Henry Slade

the theory goes that if England could clone Owen Farrell’s warrior instinct and lethal goal-kicking with George Ford’s deft touch and tactical brain – perhaps with a pinch of Danny Cipriani’s creativity thrown in – they would have the perfect playmaker.

little_badger wrote:Reading this thread all I can think is why do England have such an issue with 12?!! It is because we can't decide what we want, bosh merchant versus second playmaker?

Cumbrian wrote:I am trying not to count my chickens because I was convinced Cipriani would be one of the best in the world when he got to his late 20's having watched his age grade teams.

yappysnap wrote:I think the order of preference in Lancasters mind is:

Burrell - preferred for his direct lines and size
Twelvetrees - secondish for his playmaker skillset, kicking and leadership
Barritt - third for his defensive leadership and reliability, experienced now too
Farrell - similar to a mix of 36 and Barritt and takes pressure off the 10
Eastmond - potentially electric in attack but ? in defence

Billy Twelvetrees - the most frustrating player in England

Stuart Lancaster would entrust Billy Twelvetrees with No 12 jersey without hesitation - if it were not for that inconsistency in his decision-making, writes Steve James


There cannot be a more frustrating player in English rugby. At inside centre he has it all, the physical attributes, the energy, the desire, the kicking game and the passing game.

England would love him to wear their No 12 jersey because he suits their ideal of a second playmaker in the back division, but he simply cannot nail the consistency required.

Even as a replacement that is the case. Against Wales his cameo appearance was superb. He was more than decent when playing most of the game against Italy. Then against Ireland it all went wrong.

But it was interesting to be at Kingsholm last Saturday when he was back to his best, playing a hugely influential part in Gloucester's 33-33 draw with Northampton. He is clearly hugely liked and admired there.

"Billy brings a huge energy to this group," said director of rugby, David Humphreys. "He is the captain. He knows his responsibility. We could easily have said, because of the week he had, that he would miss out, but it sums up what makes him such an important part of the squad that he wanted to play. He's had a tough week, but I thought he brought that energy and intensity to the game."

The truth is, though, that England's conundrum at 12 continues. After Luther Burrell struggled in Dublin, Brad Barritt was inked in to return against Scotland this Saturday before his injury for Saracens on Sunday scuppered that.

England felt they lacked a hard edge in Dublin and wanted Barritt to restore that. He was outstanding in his last Test against Australia at outside centre, but England could hardly drop Jonathan Joseph now after his stunning start to the Championship, so inside centre it would've had to have been for Barritt.

Kyle Eastmond appears down in the pecking order, unsurprising given that he did not take his chances in New Zealand last summer or during the autumn internationals. And I have expressed reservations before about playing the Bath trio of George Ford, Eastmond and Jonathan Joseph at international level.

But now, to much excitement, Exeter's 21-year-old Henry Slade has been called into the squad instead of Barritt. Already he looks like the type of player who fits the mould that Twelvetrees so struggles to fit into consistently. He is big enough, he kicks well, he passes well.

With Burrell likely to retain his place by default now, should Stuart Lancaster just throw Slade in above Twelvetrees as a replacement?

I don't think so. Not yet. It is good that Slade has moved from outside centre to fly-half for Exeter recently. And it could be argued that when he was wearing the 13 jersey, with Sam Hill at 12, he was standing at first receiver much of the time. But he has not played enough at 12 yet for me.

That was what Lancaster was talking about when he said: "You are going to have to generate training time for him before you throw him into an international game."

Slade's time will come, probably after the Rugby World Cup. For now England will look to coax more consistency out of Burrell and Twelvetrees, with, of course, the return of Manu Tuilagi looming on the horizon.

But, looking ahead, do they go the more physical route at 12 in the manner of Burrell, Barritt or Tuilagi or do they take the play-maker option of Twelvetrees, Eastmond or Slade? Or is Twelvetrees the only one who could play both those roles, if it were not for that damned inconsistency in his decision-making?

Gooseberry wrote:...That would likely see England take only 2 fly halves...

GeordieFalcon wrote:The irony is that despite being anything but a fan of Twelvetrees.... It might be the perfect game for Twelvetrees with Barritt etc out. Burrell Doesn't appear to be the answer and with too many options none of whom look like nailing the spot I think we need to start ruling out some of these options in advance of the WC squad Thinking.  

Gooseberry wrote:I dont see him having a cat in  hells chance of getting the 13 shirt this side of the world cup if Tuillagi, Joseph and Burrell are all available. Barritt has played a fair few games there as well.
12 is a more open spot which would give him an opportunity to utilise his full skill set. Farrell was a wannabe 10 playing for his club at 13 who got his chance for England at 12 under Lancaster.
But lets be realistic here, hes only made the 6 nations TRAINING squad because of injuries to Burell, Barrritt, Tuilagi and Farrell. Its still quite a leap to even make a match day squad with those guys out, let alone the world cup if others are fit by then.