England rugby squad shake up for 6 Nations

After watching the Saints game today I'd start with Morgan at 8 and Youngs at 9. I thought Dowson looked powderpuff. I can't see how he could operate physically at 8 at Test level. I'd swap Tuilagi between 12 and 13 depending on the opposition. As physical as he is he still has work to do on his skills. I'm not sure about 13, tbh. I like the look of Trinder. I'd like to have seen Armitage play 13 for a period because I don't think he's fast enough for the back three. The problem with a lot of English 13s is that they just seem quite small compared to other Test midfielders. I'm still not sold on Corbisiero. He's put in some good shifts for England, but IMHO Mullan and Wood have been better for their clubs. Agree re: Myall. I've noticed how reluctant Diamond/Hanks have been to even sub him during matches.

I think Hartley's set-piece work is pretty efficient. I don't think he's as good a scrummager than someone like Servat or Rees though. But lineout throwing is pretty accurate and he's part of a very powerful Saints' front-row. Even so, it's his carrying that frustrates me. He's not the most powerful man anyway, yet he still runs into brick walls. When he you have decent hands like he has, use them, and just carry more intelligently.

"How could you forget the coolest beard at the RWC Colin?" Personally, I gave that award to Kleeberger. ;)

"There is definitely a bit of media-led selection here I think." Completely agree there, but it gives us a chance to see if they're right or they end up falling on their sword. Re: Tuilagi/Twelvetrees, he did against Italy A (not sure about Ireland) and formed a very effective partership. Interesting to here your thoughts about moving Tuilagi to 12? Who would play at outside centre? Trinder? I too like Mullan, he's been part of a very effective, for the most part, Worcester front-row, but again, he hasn't received the attention. Personally, I would still have Corbisiero in the England side over him though. Thomas could have been a surprise call-up had he not got injured (he's out until late March/early April), but it's good to see him being named in the Saxons. Gaskell actually hasn't had the best season this year and I would say Myall has probably been the most influential lock/back-row at Sale. I feel he's a criminally underrated player.

I think they will progress nicely over the next year or so, and Hartkey just needs to work on the set piece. Anyway I think the lions will account for Australia pretty easily to be honest. And im really excited about Ben Foden, who is in my opinion becoming one of the best backs in the world.

Ooh... have to debate Wood, Hartley and Corbisiero there. Can see plenty of players ahead of them. Agree with the others, however.

Agreed.

Foden, Ashton, Tuilagi, Flood, Youngs, Wood, Croft, Lawes, Hartley, Cole, Corbisiero.

Brilliant............. http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/dwarf-tossing-victim-martin-henderson-blames-englands-rugby-team-for-attack/story-e6freuy9-1226243219205

Agreed on both counts.

Yeah, that's right. People are confusing Owen Farrell with his father, a 40 year old man.

I'll take your word re: Morgan. I don't see the value in Dowson, especially with Easter's recent form, but on the other hand, if he (and a lot of other players) don't perform then we know they're no more than Premiership players. There is definitely a bit of media-led selection here I think. Didn't Lancaster select Twelvetrees and Tuilagi as his Saxons 12/13 last season at some point? I think what separates Marler from a lot of other looseheads is his dynamism. I rate Mullan more, but Marler does some very athletic things which a player like Corbisiero, for example, just isn't equipped to do. Re: Thomas, he was always going to struggle getting past Cole, Stevens, Wilson and Doran-Jones. I rate him very highly though. Agree about Farrell at 10. At some point I'd like to see Tuilagi moved to 12. I would have liked to have seen Banahan at 12 as well.

Fair points. Re: Morgan. I've seen plenty of him in the Rabo and Heineken Cup and he's really impressed me. His control at the back of the scrum with one that is usually going backwards is very good. Also, personally I don't think Dowson should be in the squad. He's 30, uncapped and will he be around in four years time? He also doesn't play eight much for the Saints. As I said, I would have had Waldrom more for his experience in the position rather than his future England chances. Having said that, Nick Easter's still been very impressive this season. Marler has got more attention because he plays for Quins I would have thought....and his hairstyle. Also, once Tuilagi comes back, I would have thought Farrell would move to 12. But personally, i would rather have Twelvetrees at 12 with anyone but Farrell at 10. Even at this current time, I would take Burns and Lamb over Farrell at stand-off. In a couple of years time, when the likes of Twelvetrees has hopefully made the progress I expect him to make, it might be difficult to find a position for Farrell.

