Post-AI team selection.

[Which Tyler]

Assuming everyone is fit, then...


RWC final team:
Genge; Hartley; Sinckler
Itoje; Launchbury
Underhill, Curry, BVunipola

Wigglesworth Ford
Farrell, Tuilagi
May, Daly, Brown

George, MVunipola, Williams, Lawes, Wilson
Youngs, Joseph, Watson


To see us through the 6N
Genge, George, Sinckler
Itoje, Launchbury
Underhill, Curry, Wilson

Wigglesworth, Ford
Farrell, Tuilagi
May, Cokanasiga, Watson

Moon, Taylor/LCD, Williams, Kruis/Lawes, BVunipola
???, Joseph, Daly


RWC 31-man squad:
LHP: Genge, MVunipola, Moon
HK : Hartley, George, LCD/Taylor
THP: Sinckler, Williams, Cole
LCK: Itoje, Launchbury, Lawes, Kruis
FLK: Curry, Underhill, Robshaw
N8 : BVunipola, Wilson
18
SH: Wigglesworth, Youngs, ???
FH: Ford, Farrell
CE: Tuilagi, Joseph, Slade
WG: May, Cokanasiga, Daly
FB: Brown, Watson
13


It's depressing, but Wiggles has earned his way up to first choice starter. Wilson and Cokanasiga needs game time, even if I wouldn't start them in our best team right now. Equally, Watson and Daly need more international minutes at FB if they're to be considered options there. Moon has done well, and needs more gametime if he's to go to the RWC, even though he'd go as 3rd choice - same principal for LCD/Taylor, and XXX at SH. Someone has to be 3rd choice, and that person can't really afford to be essentially a debutant in Japan.

[fivepointer]

Still think there might be room for one or two bolters.
in particular, we need a 3rd choice THp and hooker. I reckon Schonert has a good shout at prop, and at hooker Dunn and Singleton might come into the frame.
If we're looking for a proper 12, then Williams really must come into contention.
I think Robson and Spencer could yet come into the squad.

[Which Tyler]

Agreed that we still need 3rd choices at THP, Hooker and SH, and that those positions are up for grabs, but I do think that LCD, Taylor and Cole are in pole position for the front row slots; Care has played himself out of 3rd choice, but I'm buggered if I know who takes that one.
I don't think there's room for a bolter at centre, one of Slade/Te'o will be left on standby as it is (IMO).

For Eddie, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Shields in for Robshaw, Care still at 3rd SH (or taking a 5th lock instead of a 3rd SH), and Te'o for Slade

[Mellsblue]

I think Spencer is done. It’ll be between Youngs, the Wiggler, Care and Robson.
I think we could all name 28 of the World Cup squad, fitness permitting. It’s only really a matter of the third TH, 3 from 4 at SH and who will miss out from the back 3.

[Mellsblue]

Agreed that we still need 3rd choices at THP, Hooker and SH, and that those positions are up for grabs, but I do think that LCD, Taylor and Cole are in pole position for the front row slots; Care has played himself out of 3rd choice, but I'm buggered if I know who takes that one.

If Care is permanently gone after one bad performance I’d be surprised. He’s by far our best no9 finisher*.

*I hate Jones for making me use that word.

[Galfon]

Burt went for a 17/14 split in rwc15 with 5 props & 4 centres. (maybe the Burgess factor).
There will be plenty of crocks & a few bolters in the mix..
Looks like no chairs left for Hughes, Nowell will be hoping for a strong 6N and Daly selected as primarily f/b and SuperTed may usurp Robshaw.
How they have not yet unearthed a scrum-half from the valleys with an English granny is beyond me...

[Stom]

I think your squad is mainly there but there will be a few differences. Some are inked in.

Bold is definite. Italics is fighting for the spot.

Mako, Genge, Moon
Hartley, George, LCD, Dunn
Launch, Lawes, Itoje, Kruis, Ewels
Wilson, Shields, Robshaw
Underhill, Curry
Billy, Hughes
Youngs, Wigglesworth, Care
Farrell, Ford
Te'o, Tuilagi, Joseph, Slade
May, Daly, Cokanasiga, Nowell, Brown, Watson, Ashton

I think the squad will come from these 35, barring injury.

