England XV Post 2011 World Cup

First topic message reminder :

As soon as the 2011 World Cup is over, England need to focus on giving experience to the next generation who will be able to challenge for the highest honours come 2015. There are some very solid foundations, with young players such as Ben Foden, Chris Ashton, Courtney Lawes, Dylan Hartley, Tom Croft, James Haskell, Toby Flood e.t.c already established internationals. I would like to see highly talented young players such as Chris Robshaw, Brad Barritt, Billy Twelvetree, Charlie Sharples given a chance at the highest level. Whilst the development of Manu Tuilagi in the centres alongside the very talented Dom Waldouck who will miss this world cup with an ankle injury would be a highly potent partnership, with power, pace and solid defence. Cipriani is a player who I would like to see back involved in the England set-up, however Owen Farrell is definitely one for the future. The back row combination of Haskell, Robshaw and Croft seems to have the perfect balance and I am very surprised Robshaw wasn't selected for the world-cup, I would love for Haskell to be given more game time for England at no.8...

Position - Name - Club - Current Age

15. B.Foden - Northampton - 26
14. C.Ashton - Northampton - 24
13. M.Tuilagi - Leicester - 20
12. D.Waldouck - Wasps - 23
11. C.Sharples - Gloucester - 22
10. T.Flood - Leicester - 26
09. B.Youngs - Leicester - 21

08. J.Haskell - Ricoh Black Rams - 26
07. C.Robshaw - Harlequins - 25
06. T.Croft - Leicester - 25
05. C.Lawes - Northampton - 22
04. D.Attwood - Bath - 24
03. D.Cole - Leicester - 24
02. D.Hartley - Northampton - 25
01. M.Stevens - Saracens - 28

16. A.Corbisiero - L.Irish - 23
17. R.Webber - Wasps - 25
18. T.Palmer - Stade Francais - 32
19. T.Wood - Northampton - 24
20. D.Care - Harlequins - 24
21. D.Cipriani - Melbourne - 23
22. M.Banahan - Bath - 24

Rest of the players in a 32 man squad - Joe Marler (Harlequins - 21) David Paice (L.Irish - 27) Louis Deacon (Leicester - 30) Luke Narraway (Gloucester - 27) Carl Fearns (Bath - 22) Joe Simpson (Wasps - 23) Owen Farrell (Saracens - 19) Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester - 22) Brad Barritt (Saracens - 25) Alex Goode (Saracens - 23)

If your talking about Alex Gray, then he is not ready yet for senior international rugby.

Surely Haskell will be unavailable whilst on his tour of the world.....

Something like this:

15. B.Foden - Northampton - 26
14. C.Ashton - Northampton - 24
13. M.Tuilagi - Leicester - 20
12. 12. Allen or Barritt
11. C.Sharples - Gloucester - 22
10. T.Flood - Leicester - 26
09. B.Youngs - Leicester - 21

08. Narraway
07. Wood
06. T.Croft - Leicester - 25
05. C.Lawes - Northampton - 22
04. D.Attwood - Bath - 24
03. D.Cole - Leicester - 24
02. D.Hartley - Northampton - 25
01. M.Stevens - Saracens - 28

Im pretty sure that Owen Farrell might be challenging harder for the 10 spot...and if Johnny has a blinder of a WC then he could also keep the spot. Im still not totally convinced by Flood.

The Japanese season finishes in January, I believe. Haskell's only going to be there for a few months. I think he's angling for a Super Rugby contract, which would free him up just before the Summer Tours. If he's been in the squad, I could see him picked in that summer squad (although not the 2012 Six Nations).

I'd like to see the majority of the RWC player being given the summer off, playing back to back summers doesn't give much rest time.