So I'd rather look at how players did in their positions and whether they should be kept around for the 6N's than think about the RWC, because there are a few players pushing for spots after the AI's and I'd like to see them in a more competitive environment with a trophy on the line. While the AI's are entertaining, they don't quite have the same intensity and stakes as the 6N's.
LHP: Hepburn struggled against S.A and was part of the poor Japan start. He also didn't impress massively off the bench. Moon on the other hand took his chance and played extremely well. He was composed and secure in the scrum. He gave away only one penalty against Japan all Autumn and made 37 tackles missing 6 (3 against NZ). I think Genge and Vunipola when fit are above both, but Moon is a solid number 3 and I wouldn't mind him in the match 23 or even starting. Bit of depth is nice and just need Mako and Genge fit and playing well.
HK: George and Hartley competing for No.1 and for me it depends if you think we need Hartley's leadership. If you ignore NZ game with Retallick, then George's lineouts were fine. Lack of a 3rd option is a worry with no one picked beyond training camps or the wider squad. Taylor is probably best of the rest, but really needs some consistent game time after his long injury. LCD also a good back up, but not in the same league as George and Hartley.
THP: Big worry for me personally. Sinckler played excellently and should be no.1, though still worry about his temper. Williams was pretty average though and with Cole (aka penalty machine) as the only other real option it doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence.
LK: Still got depth here. Lawes played well mostly (ignore the ridiculous pass against NZ) and after S.A Itoje sorted out most of his silly penalties. Ewels looks like a reliable back up, and may be more in contention after this. Kruis played ok, but I still think he's lost some of his form that he had previously. With Launchbury coming back, I honestly think this position should be picked based on the opposition as there are 4-5 reliable players who will all do the job well, but all have different strengths.
FLK: Underhill was fantastic and hopefully will continue to develop. Curry looked good and I would be great to see him more regularly. Shields struggled at the start, but improved rapidly. At this stage I think Robshaw's days are numbered. However we need Curry and Underhill to stay fit. Hill was a waste against Japan coming on for only 5 minutes, but hopefully got something out of the training camps.
No.8: Wilson was fantastic and hopefully he's dislodged Hughes in the pecking order. I think he's definitely above Simmonds and should be back up for a fully fit Billy or above an unfit Billy who's just returned from injury. Mercer showed glimpses and was unlucky that England started so poorly against Japan. However he is one for the future and like Hill hopefully has benefited from the training camps.
SH: This is my biggest worry. Youngs is slow and limits the attack. Care is erratic at best and Wigs while reliable is getting older and won't give teams a surprise like Care or Youngs might. Robson doesn't seem to be even close to being considered, so I guess it will be Youngs to start and hope he finds his old form and for me Wigs as sub.
FH: Farrell played pretty well I thought, though I reckon Ford and Cips are better for the attack. However after this autumn with Te'o, I think Faz might stay at 10 for the 6N's. This position depends greatly on who is picked in midfield. If Te'o then Faz starts, if Faz in midfield then Ford.
IC: Te'o was just god damn awful (I know people might be bored of me saying this, so I'll back up with a few stats) 17 tackles with 6 missed, so over a third. S.A 8 runs for 4 metres with no breaks or defenders beaten, NZ 4 runs for 9 metres with no breaks or defenders beaten. Also apparently didn't pass once against NZ according to ESPN (if the stats are wrong it's their fault). Aus 13 runs for 19 metres with 1 clean break and 3 defenders beaten. Those stats are just shocking. Honestly I don't see him working at 12 right now and he needs to prove his form at club level to be even remotely considered again. Lozowski struggled in his game, but I think he too is one for the future and this WC is too soon for him.
OC: Slade was a mixed bag as he's always been with some nice touches ruined by some awful moments. He's definitely below a fit JJ and I think Manu will be above easily if he stays fit. Nowell is another player who needs to be played consistently in one position and I think he's similar to Daly in that there are better people who play solely in one position than him.
WG: May is first name on the team sheet for me and the only one if a definite position. Nowell is similar to his time at OC, in that he hasn't really shined anywhere. Ashton played well and showed he's still got skill. Would like to see more of his defence though. Cokanasiga was fantastic in his two games and if probably the dark horse for the squad now as he offers something only Manu really offers as well.
FB: Daly...great player but is becoming jack of all trades, master of none. Not secure under the high ball and it will be a real weakness against teams like Ireland. With Watson injured I think we have to stick with Brown for the WC as not securing the high ball will cost you territory and lose you games. TBH May looked more confident under the high ball than Daly.
Summary thoughts: England have made quite a bit of progress and started to look like a team that can adapt their play and have moved on from the tactics that were exposed earlier in the year. Personally attack is still a worry as I think it's far too predictable at times and Youngs is too slow to exploit opportunities. Discipline has been better, but still needs to improve. I want to see some real consistency in performances during the 6N's. Even if we don't win I want to be at least competing with every team and not looking like we've taken our foot off the gas as we did against NZ and Aus before half time and at the start with Japan. Play like NZ and go for the kill regardless of who you are up against. EJ also needs to settle on his centres and back row now and stick with it. There is no more time for experimenting and players like Curry and Underhill needs as much experience as they can get.
