Your team predicted squad for the world cup

[Leonormous Boozer]

Presuming a 17/14 spit.

Props: Healy, McGrath, Bent, Ross, Bent
Hookers: Best, Cronin, Strauss
Locks: O'Connell, Toner, Henderson, Tuohy
Backrows: Heaslip, O'Mahony, O'Brien, Henry, Ruddock/Murphy
Scrumhalves: Murray, Reddan, Boss/Marmion
Outhalves: Sexton, Jackson, Madigan
Centres: Henshaw, Payne (@cmac95 Olding won't be fit until 2016)
Backthree: Kearney, Bowe, Zebo, Fitzgerald, Earls, Jones

With an 18/13 split one of Madigan and Jackson drops out, Bent is gone and Kilcoyne and White come in.

I think the widely held presumption is 31 man squads but is there actually any official source confirming it yet?

Right, just read the ***le of this thread and saw 'predicted' I reckon you're right with either Jackson or Zebo dropping out, the lack of 12's in Ireland is weird, worrying and a reason Mads has to be in the squad. Zebo doesn't bring enough variation for Joe when he has all his options.

 

[big ginger 8]

Right, just read the ***le of this thread and saw 'predicted' I reckon you're right with either Jackson or Zebo dropping out, the lack of 12's in Ireland is weird, worrying and a reason Mads has to be in the squad. Zebo doesn't bring enough variation for Joe when he has all his options.

Ah there's a decent number of 12's in Ireland, it's just that a lot of them play for one province and have no idea how to stay fit. I'm not entirely sure which if Madigan or Jackson will drop, it depends if he wants the 12 cover or someone who can start if Sexton is injured.

 

[TheSaffycen]

Surely Watson over Pennell because a) Watson has more experience and b) if a wing gets injured then what happens? Surely you don't want to see Brown on the wing again?

I would want Pennel there so I would probably put Watson over Ashton, but surely you can call up players for injury ?

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

My SA 31-man squad:

1. Beast Mtawarira
2. Adriaan Strauss
3. Frans Malherbe
4. Eben Etzebeth
5. Victor Matfield
6. Francois Louw
7. Willem Alberts
8. Duane Vermeulen
9. Fourie Du Preez
10. Handre Pollard
11. Francois Hougaard
12. Damian De Allende
13. Jan Serfontein
14. Cornal Hendricks
15. Willie Le Roux

16. Bismarck Du Plessis
17. Trevor Nyakane
18. Frans Malherbe
19. Pieter Steph Du Toit
20. Marcel Coetzee
21. Cobus Reinach
22. Pat Lambie
23. Jesse Kriel

24. Marcel v/d Merwe
25. Julian Redelinghuys
26. Jacques Du Plessis
27. Armand v/d Merwe
28. Arno Botha
29. Lwazi Mvovo
30. Burger Odendaal
31. Francois Steyn

I'm assuming either 3 or 18 is Koch instead. Agreed.

You really prefer Frans Steyn ahead of De Jongh at this stage if De Villiers isn't 100%? I'm with you on Odendaal as a potential bolter though.

I'd just be a tad concerned if Mtawarira was our only specialist loose head prop. I know Nyakane and MvdM can fill the role but do we really need 3 tight heads AND 2 versatile props. I am feeling really strongly about Kitshoff. Nevermind that he is part of the dominant scrum in SR his work around the park is excellent. That said I'd have Nyakane and Mtawarira ahead of him but feel he needs to be there.

I see you have an extra prop and left out Whiteley. Fair enough, I suppose Jacques is the new Danie Rossouw so we can afford to bring along only 4 locks and 5 loosies.

I had a hard time picking a 3rd hooker. Armand is also a great shout. In fact, Brits and Burden might also come into contention. All in all though it probably won't matter who'll be 3rd hooker as Strauss and Bismarck are likely to be the sole cometitors for the position in what would otherwise be a very green tight five.

