England v New Zealand

[TTRITH]

Teams just been announced:

15. Ben Foden (Northampton)
14. Chris Ashton (Northampton)
13. Mike Tindall (Gloucester)
12. Shontayne Hape (Bath)
11. Mark Cueto (Sale)
10. Toby Flood (Leicester)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester)
1. Andy Sheridan (Sale)
2. Steve Thompson (Leeds)
3. Dan Cole (Leicester)
4. Courtney Lawes (Northampton)
5. Tom Palmer (Stade Francais)
6. Tom Croft (Leicester)
7. Lewis Moody (Bath, capt)
8. Nick Easter (Harlequins)

Replacements:
16. Dylan Hartley (Northampton)
17. Dave Wilson (Bath)
18. Dave Attwood (Gloucester)
19. Henri Fourie (Leeds)
20. Danny Care (Harlequins)
21. Charlie Hodgson (Sale)
22. Delon Armitage (London Irish)

I for one am happy that Steve Thompson has been given a chance to start, think he's been doing well this season, think we should have signed him to replace Muffin

[tb1]

I for one am happy that Steve Thompson has been given a chance to start, think he's been doing well this season, think we should have signed him to replace Muffin

We couldnt have afforded him, will be on mega money.

On one hand I am happy to see Payne out, but Sheridan hasnt earnt a start.

[AndyF]

The centre pairing don't do much for me!!

[Duncan B]

Only complaint is hendre Fourie being on the bench over any of Haskell, Armitage or Rees. Hes an afrikaaner. Not english. It gripes me. Hape isnt spectacular but if he does his job and gets his arms free to give an offload to one of our strike runners, we arent gonna be complaining are we! (by the way its not particularly Fourie Im anti, just the number of southern hemisphere players being capped for England)

[RobGale]

Agree with you Duncan. Don't like seeing non English players being picked for England

On the other hand the team is correct in my opinion. Sheridan in for the ineffectual Payne and then the 14 that beat Australia. Correct decision for me (despite not being a fan of Hape or Palmer)

I'm confident that that team can get the 2 (possibly 3) wins this Autumn but don't think Saturday will be one of them. teh AB's are on a different level to us at the moment

[bluntiger]

Only complaint is hendre Fourie being on the bench over any of Haskell, Armitage or Rees. Hes an afrikaaner. Not english. It gripes me. Hape isnt spectacular but if he does his job and gets his arms free to give an offload to one of our strike runners, we arent gonna be complaining are we! (by the way its not particularly Fourie Im anti, just the number of southern hemisphere players being capped for England)

It is a case of 'if you can't beat them, join them'.

The All Blacks have for so long plundered the southern islands for the bulk of their talent - Lomu, Umaga, Muliaina, Nonu, Sivivatu, Rokocoko, So'oialo, Jones, Collins, Tuigamala, Lam etc.

The eligibility rules are so relaxed but I agree, how can you ask someone to give their all for their country ...... when it isn't their country! However, it is more puzzling to select a SH player when they arn't that good eg Hape.

[physiodan]

no wasp, sarracen, falcon or chief. good to see all 4 tigers starting. I would love to see one day tom croft get a go at 8. I think he has the mobility, carrying ability and power to play there plus PACE. moody and armitage alongside him. would suit the new breakdown rules too.

[BJ.]

Who's Dylan Armitage?

Thank you.

[SPIKE@srufc]

Noticed on the saffacens forum that they are bemoaning the fact that the RFU master plan to exclude their players has happened........

......yawn.

Onto the team I agree that Fourie & Hape really shouldn't be part of an England team. Not sure if I'd pick Easter either. The rest are fine.

[Felix9]

Guys,

Check out this article on Sportsvibe.co.uk, website run by Ian Stafford. What do you think of England's chances over the autumn Tests? Personally, I reckon two losses followed by consolation wins against Samoa and South Africa. Give us your thoughts here: http://sportsvibe.co.uk/how-will-englan ... nationals/

For what it's worth, although I am a Welsh supporter myself, here is my team....obviously it'd mean Johno would have to bring players from outside his elite squad, and it's admittedly a bit of a lightweight midfield, in but you never know!

1. Sheridan
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Shaw (if fit)
5. Lawes
6. Croft
7. Saull
8. Easter (c)
9. Youngs
10. Lamb
11. Ashton
12. Tindall
13. Tait
14. Foden
15. Goode

[McScotty]

Any ideas on the NZ team?

[bluntiger]

Guys,

Check out this article on Sportsvibe.co.uk, website run by Ian Stafford. What do you think of England's chances over the autumn Tests? Personally, I reckon two losses followed by consolation wins against Samoa and South Africa. Give us your thoughts here: http://sportsvibe.co.uk/how-will-englan ... nationals/

For what it's worth, although I am a Welsh supporter myself, here is my team....obviously it'd mean Johno would have to bring players from outside his elite squad, and it's admittedly a bit of a lightweight midfield, in but you never know!

1. Sheridan
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Shaw (if fit)
5. Lawes
6. Croft
7. Saull
8. Easter (c)
9. Youngs
10. Lamb
11. Ashton
12. Tindall
13. Tait
14. Foden
15. Goode

Mr Choker (aka Ryan Lamb) anywhere near an England shirt - NEVER. He poohs his pants when anyone runs at him, he can look great when his team are on top, but when the pressure is on, he turns off.

[kingol22]

Saw in the mercury today that with injury concerns at centre jhonson should give manu a chance at centre. I know its a long shot but it could work he seems to have the skills for an outside centre. Fast, can offer go forward and is solid in defense. maybe try him against samoa.

[Mr Bean]

I dont see why people are knocking hape during the aus game the v biased aussie commentators were singling hape, youngs and cole out for praise and thought they were englands best players that day.

[TTRITH]

Who's Dylan Armitage?

Honestly don't know what you mean