Doing the inventory: England

Doing the inventory: England

Edit: I will update with backs when I have time. This took longer than expected.

Hey guys,
 
This page is for discussing the England team and set up ahead of the run in to the RWC and please please add your comments whichever team you support. Also please feel free to add your own "inventories" for your own national teams for comparison's sake. It's very interesting to see other teams from their fans' points of view and also those Same fans' opinions on our team!

There is a lot of debate over what England's best side is, what players we have available and what needs to be sorted before the World Cup. As we are 1 year out in terms of competitive domestic and international play, I thought it would be great to go through every position and do a stock check of our current, RWC and future prospects there, highlighting our likely squad and first team as well as our strengths and weaknesses. This is all my own opinion so please feel free to add yours or correct me if I have stated something factually incorrect.


LH- this is indubitably an area of strength. Already ready for England we have Lions Alex Corbisiero (great scrummager, but injury concern, when fit has impressed hugely and looks potentially a world class player) and Mako Vunipola (had some issues recently in the scrum but young, improving and a devastating carrier, a real impact sub to use against weaker scrummaging nations), not to mention new Quins captain and one of the most improved international players last year, Joe Marler (hugely better in the scrum under the new laws, offers a lot in terms of work rate but seems to have lost the ball playing and running that originally won him plaudits at club level). The RWC squad will have all 3 in, which starting is hard to say and probably depends on Corbs' knees.

Behind these 3, we have several players who could step in at this moment in time and a good looking future.

Gloucester's Wood was once highly vaunted but appears to have lost a lot of form. Matt Mullan has played for England and has the work in the loose and solid set piece to be a good 4th choice. Alex Waller looked great last season for Saints and if Corbs isn't fit he will get a chance to shine again- he's also young and will get capped in my opinion. His brother Ethan looks promising (though possibly will move to tight head). Barrington has potential though probably not enough to get capped, and Balmain with his ability to play both sides of te scrum surely has a strong future. Nathan Catt is another I could see doing a job if needed and has a good future. Interestingly my searches reveal that Sale have a Moldovan prop, good to see less known rugby nations have players at this level!

All in all, I think we can say Marler, Corbs and Vunipola are tier one (all int class, one top int class and one possibly world class), with Catt, Mullan and Waller behind and Balmain possibly the future. Here we are strong

Hooker- hooker has been an area of huge worry for years, but we seem to be strong here right now. Established options are Hartley (in form, an exceptional player though with a tendency to pop up in the scrum and recent indiscretions, also adds leadership), Webber (looks in form, partnership with Wilson, has taken his chances well) and Lion Tom Youngs (worries re his size, hooking and throwing! But can get the throwing perfectly when in a groove, great at carrying and the breakdown, adds a dimension to our dynamic pack).

Behind these players, we have Paice, who doesn't impress me, George who needs gametime but has huge promise especially in tight carrying for Sarries (he can learn from literally the best in the premiership) and 3 players for Quins. Joe Gray is technically excellent but small and injury prone. Buchanan is powerful and a carrier but raw. Ward is a turnover and ripping machine with a backrow's linkman skills and a centre's pace but has awful days at the lineout and is also small. Any would be ok for me filling in as 4th for England.

Cowan Dickie, once a prop, has lots of potential but needs another season in the shirt for Exeter. Lindsay of Wasps has fallen off his huge potential and I can only hope he springs back.

Overall, Hartley, Webber and Youngs are a good trio, Ward and Gray are good backup and with LCD and George the future looks bright too, certainly better than a few years ago.

TH- this is a tricky area for every team. Currently Dan Cole is injured and was in poor form, but he has been a top level international TH with experience, good technique and an exceptional man in the breakdown. Dave Wilson has filled in nicely for him. Thomas doesn't not convince me hugely as 3rd choice but his cameos have been ok, and he should improve his scrummaging at Bath though may also lose his place playing regularly in the premiership behind Wilson.

We have mentioned Ethan Waller as one for the future. Jake Cooper Wooley of Wasps, who started as a LH is another. Harden and Knight have struggled in a weak Gloucester pack. This looks improved next seasons but this might stop them from getting gametime. Newcastle offer one for the present, the impressive Kieron Brookes, and the future with the raw but talented Wilson. Quins' PDJ looks a spent force but Sinckler looks certain for a cap with his quick learning and strong, pacey carrying. Collier is another Quins option maybe a little less talented but closer to ready.

Cole and Wilson, in uncertain order, will play. The 3rd choice is more open, Thomas could keep it but I see Brookes or Collier leapfrogging him. In the future, we should be ok with JCW, Sinckler and "little" Wilson.

Locks- lots of debate over our starting duo. For me it is still Lawes (much improved over the last season, and fulfilling his potential at last, with soft hands and athleticism) and Launchbury (essentially an extra flanker as well as a lock), closely followed by Attwood to add a power option and Parling for his experience and lineout skills. I can see the argument to start Launchbury with whichever of the above had his club mate at hooker, but as this will be Hartley that changes nothing.

Saracens' Botha has caps and though shouldn't be near starting would not let England down in a crisis. Same goes for Robson of Quins, and Day of Saints is very underrated. None are particularly exciting though. Tigers have a blessing of riches here, with Slater (also a 6) very promising and IMO next in line, but Kitchener also highly rated for a different sort of lock. Deacon's time is last but he would still be acceptable if needed. George Skivington is IMO very underrated and is a player I'd like to see get a chance though I suspect he won't. Schofield is unlikely to add to his caps. Palmer is too old but could step in if in dire need, and Savage looks a good player with a potential cap for me.


For the future, though Launch is young, Matthews has yet to fulfil his promise but looks on track after the end of last seasons for Quins. Will Carrick Smlth is a monster that I know little else about. Stookes has potential as does George Kruis, but Dom Barrow possibly has the most of all, and Itoje in the longer term looks a certain cap.


I'd say Launch + Lawes, Parling and Attwood followed by Kitchener and Slater, with Kruis and Barrow as the future.

6- an interesting Position with many roles. Tom Wood is an excellent 6 who works with our 7, and a good leader. Behind him, James Haskell finally looks the real deal. Tom Johnson is solid but unexceptional, an option certainly.