 

[austingtir]

1) Woodcock, Crockett, Joe Moody
2) Coles, Mealamu, Elliot
3) Owen Franks, Faumuiana
4) Rettalick, Romano,
5) Thrush, Whitelock
6) Kaino, Messam
7) McCaw, Todd
8) Read, Manu
9) Perenara, Smith Kerr Barlow
10) Cruden, Slade, Barrett, , Sopoaga
11) Savea,
12) Nonu, SBW
13) Smith, Fekitoa,
14) Jane, Naholo
15) Smith, Mckenzie/Milner Skudder

Prob more of a wishlist in certain positions as some arent possible....
I wouldnt of selected Charlie Faumuina but cant think of anyone else and havent been watching the front rows enough to of noticed anybody.
Just added Nasi simply because I think he's gone a bit unnoticed. I mean they selected bloody Luke Whitelock a couple of years back when they could of taken this guy who's a way better player and he's only 26 (just coming into prime for an 8 imo)!!! Big loss for the Highlanders next year.

 

[TRF_heineken]

I'm assuming either 3 or 18 is Koch instead. Agreed.

You really prefer Frans Steyn ahead of De Jongh at this stage if De Villiers isn't 100%? I'm with you on Odendaal as a potential bolter though.

I'd just be a tad concerned if Mtawarira was our only specialist loose head prop. I know Nyakane and MvdM can fill the role but do we really need 3 tight heads AND 2 versatile props. I am feeling really strongly about Kitshoff. Nevermind that he is part of the dominant scrum in SR his work around the park is excellent. That said I'd have Nyakane and Mtawarira ahead of him but feel he needs to be there.

I see you have an extra prop and left out Whiteley. Fair enough, I suppose Jacques is the new Danie Rossouw so we can afford to bring along only 4 locks and 5 loosies.

I had a hard time picking a 3rd hooker. Armand is also a great shout. In fact, Brits and Burden might also come into contention. All in all though it probably won't matter who'll be 3rd hooker as Strauss and Bismarck are likely to be the sole cometitors for the position in what would otherwise be a very green tight five.

Oh yeah, Koch at 18.

I'd pick Frans ahead of De Jongh any day of the week. Frans is a World Cup winner. He can kick at goal, and can play different positions, he's also a monster on defense, and I see a growing tendency of defensive rugby being played again.

I picked Arno Botha as the back-up no. 8. I think because of the enforcement of having 4 props in your starting 23, the other 8 players of the World Cup squad should be versatile players, as you don't have too much space for specialist players, and I'd always pick a versatile player ahead of a specialist, especially if the versatile player is just as good as the specialist player or better.

I'm picking beast and Nyakane at loosehead (mainly because they are good scrummagers, and Trevor was a loosehead. But also to ensure we keep the politics out of the squad). Malherbe and Redelinghuys is a must for the World Cup, and I don't want Jannie, he's past his prime.

 

[Jaguares]

1 Tetaz Chaparro
2 Agustin Creevy - Matias Cortese
3 Marcos Ayerza - Ramiro Herrera
4 Matias Alemanno - Guido Petti
5 Tomas Lavanini
6 Juan Fernandez Lobbe - Tomas Lezana
7 Pablo Matera - Ortega Desio
8 Juan Leguizamon - Facundo Isa
9 Tomas Cubelli - Martin Landajo
10 Nicolas Sanchez - Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias
11 Manuel Montero - Horacio Agulla
12 Juan Martin Hernandez - Lucas Moroni
13 Marcelo Bosch
14 Juan Imhoff - Santiago Cordero
15 Joaquin Tuculet - Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Predicted:

1) Corbs, Marler, Vunipola
2) Youngs, Hartley, Webber
3) Cole, Wilson,
4) Lawes, Attwood
5) Launchbury, Parling
6) Wood, Haskell
7) Robshaw,
8) Vunipola, Morgan
9) Youngs, Wigglesworth, Care
10) Ford, Farrell
11) Nowell, May
12) Barritt, Slade
13) JJ, Tuilagi
14) Watson,
15) Brown, Goode.

 

[yaboyjj]

Predicted:

1) Corbs, Marler, Vunipola
2) Youngs, Hartley, Webber
3) Cole, Wilson,
4) Lawes, Attwood
5) Launchbury, Parling
6) Wood, Haskell
7) Robshaw,
8) Vunipola, Morgan
9) Youngs, Wigglesworth, Care
10) Ford, Farrell
11) Nowell, May
12) Barritt, Slade
13) JJ, Tuilagi
14) Watson,
15) Brown, Goode.

