Predicted England World Cup 31

[JackFlashJonny]

I think the England 31 to face Ireland on 5th Sept will be as follows with starting team and then extras unless the next game throws out any outstanding performances (George maybe):

1.Marler
2.Youngs
3.Cole
4.Lawes
5.Launchbury
6.Haskell
7.Robshaw
8.Vunipola (would prefer Morgan when he is back to best due to pace)
9.Youngs
10.Ford
11.May
12.Barritt (Would prefer Slade but can't see it happening)
13.Joseph
14.Watson
15.Brown
Subs: 16.Webber 17. Vunipola 18. Wilson 19.Attwood 20.Morgan 21. Wigglesworth 22. Farrell 23. Nowell (As Watson covers 15 & Farrell covers centres)

Wider squad: Goode. Brookes. Parling. Slade. Wood. Care. George. Twelvetrees

I think Goode might be on the bench instead of Nowell but in terms of impact backs this leaves us with none..Goode doesn't have the pace for an international 15 in my opinion and will be found wanting sooner or later (sad because he is classy at times) and Corbisero might make it in over 36 (even though that may be Burrell) I just couldn't fathom a world where he is a world cup centre..

[L Smith]

I think the England 31 to face Ireland on 5th Sept will be as follows with starting team and then extras unless the next game throws out any outstanding performances (George maybe):

1.Marler
2.Youngs
3.Cole
4.Lawes
5.Launchbury
6.Haskell
7.Robshaw
8.Vunipola (would prefer Morgan when he is back to best due to pace)
9.Youngs
10.Ford
11.May
12.Barritt (Would prefer Slade but can't see it happening)
13.Joseph
14.Watson
15.Brown
Subs: 16.Webber 17. Vunipola 18. Wilson 19.Attwood 20.Morgan 21. Wigglesworth 22. Farrell 23. Nowell (As Watson covers 15 & Farrell covers centres)

Wider squad: Goode. Brookes. Parling. Slade. Wood. Care. George. Twelvetrees

I think Goode might be on the bench instead of Nowell but in terms of impact backs this leaves us with none..Goode doesn't have the pace for an international 15 in my opinion and will be found wanting sooner or later (sad because he is classy at times) and Corbisero might make it in over 36 (even though that may be Burrell) I just couldn't fathom a world where he is a world cup centre..

Decent looking 23 but with Ford's flakiness off the tee, one of either Fazzlet or Slade really needs to start. In the big games, Ford could be a real liability. I'm really surprised at the lack of air time this issue is getting.

[Bill W (2)]

Threes will not be that!

For

9.Youngs
10.Ford
11.May
12.Barritt (Would prefer Slade but can't see it happening)
13.Joseph
14.Watson

Read

9. Care
10. Farrel
11. May
12. Barritt
13. Burgess
14. Watson

[jgriffin]

Barrit won't be taking part until then, since he has a 'tight calf'; I think he should be dropped for feeding the very young of other species alcoholic beverages. Lancaster has discipline to maintain!
Suggests to me that Barritt is being wrapped in cotton wool and that Burrell and 12T are going home regardless (Burgess being a shoo-in as reserve 12/13 with Fazlet as reserve 10/12, Slade as 12/13/10, Cipriani to lose out).
I also think, regardless of Jamie George's form, that Hartley should come back as reserve.
Corbisero has sciatica - is this the first sign of a LH crisis?

[Bill W (2)]

that Hartley should come back as reserve.

Won't do that! Face loss enormous! Would play Burgess as hooker before he brought Hartley back!!

[L Smith]

that Hartley should come back as reserve.

Won't do that! Face loss enormous! Would play Burgess as hooker before he brought Hartley back!!

Yes: apparently he's a great talker, whilst having his head demolished by an opposing loose head.
Come to think of it, since 'talking' and motivating' has superseded skill and ability, my starting 23 would be:

Ghandi
Kipling
Mandela
Lincoln
Parkinson
Wilde
Farrage
.....

[Bill W (2)]

that Hartley should come back as reserve.

Won't do that! Face loss enormous! Would play Burgess as hooker before he brought Hartley back!!

Yes: apparently he's a great talker, whilst having his head demolished by an opposing loose head.
Come to think of it, since 'talking' and motivating' has superseded skill and ability, my starting 23 would be:

Ghandi
Kipling
Mandela
Lincoln
Parkinson
Wilde
Farrage
.....

Martin Luther King as fly half, and Churchill as full back?

[The Boy Dave]

Head Coach - Gove?

[jonlin]

Alistair Campbell has to be in there for the double bluff. On second thoughts, I think most people have worked out when he is lying. HIS LIPS MOVE.

[northerntiger]

Churchill at fullback!!

[JackFlashJonny]

And here was me thinking I was going to read serious comments on this subject

Ford is flakey but England now have this attacking game with him as the catalyst so for that reason he will be the 10...Fazlet may well yet sneak into 12 for that reason alone..

[jgriffin]

When you look at who is nailed on, you realise the depth of issues.
Marler(little alternative!), Youngs, Cole, Lawes, Robshaw, Youngs, Ford, Fazlet, Barritt, Brown. How many of them are world-class? Two?

[fleabane]

Eddie Butler’s England 31

Full-backs: Mike Brown, Alex Goode; Wings: Jonny May, Jack Nowell, Anthony Watson; Utility back: Danny Cipriani; Centres: Brad Barritt, Luther Burrell, Jonathan Joseph, Henry Slade Fly-halves: George Ford, Owen Farrell; Scrum halves: Danny Care, Ben Youngs

Loosehead props: Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola; Hookers: Jamie George, Tom Youngs, Rob Webber; Tighthead props: Dan Cole, David Wilson; Second-rows: George Kruis, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Geoff Parling; Flankers: James Haskell, Tom Wood, Calum Clark, Chris Robshaw; No8s: Ben Morgan, Billy Vunipola



SCWs England squad

Forwards (17): Tom Youngs, Rob Webber, Jamie George, Joe Marler, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, David Wilson, Kieran Brookes, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury, Geoff Parling, George Kruis; Chris Robshaw, James Haskell, Tom Wood, Billy Vunipola, Ben Morgan.

Backs (14): Mike Brown, Alex Goode. Jack Nowell, Jonny May, Anthony Watson; Luther Burrell, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph, Brad Barritt; George Ford, Owen Farrell; Ben Youngs, Dan Care, Richard Wigglesworth.

[WhitecapTiger]

SCWs England squad

Backs (14): Mike Brown, Alex Goode. Jack Nowell, Jonny May, Anthony Watson; Luther Burrell, Henry Slade, Jonathan Joseph, Brad Barritt; George Ford, Owen Farrell; Ben Youngs, Dan Care, Richard Wigglesworth.

No Cipriani? Could have sworn that SCW said last night he would have him in the squad

[fleabane]

He also said it was probably too late for Cips at 10.