Callum Clarke is loved by Lancaster but not by some fans. I think he had a great season last year but is not the player to bring England forward. Matt Garvey is NOT loved by Lancaster but is exactly te option at 6 or lock we could do with. In his absence (we assume), Slater could fill in at 6. Kruis is a decent 6 but a better lock, and Wray is good but not enough to cap. If Croft can come back well from injury and stay fit he adds something no other englAnd forward can (real attacking running and a great lineout) and is a shoe in for the squad, lack of physicality or not. Gibson has also looked very good for Tigers and deserves a shot at some point but also lacks power. Tom Guest is too old now to get his first cap realistically much to my dismay. Gaskell frankly doesn't impress me much at all. Welch and Wilson at Falcons look good players but unlikely to feature. Carl Fearns adds power and isn't shabby at the breakdown and should be considered too.

In terms of the future, Charlie Blair Walker is an exciting player, and S Jones will surely get capped at 6 or 7, otherwise I struggle to see many young but not academy players in this position. Moriarity could break through if his pack gives him the platform.

7- here Robshaw stands alone with Armitage in exile. Armitage's carrying and scavenging would be useful but not enough to set a dangerous precedent. Robshaw is a jack of all trades, master of all trades though sadly I expect him to go underrated his entire career. After him comes Kvesic who has had good spells, and offers a blend of breakdown and tackling but had a poor season at Gloucester. He will hope his new-look pack can help him out because he is talented.

At Saints, Clarke and wood can play 7. Dowson didn't look up to int level at all. Will Fraser has genuine talent and I hope he can stay fit as he is both present and future. Luke Wallace will get gametime at 6 and when Robshaw is away. He's a great ball player and fetcher but easily caught out of position. Scaysborough is a solid 7 but unlikely to get a look in, and the same applies for Betty, Seymour and Lund. Guy Thompson impresses me as a utility back row but not enough, Rowan looks an option for the future.  Andy Saull seems to have fallen off the horizon, and I can't see him fighting back in.


I think Wood, Haskell and Robshaw are certains here. After that it becomes hard. Slater can play 6. I would love Garvey but doubt we'll see him. After that, Fraser and Kvesic and maybe Wallace at 7 (Rowan and Jones future options) and Fearns, Gibson and Croft at 6 (Kruis and Moriarity maybe the future here). I thought we'd be stronger than we are at flanker.

8- in Billy Vunipola and Morgan we have 2 great options at 8, both powerful though with different carrying specialties. Haskell adds extra cover here too.

After these two, we are better here than I thought. Dickinson is solid. Easter is old but could fill in come the RWC in his current state (ie phenomenal). Crane is back on track with Waldrom ( no thanks) gone. Jack Clifford is the future. Fearns can play here and Burgess may be trialled here. Guest is getting on but good enough, ditto Narraway, York has fallen off the radar. And Ewers is raw but talented.


I would say Billy and Morgan helped by Haskell, with Ewers next, maybe Crane and Easter in an emergency. Clifford for the future, plus Billy will be playing for years to come.



So that gives a pack of

Marler, Corbs, Vunipola
Youngs, Hartley, Webber
Cole, Wilson, Brookes
Lawes,Launchbury, Parling, Attwood
Wood, Haskell, Croft
Robshaw, Fraser
Vunipola, Morgan


The backs:

England's backs have long been seen as an issue- with a dearth of flair, and thanks to the likes of Andy Robinson, a graveyard where the careers of promising young tyros chucked in the deep end go to die (I will never forgive the way he ruined Tait and Allen). However, a few key issues aside, I honestly feel we are stronger than most realise here and certainly stronger than any time in the past 10 years, a few fantastic players from that period aside.


9- not long ago, with Care lacking consistency and maturity and Youngs falling out of form, this was a big worry. However, Care seems to have grown into the player he should have been, fantastic for Quins, bringing that form to England and improving his pass, kick and mind to go with his high tempo and playmaking. Similarly, Youngs looked to be refinding his form at the end of last season and looking like the player we thought could be the best 9 in the world. Behind them, Lee Dickson isn't very exciting but he is solid enough for England and had a great season for Saints.

Behind these 3, Wrigglesworth is not a particularly flashy choice but he is an excellent tactical 9 and I would happily see him play in white. His club mate Spencer looks a long term option, with a similarly good kicking game. Joel Hodgson has gone down the pecking order by moving to Saints but with his skillset and 2 good 9s to learn from is another to watch out for. I don't know much about Harrison, but Karl Dickson at Quins is a solid player who could fill in if needed (not on last season's form though) and Burns and Stuart are ones to watch but need to add cleverness to their pace. Chiefs have 3 solid 9s in Lewis, Chudley and Thomas though I don't know enough about them to say if they could get caps. I don't hugely rate Young but Cook at Bath looks promising and Robson at Glaws too though he'll need to get ahead of Laidlaw, who I think is a silly buy for the club. Simpson offers a lot but also has too many flaws (like his pass...) for me to pick him for England.

Here we can easily say care, Youngs and Dickson, IMO followed by Wriggles and with Cook, Robson and Spencer my picks for the future.


10- more contentious here. Farrell, with his kicking and defence, is clearly the favourite here and has improved his attack but is still never going to be a Spencer or Larkham, and there are rumours he might be tried at 12 in the AIs. Behind him, it's a close 3 way race with Flood taking himself out of the picture. Burns had an awful season, but promises so much in terms of attack and using his backs, and if he can get ahead of Williams he will have a better platform at Tigers. Cipriani has lost the unplayable verve he once had but has also improved his temperament, defence and control and frankly looks the most balanced 10 we have in my eyes, whether he is trusted by others is another question. Ford has shown great tactical kicking and passing but poor goal kicking and is rather small for international rugby. Picking our 10s is key and is a real challenge.

Behind these players, Myler is solid. Hodgson has retired but Goode looked good in his cameos at 10 for Sarries and some have questioned the decision to ever move him from 10 to 15. Billy Burns is too young now but looks even better than his brother and Slade also looks a top quality player. Andy Goode is too old, and Geraghty seems to have fallen off the track that saw him shine so brightly in that one 6N campaign. Clegg too seems to have lost his touch and gone from flakey but a good attacker at Quins to a kicker with no flair at Falcons. I've heard good things about young Joe Ford. Barkley is past it IMO.

Farrell plus 2 of Cips, Ford and Burns, probably Ford and Burns though I think that's not the best call. For the future, mini Burns and Slade look most promising.


