Hartley must be next England captain!

[MrPartridge]

Not sure if anyone read his article by Sir Ian McGeechan in yesterday's Telegraph.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ptain.html

Always thought he was an outstanding coach and decent bloke if I'm honest. To be fair, the paper also ran this article directly below the above interviewing Tom Youngs…

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyu ... ooker.html

[jgriffin]

The Rugby Paper demolishes the Launchbury/Hartley etc captaincy issues quite neatly. They, oddly, go for Ed Slater! Has demonstrated captaincy and a brief international success, has all the right qualities. Their arguments about either temperamental issues or total lack of experience are quite lucid.
Can't give a link until it is free to access.

[Soggypitch]

I think/hope that Jones will pick on a match by match basis - on form, which will be a novel idea!!

The problem is I can't think of anyone that's guaranteed a place by being so outstanding..? The competition for places will be greater than ever going forward.

[Gramps]

Bit of a curve ball, but I'd go for Otoje, maybe not automatic at the moment but will be given another 12 months and then pick a side to grow with him. He has already proved at Saracens that he holds the respect of the more experienced players and us a very intelligent bloke

[Will S]

I'm sure Jones will go game by game. As mentioned nobody has an absolute confirmed starting spot at the moment and Jones will want to get to know the players better before making such a big call.

Hopefully spreading around the captaincy will build us a core group of leaders. Better to have a leadership group like we had in 2003 than only one guy who is use to making the calls.

[LE18]

Auterac for LH?

[Will S]

Auterac for LH?

He throws too many loose passes - high risk of interception

[LE18]

[MrPartridge]

The problem is I can't think of anyone that's guaranteed a place by being so outstanding..?

Funnily enough, I had the same conversation with a friend yesterday… who is a nailed on first team player…? Brown, Cole, May… who else? Not sure any of these would want to be captain...

I must say the IM viewpoint rather surprised me…

[Stu_F]

Of course he must! What could possibly go wrong?

[fleabane]

Mr Partridge, I can't even agree with your three nailed on players!

I think Jones has to commit to a captain for a series, whoever it is. You cannot build a team or culture if you keep changing the leadership. Sure, there must be a number of leaders on the pitch, but one has to be consistently recognised as the chief! We do not want any more of the Corry / Dayglo shenanigans, which would become rife if one sole leader was not selected and backed by the coach. Picking game by game gives no support at all!

[MrPartridge]

Mr Partridge, I can't even agree with your three nailed on players!

Be my guest to elaborate on who else you'd have at 15, wing and tight head

[jgriffin]

If Auterac or Thomas dropped binds like they did yesterday they'd have to hope for Australian ARs. A French or Scots set might have them!

[G.K]

Look the Aussies are being quite successful with undermining the England Rugby Team with first Burgess and now Jones as the supposed chosen one. There is absolutely no need for the Scots to join in and kick a man when they are down, but I guess that is their way .

[Bill W (2)]

I doubt Hartley will get into any Match Day 23 let alone be Captain!