Gatland names strong squad for Australian tour

Leeds weren't much better in the second-half either. Sale improved slightly, but still weren't particularly threatening. I actually lost it when Hodgson went for that drop goal when they had the penalty advantage and the forwards were making ground into the Leeds 22. Yes, Sheridan played well, but I can't understand why the scrum keeps going backwards when they have some good scrummaging second-rows and the likes of Wihongi and Forster, as well as Sheridan. I think Mathie had a decent game. His service was pretty decent and although he used the inside ball quite a lot, I thought it was effective. Had Faafili not overran it then he would have been through a gap and possibly set up an opportunity.

Leeds were horrible in the first half, just going sideways. I was surprised by the amount of times that Fourie carried the ball. I thought Thompson did some really good things, but he did a lot of passive stuff too - jogging to the next ruck and just leaning on the side. I thought Sheridan's work rate was pretty good, and Titterrell looked pretty energetic when he came on. Agree about Cliff. He had a bit of verve about him. Conversely, Mathie was trying to run the show for Leeds but was pretty repetitive - sideways and then an inside ball. The bottom line was that the skill level on display was not acceptable. Austin Healey was not impressed on ESPN. The best bit of the night was Tuilagi's hit on Mackay.

I was there! And yes it was a shocker compounded by the fact that it took me ages to get home because part of the M621 was closed. I only live in Huddersfield and it took me over an hour to get back. So I decided to get some beers to cheer myself up. Probably, the worse game of rugby I've seen in ages. Leeds showed intent but lacked any cutting edge. Sale just didn't try to play at all and when they did get some momentum, they either kicked it away or lost the ball in contact. I was impressed by Cliff, though. I've always been a fan of his and it's nice to see him getting a chance. Also, to be fair, both Fearns and Thompson had good games.

I watched the Leeds v Sale game last night, Colin. It wasn't pretty...

Thee you go, you learn something new every day. Fearns' carrying stats are indeed high - 2nd highest in the league. Cheers for that info. I was hoping that Thompson would improve his fitness at Leeds. He's a must if England are going to play with Lawes and Palmer, IMO.

Fearns played pretty much all his youth rugby at 8. It's only because Sale have Ormsby and Koyamaibole that he's playing at blindside. What I like about him is that he has all the skills - good at the breakdown, good carrier, decent hands, pretty quick and mobile, which means he can cover all the back-row positions and is adaptable. He also came runner up behind Cruden in the 2009 IRB Junior player of the year. For instance, last season he was the one who did the donkey work - proctecting the ball, clearing out the ruck etc. This year, he's been given more license to roam and is carrying far more (in fact I believe he's Sale's top carrier). As for Thompson, he's playing very well in, by all accounts, a disappointing Leeds side - he seems fitter and more mobile. It also shows what having good lineout options can do to the set-piece. Thompson has always seemed to be an erratic thrower but when he's played for England, he's had Croft and for Leeds he has Wentzel. And yes, lets hope Waldrom qualifies as he's been awesome over the past few weeks, after a fairly slow start to his Leicester career.

Yeah, spot on about Turner-Hall and Eves. Trinder may be an option though. I think Hartley is OK, but I'm not sure what he is? If you think of some hookers having clearly defined roles, i.e. carrying or contesting the ruck (granted that's a little simplistic), then Hartley doesn't do either to any great level. He sometimes overplays his hand when carrying, trying to make the big yards, and he suffers from tunnel vision. I just don't think he has the physical capacity of players like Rees, Du Plessis or TPN, and with regard to the breakdown he is still too immature IMO, rushing into places he doesn't need to be. I think exactly the same of Webber. I like Briggs, but I don't think the England coaches do, which doesn't necessarily mean we have depth. I mean, what has happened to Tom Lindsay, for example? Chuter is solid, and is a good tight forward, but Mears is seemingly on a downer, Vickers is also struggling, and Titterrell has been benched. Have you seen much of Steve Thompson this season? The fact that the Saxons have had such a high turnover of hookers (Matt Thompson, Matt Cairns, Joe Ward et al) suggests to me that the England hierarchy have never been too convinced by anybody. I like Dowson. He's a clever player, but is he the English Stephen Hoiles? Ward-Smith is getting old, and Guest isn't getting regular game time. I think Fearns is a very good player, but as an 8? Interestingly, Haskell carried superbly well at 8 during the Tests last November. I don't see him as an 8, but he's an awesome athlete, and that is half the battle at Test level. Fingers crossed for Waldrom to qualify ;-) Seen bits of Tuilagi, Colin, but not enough to form an opinion.

