Stuart Lancaster has made three changes to the starting line-up from the match against Italy two weeks ago in Rome, bringing Lee Dickson, Ben Morgan and Geoff Parling into the starting XV. On the bench are Courtney Lawes, Toby Flood and Manu Tuilagi, who have all recently returned from injury.
England:
15. Ben Foden, 14. Chris Ashton, 13. Manu Tuilagi, 12. Brad Barritt, 11. David Strettle, 10. Owen Farrell, 9. Lee Dickson, 1. Alex Corbisiero, 2. Dylan Hartley, 3. Dan Cole, 4. Mouritz Botha, 5. Geoff Parling, 6. Tom Croft, 7. Chris Robshaw (c), 8. Ben Morgan
Replacements:
16. Rob Webber, 17. Matt Stevens, 18. Courtney Lawes, 19. Phil Dowson, 20. Ben Youngs, 21. Toby Flood, 22. Mike Brown
Agreed about selection.
I still have my doubts about Farrell’s ability to be an attacking 10 (i don’t doubt his kicking/defence/game management) but i also recognise that Flood is not in form enough to come straight back and Hodgson is injured so it had to be Farrell i hope he proves me wrong.
On a side note did anyone see Armitage’s performance for Toulon against Stade? he was absolutley awsome (check the highlights on rugbydump). I always thought he had the potential to be the answer at 7 but never showed the consistency. When he has had limited england game time hes been part of all round poor performances. Has anyone seen much of him this season? was this a one off or is it typical of his form at the moment?
I saw the Armitage highlights on Rugby Dump.
He looked immense – as someone in the comments said…
“As for that Toulon prop who kept running around with a 7 shirt on one minute.. then a 13 the next… then back to a 7…sigh.. make up your mind and stop acting like that other prop we’ve seen, Rupeni Caucau I think his name was….”
Armitage may not look streamlined but damn he looked to be playing well
I always thought he was jettisoned too early by England Would love to see him back at 7 with Robshaw or Wood at 6
I haven’t seen him this year, but his strengths play right into our weaknesses right now. Since Backy we’ve not had a scrapping ferretting player like this. One to watch.
England do have that “only under extreme circumstances” for overseas players so that could stand in his way.
I think he would compliment Robshaw perfectly as you suggest Paulo.
He was handled very badly by England in the past.
Fully back changes made to side. Tuilagi a must have when fit.
One concern is do the two centres have what it takes to make line breaks/cause Welsh back line problems?
Great to See Morgan get a go at 8.
Lancaster has been brave right from the start. Does he have the courage to stick with this side should they lose? I hope so. Need those first building blocks towards next World Cup.