Martin Johnson has just named the squad from which he will pick a side to play the Barbarians, and which will travel to Argentina this summer.
The main news is that there is no room for Danny Cipriani among the 34 players that Johnson has selected – does anyone have any suggestions as to what he has done to upset the main man of England?
Sam Vesty gets a well-deserved call up, as does Tom May, both preferred ahead of Cipriani as potential fly-halves, whilst Steve Thompson also returns to the fold.
What are your thoughts? Any suggestions?
Great to see that England can field two sides (the senior squad and the saxons) with such strength – despite 8 players travelling with the Lions!
How about an experimental side to play the Barbarians? Embrace the width and physicality that has been the hallmark of the best Premiership sides this season, while testing the credentials of some new players:
1. Payne
2. Dylan Hartley
3. Wilson
4. Crane
5. Croft
6. Robshaw
7. Armitage
8. Haskell
9. Care
10. Vesty
11. Cueto
12. Turner-Hall
13. Hipkiss
14. Foden
15. Armitage
I’d like to see Tom May given a go. He’s helped keep Newcastle afloat this season playing some awesome rugby at 10! Underated massively.
Also, I’d have included someone like Ben Woods, who starts regularly for Leicester at 7, and who never ever has a bad game. He outperformed Steffon Armitage in the GP final yet only makes the Saxons. On the other hand, it’s about time that the selectors have finally selected a Quins back row forward other than Easter. Robshaw has been immense this season, but Skinner has also been top drawer.
Great squad, lots to see and a bit of experience to help the kids out. Would love to see May given a shot just because he can punt out of hand; this has been lacking in the England team for a while and against Hernandes (the worlds best out of hand kicker) we can afford to loose 20 meters per kick. May also has gas,how many 10′s can play wing, and great hands.
I want to see Crane given a chance his Leicester form warrants one.
My team against the pumas
1- White
2- Hartley
3- Payne
4- Kay
5- Borthwick (don’t like him but he will play)
6- Haskell
7- Moody
8-Crane
9- Care
10-Vesty
11- Cueto
12- May
13- Hipkiss
14- Foden
15- Armitage
Would like to see Rees the pack but we will need some experience against the Pumas and there is a lot of young blood in that team.The Pumas pack is always intimidating, so people lie White, Kay and Moody will lead the young guys, this aids the development of some talent instead of crushing the confidence of all the talent we have.
Last note, the Cipp thing is a disgrace. There is no argument for not picking him. if the england setup believes that you need to be a robot who does what he told to be a good player we will never have imaginative players, Catt, Guscot, Heally were all arrogant but yes they could play rugby. A good coach deals with these guys personality issues and lets their talent shine.
Do we remember the picking of Pill de Glanville ahead of Guscot by jack Rowell, Geech put an end to that nonsense with the 97 lions tour, hope he eventually does the same with Cipp this time around.
I agree Braz, the Cipriani omission is a little perplexing. Johnno has snubbed him at every opportunity. When he dropped him to the Saxons for the 6N I interpreted it as an attempt to bring him down to earth (maybe a sensible move). But now it’s clear that there’s something more significant. Makes me wonder whether there’s some history between them or something that’s happened behind closed doors that we don’t know about.
I don’t buy the public comments about Vesty, Goode and May being in better form. Cipriani had a pretty good end to the season I thought. Moreover, I don’t see the logic of picking three 10′s in their late 20′s and leaving behind the 21 year old (I would have taken Cipriani instead of Goode).
I’ve never seen Foden play on the wing (has he had many games there?). Delighted to see him in the squad though. Another reason to think that with Cipriani it must be personal.
1. White
2. Hartley
3. Wood
4. Borthwick
5. Kennedy
6. Robshaw
7. Armitage
8. Haskell
9. Care
10. May
11. Strettle
12. Turner-Hall
13. Hipkiss
14. Cueto
15. Armitage
16. Payne
17. Thompson
18. Rees
19. Crane
20. Vesty
21. Tait
22. Foden
Tait is unlucky not to get a start in my team, however his ability to cover all positions (excluding half backs) makes him the ideal sub. Same can be said for Foden (excluding playing centre).
Kay and Easter have had great seasons but I would much rather see the youngsters given their chance as they are the future of English rugby (personally want to see English rugby moving forwards, not backwards)
Personally think Vesty is very lucky to be in the squad, as is Goode. Can’t understand Cipps ommission at all – and I don’t even like him. Same with Geraghty. Is he injuried or simply out of favour?
Feel we are really lacking in options in the front row (props). Are they any options?