Powell, again, I don't think has the ability to make an impact at international level. And Turner-Hall is another one who hasn't been mentioned. Powerful, relatively quick but he has poor hands and hasn't really got a rugby brain. Eves for Newcastle is one dimensional, however looking further down the line, someone like Jonny May, Henry Trinder and Tom Casson I've been impressed with. What have you seen of Manu Tuilagi? Now he's been allowed to stay in England, he could become a top player. We simply have an abundance of centres who generally do well for their clubs but don't look good enough to play at the top level. On the plus side, Dan Bowden qualifies in three years ;) On the other points you made (I went to get something to eat), I agree about the eight position but I think we have quite a lot of options at hooker. I think Hartley has been harshly criticised in the past and is already a fine player. I think when you consider that Briggs couldn't even get into the Saxons shows that there's a fair bit of depth there. As for 8, I really don't know. Dowson? Fearns (if he gets a run of games there)? Ward-Smith? Guest? Haskell (clutching at straws I know)? I like the look of Alex Gray (Newcastle youngster) and Jackson Wray (Saracens - although he may be more suited to openside). I suppose Narraway is another one, but I don't rate him. Such a shame James Forrester had so many injuries and eventually had to retire.

Smith just reminds me of English age group rugby - big lad, quite quick but not much else. I don't think his skills are good enough for a club like Leicester. Adam Powell is another player who's drifted off the radar. I also would like to see Simpson-Daniel play at 13 a bit more. You may be right about Waldouck, I just can't get that try out my head, the one where he was fended by Eliota FS.

I don't personally like Hipkiss but he does a good job for Leicester and always will do. I think you're being harsh on Smith - he will never make it as an international but again he's a solid defender who's quick and can spot a gap. I like Allen but he's been injured recently and has just returned I believe - he was playing some excellent stuff at the end of last season. I think Waldouck's actually a decent defender but he's another one who's had a poor start. It's ironic really because all the English centres had really good ends to last season, but no one's started well

Forgot about Barritt. I'd prefer if he was a 13, I think. Personally, I'd be comfortable with Hape at 12, but I'd also like to see Flutey playing with Tindall again. I think Clarke is a good club player, but he is so injury prone it's ridiculous. Twelvetrees does make mistakes, but sometimes what he does seems effortless, and that's the mark of a good player. I''m still unsure of Hipkiss - very good during the 07 WC, but has he improved? Don't like Smith, I think he's just a lump with poor hands. Allen is a another player I'm not quite sold on, looking forward to see how he goes when he returns though. I am a big fan of Waldouck, but sometimes his defence is suspect, but hey... he's still a young lad. One position I do have big longer term concerns for with regard to England is number 8 and hooker. I don't think Prydie has done anything to warrant selection, Colin, but I don't think he's made any big errors either. I don't recall him having a game like James O'Connor has, for example, and I think I get why he's been selected; he's a big lad with a big boot and a good rugby brain, whereas a player like Tom James is pretty one dimensional IMO. Will he even play now that Halfpenny is fit and with North on the horizon?

I agree, in essence, with what you say about Tindall. He didn't have a great build up to last years six nations and he was one of England's best players against France, but he has had a woeful start to the season and Molenaar, playing in a similar style, has looked far better. Re: English centres - I agree. All have been pretty poor with the exception of 'outsiders' like Jon Clarke, and Brad Barritt's played well. Twelvetrees clearly has the physical attributes and skills to be a top centre - strong, quick, powerful and good hands. But Leicester has some very good talent in that area - Allen, Smith, Manu Tuilagi, Hipkiss etc. As for Wales, I like North and looks a very talented player. Prydie, on the other hand, has hardly played professional and when he's played for Wales, he's looked out of his depth.

I agree about WIlkinson's passing; it is very crisp, quick and accurate on the gainline, but what good is that when he plays so deep? Flood's distribution is OK, but still clever enough to make him a threat, and most significantly, he has an excellent off-loading game. IMO the jury is out on Brewer. I think of Tindall as being like a modern Dean Richards, Colin, in the sense that he fits seamlessly into the England squad without needing a big build-up of games. I'm also reluctant to make a harsh judgement on him playing badly for Gloucester because they are a shambles at the minute. Bryan Redpath seems to have no control over him whatsoever. Whilst we're on the subject of centres I've been pretty unimpressed generally with the English midfielders: Barkley is proving as fallible as ever, Waldouck is playing intermittently, and then when he does play he's being shifted between 12 and 13, Hape is playing at 13 when IMO he is an out-an-out 1 and George Lowe is on the wing. I like the look of Twelvetrees though. I've been reasonably impressed with what I've seen of North and I can see why Prydie has been selected (graceful runner, long stride, big boot). Is Brew clever enough or multi-skilled enough to play Test rugby? Maybe, maybe not, but then I suppose Digby Ioane is hardly a genius, so perhaps you have a point. Gatland should have other concerns, like why in the past few seasons the only young capable forward to have been produced between the Ospreys and the Blues is Bradley Davies. I'm ignoring Warburton because he hasn't played much rugby, has been injury prone and hasn't featured as prominently for the Test side.