Edit: I'm not sold on Ben Morgan. Clearly he is a prospect, but he's only 22. I'd rather he played some Premiership rugby before him being selected on the basis of Celtic rugby.

Out of the chosen men I'd go for: 1. Corbisiero, 2. Hartley, 3. Cole, 4. Lawes (if fit), 5. Palmer, 6. Robshaw (c), 7. Wood, 8. Dowson; 9. Dickson, 10. Hodgson, 11. Sharples, 12. Barritt, 13. Farrell, 14. Ashton, 15. Foden If I could pick my own EPS the XV would be markedly different. I'd like to see Robshaw and Wood play in tandem together because I think they would better as a partnership than Croft plus A.N. Other. I also see Robshaw as being a better long-term option captain than Wood, so wouldn't want to start him at 7 and then watch him get badly turned over hence Wood is at 7. I'm not Dowson's biggest fan, but I've gone for him so there's a Saints element in the pack and also with Dickson. Ideally I would like a proper 7, but I think Wood and Robshaw need a crack at 7 at this stage. I do like Youngs a lot, but I think he'd struggle with Hodgson and the lack of potent ball carriers in the England pack. Dickson is more of a traditionalist and I think that would suit Hodgson. That way we get a 2, 4, 8 and 9 Saints connection. Incidentally, I do like Clark. I think he's a good player. I think that he plays 6 because Wood is unable to shift him from there. Am a big fan of Thomas. I don't see a huge difference between him and Marler in terms of ability with the ball, but Marler gets all the media attention. I quite like Wilson - sometimes he is too tunnel visioned with the ball, but IMHO he always adds to the set-piece when he trots on. Doran-Jones is too lightweight IMO. At this stage I think I'd choose Mullan over Corbisiero tbh. Agree re: Attwood. Don't think Botha is physical enough for Test rugby. Barritt is, IMHO, nothing but a Premiership workhorse. I think he'll get badly found out at Test level. It's amazing to think he used to be a 10 in SA (or maybe not that surprising actually...), but I'd plump with that Sarries continuity even though the Sarries back play has been poor this year. I think we'll need those club combinations at such a transitional period. Not sure about Farrell. He's clearly got an astonishing temperament, and he isn't afraid to make the big play, but he isn't the Aaron Mauger the press make him out to be. I'd play him at 13 against Scotland, but I think that could backfire, I just think he's more suited to Test rugby now and players like Trinder and May aren't. Let's be honest, it's only until Tuilagi comes back.

How could you forget the coolest beard at the RWC Colin? :-) Given where he is starting from, I reckon its not a bad selection. If I was an England fan I would like him to pick young guys with talent and stick with them as long as they work like hell, keep thier noses clean, and never stop learning. Egos, idiots, and slackers or passengers are not wanted. And neither are one dimensional plodders UNLESS there is just no other choice. What happened to the fella that used to be a centre for Liecester a wile ago (name started with H) and was supposed to be the best thing sincle sliced bread? In all the years I have lived in England many of the fans post 2003 have been looking for a Messiah - the list is long and littered with wrecks; Paul, Vainikolo, Farrell, come to mind. Hopefully this time the coaching team and fans realise thats not how it works - NZ lost thiers and still toughed out the RWC. Its a team game - time to build a cohesive TEAM with a plan A, B and C and the skills and fitness to carry them out.

Im going to miss the old warhorse Simon Shaw 38 yrs of age. He is a vintage player all class , the best lock's match I have ever seen from a lock was Simon Shaw Lions Game 2 loftus Pretoria at 35 and a half years of age, was awsome. He has headed to Toulon, he/ got man of the match VS Georgia, he should of started VS france too, when Simon Shaw cane on vs France in the world cup he made a massive difference.

Sorry, that should be Cole at tighthead, I can't believe I forgot about him!

We hope anyway!! Prefer Barritt to Turner-Hall though.

'I do love how everyone is building Farrell up though to be this amazingly special talent and as though he’s suddenly going to spark a flurry of tries, whereas, he is simply an excellent kicker, tactical and place, with a superb temperament.' Agree there, it seems he's being confused with his father, or perhaps his father as a rugby league player.