12- our biggest problem. Twelvetrees has looked great in spells but subpar in others. Eastmond with the opportunity to attack also looks class but was found massively defensively lacking in t3 in NZ. Burrell can play 12 but with Manu at 13? Can Manu play 12? Farrell? No easy decision here. Barritt has been a stalwart when given the chance but with Farrell at 10 and Manu at 13, that attack just seems far too blunt.


After the current squad members, there are other options. I hugely rate Allen and think he really does deserve another chance (damn you Robinson!). He has the passing (though his role for Tigers doesn't use it that often), the running lines and the defensive leadership to be what we need. However, it looks too late for Allen as he would have been picked before now were it to happen. Chris Bell is another solid clubman who I doubt raises enough pulses to get a chance. Burgess could come in at 12 but until he plays a minute of Union there is no way I can see him playing for England. Devoto looks a future star though. I don't know much about Guy Armitage at all, I'm sure Pete can enlighten me. Sam Hill I have seen and he impresses me a lot. Casson has lost a lot of form for Quins and whilst a fit JTH is vital for us and should have the power and offload to do well for England, his few caps didn't exactly inspire. And he's never ever fit. May at Welsh is ok but not an int. The last centre who springs to mind is Stephenson, for the future at least.


12 is hard but let's stick with 36 and Eastmond, with Burrell predominantly a 13 but an option. I'd love to see Allen there but we won't. For the future, Stephenson and Hill for me but I wouldn't be surprised or upset to see Devoto there.

13- Manu Tuilagi is, for his flaws (that strangely seem to materialise for England- he passes well at Tigers), a lethal player who must be in the squad. He made Conrad Smith look like a schoolboy. Burrell was poor in NZ but had a storming 6N and deserves to be there too.

After this, it becomes harder. Bath's Devoto could play 13, and hopefully Banahan is a no. Joseph looked promising but has dropped off. Tompkins is another for the future, and Tomkins didn't look international class when given the chance and I think is back in league. Can't see Waldouck making it either. Quins have some talented young centres in Sloan (probably won't make it) and Marchant (could do in the future, but very young) and Hopper impresses some. He's too flakey for me and Lowe, if he reaches his previous form from before this horrible injury, is a real possibility, underrated in attack and defence. Daly has IMO all the weapons to play 13 and hopefully will start there and not at 15 for Wasps. Trinder is another good player but needs to stay fit. The others at Falcons etc don't look like options to me.

So manu and Burrell then. I'd have Lowe and Daly next, then Daly, Tompkins and Devoto as the future.

Wing- we have had issues here but I actually think the options are good and varied. We are just low on time to pick them properly. Yarde, now playing with Brown at Quins, has nailed one shirt down with his attack. The other main contenders are Ashton, who had a good club season but may have run out of lives, May, who can't seem to run straight and fulfill his promise, Nowell, who improved through the 6N but doesn't score many tries (adds a lot else though, similar to Watson, another option) and Wade who is untested thanks to injury but looks magic to me and must get a run out frankly. Then FBs like Foden are also in the mix.

Saints also have Elliott, who is understated and does his basics very well. I think he could do well alla Cueto, who himself is too old now days. Thompstone doesn't quite look up to this level and Benjamin needs to prove he is still the player he looked before injury. Strettle does it all at club level but has struggled for England. Williams will never get capped after the B word, Monye has lost his pace but Charlie Walker looks like he might be a future England winger with his pace and ability to play 13 and 15. Arnott and Jess aren't quite there, neither is Brady. Cato hasn't fulfilled his potential but Kiribirige looks the real deal for Falcons in a few years. Ojo has missed the boat, and Lewington looks good but not great (don't know how James Short has been doing at Irish, looked good at Sarries). Sharples has fallen from favour but is still a great attacker if we need more in attack, JSD is too old now. Woodburn is quick but I don't know much about him. Can't see Banahan getting another chance, and Rocky is on the list for the Saxons but I think unlikely to make the full step up. Earle looks lethal as a future winger. Stegmann and Sam Smith are too flawed in defence without the pure danger to counter this. Finally Varndell is a long shot but still a menace to defences at AP level.


I'd go with Yarde and Wade, with Watson, Nowell and May as back ups for now.

All are young but other youngsters to step up are Earle, Walker and Kiribirige.


15- Mike Brown has the shirt if he can approach his AI and 6N form of last year when he was possibly the best in the World. Behind him Foden is proven int class but in my eyes has never neared his form of 3-4 years ago. Goode needs pace outside him but adds a dimension to how England can play. And May, daly, Nowell, Watson can all play FB too. It is a global area of strength and every club has an option here.

With Abendanon leaving and Watson a winger, Bath can offer the solid Luke Arscott. Gloucester have lost (once England vaunted) Olly Morgan but Cook looks promising at 15. Wasps now have the decent option of Miller if Daly (please!!!) stays at 13. Irish have Homer, who i see mostly as a kicker. Catterick and Tait probably not good enough at Falcons. Tom Arscott very underrated and wouldn't be too out of place. Chiefs will probably start Nowell at 15. Sarries have Goode but Ransom is ok too, and Welsh have some players I don't really know much about. Pennell, loyally staying at Wuss despite being in the NZ tour squad, is utterly class and I hope he gets to come back up. After MB for Quins is Chisholm who is dangerously pacy (but has been injured a fair bit) and OLH who wants to play 15s like it's 7s. Matt Tait is looking like the player e could have been if not for Robinson and injuries again but is still made of the same glass as Warburton and Pocock.

FBs have to be Brown, Foden, Goode, with the wingers as back ups and maybe Pennell if he goes on loan. For the future, Cook, maybe Earle and Watson look grand.


So all in all the backs look like:

Care, Youngs
Farrell, Burns,
Twelvetrees, (Eastmond)
Manu, Burrell,
Wade, Yarde, Watson (Nowell, May)
Brown, Goode, Foden

I'll comment on the overall situation, plan etc tomorrow.

Good effort CJ.

We will obviously know more about players at the club we support. On that, I'm going to chuck young Nathan Hughes at Wasps in for one of the No. 8 berths.

Yes, he doesn't qualify for England until 2016 under normal circumstances, but there is the new '7s rule' that could be exploited*.

Certainly one for the future in any case. He was unlucky with injury towards the end of last season, but after 6 or 7 games Wasps fans were saying "Billy who?"

* I am against this rule but I'm sure other countries will exploit it.

Hound of Harrow wrote:

Good effort CJ.

We will obviously know more about players at the club we support. On that, I'm going to chuck young Nathan Hughes at Wasps in for one of the No. 8 berths.

