'tis a pity 'bout Wilkinson, as he was truly a class player, and may never be fit again. Apparently he'll be ready for the next WC game, where he'll be hit again and again by blood-lusting Polynesians all wanting to cut a Wilko shaped notch in their belt. And if he survives that game, there's a second set of Islanders to follow up...God help him.
After 2003 it was evident that England did not have the depth people expected. But England instead of developing depth, seem to be getting even more shallow. Others teams have players to step up to the plate, so the loss of a couple of players can be overcome. Now England are struggling to field a team, never mind a fit team, and seem to lack resources in pretty much every position.
Everyone blames AR, but the players are the ones who have to do the business. SWC used up all the resources but AR had no idea how to rebuild. MA seems to be focusing on saving...god knows what, when perhaps he should just get all the promising young players and throw them into the lions den. They could hardly do worse.
oops, reading that, I guess SWC is Sir Woodward of Clive.