My England team to start in 2012

For my last blog of the year i decided to think about next year and in particular about who, in my opinion, may be sporting the red rose on 4^th February in England’s opener at Murrayfield.

1. Joe Marler – A lot of people have been calling for Marler’s inclusion in the England side for some time and I think his chance has come. His ability to get over the gain line, work rate and hands are class. As well as this he is a solid scrummager and great in the tight.

Age: 21 Caps: 0

2. Dylan Hartley – Lost his place just before the RWC and has taken his fair share of criticism in the last few months. But it wasn’t all that long ago he was being tipped as the next England captain. I think Hartley has a big part to play in England’s 2015 campaign – some tough competition from a few quality young hookers should push him.
Age:25 Caps: 34

3. Dan Cole – Dan Cole had a decent RWC and is looking in good nick whenever he gets a game at Leicester. He has a great mentor in Castro, and already looks like a senior player amongst many of his peers.
Age: 24 Caps: 23

4. Courtney Lawes – Lawes did not impress me at the RWC but I can’t help but feel England would be missing out if he wasn’t in the side. His defence and work in the tight is top class – I would just like to see him running a channel wider in the loose and smashing the ball up at pace.
Age: 22 Caps: 13

5. Dave Attwood – A key man for Bath this season and always a top performer at Gloucester, if Attwood can stay injury free he should have a long international career ahead of him.
Age: 24 Caps: 2

6. Chris Robshaw (Captain) – In my opinion, Robshaw is the man to spearhead a new generation. He has shown how he can lead from the front with Quins this season, and his performances have been as consistent as the Quins results. His ability to play across the back row is a bonus.
Age: 25 Caps: 1

7. Tom Wood – Wood was one of the few players at the RWC to come out with an enhanced reputation, despite getting so little game time. Glowing reports of his commitment in training show that he is the kind of flanker England need. Not afraid to get stuck in – as he showed against Leicester.
Age:  25 Caps: 9

8. Phil Dowson – Dowson is another who has been unlucky to miss out on full international caps despite constantly impressing at Northampton and Saxons. If Lancaster is to bring players with him from the Saxons, Dowson will be one of the first on his list.
Age: 30 Caps: 0

9. Danny Care – Care would have been devastated to have missed out on the RWC through injury but may be in a stronger position now to take his place at 9 as neither Youngs or Wigglesworth cemented themselves. I would like to see Care given a chance as at his best he is as good as any.
Age: 24 Caps: 32

10. Toby Flood – With Jonny Wilkinson stepping down yesterday from the international game, the door has finally opened for Flood to cement his place at fly half. He has shown his ability to bring those around him into the game and to run the line at the very top level, he just needs the faith of the new coaching team and an extended run in the role.
Age:  26 Caps: 46

11. Charlie Sharples – One of the most unlucky players, who has done all that he can to get selected. His pace and ability to finish are second to none. At a time when there are a number of great wingers in the English game, Sharples just edges it for me over Strettle.
Age: 22 Caps: 1

12. Owen Farrell – It is only a matter of time until Owen Farrell makes an impact on the international game. I feel that his time has come – his inclusion also provides cover at 10. With the guidance of his dad, Farrell could be a key part of this team going forward.
Age: 20 Caps: 0

13. Manu Tuilagi – It seems funny to think that 6 months ago the jury was out on Tuilagi, many saying that he didn’t have the defensive discipline or enough experience for test rugby, now he was one of the first names on my team sheet. With Flood and Farrell bringing him onto the ball at pace, he could cause some serious damage.
Age: 20 Caps: 7

14. Chris Ashton – Ashton didn’t have the best world cup but is still a great finisher, if he can get enough ball he will score tries.
Age: 24 Caps: 18

15. Ben Foden – A lot of pressure from the likes of Homer, Armitage and Brown as well as Alex Goode. But Foden has not made many mistakes for England and will often produce a moment of brilliance. He deserves to keep his spot.

Age: 26 Caps: 22

16. Joe Gray
Age: 23 Caps: 0

17. Alex Corbisiero
Age: 23 Caps: 10

18. Matt Stevens
Age: 29 Caps: 39

19. Tom Palmer
Age: 32 Caps: 33

20. Tom Croft
Age: 26 Caps: 31

21. Joe Simpson
Age: 23 Caps: 1

22. Henry Trinder
Age: 22 Caps: 0

23. Alex Goode
Age: 23 Caps: 0

No of starting XV in starting XV RWC defeat against France: 5
No of total squad in RWC squad: 13
No of uncapped players in squad: 6
Average Age of first XV: 23.9
Average Age of squad: 25.4

I feel that this is a side that has everything, looking at the player's ages, most would be hitting their peak mid-late twenties in 2015. There are a few uncapped players and a few others who are relatively untested at international level, however I feel that the mix is right and could make for a great side.