[Scrumhead]

I think your squad is mainly there but there will be a few differences. Some are inked in.

Bold is definite. Italics is fighting for the spot.

Mako, Genge, Moon
Hartley, George, LCD, Dunn
Launch, Lawes, Itoje, Kruis, Ewels
Wilson, Shields, Robshaw
Underhill, Curry
Billy, Hughes
Youngs, Wigglesworth, Care
Farrell, Ford
Te'o, Tuilagi, Joseph, Slade
May, Daly, Cokanasiga, Nowell, Brown, Watson, Ashton

I think the squad will come from these 35, barring injury.

Yep. Pretty much my thoughts exactly, although if I were Eddie, I’d take Wilson as a utility back row over Hughes as a specialist 8.

Wilson has been good to very good across all of his England performances and the same can’t be said of Hughes.

Personally, I’d argue that Wilson as an extra blindside flanker has been better than Hughes’ ‘Billy light’ performances and versatility counts in a small tournament squad.

[Mikey Brown]

Not sure how Genge has got in the side, or Underhill as a 6, but mostly agree. Care is the best number 21 available. I’d pick Youngs/RW dependant on who we go with at 10 I guess (thus who is at 12, thus who is at 13).

Wilson and Moon have to have earned full time spots for now?

Hughes is mostly garbage but he’s in if he’s even half fit apparently.

Did Te’o do anything good today?

[Rich]

RWC 31-man squad:
LHP: Genge, MVunipola, Moon
HK : Hartley, George, LCD/Taylor
THP: Sinckler, Williams, Cole
LCK: Itoje, Launchbury, Lawes, Kruis
FLK: Curry, Underhill, Robshaw
N8 : BVunipola, Wilson
18
SH: Wigglesworth, Youngs, ???
FH: Ford, Farrell
CE: Tuilagi, Joseph, Slade
WG: May, Cokanasiga, Daly
FB: Brown, Watson
13

I too would go with an 18-13 split (I really think a 32 man squad should be allowed). Changes to your squad in bold:


LHP: Genge, MVunipola, Moon
HK : Hartley, George, LCD/Taylor
THP: Sinckler, Williams, Cole
LCK: Itoje, Launchbury, Lawes, Kruis
FLK: Curry, Underhill, Wilson
N8 : BVunipola, Hughes


SH: Wigglesworth, Youngs, Care
FH: Ford, Farrell
CE: Te'o, Tuilagi, Slade
WG: May, Cokanasiga, Daly
FB: Brown, Watson


I think I'd like to try May at FB in the 6N.

[Renniks]

I’m still hoping for a bolter or two

Ted hill
A different 12
I’d probably not take 3 LHP, 3 THP, and 3 Hookers -?but I understand thats probably naive

[Shiny]

I think I'd like to try May at FB in the 6N.

I actually thought the same yesterday afternoon after watching him leap like no other winger in England to claim a high ball. Then I remembered that he has the IQ of a sock and how long it took him to train to run in a straight line and be in the correct place defensively for a winger. Alas, he would be retired before he understood full back positional play.

[Scrumhead]

I think it’s unlikely that there will be no more debutants in between now and the World Cup even if I’d love it if Jack Willis came back in amazing form and leapfrogged Shields.

The main additions to the squad will be the players returning from injury. It would be amazing to have Mako, Billy, Robshaw, Joseph, Watson and Genge all fit and available.

Hill may yet be a bolter, but the competition at 6 is fierce with Robshaw, Wilson and Shields competing for one spot.

Of the other players with less than 5 caps, Cokanasiga has played his way in IMO. He offers something different to any of our other wingers and has taken his chance.

Mercer was good against SA but suffered from being part of a crap first-half performance against Japan (he team, not necessarily Mercer individually). He’s no longer in the mix as a bolter.

Any other fringe players who have made the squad but not the pitch like Francis are almost certainly being left behind. I don’t see any of the uncapped players called-up recently - i.e. Rhodes, Marchant etc. coming in to the mix.

[Which Tyler]

[Rich]

I’m still hoping for a bolter or two

Ted hill
A different 12
I’d probably not take 3 LHP, 3 THP, and 3 Hookers -?but I understand thats probably naive

You really have to take three hookers.

Do we have any props who can be said to be recognized TH and LH ?