Yes, he doesn't qualify for England until 2016 under normal circumstances, but there is the new '7s rule' that could be exploited*.

Certainly one for the future in any case. He was unlucky with injury towards the end of last season, but after 6 or 7 games Wasps fans were saying "Billy who?"

* I am against this rule but I'm sure other countries will exploit it.

Thats good news if Hughes does switch allegiance, but Billy last year showed huge improvement over the year before

Cracking effort CJ...ill have a go later...some interesting ones...

Like at Lh where Waller was outstanding last season...and it says something when the world class Corbs is not guarenteed a spot at either club or Country.

Elsewhere as you say lock and the flanks are dilemas.

i too like Launchbury and Lawes...but i would just like to see Launchbury bulk up a bit more and become a real heavyweight who is athletic. Slater had a blinder last season...and if he can repeat that a combo of Lawes and Slater could be a powerful one.

Thats good news if Hughes does switch allegiance, but Billy last year showed huge improvement over the year before.

Ah no its absolutely not!!! Im not happy at all with Hughes ignoring Fiji's world cup qualifiying campaign and waiting for England recognition.

This is what i hate about all the residency rules.

Fiji have lost a top class player...at a time we are trying to make rugby more competitive across the board.

I seriously dont want him to play for England. Hopefuly he has a change of heart and goes to the world cup with Fiji. I think he can play for Samoa as well cant he.

Besides in Morgan and Billy we have two top class 8's...why do we need to add more to the options when we have Ewers, Fearns etc who can play there.

ChequeredJersey wrote:So that gives a pack of

Marler, Corbs, Vunipola
Youngs, Hartley, Webber
Cole, Wilson, Brookes
Lawes,Launchbury, Parling, Attwood
Wood, Haskell, Croft
Robshaw, Fraser
Vunipola, Morgan

For now

I think that's about right, although there's too many for the World Cup squad (which I believe is 30 players). Were it being chosen now I think you'd ditch Brookes, Fraser and one of Croft or Haskell, giving you 17 forwards (assuming you pick 13 backs).

Surely FES, until we see what kind of shape Cole is like we cant put him in the squad...likewise Croft. They have both had major injuries.

Cole struggled the last 18 months or whatever...was that down to his injury and fatigue...or was it struggling with the new laws?

All that needs to be looked at.

I'd say you've selected the pack, it's who you put in the first team and off the bench that means anything though.

For me;

1. Corbiseiro
2. Hartley
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Lawes
6. Robshaw
7. Armitage
8. morgan

But it really does depend on the props, they both tend to be injured more often than not, and trust in their fitness will be a worry. I don't think i've seen enough of Vunipola or marler to trust them to win the RWC, and have seen less of Wilson so couldn't comment constructively.

Englands problem though is where they are strong starting they lack off the bench quality, and where they look a little weak they have the quality off the bench.

Hartley is a good international but Youngs is a weak bench option.

The props are both top class, but replacements have weaknesses.

Locks need a little more grunt, Attwood could do that but you wouldn't start him.

That's true - clearly much will depend on both the players returning well from injury. I can't see Dan Cole not being in the squad if fit though.

Croft on the other hand has a real battle - Haskell was excellent at the end of the season and in that 1st Test, and I can't see Lancaster leaving out Tom Wood.

Hound of Harrow wrote:

Good effort CJ.

We will obviously know more about players at the club we support. On that, I'm going to chuck young Nathan Hughes at Wasps in for one of the No. 8 berths.

Yes, he doesn't qualify for England until 2016 under normal circumstances, but there is the new '7s rule' that could be exploited*.

Certainly one for the future in any case. [/size][size=16]He was unlucky with injury towards the end of last season, but after 6 or 7 games Wasps fans were saying "Billy who?"

* I am against this rule but I'm sure other countries will exploit it.

Sorry but don't see the relevance of the '7s rule'. He's not played for anyone else so he can just qualify normally. To qualify via the 7s Olympic thing you need to be a national of the country (is he a UK national/citizen/eligible for British passport?) AND qualify via the normal IRB stuff. So playing Olympic 7s can't get you to qualfy any faster, it can just allow you to represent more than one country.

Croft had been playing very well when he wasnt injured in the last couple of years. I wouldn't write him off easily but he has plenty to prove. On the other hand behind the main picks the best we can say of most of the contenders for flanker is that they have potential

And GF, you are of course right about Nathan Hughes and who he chooses to play for. If he is a serious talent then you want to see him playing international rugby, and it would be preferable if he did play for Samoa or Fiji, but I wouldn't loose much sleep if he did choose us. What I was also pointing out is that our adopted tongan has improved a great deal since his move to Saracens.

Only other thing worth mentioning is that I suspect that Slater may end up as third choice lock sooner rather than later. Parling is good but on the wane and lacks bulk. Attwood has the bulk but seems to lack the extra something needed to be a great rather than a good player

I agree about Attwood...im beginning to think he's missing what Grewcock and Johnson had in spades...Aggression! And that will stop him hitting the next level.

GeordieFalcon wrote:I agree about Attwood...im beginning to think he's missing what Grewcock and Johnson had in spades...Aggression! And that will stop him hitting the next level.

He is more BFG than Hulk

Slater will probably overtake him this season. Especially if he has another season like last season.

lostinwales wrote:Only other thing worth mentioning is that I suspect that Slater may end up as third choice lock sooner rather than later. Parling is good but on the wane and lacks bulk. Attwood has the bulk but seems to lack the extra something needed to be a great rather than a good player

Really - he's 30!

Lancaster is a big fan of Parling. But him and Lawes is too lightweight together.

It will be Launchbury and Lawes come the Ai's....so id like to see a change in personnel in the back row.

GeordieFalcon wrote:Lancaster is a big fan of Parling. But him and Lawes is too lightweight together.

It will be Launchbury and Lawes come the Ai's....so id like to see a change in personnel in the back row.

Surely your sick of seeing change in the back row, I would've thought you'd want to see consistency?!

We've had consistancy...its been
6 Wood
7 Robshaw
for a long time with Billy and Ben fighting it out for the 8 spot.

Agreed - consistency is not the issue for England, at least not in the pack. As just posted elsewhere, getting Steffon Armitage in an England jersey would be a positive move in my view, and I think Haskell deserves to be involved again after the summer.

The real area to fix is the backs. Difficult to predict what the England backline will look like next summer, and that in itself is troubling.