LHP: Hepburn struggled against S.A and was part of the poor Japan start. He also didn't impress massively off the bench. Moon on the other hand took his chance and played extremely well. He was composed and secure in the scrum. He gave away only one penalty against Japan all Autumn and made 37 tackles missing 6 (3 against NZ). I think Genge and Vunipola when fit are above both, but Moon is a solid number 3 and I wouldn't mind him in the match 23 or even starting. Bit of depth is nice and just need Mako and Genge fit and playing well.
HK: George and Hartley competing for No.1 and for me it depends if you think we need Hartley's leadership. If you ignore NZ game with Retallick, then George's lineouts were fine. Lack of a 3rd option is a worry with no one picked beyond training camps or the wider squad. Taylor is probably best of the rest, but really needs some consistent game time after his long injury. LCD also a good back up, but not in the same league as George and Hartley.
THP: Big worry for me personally. Sinckler played excellently and should be no.1, though still worry about his temper. Williams was pretty average though and with Cole (aka penalty machine) as the only other real option it doesn't fill me with a lot of confidence.
LK: Still got depth here. Lawes played well mostly (ignore the ridiculous pass against NZ) and after S.A Itoje sorted out most of his silly penalties. Ewels looks like a reliable back up, and may be more in contention after this. Kruis played ok, but I still think he's lost some of his form that he had previously. With Launchbury coming back, I honestly think this position should be picked based on the opposition as there are 4-5 reliable players who will all do the job well, but all have different strengths.
FLK: Underhill was fantastic and hopefully will continue to develop. Curry looked good and I would be great to see him more regularly. Shields struggled at the start, but improved rapidly. At this stage I think Robshaw's days are numbered. However we need Curry and Underhill to stay fit. Hill was a waste against Japan coming on for only 5 minutes, but hopefully got something out of the training camps.
No.8: Wilson was fantastic and hopefully he's dislodged Hughes in the pecking order. I think he's definitely above Simmonds and should be back up for a fully fit Billy or above an unfit Billy who's just returned from injury. Mercer showed glimpses and was unlucky that England started so poorly against Japan. However he is one for the future and like Hill hopefully has benefited from the training camps.
SH: This is my biggest worry. Youngs is slow and limits the attack. Care is erratic at best and Wigs while reliable is getting older and won't give teams a surprise like Care or Youngs might. Robson doesn't seem to be even close to being considered, so I guess it will be Youngs to start and hope he finds his old form and for me Wigs as sub.
FH: Farrell played pretty well I thought, though I reckon Ford and Cips are better for the attack. However after this autumn with Te'o, I think Faz might stay at 10 for the 6N's. This position depends greatly on who is picked in midfield. If Te'o then Faz starts, if Faz in midfield then Ford.
IC: Te'o was just god damn awful (I know people might be bored of me saying this, so I'll back up with a few stats) 17 tackles with 6 missed, so over a third. S.A 8 runs for 4 metres with no breaks or defenders beaten, NZ 4 runs for 9 metres with no breaks or defenders beaten. Also apparently didn't pass once against NZ according to ESPN (if the stats are wrong it's their fault). Aus 13 runs for 19 metres with 1 clean break and 3 defenders beaten. Those stats are just shocking. Honestly I don't see him working at 12 right now and he needs to prove his form at club level to be even remotely considered again. Lozowski struggled in his game, but I think he too is one for the future and this WC is too soon for him.
OC: Slade was a mixed bag as he's always been with some nice touches ruined by some awful moments. He's definitely below a fit JJ and I think Manu will be above easily if he stays fit. Nowell is another player who needs to be played consistently in one position and I think he's similar to Daly in that there are better people who play solely in one position than him.
WG: May is first name on the team sheet for me and the only one if a definite position. Nowell is similar to his time at OC, in that he hasn't really shined anywhere. Ashton played well and showed he's still got skill. Would like to see more of his defence though. Cokanasiga was fantastic in his two games and if probably the dark horse for the squad now as he offers something only Manu really offers as well.
FB: Daly...great player but is becoming jack of all trades, master of none. Not secure under the high ball and it will be a real weakness against teams like Ireland. With Watson injured I think we have to stick with Brown for the WC as not securing the high ball will cost you territory and lose you games. TBH May looked more confident under the high ball than Daly.
Summary thoughts: England have made quite a bit of progress and started to look like a team that can adapt their play and have moved on from the tactics that were exposed earlier in the year. Personally attack is still a worry as I think it's far too predictable at times and Youngs is too slow to exploit opportunities. Discipline has been better, but still needs to improve. I want to see some real consistency in performances during the 6N's. Even if we don't win I want to be at least competing with every team and not looking like we've taken our foot off the gas as we did against NZ and Aus before half time and at the start with Japan. Play like NZ and go for the kill regardless of who you are up against. EJ also needs to settle on his centres and back row now and stick with it. There is no more time for experimenting and players like Curry and Underhill needs as much experience as they can get.
