So... Jack Nowell into the Saxons squad age 20, 11 games, is so early, but Ben Youngs into full international honours age 20, 17 games, was slow? I am representing your views right here?
There would be no games for the hookers, but there would be a training camp. They could be called into the EPS if there's an injury that will be covered within the actual squad if Lancaster chose. Every little helps. As noted, we are undergoing a rather onerous agreement to get this international access, why are we wasting any of it? Picking someone and finding out their rival was in better form when it actually matters is part and parcel of being the England coach unfortunately. He shouldn't be ducking those calls.
As for Mullan - if years in the Saxons without cracking the main squad is a mark against, what on earth does that say about Wood? Both Mullan and Wood should be in the EPS - or at least, Wood should have if been so if his form hadn't dipped last year. Mullan? He's a lot like Marler actually, except he's bigger and more experienced. I didn't watch that much of Wuss last year, but I saw no problems with his scrummaging, and his penalties conceded - a useful if crude metric for how often a prop gets done - is a measly 10 out of 18, which is the best out of any of the major English looseheads who played most of the season. He made more tackles than Marler and he missed less, and their carrying stats were eerily similar. He is very good in defence, and very athletic too - he famously chased down James Hook. He probably should be ahead of Marler, and if Marler played for Wuss and Mullan for Quins, probably would be.
Lancaster's made some good changes. Most of the EPS looks right now, righter than it has done in some time. But then, it kinda picks itself. Eastmond is the only mildly surprising one, he'd have been crucified if he'd left Wade out - not that I should be overly critical, as plenty of coaches do foul that up. You look into the Saxons, and I see a house half cleared, with plenty of junk players left in, and the chance to push the future only half-taken. Which I feel is pretty conservative.
And I also look at what you're saying here (about this admittedly minor detail) and what you said about Johnson, and feel there appears to be two different metrics at work, and feel the need to pursue it as I'm overly argumentative
edit: As for attacking mindset, I'll believe in it when I see it on a team sheet and on the pitch.
edit edit: As for Nowell, I'm just going to sit here and congratulate my self for calling him as being in England contention back in April.
