Props: Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, David Wilson & Kieran Brookes
Joe Marler, Dan Cole and David Wilson have
been sure selections for a while now given their form over the last year, so they are an obvious inclusion. Mako
Vunipola has had a great season for Saracens and on Saturday proved he doesn’t
just have to play the impact role for England. The selection of Kieran Brookes
over Alex Corbisiero has been made simply due to the late back injury that
Corbisiero has suffered. Brookes has been great off the bench for England in the past, and
his ability to cover both loose and tighthead prop gets him in the squad.
Hookers: Tom Youngs, Rob Webber & Jamie George
Since Dylan Hartley’s dismissal from the
World Cup training squad, the position of hooker has been England’s greatest concern. The obvious choice
to start now must be Youngs, even with questions over his ability at the lineout on the international stage. Webber has been in and out of the England squad for a
while now, and although he isn't in great form, the lack of depth in
this position should be enough to get him in. Jamie George could be
England’s answer to their problems in this position; he has been fantastic in
the loose and in the set piece all year. In addition to this, he is set to make
his debut this weekend, so hopefully he can impress. Unfortunately for Luke
Cowan-Dickie this world cup has come too soon, proved by last weekend when he
really struggled in the set piece.
Locks: Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling & Dave Attwood
Lawes has been one of England’s stand out
performers over the last year and is another player who has a place nailed
down. Although Joe Launchbury has been out of the game for a long time due to a
neck injury, having had a few games for Wasps at the end of the season the
young lock looked like he hadn’t been away, and having been given a starting
spot this weekend it is likely he will make the final cut. Some may feel George Kruis is unlucky to miss
out, and they wouldn’t be wrong but with England’s strength in depth in this department
his exclusion is understandable. Having been on a winning tour with the Lions,
Parling is a man with a wealth of experience, and could be a vital member of
England’s squad. Much like the other locks selected, Attwood has a great work
rate around the pitch, and large physical presence.
Back Row: Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Tom Wood, Billy Vunipola & Ben Morgan
The England Captain Robshaw is a certain pick,
as is Vunipola, who was exceptional throughout the 6 nations, and all year for
Saracens. Haskell is probably the next likely to make the squad with his
ability to cover all back row positions, as well as being the most experienced
pack member. Hopefully he has learnt to avoid posts since February. Tom Wood
has been involved in this England squad for a number of years now, and having
been made Captain last weekend its clear Lancaster has a lot of belief in him.
Ben Morgan is probably the most unlikely, but if he can find the form he had
prior to injury he would walk into the squad.
Scrum Half: Ben Youngs, Danny Care & Richard Wigglesworth
There is little debate over Ben Youngs
being England’s first choice scrum half after a stellar 6 nations. Similarly
Danny Care’s experience and Wigglesworth’s superb tactical game gives them an
easy selection. If it were not for an end of season injury this position could
have had more competition coming from a flying Joe Simpson, but unfortunately
for himself and England this was not meant to be.
Fly Half: George Ford & Owen Farrell
Much like at scrum half, the 10s for this
world cup are pretty certain. Ford has been one of the best players in Europe
over the last year, and is England’s first choice 10, while Farrell has plenty
of experience at the top and seems to be rediscovering his form at the right
time. Some may think Cipriani will be unlucky to miss out, which is true to a
point. However, he would not make it over these two as an out and out 10 and
although he can play fullback, there are other players that cover multiple
positions (Goode and Slade).
Centre: Jonathan Joseph, Sam Burgess, Henry Slade & Brad Barritt
England have struggled to find a lasting centre partnership for a while due to many factors. However, the latest dilemma
is a positive one, with many quality players putting their hands up for
selection. After being one of the 6 nations top performers this year it seems
Joseph pretty much has the 13 shirt nailed down. So the question is who will
play 12 along side him? Until recently, it was thought to be Barritt, with the
South African born 12 having a wealth of experience and being known as a rock
in defense. However, after last week Burgess has shown that, despite what many
people thought, he can handle Union at the top level. Not only this, but he showed he
does not only provide the brick wall Barritt does, but he also offers more
going forward with ball in hand. Of course there will be doubt over his
experience and reading of the game, but I think his leadership and persona on
the field outweighs this, along with playing inside his Bath counterparts. The
final centre to make the cut is Henry Slade, edging out Burrell and Twelvetrees,
who both have not been showing the form they have in the past. Although
inexperienced, Slade’s looked very comfortable at the weekend, impressing many.
Additionally to this he can genuinely compete for the 10,12 and 13 shirt,
showing the range of his skills.
Back Three: Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson, Mike Brown & Alex Goode
The remaining players were quite easy to
select given the players already cut from Lancaster’s training squad. Nowell
having had a good 6 nations has another chance to impress this weekend. Watson
was sensational last weekend, and May, having been proclaimed as England’s best
trainer in Denver, makes him likely to be selected. At fullback, Goode looked much
more comfortable at the weekend than he did during the 6 Nations, and hopefully Brown
has made a full recovery since his head injury, as we have seen how important he can be for England.
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