Destiny Days in Denver: Bath's World Cup Hopefuls
Who will he pick?
By P G Tips
July 14 2015
Last summer I wrote about the chances of 14 Bath squad members hoping to make the England World Cup Squad – all with some reason for aspiration that they might make it. Now that the squad for Denver has been named, with 9 Bath men in it, let’s have a fresh look at their chances. My assessment in mid 2014 was: Should Feature if Fit: Rob Webber, Davey WilsonStrong candidates: Dave Attwood, George Ford, Kyle Eastmond, Anthony Watson Credible Contenders: Sam Burgess, Olly Devoto, Semesa Rokodoguni Long Shots: Nathan Catt, Henry Thomas, Carl Fearns, Matt Garvey, Jonathan Joseph Of those 14, Catt’s season has been stopped by injury, while Devoto, Fearns and Garvey have seen their representative ambitions frustrated by competition for places in their positions in both the Bath & England squads. Of these 3, I still believe that Devoto-the youngest, has the potential for international honours and a World Cup place – at a future date. Henry Thomas, another unlucky with injuries, did appear on the bench for England in the 6 Nations, but did not make Lancaster’s squad: his chance too, should come again. That leaves us with Lancaster’s chosen 9. How have their fortunes changed in 12 months? Based on last season, who has the best chance of making the final squad?
The new rankings now are:
Should Feature if Fit
Davey Wilson, George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson.
The biggest climber here is Joseph, coming up from the “long shot” ranks thanks to a stellar 6 Nations. Almost as impressive is Ford, who may well be the 10 that the nation pins its hopes on come October – he too had a revelation of an international season, answering the critics of his game management and goal kicking and sparking new life in England’s backline. They are well supported in this group by Davey and Anthony.
Strong candidates
Rob Webber, Dave Attwood, Sam Burgess.
Webber forced his way to the head of the hooker queue in the autumn, only to find his club place threatened and eventually taken by Batty. This affected his international opportunities and form, so he has work to do, His chance remains strong however, as the loss of Hartley for discipline reasons puts a premium on the experience which is Rob’s current edge over the new pretenders. Dave Attwood featured strongly in the Autumn and early 6 N but was then bizarrely sidelined for Nick Easter. England will need more than one enforcer, so his chance is strong too. Sam Burgess is the interesting case here. His initial Union experience at 12 seems to suggest a “utility” tag to Lancaster –a centre who could double in the back row and he is reported to be training at 12 now. Mike Ford is adamant – he could well be the 6 England need. He also has an aura that could be valuable in a high pressure tournament and some impressive stats in his late season outings at 6. Much will depend on the balance Lancaster prefers in his forwards, but I suspect that the game England aspire to requires 2 full back rows. The fact that he is in Denver suggests game time in at least one warm up match. If that is at 6, I think he has a 50:50 chance of making the party, but only as a 6.
Long Shots
Kyle Eastmond, Semesa Rokodoguni.
Both have something to offer and their chances cannot be written off, but opportunities have been limited and the selection policy for centre and wing seems to have chopped and changed. If Lancaster wants a distributor at 12, he also seeks physical and defensive strength, so Kyle’s size may count against him, despite a near faultless defensive display in 2 autumn Internationals. Roko was unlucky to be omitted after injury following the All Black test, but if Neal Hatley is correct in dubbing him” the best aerial winger in the Premiership”, he has a skill that Lancaster prizes. How many minutes from the bench will these two get to state their case? I suspect not many, which will limit their chance.
Once again, I will stick my neck out and suggest that Bath will be well represented. In fact, I feel there will be more Bath players than in any previous squad since 1995. These are the 7 men I think will be chosen: Rob Webber, Davey Wilson, Dave Attwood, Sam Burgess (at 6), George Ford, Jonathan Joseph, Anthony Watson
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:08:02:11:11:42 by Stuart Anderton.
For me that is an instant downgrade of Sam to "long shot" - not because he lacks the physicality, but because his success to date has been at 6 & I cannot see Barritt & Burrrell allowing Sam to overtake them.
Shame - I think he could have something to offer at 6.
PG
... IMHO, of course.
Now in Honolulu
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2015:07:18:17:22:41 by joethefanatic.
Quote:P G Tips
Just read in The Times that Lancaster wants Burgess "to prove himself as a 12" - he needs the "physicality to replace Manu Tuilagi".
For me that is an instant downgrade of Sam to "long shot" - not because he lacks the physicality, but because his success to date has been at 6 & I cannot see Barritt & Burrrell allowing Sam to overtake them.
As the "physical" option I actually think its put him in a one on one with Burrell. When he talks about physicality I don't think he's talking about defence and Barritt is possibly the worst carrier England have at centre. So it's purely down to ability to break the gain line and synch up with the choices at FH and 13. Defence will be important but as Burrell has struggled a bit there too I think it is very much game on and for me he's gone from being a no chance as a blindside to being a decent chance as a 12.
As I said a while back very much against the grain I see him as making an impact at 12 where I don't at blindside. Wish him the best but obviously hope that Burrell shows the form that made him look nailed on at 13 in last years 6 Nations.
I think Burrell had a real "second season syndrome" time in 6N 2015 - but he has something big going for him in that he can do both 12 & 13.
Sam may of course break into the mix, but my choice (before any training camp performances or warm up matches) would be:
Barritt & Joseph ( a complimentary 12/13 pairing), plus Burrell & Slade - who can both play 12 & 13.
Admittedly, that was based on a hope that Lancaster would look at Sam as a 6.
PG
We'll see. This call makes me think the centre options are:
Definite: JJ
Who the heck knows: everyone else.
I'd like to see how a Barritt/JJ combination goes and a Burgess/Slade one.
A decent chance of embarrassing himself at 12. He might have a decent chance of being selected, but nothing I've seen of him so far (including in league) suggests that he offers much as a 12.
Look with a team that clearly understand how to play the backs (Bath this year) he did nothing at 12, not even played well as a 'physical' centre. He was a shark out of water. What do you expect from an England team that hasn't a notion how to play backs?
... IMHO, of course.
Now in Honolulu