Martin Johnson has finally announced the England team that will take on Australia at Twickenham this weekend, and here is the line-up.
ENGLAND
15 Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
14 Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
13 Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)
12 Shane Geraghty (Northampton Saints)
11 Matt Banahan (Bath Rugby)
10 Jonny Wilkinson (Toulon)
9 Danny Care (Harlequins)
1 Tim Payne (London Wasps)
2 Steve Thompson (CA Brive)
3 Dave Wilson (Bath Rugby)
4 Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers)
5 Steve Borthwick (Saracens, Captain)
6 Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers)
7 Lewis Moody (Leicester Tigers)
8 Jordan Crane (Leicester Tigers)
REPLACEMENTS
16 Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
17 Duncan Bell (Bath Rugby)
18 Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
19 James Haskell (Stade Francais)
20 Paul Hodgson (London Irish)
21 Andy Goode (CA Brive)
22 Ayoola Erinle (Biarritz Olympique)
What do you think?
We’ll be interviewing Paul Ackford this evening to get his thoughts, so if there’s anything you’d like to ask him about the team and England’s prospects this month, feel free to leave a question along with your feedback on the team.
Me feelin’ that for real Tommy. The thought of Goode getting on again is appalling, almost as bad as the prospect of seeing Julian White.
What odds we end up with uncontested scrums? Given the three front row starters we have (and only two on the bench) it has to be highly likely. I guess the new rules don’t apply to this series, but does that mean that if we go to uncontested because of England injuries we don’t have to go down to 14 like under the new GP rules?
Justin, Erinlee has been playing centre/wing for his french club. Ontop of that, Cueto can move to 15 if needs be.
I really think the Monye @ 15 decision is a missed trick, Foden would have been a good choice imo he’s the most exciting 15 in the GP right now.
QUite a slow pack, but no more so thent eh SA pack before Brussow, moody and croft playing left and right is not that bad, but I’d still liked to have sene JH at 8.
Care is the right call for me need someone who’ll keep the Australian backrow honest with these ponderous forwards, and we all know he loves to run, that’ll give wilko the extra time he needs on the ball. problem is going to be are we going to win the breakdown? and i have to be honest i don’t see it.
Slightly of the subject, but just thought of something which has got me quite excited for the ENG vs NZ game – Wilko vs Carter. Thats going to be an amazing contest!
First rule of international back selection, pick footballers (look at any McGeechan selection) – guys who can pass, kick and have an appreciation of space. The only two who have this are Wilkinson and Geraghty. The back three will be found out big time tomorrow. Monye, Cueto and Bananaman – dear oh dear ! Not one footballing brain cell between them. Andy Foode and Erinle on the bench – zero options if plan A fails. Giteau will have a field day if he gets any sort of ball. Aussies comfortably by 15.
Andy Goode? He’s not been playing well at Brive and I can’t see what can offer that Wilkinson can’t. Well apart from really bad hair.
Thompson: Is he really the best hooker we have?
As for Wilkinson, I can’t wait to see him back to his best and linking up with Geraghty and Care, and then Hipkiss bashing though the line. Apparently they’ve been sparking in training so let’s hope it carries through to Saturday.
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I’m pleased that Jordan Crane’s finally got a start as he really deserves it I think. I know people say Haskell should have been picked there but he’s not been playing at number 8 regularly enough this season.
Monye @ 15? Bit of a weird one, although Cueto and Erinle can cover this position. I hoped that Foden might get a look in but maybe Johnno thinks it’s too soon for him.
Courtney Lawes: I’m glad he’s included and I hope he comes off the bench. I’m just worried that he’s been hyped up too much that the pressure might tell. It’s got to be hard to be hailed as the next Martin Johnson, especially at 20 years old. Playing in your first match for England is stressful enough.
Deacon and Borthwick: not dynamic enough if you ask me. Johnno’s playing it safe, but will bring Lawes on for Deacon and see if it changes the dynamics for the better.
England have got a tough job to win this one, as although Australia are on a losing streak they have lost all their recent games to SA and NZ, who aren’t exactly a walk in the park.