Hiding to Nothing - or Opportunity?
Dave Attwood
By P G Tips
May 26 2014
Stuart Lancaster has just named his initial 30 man squad for this summer's tour of New Zealand. The announcement has been preceded by considerable gnashing of teeth from the English press- due to the timing of the AP Final (taking a big chunk of the possible squad -from Saracens & Saints) and a growing injury list.
The argument is that any tour of New Zealand is doomed without all first choice players fit and available. Some have already made comparisons with the 1998 “Tour of Hell” when an England party so denuded it had to rely on 4th or 5th choices in some positions was completely humbled in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
Now that the squad has been named – is the “doom and gloom” justified? Certainly several first (& even second) choices will miss the first test and some, due to injury or recent return from injury, the whole tour. However, Lancaster himself has believes his squad “well and truly ready” for the tour. “"We are excited about the squad we are taking to New Zealand” is his upbeat message
It is possible to see him field a First Test selection which offers much more experience than the mix of callow youth and ageing Premiership stalwarts which Clive Woodward was forced to choose in Brisbane in 1998.
A possible selection is below.
Joe Marler (Harlequins), Rob Webber (Bath Rugby), David Wilson (Bath Rugby), Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps),Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Danny Cipriani (Sale Sharks), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby),Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Marland Yarde (London Irish), Mike Brown (Harlequins),
Bench: Matt Mullan (London Wasps), Dave Ward (Harlequins),Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), James Haskell (London Wasps), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Freddie Burns (Leicester Tigers), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby),
Twelve of that starting XV have tasted victory against a southern hemisphere side in recent seasons, as have 4 on the bench (2 of those Lions). Of course, this may not be the 23 actually chosen for the test as injury doubts hang over Rob Webber and Billy Twelvetrees, there is the possibility that Anthony Watson may recover from a hamstring injury to join the party and Lancaster may decide he needs a full back on the bench in place of a utility player. However, this group will offer experience, physicality, aggression and pace. It is the selection I would opt for and I wish them luck.
You will of course have your views. What do you think and who would you select?
PG
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:06:10:23:09:27 by Stuart Anderton.
Injuries & Lancaster's preference meant a different team - but they cam within a score.
As I have not seen it I will not claim any moral victories, but really have to think that close result is an opportunity.
The team Engkand fielded had 3 or 4 first choices - Launchbury, Robshaw, Brown (maybe Wilson?), several 3rd choices - Webber, Haskell, Eastmond & a 4th -Burns. The bench averaged out at 4th choice.
That is the sort of experience base and selection headache Lancaster will want. With 11 matches to go before the RWC warm ups he will need a broad squad to maintain momentum and will feel that some challengers are making a very strong case.
Not the Tour of Hell- at least so far!
PG