Predictable squad is predictable.
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England Squad Announced
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gingergenius
First XV
hmmm, I don't believe that's the correct squad.
Firstly, I wouldn't be surprised if Foden was the '3rd' scrum half. Simpson's never been tried (cheers Johnson) and MJ's not one for a gamble.
Also, that midfield is far too risky. Just Wilko and Flood as 10s in the entire squad? That means he cannot be considering the possibility of playing Flood at 12.
Which means he must have other ideas for England's much-maligned centre pairings. There's no Flutey there either, so that's another solution out of the equation.
Hape, Tindall, Banahan, Tuilagi would have to make up 12 & 13. But Hape, despite having played 12 for England recently, is not a 12. And he hasn't played well either. Tindall we all know is a 13, as is Tuilagi. And Banahan is a 2nd row who plays wing who apparently can play 13 (and maybe 12) for England.
So that squad contains two people who could naturally fill the roles of 10 & 12 - Wilko & Flood, with just one other who's spent any amount of time there (Hape). One, or even two injuries and there's a massive spanner in the works of an already shite backline.
Surely, no selector in their right mind can pick a squad as badly balanced as that?
I notice there are 5 prop places according to the Daily Mail. I'd reckon only 4 props and Hodgson to go. Alternatively, 4 props & Flutey; or 5 props and Flutey instead of Hape. Otherwise, Johnson's really asking to be shot in the foot/ play 10man rugby in the world cup.
Firstly, I wouldn't be surprised if Foden was the '3rd' scrum half. Simpson's never been tried (cheers Johnson) and MJ's not one for a gamble.
Also, that midfield is far too risky. Just Wilko and Flood as 10s in the entire squad? That means he cannot be considering the possibility of playing Flood at 12.
Which means he must have other ideas for England's much-maligned centre pairings. There's no Flutey there either, so that's another solution out of the equation.
Hape, Tindall, Banahan, Tuilagi would have to make up 12 & 13. But Hape, despite having played 12 for England recently, is not a 12. And he hasn't played well either. Tindall we all know is a 13, as is Tuilagi. And Banahan is a 2nd row who plays wing who apparently can play 13 (and maybe 12) for England.
So that squad contains two people who could naturally fill the roles of 10 & 12 - Wilko & Flood, with just one other who's spent any amount of time there (Hape). One, or even two injuries and there's a massive spanner in the works of an already shite backline.
Surely, no selector in their right mind can pick a squad as badly balanced as that?
I notice there are 5 prop places according to the Daily Mail. I'd reckon only 4 props and Hodgson to go. Alternatively, 4 props & Flutey; or 5 props and Flutey instead of Hape. Otherwise, Johnson's really asking to be shot in the foot/ play 10man rugby in the world cup.
Duckdee
First XV
Tuilagi played 12 against SA...
gingergenius
First XV
so he did. one more, final idea (never, ever going to even cross Johnson's mind):
12. Tuilagi
13. Armitage
even though I still prefer Jonny, Flood, Manu
12. Tuilagi
13. Armitage
even though I still prefer Jonny, Flood, Manu
Perhaps we'll see
12. Tuilagi
13. Tindall
vs Ireland? Would be a damn sight better than Hape or Banahan at 12...
12. Tuilagi
13. Tindall
vs Ireland? Would be a damn sight better than Hape or Banahan at 12...
calculon
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And Brett Wilkinson (grew up and played most of his life in SA) but now on the Ireland provisional 43 man team - uncapped.
Don't know if they plan to bring him but he's eligible. Maybe he deserves a run-out against England as he's uncapped.
A win against England would a small redemption at this point anyway. Best to forget the warm-ups and move on.
The anti-English contingent (read: 'require English attention' contingent..) would lap up the vistory though.
'Yay, we beat you again, look at us'
Hey careful what u say there he plays for worcester now so he can only be good and now along side his chubby friend Goode
Good and Perry together. There's a halfback pairing to make most front rows look slim.
good points there gingergenius. I guess though MJ will always know he can call players up if there are injuries. As you mention Flutey is valuable because of his being a 12 but also that he can play fly-half fairly well. Played there for us n the 2007-8 premiership final against Leicester and was brilliant. In fact maybe crafting Flutey into a 10 is England's future.
I hate Banahan but at least he's slightly versatile. Hape is about as versatile as a toilet.
I hate Banahan but at least he's slightly versatile. Hape is about as versatile as a toilet.
Weird thing is though - he's really really not
He's a decent-ish winger at club level but I've never seen him put in anything other than a poor performance in a 12 or 13 shirt - He just looks like a forward who's been put on the wing who's then been shoe horned in at centre ---> Which is exactly what he is
can't disagree with that. Hey, while we're at it why not lets try Hape out as a prop?
Hape's not got enough pace to play prop.
Can't be worse than Tim Payne
A six year old girl couldn't be worse then Tim Payne. Even Cian Healy couldn't be worst then Tim Payne.
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Teh Mite, if Cian Healy is so bad then why do berocca have him in their advertisements?*
I think your right. There's no need to worry anyway because MJ doesn't have tha many options. He can't pick Botha based on what he's seen as he has had virtually no gametime and did nothing with it. Both Deacon and Shaw are guaranteed. My only worry would be whether Johnson thinks Deacon beats Shaw to the bench spot.
So every paper seems to know flutey has missed out. a few mention wigglesworth can also play fly half?
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