Select the England team for the Autumn Internationals
The Autumn Internationals series is now only a month away, and whilst Stuart Lancaster is jotting names down on his teamsheet, you can do the same.
Put yourself in the shoes of the England selection committee and pick the England team below. We’ll see who emerges as the favourite in each position, and we can pass it onto the head coach.
We’ve created the shortlists for each position using the Elite and Saxons squads, excluding recent retirees and those injured, such as Matt Stevens, Ben Foden and Charlie Sharples. Where you are asked to pick more than one player, make sure you consider the combination of inside and outside centre, wings and fullback, tighthead and loosehead etc.
And finally, spread the word – share it on social media, email your mates and see how many people we can get to vote. The more votes there are, the more representative it will be as the fans’ team.
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I was pretty disappointed to not see Matt Jess’s name in the Back 3 list. He’s been the top try scorer for Exeter (now a Heineken cup side who have recently beaten the Premiership champs) for however many seasons in a row, he’s got speed, power, and he’s only 28. I certainly think he should be in with a shout for the left wing shirt that’s up for grabs.
Oops, just seen that it’s only players from the elite squads. I still think that Jess should be called up by Lancaster though (perhaps using cover for Ben Foden’s long term injury as an excuse?)
So, if I have counted the current votes right, the top team from the choices above would be the following:
1. J. Marler
2. D. Hartley
3. D. Cole
4. C. Lawes
5. G. Parling
6. T. Croft
7. C. Robshaw
8. B. Morgan
9. D. Care
10. T. Flood
11. C. Wade
12. M. Tuilagi
13. J. Joseph
14. C. Ashton
15. M. Brown
16. A. Corbisero
17. J. Gray
18. T. Palmer
19. T. Wood
20. B. Youngs
21. F. Burns
22. A. Goode
+Davey Wilson
There is now an eight place on the bench reserved for a prop, which means that teams can now have both a LH and TH specialist on the bench. Wilson is going to be back up for Dan Cole.
I think a lot of people are ignoring form when voting, because I can’t see why Tom Wood would be in there if not for his (by now, wildly exaggerated) form a couple of years ago.
Also, am I the only one who thinks the back row is missing a real hard man?
IMO you need three forwards that can really drain and put off the other team, Marler and Lawes would fulfill that role if we assume the above starting line up. But no-one in the likely back row, who is also in form can really do that in my eyes. The one player who I hope could do it in the future, and who I’d actually like to see now, is Carl Fearns. A number 6 who knows his role; to make life physically uncomfortable for the other team. Anyone who saw the midweek matches in SA and who’s seen the Bath games this season knows he can certainly do that.
Totally agree agree regarding Wood. He played a few games in the 2011 6n where he played OK. He never dominated anyone but just sort of did his job. Now people seem to be saying he’ll take the shirt straight back from Robshaw. I think that is utterly ridiculous. The same can be said of Croft… why would you pick him when he hasn’t played all year.
Personally I think Johnson can be the enforcer type player you want in the back row. Combined with Robshaw and Morgan that is a pretty physical back row.
Totally agree regarding Wood, he had a couple of average games in the 2011 6n never really dominating anyone and now people are even suggesting he should just get the shirt from Robshaw. I also don’t get why people are picking Croft when he’s still injured and not played all season.
Woops i didn’t think that had posted properly.
I like the general consensus about most position.
On paper, looks like a great team. Old guard well and truly gone and the above team looks like one which ‘could’ develop nicely. Bar a top performer at 10 (hopefully Ford will tick this box shortly) I am very content with that above line up.
Yeh that team looks as though it is coming together nicely. It is also good to see a bench that looks strong and can make an impact!
I agree with the Tom Wood issue, he needs to find real form at Saints first, which I believe he will do! I would have Haskell on the bench in that spot instead. Other than, it is exactly the team that I would put together,
1.Marler
2.Hartley
3.Cole
4.Lawes
5.Palmer
6.Haskell
7.Robshaw
8.Morgan
9.Youngs
10.Flood
11.Sharples (Best option imo, Wade is terrible in defence)
12.Farrell
13.Tuilagi
14.Ashton
15.Brown
I would consider Ojo as a winger as well, he’s one of the best wings in England as far as i’m concerned. I find it strange that he’s been overlooked from a neutral stance, especially when Strettle and Monye who can’t finish off tries to save their lives are still considered.
Both Ashton and Ojo are specialist right wingers though so maybe that wouldn’t really work.
Agree regarding Wade in defense.
Like mike, the same choices !!!
Maybe too soon for Joe Launchbury as he’s in one of the most physical posistions on the pitch, but would like to see him given an opportunity in the near future. Has the potential to be a top player IMO.
Agree with you Patrick. He’s been involved in the age group sides for England and will hopefully break through in the next season or two.
I like the attacking pace in the back line and seems like a pretty solid scrum. Lawes presence would contrast nicely to Parlings line-out organising ability. Would like to Lancaster find an excuse to bring Steffon Armitage into the fold though as i think he could really add to the back row.