England World Cup training squad: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Dave Attwood (Bath), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Kieran Brookes (Newcastle), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Luther Burrell (Northampton), Sam Burgess (Bath), Danny Care (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Sale), Calum Clark (Northampton), Dan Cole (Leicester), Alex Corbisiero (Northampton), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Lee Dickson (Northampton), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Nick Easter (Harlequins), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath), Alex Goode (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Maro Itoje (Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (Bath), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), George Kruis (Saracens), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester), Stephen Myler (Northampton), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Jack Nowell (Exeter), Geoff Parling (Leicester), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Henry Slade (Exeter), Ed Slater (Leicester), David Strettle (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Anthony Watson (Bath), Rob Webber (Bath), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens), David Wilson (Bath), Tom Wood (Northampton), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester), Tom Youngs (Leicester).
In our analysis of the predicted squad here, the only changes we have seen are the inclusion of Christ Ashton and David Strettle, and the exclusion of Joe Simpson. As far as Joe Simpson is concerned, it is shocking and apalling if his exclusion is for anything other than when he damaged his knee against Exeter. He provides so much more than either Dickson or Wigglesworth, so it can only be the injury that has kept him out.
As far as Ashton and Strettle's inclusion, it is only the extended squad right now, but the wingers of one of Europe's top clubs probably do deserve their chance again, even if Ashton can't tackle. He did score 4 tries against London Welsh at the weekend, although that isn't the greatest feat in the world it is still something, and Strettle has been looking very good along with Ashton for the past few years. it is disappointing however to see Wade excluded given the fact Marland Yarde and Ashton is there, as people only critique Wade's defence which is almost as good as Yarde's and better than Ashton. He is electrifying and exciting, a very smart player as well that has improved his defence and is still young and could gain a lot from being in the World Cup training squad.
However, all in all, it is a selection that was expected and offers many young players such as Cowan-Dickie a great oppotrunity. Thomas Waldrom will be disappointed not to be there given how he has been on fire in the Premiership but Vunipola and Morgan deservedly retain their international spots. Questions can be raised over Calum Clark's inclusion over the likes of Ewers, especially given Clark's appalling discpilinary record, but it was clear Lancaster would select him as he has been a huge fan of his from the beginning of Clark's career.
Now everyone has to buckle down and show Lancaster they have what it takes to be England's hero at the World Cup. Slade and Eastmond have to prove they are more valuable to England's World Cup campaign than Twelvetrees and Burrell, even with their lack of international experience, as that is really one of few areas on the pitch up for grabs right now. Hopefully Itoje and LCD are carried through to the main squad as well, their outstanding club form should convince Lancaster that they will help the England cause.
There is very little to complain about with regards to this selection, although some may talk about the French based player (which will have its own atricle shortly), so it is safe to say that it is a job well done by Lancaster in general. The analysis from the original article rings true, so if you're interested in that, you can find it here: http://fourballsblog.blogspot.co.uk/2015/05/rwc-2015-possible-england-squad.html
UPDATE: We have juts heard that Wade and Ewers may be included at a later date.
No comments
Post a Comment