[Oakboy]

I think we'll need more than 35 to end up with 31 with average injury luck. The chances of Billy and Tuilagi both being fit enough must be 20-1 against.

It is fair to argue that those two are cast iron certainties in our 1st XV if fully fit but would both be risked in all group matches? If, and it's a big 'if', both are fit enough in the build-up to base our playing style around them, Hughes and T'eo are certain to be in the 31 as closest, like-for-like options.

I also think that Jones has ditched the idea of playing Ford and Farrell. I'd be very surprised if Farrell did not start at 10. I think he is 95% certain to start there if Tuilagi is in the squad and 90% if not.

[Galfon]

Do we have any props who can be said to be recognized TH and LH ?

I think Hepburn started with a tight head that has become loose over recent years since joining Exeter.
That would be gamble as he probably would not be selected otherwise, on the showings this Autumn.

[Epaminondas Pules]

I think we'll need more than 35 to end up with 31 with average injury luck. The chances of Billy and Tuilagi both being fit enough must be 20-1 against.

It is fair to argue that those two are cast iron certainties in our 1st XV if fully fit but would both be risked in all group matches? If, and it's a big 'if', both are fit enough in the build-up to base our playing style around them, Hughes and T'eo are certain to be in the 31 as closest, like-for-like options.

I also think that Jones has ditched the idea of playing Ford and Farrell. I'd be very surprised if Farrell did not start at 10. I think he is 95% certain to start there if Tuilagi is in the squad and 90% if not.

Why would you play most of your first team in ALL group games? There will always be games at a world cup in the group where you rest lots of players.

[Oakboy]

I think we'll need more than 35 to end up with 31 with average injury luck. The chances of Billy and Tuilagi both being fit enough must be 20-1 against.

It is fair to argue that those two are cast iron certainties in our 1st XV if fully fit but would both be risked in all group matches? If, and it's a big 'if', both are fit enough in the build-up to base our playing style around them, Hughes and T'eo are certain to be in the 31 as closest, like-for-like options.

I also think that Jones has ditched the idea of playing Ford and Farrell. I'd be very surprised if Farrell did not start at 10. I think he is 95% certain to start there if Tuilagi is in the squad and 90% if not.

Why would you play most of your first team in ALL group games? There will always be games at a world cup in the group where you rest lots of players.

I don't want to get at cross purposes here. A match day squad of 23 from a squad of 31 leaves 8. So some players will play every game, allowing for specialities in the front row. With the tendency to empty the bench in every game, that is.

[Raggs]

I've not seen a lot of him, but Hill is striking me as very similar to the Currys a season or two ago. Very very impressive for their age, holding their own at prem level, but not necessarily ready for international just yet (though you'd have to assume they'll be there in a couple of seasons).

[Mellsblue]

Stephen Jones is salivating over a backline of Teo, Tuilagi, Cokanasiga.

[Raggs]

There are definitely charms to it. Especially with Vunipolae, Launch, LCD, Genge, Wilson, Willis, Underhill etc etc.

And Manu and Teo can both pass, and with what should be quick front foot ball, they may have the chance to show that off.

[p/d]

I've not seen a lot of him, but Hill is striking me as very similar to the Currys a season or two ago. Very very impressive for their age, holding their own at prem level, but not necessarily ready for international just yet (though you'd have to assume they'll be there in a couple of seasons).

As a regular visitor to 6ways I see Hill being very much a player who is ready to step up. That said, and we have seen it before, chances are what made him catch the coaches eyes will be the very thing they end up beating out of him.

On the other hand I am not getting the Mercer 'love-in'. Looks like another Forrester to me.

[Mikey Brown]

Like many of that style Forrester looked to have turned a bit of a corner as a player, from being skilled but not tough enough, just before getting permanently crocked. It’s early for Mercer, but I can see the appeal. Not sure he’s necessarily miles ahead of Simmonds, Clifford, Chisholm and some of the others in the long term though.

[Oakboy]

There are only 9 matches before the RWC. Jones is set on 31 players, he says. There should now be minimal chopping and changing.

Selection decisions should only be about those remaining few places and, the hard bit, being hard-nosed about whether those still injured for Dublin or who are injury-prone can justify a RWC squad place.