footballers in the squad (Armitage) at 13 yesterday when Tindall went off, he played wing and Banahan went to centre... Logical.
Since we must pick from the current squad, I'm suggesting a short-term fix, just for the world cup. It goes:
10. Wilkinson
12. Flood
13. Tuilagi
Wilkinson is capable of slowing a backline down, but he's also a potential matchwinner and benefits from having a ballplayer outside him.
Flood is a ballplayer, and is also experienced and a leader, and offers a second kicking option, and a better kicker out of hand than Jonny. Off form he may be but he's still a good player.
Tuilagi is quick, powerful, and has more of a rugby brain than anyone who's worn 13 for England since Greenwood wore it (ok, maybe Tait...).
Could work. If it did, it would require us certainly to bring a 3rd fly half. Shame that man's Charlie Hodgson.
Agree with Gustgot, If Henson's injury isn't serious i can see him going to world cup 