GeordieFalcon wrote:We've had consistancy...its been
6 Wood
7 Robshaw
for a long time with Billy and Ben fighting it out for the 8 spot.

I guess you decided not to include Wood at 8 lol, or Haskells inclusion, Kvesic, Lawes at 6... not to mention the confusion of who starting 8 is.

Compare that to mccaw, Read and messam / Alberts, Louw and Vermualen / Lydiate, Warburton, Falatau. Now these teams show consistency over the last few years.

The 8 spot was an issue...no doubt there. Hence Wood playing there.

There have been some slight changes through injury etc...but in general the first choice has been Wood and Robshaw. Left and right rather than genuine blindside and openside.

GeordieFalcon wrote:The 8 spot was an issue...no doubt there. Hence Wood playing there.

There have been some slight changes through injury etc...but in general the first choice has been Wood and Robshaw. Left and right rather than genuine blindside and openside.

I secretly quite like that partnership, Wood is very effective all round, and a good link man where Robshaw is the breakdown muscle in the team, I thought Wood at 8 may have worked with his hands and work rate, but there was no carrying nous from the 6 and 7 and he was nullified easily.

If your going to ask an player who isn't conventionally the type to play a position, you have to let him play the unconventional way he is strong at, asking Wood to be a destructive ball carrier was never going to work, what was required was a carrying option at 6, for the tight 5 to do more and Wood to play as a link man.

Any other counties want to do one?

Wood also had Croft at 6..just too lightweight and back row combo.

I am a massive fan of Wood and Robshaw individually. i think Wood is top class and Robshaw is a brilliant alrounder.

I just concern about them together. But we shall see.

I appreciate weight isnt an indicator of power and muscle but aside from Billy and Ben at 8 the whole back 5 isnt the heaviest pack around. Indeed Add in Marler who gives away about a stone and a half on Corbs and Cole isnt a massive TH then we do give away a lot in the pack.

I'd just like to see a bit more raw grunt and muscle.

Id be interested to see how this pack compares in weight terms with the other sides.

If we'd seen Wood and Robshaw fail together I'd be concerned but I don't see that being the case

Mind just checking the Wasps website...Joe Launchbury is listed as 6'6 and 18 stone 6!!

Is that right?

The backs:

England's backs have long been seen as an issue- with a dearth of flair, and thanks to the likes of Andy Robinson, a graveyard where the careers of promising young tyros chucked in the deep end go to die (I will never forgive the way he ruined Tait and Allen). However, a few key issues aside, I honestly feel we are stronger than most realise here and certainly stronger than any time in the past 10 years, a few fantastic players from that period aside.


9- not long ago, with Care lacking consistency and maturity and Youngs falling out of form, this was a big worry. However, Care seems to have grown into the player he should have been, fantastic for Quins, bringing that form to England and improving his pass, kick and mind to go with his high tempo and playmaking. Similarly, Youngs looked to be refinding his form at the end of last season and looking like the player we thought could be the best 9 in the world. Behind them, Lee Dickson isn't very exciting but he is solid enough for England and had a great season for Saints.

Behind these 3, Wrigglesworth is not a particularly flashy choice but he is an excellent tactical 9 and I would happily see him play in white. His club mate Spencer looks a long term option, with a similarly good kicking game. Joel Hodgson has gone down the pecking order by moving to Saints but with his skillset and 2 good 9s to learn from is another to watch out for. I don't know much about Harrison, but Karl Dickson at Quins is a solid player who could fill in if needed (not on last season's form though) and Burns and Stuart are ones to watch but need to add cleverness to their pace. Chiefs have 3 solid 9s in Lewis, Chudley and Thomas though I don't know enough about them to say if they could get caps. I don't hugely rate Young but Cook at Bath looks promising and Robson at Glaws too though he'll need to get ahead of Laidlaw, who I think is a silly buy for the club. Simpson offers a lot but also has too many flaws (like his pass...) for me to pick him for England.

Here we can easily say care, Youngs and Dickson, IMO followed by Wriggles and with Cook, Robson and Spencer my picks for the future.


10- more contentious here. Farrell, with his kicking and defence, is clearly the favourite here and has improved his attack but is still never going to be a Spencer or Larkham, and there are rumours he might be tried at 12 in the AIs. Behind him, it's a close 3 way race with Flood taking himself out of the picture. Burns had an awful season, but promises so much in terms of attack and using his backs, and if he can get ahead of Williams he will have a better platform at Tigers. Cipriani has lost the unplayable verve he once had but has also improved his temperament, defence and control and frankly looks the most balanced 10 we have in my eyes, whether he is trusted by others is another question. Ford has shown great tactical kicking and passing but poor goal kicking and is rather small for international rugby. Picking our 10s is key and is a real challenge.

Behind these players, Myler is solid. Hodgson has retired but Goode looked good in his cameos at 10 for Sarries and some have questioned the decision to ever move him from 10 to 15. Billy Burns is too young now but looks even better than his brother and Slade also looks a top quality player. Andy Goode is too old, and Geraghty seems to have fallen off the track that saw him shine so brightly in that one 6N campaign. Clegg too seems to have lost his touch and gone from flakey but a good attacker at Quins to a kicker with no flair at Falcons. I've heard good things about young Joe Ford. Barkley is past it IMO.

Farrell plus 2 of Cips, Ford and Burns, probably Ford and Burns though I think that's not the best call. For the future, mini Burns and Slade look most promising.


12- our biggest problem. Twelvetrees has looked great in spells but subpar in others. Eastmond with the opportunity to attack also looks class but was found massively defensively lacking in t3 in NZ. Burrell can play 12 but with Manu at 13? Can Manu play 12? Farrell? No easy decision here. Barritt has been a stalwart when given the chance but with Farrell at 10 and Manu at 13, that attack just seems far too blunt.


After the current squad members, there are other options. I hugely rate Allen and think he really does deserve another chance (damn you Robinson!). He has the passing (though his role for Tigers doesn't use it that often), the running lines and the defensive leadership to be what we need. However, it looks too late for Allen as he would have been picked before now were it to happen. Chris Bell is another solid clubman who I doubt raises enough pulses to get a chance. Burgess could come in at 12 but until he plays a minute of Union there is no way I can see him playing for England. Devoto looks a future star though. I don't know much about Guy Armitage at all, I'm sure Pete can enlighten me. Sam Hill I have seen and he impresses me a lot. Casson has lost a lot of form for Quins and whilst a fit JTH is vital for us and should have the power and offload to do well for England, his few caps didn't exactly inspire. And he's never ever fit. May at Welsh is ok but not an int. The last centre who springs to mind is Stephenson, for the future at least.


