Being my first post on this site, I wanted to pick a topic that would generate some debate. The choice may seem a bit contrived and I have no doubt that you have voiced your opinions on the matter over a few pints in your local drinking establishment, but with a new season comes new inspiration.
Geraghty: the missing piece in England’s puzzle?
England’s back line has caused ME back trouble. The range of movements I go through in a typical 80 minutes, from jumping off the sofa in moments of inspired brilliance to the all too familiar head in hands, crumpled on the floor post match pose I have perfected, seem to have caused me some sort of repetitive strain injury. I imagine that some of you reading this are suffering too.
England have struggled to find consistency in the back line ever since the World Cup-winning combination of Wilkinson, Tindall, and Greenwood. According to Sky Sports, since the team of 2003 there have been 6 players making 10 appearances or more in the centres, with a further 15 making starts or coming on as substitutes.
Granted, it has undoubtedly been a time of trial and error for selectors, but one would hope that after 6 years there would be a more solid 10, 12, 13 combination ready for the Autumn Internationals. With the rugby heavyweights of the world arriving on our shores in November, I’d like to think that we had a back line that could not only stop them in their paces, but perhaps knock them back a bit.
It may be a little naïve to think this way, but in my eyes Martin Johnson has a great opportunity to find this missing piece to England’s puzzle. He does have options, with several players proving themselves worthy of selection already: the question is which is the right combination?
Northampton’s Shane Geraghty has dazzled already this season, with 34 carries, 3 clean breaks, and 75 points to his name, putting him firmly in contention as a versatile back. Jonny Wilkinson has also returned to fitness, with a commanding performance against Saracens on Thursday, showing the kind of composure that put him at the top of rugby’s most wanted. Riki Flutey would be an obvious choice after his performances for the Lions but like Toby Flood and Dan Hipkiss, injury may prevent them when autumn rolls around.
Of course Andy Goode, Mike Tindall and Jamie Noon can play the experience card, but do we need more dynamism? Do we want to go for pace and agility or have the classic big bosh merchant at 12 to carve the holes? If that’s the case why not bring Bath’s Matt Banahan into the equation, off the wing and into the centres?
So there are a few of the options, and you can see why Johnson’s head might be hurting. I just hope that after the tests in November there will be a clearer picture painted for us all.
Who would you choose at 10, 12 and 13 for England this autumn?
By James Bass
I openly acknowledge I am no expert in front row, but from the EPS and Saxon squads, this is who we have avaliable – Julian White (LEIC), Tim Payne (WASP), David Wilson (BATH), Nick Wood (GLOU), Matthew Mullan (WORC), Tom Mercy (SAR), Dan Cole (LEIC), Alex Corbisiero (LON IRI). My guess would be Payne and Wilson starting, plus 2 others benching – possibly White and Mullan. Anyone know of anyone else in contention?
Banahan is a big lump who will be exposed in international rugby. Are you seriously suggesting that he should come into the autumn internationals against those 3 teams when we have the likes of monye, cueto, strettle and sackey available?
Tait will bench. Tindall & Easter will step into the front row. 10,12,13 will be Jonny, Geraghty and Hipkiss.
I think whatever front row we get out for the autumn will do well- no players are going to pass up the opportunity to impress on a 3-match unchallenged stint in an England Jersey. My worry is what players come onto the bench as front row cover…..
I think you are being unfair on Banahan before he’s had a real chance at international level. Strettle has had a few chances for England, and he has been exposed already. Sackey has been injured and Cueto isn’t exactly going to scare anyone…
With Wilko and Geraghty being big fans of cross field kicks, Banahan is perfect – no one beats him in the air. He also offers the direct boosh inpact which none of the other backs in contention really possess. Sackey is a glory boy, nothing more and Cueto isn’t up there anymore. Strettle is very good, but always gets injured. Front row has been worrying me for ages, and now with Sheridan and Vickery out of contention, we are much weaker in the forwards. Fingers crossed with have people who will step up to the challenge and not only play well for the Autumn internationals but also provide us with hope for the future. Think my current XV (albeit due to current injuries) would be:
1. Payne
2. Hartley
3. Wilson
4. Borthwick
5. Kennedy
6. Croft
7. Armitage
8. Haskell or Easter
9. Hodgson
10. Wilkinson
11. Banahan
12. Geraghty
13. Tindall or Hipkiss
14. Monye
15. Abendananon
16. White
17. Mears or Chuter
18. Mullan
19. Crane
20. Care or Simpson
21. JSD
22. Tait
I think this demonstrates exactly the problem with rugby at the minute the physcality of it is stopping the progress of our national team to have practically 60% of our fowards injured it is no wonder why we have yet to see a good team under Johhno who we all have felt excited at his appointment.(I Know this is a totally sepearate debate but their your go.)
That said I agree with bringing in Shane at 12 JSD is to small to have at 13 Hipkiss needs a chance to start their and get some game time at International level. I would play Monye And Sacky with Strettle on the bench.foden at 15 would also bring in some good attacking options not sure if his defence is at international level but he deserves a shot.
Are 8 substitutes permiited in heineken cup?