Duncan B wrote:Fluteys out of the tour? and how can you say Hipkiss should be in the England team when he hasnt been starting for us, has just been injured and thoroughly ineffective whenever he has played for England before?
Sorry didnt realize Flutey was out.
Hippo or somebody similar is needed in the backline, a lightweight centre pairing will get us nowhere. The only other obvious contender is Trundle, who should not be considered for a development tour in the same way as Simon Shaw should not.
I agree about a big carrier at outside centre which is why I have gone for Tindall, and to be honest age is of no relevance unless they will not be available for the 2011 world cup. Pick on form first, so that means tindall and worry about age later.
15. Ben Foden
14. Chris Ashton
13. Shontaye Hape
12. Olly Barkley
11. James Simpson-Daniel
10. Jonny Wilkinson
9. Ben Youngs
8. Phil Dowson
7. Tom Croft
6. Lewis Moody (C)
5. Courtney Laws
4. Nick Kennedy
3. Dan Cole
2. Dylan Hartley
1. David Wilson
I agree that we know exactly what Shaw, Wilko, Tindall, Thompson, Moody, Cueto et all offer us. Next year is going to be a big year for the international boys so let some of the older guys have the summer off and see what the young pups can do. I would go with the following:
I thought that Flood did more than enough to oust Wilko from the No10 shirt in the 6N. End of story.
Tait for me is not physical enough to play outside centre in a top international side. Tried, tested, looks flash at times but ultimately found wanting.
Inside centre is also a concern - Wilko is not an option for me - he'd just stand too deep (just as he does at fly half) and kick the ball away. I guess the miss pass to the outside centre might be an option!
Trundle would be a backward looking step. Barclay is a possibility but he's always looked like he needs arm bands at international level to stop him drowning.
Allen is a good player but probably not at that level.
Flood is probably the best inside centre but if you move him from FH who relaces him. Geraghty? With Flood playing he'd not be required to kick the penalties so that fragile area of his game wouldn't be exposed.
Not sure Youngs has overtaken Care as yet - indeed looks a little tired in recent games.
I really cant call it between Flood and Wilkinson, they are both in great form for their clubs, and if anyone says Wilkinson was rubbish in the 6nations it didnt help that he had Flutey outside him. My cunning plan had been Flood and Jonny interchanging at 10 and 12 but Barkelys form could have nixed that idea