12 is hard but let's stick with 36 and Eastmond, with Burrell predominantly a 13 but an option. I'd love to see Allen there but we won't. For the future, Stephenson and Hill for me but I wouldn't be surprised or upset to see Devoto there.

13- Manu Tuilagi is, for his flaws (that strangely seem to materialise for England- he passes well at Tigers), a lethal player who must be in the squad. He made Conrad Smith look like a schoolboy. Burrell was poor in NZ but had a storming 6N and deserves to be there too.

After this, it becomes harder. Bath's Devoto could play 13, and hopefully Banahan is a no. Joseph looked promising but has dropped off. Tompkins is another for the future, and Tomkins didn't look international class when given the chance and I think is back in league. Can't see Waldouck making it either. Quins have some talented young centres in Sloan (probably won't make it) and Marchant (could do in the future, but very young) and Hopper impresses some. He's too flakey for me and Lowe, if he reaches his previous form from before this horrible injury, is a real possibility, underrated in attack and defence. Daly has IMO all the weapons to play 13 and hopefully will start there and not at 15 for Wasps. Trinder is another good player but needs to stay fit. The others at Falcons etc don't look like options to me.

So manu and Burrell then. I'd have Lowe and Daly next, then Daly, Tompkins and Devoto as the future.

Wing- we have had issues here but I actually think the options are good and varied. We are just low on time to pick them properly. Yarde, now playing with Brown at Quins, has nailed one shirt down with his attack. The other main contenders are Ashton, who had a good club season but may have run out of lives, May, who can't seem to run straight and fulfill his promise, Nowell, who improved through the 6N but doesn't score many tries (adds a lot else though, similar to Watson, another option) and Wade who is untested thanks to injury but looks magic to me and must get a run out frankly. Then FBs like Foden are also in the mix.

Saints also have Elliott, who is understated and does his basics very well. I think he could do well alla Cueto, who himself is too old now days. Thompstone doesn't quite look up to this level and Benjamin needs to prove he is still the player he looked before injury. Strettle does it all at club level but has struggled for England. Williams will never get capped after the B word, Monye has lost his pace but Charlie Walker looks like he might be a future England winger with his pace and ability to play 13 and 15. Arnott and Jess aren't quite there, neither is Brady. Cato hasn't fulfilled his potential but Kiribirige looks the real deal for Falcons in a few years. Ojo has missed the boat, and Lewington looks good but not great (don't know how James Short has been doing at Irish, looked good at Sarries). Sharples has fallen from favour but is still a great attacker if we need more in attack, JSD is too old now. Woodburn is quick but I don't know much about him. Can't see Banahan getting another chance, and Rocky is on the list for the Saxons but I think unlikely to make the full step up. Earle looks lethal as a future winger. Stegmann and Sam Smith are too flawed in defence without the pure danger to counter this. Finally Varndell is a long shot but still a menace to defences at AP level.


I'd go with Yarde and Wade, with Watson, Nowell and May as back ups for now.

All are young but other youngsters to step up are Earle, Walker and Kiribirige.


15- Mike Brown has the shirt if he can approach his AI and 6N form of last year when he was possibly the best in the World. Behind him Foden is proven int class but in my eyes has never neared his form of 3-4 years ago. Goode needs pace outside him but adds a dimension to how England can play. And May, daly, Nowell, Watson can all play FB too. It is a global area of strength and every club has an option here.

With Abendanon leaving and Watson a winger, Bath can offer the solid Luke Arscott. Gloucester have lost (once England vaunted) Olly Morgan but Cook looks promising at 15. Wasps now have the decent option of Miller if Daly (please!!!) stays at 13. Irish have Homer, who i see mostly as a kicker. Catterick and Tait probably not good enough at Falcons. Tom Arscott very underrated and wouldn't be too out of place. Chiefs will probably start Nowell at 15. Sarries have Goode but Ransom is ok too, and Welsh have some players I don't really know much about. Pennell, loyally staying at Wuss despite being in the NZ tour squad, is utterly class and I hope he gets to come back up. After MB for Quins is Chisholm who is dangerously pacy (but has been injured a fair bit) and OLH who wants to play 15s like it's 7s. Matt Tait is looking like the player e could have been if not for Robinson and injuries again but is still made of the same glass as Warburton and Pocock.

FBs have to be Brown, Foden, Goode, with the wingers as back ups and maybe Pennell if he goes on loan. For the future, Cook, maybe Earle and Watson look grand.


So all in all the backs look like:

Care, Youngs
Farrell, Burns,
Twelvetrees, (Eastmond)
Manu, Burrell,
Wade, Yarde, Watson (Nowell, May)
Brown, Goode, Foden

I'll comment on the overall situation, plan etc tomorrow.

Thats good news if Hughes does switch allegiance, but Billy last year showed huge improvement over the year before.

Ah no its absolutely not!!! Im not happy at all with Hughes ignoring Fiji's world cup qualifiying campaign and waiting for England recognition.

This is what i hate about all the residency rules.

Fiji have lost a top class player...at a time we are trying to make rugby more competitive across the board.

I seriously dont want him to play for England. Hopefuly he has a change of heart and goes to the world cup with Fiji. I think he can play for Samoa as well cant he.

Besides in Morgan and Billy we have two top class 8's...why do we need to add more to the options when we have Ewers, Fearns etc who can play there.

I have to admit to playing devil's advocate with Hughes' qualification comments to test the water.

Until he came to England, Hughes very much favoured his native Fiji in terms of international selection. He rejected a NZ 7s trial while he was in Auckland to play club 7s back in Fiji.

However, he is now weighing up his options. At the moment he's probably of the 'heart says Fiji',  'head says England' mentality.

In any case the whole qualification thing is for another debate, and has been done to death on here several times.

FB is interesting and at least we have 2 very good options (one of whom has been exceptional) but I dont rate Goode at all in that position at international level - but do agree he could have made a very interesting option at 10 had things worked out differently.

I'd love it if Tait managed to dodge injury this year and get one last shot at the RWC

FB is going to be another position of strength soon we'll have....

Brown
Foden
Goode
Watson - He will prob move to FB this season at Bath
Nowell - He should do the same at Exeter i think.
-----------------
Hammersley - Falcons, a cracking young player coming through, one for a couple of seasons time.
Im sure theres a few other FB's coming through aswell.

