Autumn Internationals

Worthy of its own thread, clearly.

I already have tickets to see us versus the Wobblies next Sat and the Argies the week after.

The ABs will probably slip my grasp, but have a couple of chaps on the case still.

Anyway, big talking points for England are:

1) Robshaw retained as captain; good thing or bad thing?

2) The new centre pairing; will we see two ex-leagueists in Eastmond & Tomkins sr?

3) Will Ashton retain his spot on the wing?

4) Who'll play #8?

 

I'll go for my XV, rather than try to second guess Lanky.

With the proviso the skipper has to play, regardless of me rating him or otherwise (otherwise, ftr; think he's a bit of a hack, tbh)

Corbisiero (assuming fitness; Mako Vunipola if not)
T Youngs
Cole
Parling
Lawes
Wood
Robshaw (c) (but would play Kvesic if I had my way)
B Vunipola

B Youngs
Burns
Yarde
Twelvetrees
Tomkins
Wade
Foden

 

Playing like a drain, currently. Looks like he might be carrying a knock, because he hasn't been making his lung-busting runs. & Big Ben's big strength is, well, his strength.

In fact, were Lancaster not forced to name his "elite players" before the season started, I doubt he'd even be in the squad at all. On form it's a toss up for the best 8 in England between Billy V & (all bias aside) Sam Dickinson of Saints, with Dave Ewers of the Chiefs not far behind.

With my Saints hat on it's nice to see Luther Burrell get a call up too; might even get a gig ahead of Twelvetrees, who's avictim of his pack's inadequacies down in Glos. 36 has enough credit in the bank for me tho. Big fan.

 

Farrell's very solid and will, in all probability, get the gig.

He just lacks that extra something that makes (to borrow Sir Alex's coinage) a top, top, top player.

It may be partly the fault of his #12, tbf. Whatever his defensive qualities, Barritt isn't a test inside centre's bottom, really.

Now I know it's one of my personal hobbyhorses, but I do like a ballplayer at 2nd 5/8 and 36 (or even Flood, if Lanky is feeling funkeh) is just that. Have a second serious option at inside might lift the shackles slightly. It's not coincidence that Wilko always looked a much more assured player with Greenwood or Catt outside him.

 

Still 95% sure Billy V will start #8, myself.

Reckon his big bro will get the loosehead spot too.

 

I was right.

England team: Mike Brown (Harlequins), Chris Ashton (Saracens), Joel Tomkins (Saracens), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Marland Yarde (London Irish), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Lee Dickson (Northampton); Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Tom Youngs (Leicester), Dan Cole (Leicester), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton), Tom Wood (Northampton), Chris Robshaw (captain, Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens).

Replacements: Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Joe Marler Harlequins), David Wilson (Bath), Dave Attwood Bath), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Ben Youngs (Leicester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Ben Foden (Northampton).

Dickson for Youngs, B the major surprised there, IMHO.