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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Age: 23 Caps: 0
17. Alex Corbisiero
Age: 23 Caps: 10
Age: 23 Caps: 10
18. Matt Stevens
Age: 29 Caps: 39
Age: 29 Caps: 39
19. Tom Palmer
Age: 32 Caps: 33
Age: 32 Caps: 33
20. Tom Croft
Age: 26 Caps: 31
Age: 26 Caps: 31
21. Joe Simpson
Age: 23 Caps: 1
Age: 23 Caps: 1
22. Henry Trinder
Age: 22 Caps: 0
Age: 22 Caps: 0
23. Alex Goode
Age: 23 Caps: 0
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
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