Corbs, Webber, Hartley, Wood and Care are not currently intentional standard players (Goode and Hask questionable too)- I hope Lancaster realises how poorly they are playing atm

 

[Bada-Bing!]

Corbs, Webber, Hartley, Wood and Care are not currently intentional standard players (Goode and Hask questionable too)- I hope Lancaster realises how poorly they are playing atm

Form is temporary and Lancaster is a very conservative coach, so don't expect too many surprises. Not saying I agree with the predicted squad, but it won't be that far away from the 31, subject to injury. I think Slade could be the only bolter in the squad to play 12 because Burrell was given his chance in the 6Ns and blew it and 12Ts is just too inconsistent and is a bench warmer at best.

Other than that the 3rd wing spot is up for grabs.

 

[Duck a l'Orange]

Form is temporary and Lancaster is a very conservative coach, so don't expect too many surprises. Not saying I agree with the predicted squad, but it won't be that far away from the 31, subject to injury. I think Slade could be the only bolter in the squad to play 12 because Burrell was given his chance in the 6Ns and blew it and 12Ts is just too inconsistent and is a bench warmer at best.

Other than that the 3rd wing spot is up for grabs.

I don't know if Lancaster sees Burrell as having blown his chance- yes, on this forum he is no longer considered a viable solution in the centres, but he started every game and there's been no talk of dropping him from England.

 

[Bada-Bing!]

I don't know if Lancaster sees Burrell as having blown his chance- yes, on this forum he is no longer considered a viable solution in the centres, but he started every game and there's been no talk of dropping him from England.

Barritt would have started v France had he not got injured. Burrell was rubbish all tournament and would have been dropped. He'll only get into the 31 if Manu doesn't make it. I think Lancaster will want a 2nd playmaker at 12 in his squad and I think Slade can be that player, as he has the skill set required.

 

[91jmay]

Goode was the best player on the pitch against Toulon, so odd to claim he is not in form. Wood also man of the match against Wasps in first game back.

Will do predicted/hope like others:.

Predicted:
1) Marler, Corbs, Vunipola
2) Youngs, Hartley,
3) Cole, Wilson, Brookes
4) Lawes, Attwood
5) Launchbury, Parling
6) Wood, Haskell
7) Robshaw,
8) Vunipola, Morgan
9) Youngs, Wigglesworth, Care
10) Ford, Farrell
11) Nowell, Ashton
12) Tuilagi, Barritt
13) JJ, Twelvetrees
14) Watson, Roko
15) Brown,

Hope:
1) Marler, Corbs, Vunipola
2) Youngs, Hartley,
3) Cole, Wilson, Brookes
4) Lawes, Attwood
5) Launchbury, Parling
6) Haskell, Ewers
7) Robshaw, Wood
8) Vunipola, Morgan
9) Youngs, Wigglesworth
10) Ford, Farrell
11) Nowell, Wade
12) Tuilagi, Barritt
13) JJ, Eastmond
14) Roko, Watson
15) Brown

We are home team so 3rd choice not important for injury replacements, would rather us have in house options at flanker than at 9.

 

[Peat]

I would want Pennel there so I would probably put Watson over Ashton, but surely you can call up players for injury ?

Yes, but in doing so you permanently replace the injured player - so you want in house cover for injuries that take a week or two where you still want the injured player in your team.

 

[yaboyjj]

Goode was the best player on the pitch against Toulon, so odd to claim he is not in form. Wood also man of the match against Wasps in first game back.

Will do predicted/hope like others:.