GeordieFalcon wrote:FB is going to be another position of strength soon we'll have....

Brown
Foden
Goode
Watson - He will prob move to FB this season at Bath
Nowell - He should do the same at Exeter i think.
-----------------
Hammersley - Falcons, a cracking young player coming through, one for a couple of seasons time.
Im sure theres a few other FB's coming through aswell.

You see it as a position of strength, I see a potential to create more inconsistency, basically to keep making the same mistakes. If Brown has the Shirt, the gameplan has to fit around what he and others bring to the party, but how do any of the other candidates step in without struggling.

Look at NZ, players of similar style slot into positions, unless they stand out to a point where they can be accomodated. Dagg was widely regarded as the best FB in world rugby, but now sits on the bench, isn't squeezed into a wing slot ala Foden and Brown, just sat down because he isn't the best option in his best position.

Lancaster needs to pick his gameplan, and sacrifice all who doesn't fit there, like Gatland did for Wales with players who were individually better but not best for the team.

So, having quality back-up full-backs is potentially causing inconsistency?

The other option is to have one good fullback and pray he never gets injured.

Brown has been one of the best-performing NH players in the last year and fits the England gameplan well. There's no reason to change at this point, which is what you've been suggesting.

I would also say that the game plan is not around Brown. In his absence through injry etc i would back any of the list to come in and perform well.

GeordieFalcon wrote:I would also say that the game plan is not around Brown. In his absence through injry etc i would back any of the list to come in and perform well.

Exactly. What Brown offers is a safe pair of hands, good positioning and defence and the ability to counter-attack, invariably breaking the first tackle. Solid full-back skills in other words. It's not like there's a big change when another full-back comes in (apart from Goode's first receiver option).

I'd love to see Foden hit top form again as I think he's still probably the most-skilled full-back we have. Borwn has been immense though and it's great to have both.

I just wish the wing situation was healthier (it has the potential to be, but injury and unavailability has scuppered that a bit).

I think this season we'll see more of the wings getting a run out regularly Cyril.

I disagree wholeheartedly, Brown playing well has been a by product of someone in the England line needing to take on the responsability, without Tuilagi. Similarly Burrell has come to form because he was willing to take the responsibility of breaking the line when the rest of the backline didn't.

my point about cinsistency issues is due to the likes of Brown, Goode and Foden all vying for the 15 shirt, Foden was the owner, until Lancaster showed preference to Goode, then Browns form allowed an extra option. Brown now owns the shirt, until the next guy steps in, and none of these players slips into the 15 role in a gameplan based around each other.

2 straight line runners in midfield = Goode is a must, 12trees in midfield allows for Browns game to be complimented.

The question you need to ask yourself, is would you be happy sacrificing your wing threat, and keep the backline stuttering because you like Brown, or would you sacrifice Browns form, or the player himself, to help the backline perform better?

1 leads to winning games, the other leads to the run of the mill results England have enjoyed this last decade.

Neutralee wrote:I disagree wholeheartedly

Good. I must be on the right track then.

I know you're just on the wind-up (more subtle -so far- than your previously incarnations) but wumming none the less.

Foden had a long lay-off with a knee injury. It's not like it's all been chopping and changing at full-back.

Cyril wrote:

Neutralee wrote:I disagree wholeheartedly

Good. I must be on the right track then.

I know you're just on the wind-up (more subtle -so far- than your previously incarnations) but wumming none the less.

Foden had a long lay-off with a knee injury. It's not like it's all been chopping and changing at full-back.

And what is it you beleive I'm wumming about? and how subtle does a wum have to be before it's just 1 person giving an opinion the almighty cyril disagree's with?

He makes valid points Cyril. SL had Brown on the wing but injury forced his hand and he discovered Brown looked better at 15. For all his flawlessness during the 6N, he was more a support runner running off the loose forwards or halfback. He was also a very good returner of the ball breaking tackles and linking up with his forward team mates. Add that to his aerial skills and defensive awareness and he provided England with stability and, therefore, a solid platform to work off inside their own half.

However, for all his obvious strengths, he does not possess the ability to enter the line like Folau, Le Roux or Dagg or Smith. So a player like Tuilagi and he do not combine well. He is not that type of attacking player. So keeping those two players in the backline, who becomes or is the player for England to get beyond the defensive line after it is broken. Ashton and Burrell have been tried in combination inside and outside but it has worked and it hasn't. Yarde has been effective at breaking the one but not in combination with Tuilagi. The problem may be seen as being inside 13 but to me it's finding a player up through the middle or outside Tuilagi that England need to find.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote: He makes valid points Cyril. SL had Brown on the wing but injury forced his hand and he discovered Brown looked better at 15. For all his flawlessness during the 6N, he was more a support runner running off the loose forwards or halfback. He was also a very good returner of the ball breaking tackles and linking up with his forward team mates. Add that to his aerial skills and defensive awareness and he provided England with stability and, therefore, a solid platform to work off inside their own half.

However, for all his obvious strengths, he does not possess the ability to enter the line like Folau, Le Roux or Dagg or Smith. So a player like Tuilagi and he do not combine well. He is not that type of attacking player. So keeping those two players in the backline, who becomes or is the player for England to get beyond the defensive line after it is broken. Ashton and Burrell have been tried in combination inside and outside but it has worked and it hasn't. Yarde has been effective at breaking the one but not in combination with Tuilagi. The problem may be seen as being inside 13 but to me it's finding a player up through the middle or outside Tuilagi that England need to find.

+1

Hence why I would sacrifice Brown for Goode, and play Tuilagi and Burell at centre.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote: He makes valid points Cyril. SL had Brown on the wing but injury forced his hand and he discovered Brown looked better at 15. For all his flawlessness during the 6N, he was more a support runner running off the loose forwards or halfback. He was also a very good returner of the ball breaking tackles and linking up with his forward team mates. Add that to his aerial skills and defensive awareness and he provided England with stability and, therefore, a solid platform to work off inside their own half.

However, for all his obvious strengths, he does not possess the ability to enter the line like Folau, Le Roux or Dagg or Smith. So a player like Tuilagi and he do not combine well. He is not that type of attacking player. So keeping those two players in the backline, who becomes or is the player for England to get beyond the defensive line after it is broken. Ashton and Burrell have been tried in combination inside and outside but it has worked and it hasn't. Yarde has been effective at breaking the one but not in combination with Tuilagi. The problem may be seen as being inside 13 but to me it's finding a player up through the middle or outside Tuilagi that England need to find.

