Martin Johnson has just announced his side to take on the French this Sunday in the Six Nations.
Nick Kennedy is dropped and replaced by Simon Shaw, Tom Croft replaced James Haskell, whilst Ugo Monye replaces the injured Paul Sackey on the wing.
Toby Flood retains his place at fly-half, and bad boy Danny Care remains on the bench.
England: Delon Armitage (London Irish), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Mike Tindall (Gloucester), Riki Flutey (Wasps), Mark Cueto (Sale); Toby Flood (Leicester), Harry Ellis (Leicester); Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Lee Mears (Bath), Phil Vickery (Wasps), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Steve Borthwick (Saracens), Tom Croft (Leicester), Joe Worsley (Wasps), Nick Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Julian White (Leicester), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), James Haskell (Wasps), Danny Care (Harlequins), Andy Goode (Leicester), Mathew Tait (Sale).
Unfortunately, Uncle Matt is right. The players that we all talk about aren’t so “young” anymore. Instead they have been continuously over looked as post 2003 England managers have chosen to try and maintain the “old guard” as much as possible. This has been proved for 6 years now that it is not the right thing to do. We have been promised a new, young, inspiring team time and time again, but no one seems to have the guts to say “bugger it – Borthwick, Flood, Tindall, Sackey, Easter, Goode, Vickery, White, Worsley, Mears. YOUR OUT”. Don’t me wrong, a few of these players have been playing well this tournament and their efforts are greatly appreciated, but the point is that its time for a change. Granted, in the front row I feel that we are struggling a little for players coming up through the ranks, but all the other positions certainly have strong contenders. Personally my team would look something like this. 1. Sheridan. 2. Hartley. 3. Mullan 4. Kennedy. 5. Croft. 6. Haskell. 7. Lipman/Armitage. 8. Crane. 9. Care/Foden. 10. Geraghty/Cipriani/May. 11. Banahan. 12. Turner-Hall. 13. Simpson-Daniel/Tait. 14. Strettle. 15. Armitage
England coaches/selectors/manager – please don’t repeat the same mistakes. Introduce new blood into the squad, and do it now. Don’t let these talented players go to waste. Why is it that we can see this and you can’t?
Interesting ideas chopper. AS I have said above If managers or coaches or any bugger at the RFU reads this blog they take no notice. I probably idn’t play at any higher level than you. I had a mate who was 6′ 8″ and at 23st was fully fit (he went UP in the summer through no training and too much beer to about 24st) I still rmember tackling him to this bloody day and the Eiffel Tower would have come down quicker and anywhere higher than the knees he would just carry you hanging on to him, the lenght of the pitch, no problem.
I have just been diagnosed as being in depression and the reason, after much Freudian questioning, is the state of English back play. The problem with Cipriani’s kicking is an easy one to solve. It’s about depth, alignment and lack of blocking cover from the forwards. It’s something that he can learn and has so if you look at his recent club performances. Remember, Dan Carter had enough mares when he was introduced to the AB’s.
My concern is the lack of ability in the backs. How can professional rugby players squander a 5 on 2 overlap? The problem in MHO is the inability to be able to play what is infront of them. Why? Overcoaching, obsession with defence?
I hope Jonno nails his colours to the mast and says he has the game plan that will win us the World Cup and sticks to it. At the moment he is caught in the headlights. The pressure he is facing is a direct result that England expecting to win every game. Fair call given the number of players we have and the money in the game. We should be doing better I agree, but if we wish to see a change in English rugby, which with the exception of Mr J’s World Cup has been decidingly average , then we need a different input.
Come on Jonno for one game give it a whirl. Drop Vickery until his Bull is raging, Let Steve have a holiday, pick a big fast back row and let Nick sit it out , throw caution to the wind and give Cipriani a game as long as he signs a contract not to kick, let Simpson Daniel set the game alight, let Ben Foden grace the field, pick Armitage at o/s centre ( where Will Greenwood wants hime to play) and watch his natural ability shine. If we get beat who gives a damn. Can you imagine watching a game of ebb and flow, where England run from deep with confidence and attack with true convixtion and passion.
Part of me would like Jonno to read this but at the end of the day he is a big bugger and has won the World Cup, whereas at the level I played if you saw someone like him you would tweak a Hammy drinking the pre-match Port.
Just in case you do actually read this Johnno – I am behind you. I do think your the right man for us, and granted your knowledge of rugby is probably better than all of ours, but please consider what all the fans and supporters are saying. Like Fakey said “surely we can’t all be wrong”. For 6 years now we have endured and supported our national team, even at our lowest points, but I get the impression that many players/coaches currently selected are being so, not on their abilities, but on loyality and pride. We have some outstanding playerscoaches to choose from and yet most don’t even get a look in. I for one would be unbelievably happy if for the next year (until the end of 2010 6N) you took on board what we have said, try the players, combinations and tactics that we have suggested and see what the results are. If after which we are still in the same place, I promise I will never comment/publish my opinions ever again