England team for Scotland

[Darc Tiger]

England: 15 D Armitage, 14 M Cueto, 13 M Tait, 12 R Flutey, 11 U Monye, 10 J Wilkinson, 9 D Care, 1 T Payne, 2 D Hartley, 3 D Cole, 4 L Deacon, 5 S Borthwick, 6 J Haskell, 7 J Worsley, 8 N Easter.

Replacements: 16 S Thompson, 17 D Wilson, 18 C Lawes, 19 L Moody, 20 B Youngs, 21 T Flood, 22 B Foden.

Armitage fit. Moody dropped to bench. Deacon starts. Moody, YOUNGS, and Flood on bench.

[tigermad]

How is Joe Worsley ahead of Moody at 7? Answers on a postcard to -


Land of Make Believe
Twickenham

[Norfolk & Goode]

Well done Ben Youngs!! although he needs a better kicking game than of late, but I hope he comes on and out shines that useless Danny Care who cost us last time!

[hww27]

Good to see that Floody's ok.... hope he manages to get on for this match!

And Ben Youngs?!

Think I have to concede now.... well done Ben!!

[LessThanSte]

Well come on now, Moody hasnt been stunning the last few weeks, and Worsley does defend like a brick wall.

Youngs in the squad is fantastic and he could even have started.

But, Armitage, Flutey and Wilkinson STILL in the starting XV. Quite how Armitage and Flutey make it is beyond me, neither has done anything. Did Johnno not watch the last 15 minutes last week? I can just about deal with Wilko starting, as long as Flood gets more than 10 minutes (unlikely!)

[jonfez]

Congratulations Ben Youngs.

Personally I think the bench looks more exciting that the starting line up.

[Anthony]

Not exactly looking to the future is it?

Is Worsley really the future of this team, that along with Thompson, Borthwick, Easter, let's see some new blood.

England to scrape it by less than 5 I reckon

[Duncan B]

Right I have been the most positive man on the forum about England and jonno but I just do not understand How Delon Armitage is starting!!!! He has been playing woefully, Ben Foden came on and made an immediate impact...Flutey hasnt been much better and we should be seeing Flood in at either 10 or 12 with Wilkinson in the other position. Lois Deacon should not be starting and if anyone deserves to come in for Moodos its Steffon Armitage.....Come on England prove me wrong, or Im going to have sounded really stupid for the past 2 months

[tb1]

Worsley at openside .
Armitage D holds on to his spot .

At least Tindall hasnt made it anywhere near the team.

[johnno24]

cannot believe that Flood is not starting still!! i'm all for second chances but its getting but silly sticking with flutey and co.
glad to see youngs in there as well :)

[bluntiger]

The England selection lottery marches on.

What is Flood to think? Jonny aweful in last two games, Flutey no where to be seen, and Flood still below them in the pecking order. And with three poor performances from Delon Armitage, Foden must be wondering when he has to do to get a start.

What are London Irish to think? No place for Kennedy, but Palmer gets a call-up. No opportunity for Stefon Armitage when Moody dropped (harshly too - they select Worseley instead!) and what exactly did Paul Hodgeson do wrong? Did he really even get an opportunity more than the last few minutes?

Don't get me wrong, I am delighted for Ben Youngs but what messages are we sending out to the players.

I always thought that the first rules of coaching were:

1. If you win well, change nothing even if players are returning from injury.
2. If you play badly, make changes and look for a reaction from the players.

It is not rocket science and I know you need to absorb different tactics against different teams but after two aweful performances from the backs .... and no changes!

[drc_007]

Let's hope Youngs and Flood get a real chance to show there stuff.

Just heard Hodgson is injured, take the chance with both hands Ben.

[maskedsquid]

You can almost hear them now...

"Look at the Leicester bias in there! As soon as Moody announces he's leaving Tigers and off to Bath, MJ drops him like a hot potato...."

Congrats to Ben Youngs and commiserations to Floody though.

[Suz]

First of all well done Ben

Second - what are the likes of Flood and Foden to think? Both still on the bench - Foden really made a difference the other week and should be starting ahead of Armitage IMHO. Flood could make a real difference on the game but will warm the bench for 80mins.

Third - Worsley? Thats really planning ahead to the next world cup and beyond. Why not bring in someone along the lines of Armitage S to replace Moody?

Fourth - Good to see Lawes on the bench as well

[Suz]

You can almost hear them now...

"Look at the Leicester bias in there! As soon as Moody announces he's leaving Tigers and off to Bath, MJ drops him like a hot potato...." .

Just clicked on the BBC 606 page as saw this

I'm not generally a big fan of the Leicester bias conspiracy theories but...Moody signs for Bath and is instantly relegated to the bench? He's been consistently one of England's least worst players this season!