What are your thoughts on the side, who would you pick?!

Until next year,

Andy

My Premiership XV so far

With ten games played in the Aviva Premiership this season, and another European break upon us, I have put together my Premiership XV so far this season. Including four Quins players, two from Wasps and Sale and seven other clubs featured, I think it looks quite strong. Let me know your thoughts.

1 – Marcos Ayerza (Leicester) – The Tigers haven’t lost in four. No coincidence that this has coincided with their big players returning from New Zealand. They don’t come much bigger than Ayerza, who loves a scrum! He has been solid as ever, and the tigers can breathe easier with him in their number 1 jersey.

2 – Joe Gray (Harlequins) - Having seen a number of Joe Gray’s performances over the season, he does very little wrong. Always getting over the gain line, and hitting most of his lineouts. A quality player with a big future.

3 – Henry Thomas (Sale) – The England U20 prop has been fantastic for Sale this season. Great around the park, Thomas is the modern prop personified. He carries well and has picked up a few tries, always a nice bonus for a tight head.

4 – Marco Wentzel (Wasps) – A towering presence for Wasps this season. Wentzel has shown fantastic nouse in the lineout and made his presence felt in the tight.

5 – Dave Attwood (Bath) – Unfortunate to miss out on the RWC, but has flourished at Bath. A great purchase over the summer and must be in England’s plans for the Six Nations. Good in the loose and has picked up a few important tries as well.

6 – Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, Captain) – The first name on my team sheet, not only here but for my England side. The way he has lead Quins from the front has been remarkable. A great team around him but his solid defence, dogged work at the breakdown and neat touches in the loose have all been exceptional. Could have played him anywhere in the back row.  

7 – Luke Wallace (Harlequins) – Wallace has grabbed his chance in the Quins back row with both hands. Quins’ defence has been very strong all season and Wallace has been at the heart of this. Countless turnovers and tackles as well as picking up 4 tries to boot.

8 – Richard Baxter (Exeter) – Exeter are sitting 3^rd in the league, granted they are only 6 points clear of Bath in 10^th, but they wouldn’t be in the mixer in December if it wasn’t for their ever present number 8. Baxter has got tries in the vital wins at Welford Road & Edgeley Park as well as being a constant carrying and defensive force for the Chiefs.

9 – Dwayne Peel (Sale) – With so many young scrum halves in the Premiership it may seem strange to choose an old timer! But I have always been a massive Dwayne Peel fan – I think he is a quality scrum half with the ability to change a game and an insatiable appetite to win. Part of a Sale team showing they have what it takes this season. Has picked up a few cheeky tries as well this year.

10 – Nick Evans (Harlequins) – A no-brainer for me, the best 10 in the Premiership this year. Evans rarely makes a mistake and more often than not will produce a moment of brilliance when needed. Ryan Lamb has had a resurgence in a Saints shirt this season and Ignacio Mieres has impressed at Exeter but it’s all about Evans at the moment.

11 – Christian Wade (Wasps) – Wasps’ backline has so much potential with the likes of Varndell & Elliot Daly running at pace and utilising Flutey and Waldouck’s skill in the midfield. But it has been the Premiership’s top try scorer Christian Wade who has stolen the headlines. Great feet and raw pace, if Wasps can get some quick ball we will be sure to see more of Wade.

12 – Owen Farrell (Saracens) – Started at 10, 12 and 13 for Sarries this season and shown that he is more than capable in any of these roles. I would like to see him given a chance at 12 for England and am confident we will get a look at him in the Six Nations.

13 – Tom May (Northampton) – May has impressed on his return to the Premiership and once again shown that he is a quality utility back. He has slotted nicely into Northampton’s midfield, running some great lines off Lamb. A top all round footballer with the ability to take the ball up or spread it wide.

14 – Luke Fielden (Newcastle) – Newcastle may be sitting bottom of the pile, but would be struggling even more if it wasn’t for their right wing. Fielden impressed on the sevens circuit and has been a key part of the Falcons’ side when it has functioned this season.

15 – Tom Homer (London Irish) – Mike Brown fans will be livid, but I had to recognise Homer’s goal kicking talent. The man is a kicking machine. Irish have picked up a losing bonus point in every game that they have lost. I put this down to Homer’s ability to kick goals from almost anywhere with consummate ease. Sale’s Rob Miller has also shown he is a top talent.

On a completely separate note - anyone who hasn't seen this should watch it! - It's Quality!

Andy