Predicted:
1) Marler, Corbs, Vunipola
2) Youngs, Hartley,
3) Cole, Wilson, Brookes
4) Lawes, Attwood
5) Launchbury, Parling
6) Wood, Haskell
7) Robshaw,
8) Vunipola, Morgan
9) Youngs, Wigglesworth, Care
10) Ford, Farrell
11) Nowell, Ashton
12) Tuilagi, Barritt
13) JJ, Twelvetrees
14) Watson, Roko
15) Brown,

Hope:
1) Marler, Corbs, Vunipola
2) Youngs, Hartley,
3) Cole, Wilson, Brookes
4) Lawes, Attwood
5) Launchbury, Parling
6) Haskell, Ewers
7) Robshaw, Wood
8) Vunipola, Morgan
9) Youngs, Wigglesworth
10) Ford, Farrell
11) Nowell, Wade
12) Tuilagi, Barritt
13) JJ, Eastmond
14) Roko, Watson
15) Brown

We are home team so 3rd choice not important for injury replacements, would rather us have in house options at flanker than at 9.

Goode is in good form I agree- but he is not imo international standard. Wood does not currently bring enough to the plate to warrant a place in the squad- if I were to rank the top 6's in the prem- he wouldn't be in the top 5 atm.

my hope (dream team):
1. Marler, Vunipola
2. Youngs, George
3. Cole, Wilson, Brookes
4. Lawes, Kruis
5. Launch, Parling
6. Ewers, Itoje
7. Robshaw, Kvesic
8. Vunipola, Morgan
9. Youngs, Wigglesworth, Simpson
10. Ford, Farrell, Slade
11. Nowell
12. Barritt, Hill
13. Joesph, Tuilagi
14. Watson, Roko
15. Brown

enough versatility in the squad there with Brookes covering props, Robshaw 6+7, Slade fly half and centres, Joseph wing and Watson full back.

 

[91jmay]

^ I like that team a load, think it is 12 months down the road though. Sure we all agree with WC is a season or two early for us which is a shame. I think experience is vital at international level, and whilst I love Itoje/Ewers sadly the one position we have a bit of experience is back row so might get likes of Haskell, Wood in (who I think are also good players to be fair lets not pretend they're muppets, Haskell's brain fades aside).

 

[yaboyjj]

^ I like that team a load, think it is 12 months down the road though. Sure we all agree with WC is a season or two early for us which is a shame. I think experience is vital at international level, and whilst I love Itoje/Ewers sadly the one position we have a bit of experience is back row so might get likes of Haskell, Wood in (who I think are also good players to be fair lets not pretend they're muppets, Haskell's brain fades aside).

I get there is a case for experience, but frankly, where was Haskell against Ireland, and who was it who made the costly error of judgement against France? (Basically I don't think experience should be grounds on which to merit his inclusion).
As for Wood- I'm just not sure if his extra 'experience' makes up for his poor performances this season enough to warrant a place- there are already 3 club captains likely to start, and in recent internationals, both Wood and Hask have been making poor decisions and giving away lots of pens.

 

[91jmay]

I accept their international caps recently might not have been great but I am not sure uncapped 20 and 24 year olds are certainties to make less mistakes. I worry about hurting their development if thrown to Wolves to early, however I would certainly see how they go for rest of season + warm ups. Other factor is that when Hask + Wood got back their domestic form is good. Haskell out shone Armitage (with his usual brain dead penalties still though admittedly) and Wood man of match against Wasps. Not like they are failing at AP level.

I think it is a difficult one and can't fault SL for which choice he makes to be honest. If he goes into WC with Ewers instead of Wood/Haskell and we get knocked out of a QF because he looks lost then he is putting his neck in chopping block. Hard to forget sometimes it is the blokes livelihood, he has a right to pick people he (for better or worse) knows the level of performance of. Haskell also for balance put in the two best back row performances I can remember in an England shirt in last 12 months as well (NZ 1st test and Wales).

 

[chippieolamus]

But someone like Itoje doesn't seem the type to make a stupid mistake, and will almost certainly give away less penalties than Wood/Haskell. Plus, he's just proved himself in a Champions Cup semi final, which is as close as you can get to international rugby. I say give him a chance in the warm ups, and if he impresses put him in the final squad.

 

[91jmay]

But someone like Itoje doesn't seem the type to make a stupid mistake, and will almost certainly give away less penalties than Wood/Haskell. Plus, he's just proved himself in a Champions Cup semi final, which is as close as you can get to international rugby. I say give him a chance in the warm ups, and if he impresses put him in the final squad.

that to me is a ridiculous comment, can't be based on anything other than one or two performances.