Wilkinson's playing well in France because Toulon are playing to his strengths and crucially, they have a massive pack. He's still not particularly creative and not a threat on the gainline. I would say he's arguably a better distributor than Flood, but the latter is a more intelligent attacker. It's funny you mention Hodgson because Sale started the season playing some decent rugby with an attacking gameplan with MacLeod at stand-off standing flat. As soon as Hodgson comes back against Wasps, they reverted to last season, playing a kick orientated game - the pitch was moist but overhead conditions were perfect. You would have thought that with Hodgson's distribution skills and his ability to create, Sale would have played to his strengths? Anyway, we'll see how they play against Leeds and Irish in the next two weeks. Tindall's been excellent for England but he's started the season woefully for Gloucester. Tim Molenaar has overtaken him and done 'the Tindall role' but far, far better. As for Wales, I like the talent they have, but I'm sure about the coach. Selecting the likes of Prydie and North over Aled Brew is bizarre. I understand Gatland's gripe about Premier Rugby, but Powell has really started the season well (and Ryan Jones is the only natural eight in the squad, who then goes and plays so well at lock) and Peel, with the exception of the game against Wasps, has looked sharper than in the last couple of seasons. I'm getting excited about the AI's - they should be interesting.

Agreed- Henson, on form, is an excellent player. I don't know how I feel about him playing 10 though, and as an Englishman I'm not sure that Saracens is a particularly well coached club. Also agree about Stephen Jones. I think Hook is a good option at 13. I'm still to be convinced that Jon Davies is a Test player, and as improved as Andrew Bishop is, I'm not sure he's capable of being anything other than a squad player for Wales. I sometimes wonder about the Welsh forward pack. The quality is definitely there, but IMO Gatland has often selected inbalanced packs. In terms of go forward Gethin Jenkins doesn't carry the ball as much as he used to, Matthew Rees does but sometimes overplays his hand and Ryan Jones has slowed down over the past few seasons, as he's changed into a kind of donkey/workhorse player. They used to be the three main carriers, but nobody else has taken on the role when the above players' games havd changed. Bradley Davies is a very good carrying lock, but I feel that Alun Wyn and Jon Thomas are a little too lightweight at the highest level, and there needs to be another carrying option on the bench (perhaps Yapp?) and another carrying back rower. At the moment only Davies is leading the way forward. I think the issue with England is the balance of the backline. In the 6N they tried to play attacking rugby, they just did it very badly and there was no physical player to straighten the line. I think that Johnson wants the side to play an attacking brand, and that's one of the reasons that Borthwick is on the outer. The game has changed, and Johnson has made noises about a lighter, more athletic pack. For once I think England has good depth in the backline, but IMO Flood and Tindall are the two key players. Without them I think England would struggle. As well as Wilkinson is playing in France I think he is the same old player making the same old mistakes (standing too deep, looking for the drop goal too often and involving himself in too many rucks). I would seriously consider starting Hodgson over Wilkinson.

It would also be good to have Henson back, he is a class player. Looks like he has been growing up a bit too which will help. Article today about Saracens talking to him about a fly half role with Hougaard out for six months. He has said that he wants to be thought of as a fly half, which would be good as Stephen Jones is a dependable, but not exciting, player and an in form Henson could bring a lot to the back line. Think Hook needs to play alongside Roberts (when he is back from injury). I am also looking forward to this season and hope that its not a false dawn, again. They do need to develop the mental strength but that comes through winning tight games and having a couple of flag bearing go forward players around whom everyone can rally and I'm not sure who those players are at the moment. A couple of guys need to hold their hands up as rallying points. As an aside also looking forward to seeing how England play, they have some outrageously gifted players and Wilkinson is also playing really well. If they are not coached off the park and allow guys like Foden, Youngs and Ashton their head then they could be a very, very good team. However, if Johnson makes them play cautious rugby then they will be dire and play dour, forward orientated rugby without playing a more complete game

Yeah, I agree about Gatland and tactics. During the last 6N I was amazed at how the side kept trying to go wide so early instead of building a platform in the middle of the field like they did against France in the second half, but it struck me that Wales do have some very experienced players, so why did it take so long to change the on-field tactics? Is that down to Gatland or the players? I think three wins is definitely achievable, scarlet, but Wales remind me of Australia - they seem unable to put in a concentrated 80 minute game. Normally you hear claims of Wales being slow starters, and then they pumped SA in the first half of the summer yet ended up losing, allowing SA to claw their way back. Mentally they're not used to grinding out games. The defence needs to improve too. Agree about Biggar. He's like a young Wilkinson. People forget just how confused some of Wilkinson's play used to be in the early stages of his career. Biggar is still a very young man. I'm intrigued about the midfield. Will Roberts's slot go to Davies or Bishop, and where will Hook play? I'm genuinely looking forward to the Welsh games now that I think of it.

Dancing

I agree totally Ben. Warburton is proving himself to be a potentially great flanker and Wales lose nothing by playing him instead of Martyn Williams but Dan Biggar is still a bit mentally fragile. Shane Williams is back in sparkling form with an awesome try for the Ospreys in the HC last weekend. Two wins is the minimum for sure but if we are to accept that progress is being made then three wins should be the minimum and think that of all the home nations the new interpretations should suit Wales the best. Gatland sometimes appears a bit tactically inept so we will hopefully see a little more invention from him this season, maybe get some advice from Scott Johnson?

I'm working on my footwork with some crosstraining on the dancefloor http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/2010/dancers/celebrity/gavin_henson.shtml