I disagree, but at least you phrased it in a positive and polite manner rather than the way your fellow Kiwi did. Cheers   

Like your polite and positive post on the NZ women's defeat.   

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Like your polite and positive post on the NZ women's defeat.   

Hmmm, yeah. A bit like that

Cyril wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Like your polite and positive post on the NZ women's defeat.   

Hmmm, yeah. A bit like that

I take it i'm the fellow kiwi?

Neutralee wrote:

Cyril wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Like your polite and positive post on the NZ women's defeat.   

Hmmm, yeah. A bit like that

I take it i'm the fellow kiwi?

Yep.

Cyril wrote:

Neutralee wrote:

Cyril wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Like your polite and positive post on the NZ women's defeat.   

Hmmm, yeah. A bit like that

I take it i'm the fellow kiwi?

Yep.

Tell me why you think that?

 

Neutralee wrote:

Cyril wrote:

Neutralee wrote:

Cyril wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Like your polite and positive post on the NZ women's defeat.   

Hmmm, yeah. A bit like that

I take it i'm the fellow kiwi?

Yep.

Tell me why you think that?

Look, mate. Everyone on this board knows who you are/were. It's not difficult to recognise a poster's writing style even when you suddenly have adifferent background story and a slightly different agenda. I don't know why you don't just post as yourself. It might be annoying but at least it's honest

For info, I think I liked your 'Borat' account best.

Well as CJ has asked for other nations' inventories I thought I might have a crack with NZ's.

Hookers: Coles, Mealamu, Matu'u, NZ's sketchiest position. Coles will only get better at his core requirements to add to his obvious talents in the loose. Mealamu is ideal for calling on in the dying minutes of the game. He is not genuine injury cover though and after that we look a bit threadbare. Coltman may catch the eye with his grizzly bear looks but he is flaky in his lineout throwing and Hika Eliot has not been able to kick on from his promising NZ appearances. I think the next best bet off the line is the Hurricanes hooker Matu'u. However, that is a big ask to step up to that level. The Wallabies have been exposed with injuries to Moore and Polota-Nau and frankly if the same happened to NZ, we'd be in similar strife.

Props. Woodcock is out with a shoulder injury and is due to go under the blade so that's him out for 2014 probably. That might well prolong his shelf life until 2015 and he showed in the 3rd test that he is still a valuable member and contributor. But he is hanging on by a thread. Then we have Crockett who has a much more minor injury and Ben Franks is better suited to TH than LH. Joe Moody is a player who shows a lot of promise and was selected last year but he is ultimately unproven at test level. So another worrying area for NZ is loosehead. Tighthead sees more genuine options. Owen Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Ben Franks, Ben Afeaki and Toomaga-Allen are all options.

Locks: With Romano out, lock is a bit threadbare without the incumbents Whitelock and Retallick. You have Tuipulotu who made a timely entry to the NZ squad and then Dominic Bird who is NZ's tallest ever lock but who hasn't really convinced me in the lineout or scrum. Romano would be a welcome addition and should make the November tour.

Backrow. Here NZ look good with their first choice and a bit shaky in some areas for cover. Read adds both defence and attack as well as speed to the NZ backrow. McCaw may be fading but he is still a tackling machine and has vast experience that is invaluable. Jerome Kaino has made a welcome return and adds steel to the backrow. Messam is genuine cover but looks to have not found the form he had in 2013. Vito is injured but had a great Super season and deserved his recall before he was injured and Luatua made a welcome return to form late in the Super season and hopefully he can make a contribution in the RC if called upon. Hansen puts his faith in Cane ahead of Todd as he is bigger and quicker than him but Luke Braid although injured is also a genuine option there. The problem with Vito out is that there is no genuine cover for Kieran Read and nobody when even fit is quite the player he is.

Halfbacks: Aaron Smith has still much to learn but he is already proving a gem. TJ Perenara is his closest likeness and TKB is more defensively sound. There's a big drop off from Aaron Smith in terms of quality but the other two have growing experience as coming off the bench.

Flyhalves: Cruden, Barrett, Carter, Slade. The first two are the future and should be the two for 2015 but there is genuine cover and we don't need to call up Beaver hopefully with that amount of depth.

Centres: Nonu and Smith are the incumbents but SBW and Fekitoa are welcome additions. Crotty is there as injury cover behind. The first two should make it to 2015 but there are options there.

Back three: Ben Smith may find himself on the right wing in the RC. Corey Jane can cover there and Charles Piutau is a welcome addition. Julian Savea is a beast on the left and his partnership with Read is black gold. There is no genuine cover for him or at least we don't have another player like him. Piutau could cover 11 but with Smith and Savea there is beautiful balance to the wings. However, is Ben Smith better served at 15 which means Israel Dagg is dropped because I don't see him as a winger option. Hosea Gear is planning to come back along with Rene Ranger but these are outside options. Kahui is another one to come back but he too is a outside centre option rather than wing (although he played very well there in 2011 and he is an injury concern like Carter).

So all in all, a complete squad but one or two areas where if the first choice is out injured, we could well be in trouble with covering the player who comes in to replace that injured player.

Cyril wrote: 

Neutralee wrote:

Cyril wrote:

Neutralee wrote:

Cyril wrote:

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:Like your polite and positive post on the NZ women's defeat.   

Hmmm, yeah. A bit like that

I take it i'm the fellow kiwi?

Yep.

Tell me why you think that?

Look, mate. Everyone on this board knows who you are/were. It's not difficult to recognise a poster's writing style even when you suddenly have adifferent background story and a slightly different agenda. I don't know why you don't just post as yourself. It might be annoying but at least it's honest

For info, I think I liked your 'Borat' account best.

So different background story, AND different agenda? Surely if you disliked the agenda before you'd agree with my agenda now? Does this mean if I am someone other than this ghost you agree with my POV?

Edit: If everyone knows I am the guy from previous why have I have some very constructive debates with everyone except you? It's almost like you are intent on trying to find this ghost again, and you have some unresolved feeling toward him, either way you've entertained me up until now, but any post that isn't rugby related from here on in will not get any further response, hope your not too upset.

Anotherworldofpain was good. Although it was amusing when 'his' English suddenly got a lot better when defending Super Rugby/New Zealand. That's his weak spot.