England Six Nations Squad - Predictions
With just under a week to go until interim head coach Stuart Lancaster names his squad for the 2012 Six Nations, England fans up and down the country are excited by the prospect of seeing a new generation of players pulling on the red rose. Several young stars like Owen Farrell and Chris Robshaw have staked their claims with impressive performances in the Aviva Premiership and Heineken Cup.
Now that the final few stars of the 2003 Rugby World Cup have stepped down Lancaster, Graham Rowntree and Andy Farrell have no choice but to give these young guns their chance to showcase their talents. It is a very exciting time for England fans, and I have selected my 32 man squad for the Six Nations.
Props
This is an area where Lancaster has several good options, but Andrew Sheridan won't be one of them. The Sale prop is once again struggling with injury and hasn't played a game this season. In his place Harlequins prop Joe Marler has to get his chance, the 21 year-old has been in sensational form for the Premiership leaders. His powerful ball-carrying, ability to offload and strong scrummaging have make him the form prop in the country. Dan Cole has been playing well for Leicester and should continue on the tighthead. Gloucester prop Nick Wood has produced a string of fine performances for the Kingsholm outfit and his all round game should earn him a spot. Matt Stevens has impressed for Saracens , and his ability to play on both sides of the scrum should see him retain his spot.
Selections Joe Marler (Harlequins) Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers) Nick Wood (Gloucester) Matt Stevens (Saracens)
Hookers
Dylan Hartley is England's best hooker and at 25 years of age he has many years left in the tank, he will almost certainly be wearing the number two shirt come the start of the tournament. But with no Steve Thompson and Lee Mears, England have a void to fill behind Hartley. Joe Gray another Harlequins youngster has been superb this season, getting better with every game. The former England U20 made it into the Saxons squad last season, so Lancaster knows the talent the 23 year old has. The final place goes to David Paice, the London Irish hooker has had a good season so far and is another Lancaster knows from the Saxons.
Selections Dylan Hartley (Northampton) Joe Gray (Harlequins) David Paice (London Irish)
Locks
Lancaster may have a bit of a headache in this area, with the new regulations preventing the selection of players outside England. Despite this I still see Tom Palmer playing a huge role in the Six Nations, he has a great rugby brain and is a master of the lineout. Courtney Lawes is a real superstar and a truly world-class forward, he has been at his destructive best for Northampton in recent weeks. Hopefully from an English perspective he will overcome his knee injury in time for the Scotland game. The other positions go to George Robson and Mouritz Botha. Robson has had a stellar season for Quins, strong in the lineout and powerful in the loose he is certainly one for the future. Botha is one of the best locks in England, a ferocious tackler with a tremendous work-rate. He will bring a bit of nastiness and dog to the second-row.
Selections Tom Palmer (Stade Francais) Courtney Lawes (Northampton) George Robson (Harlequins) Mouritz Botha (Saracens)
Back Row
Another area of the squad that will see a lot of young new faces. With the retirement of Lewis Moody, England now have to find a number seven that can deliver quick ball and disrupt the opposition. Andy Saull a player is in the Neil Back, the Saracens man wins turnovers, has a quick brain and a slick pair of hands. Behind him Chris Robshaw has had a brilliant season at seven for Quins, showing his leadership skills along with a superb ball carrying game.
At blindside Tom Croft and Tom Wood will continue to battle it out. Wood has been in top form for Northampton since returning for the World Cup, where he was badly handled by Martin Johnson. His work at the lineout and ability at the breakdown are vital. Croft has failed to find the form that made him a Lion in 2009, but if England are going to play a more expansive style then Croft can flourish.
At number eight Nick Easter has been the man for the last four years, but at 33 it is time for some new blood. Thomas Waldrom is probably the most intelligent number eight in the country, he has great awareness of space and the players around him. Another contender is Ben Morgan of the Scarlets, who has attracted the attention of Wales. But England must do everything they can to get Morgan, like Waldrom he is a powerful ball carrier and has been colossal in the Heineken Cup.
Selections Andy Saull (Saracens) Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) Tom Wood (Northampton) Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers) Ben Morgan (Scarlets)
Scrum-Halves
Ben Youngs is now the senior man in the absence of Danny Care, who has been dropped from the squad after a couple of misdemeanours off the field. Youngs needs to find the form of 2010 and play the sort of game we all know he is capable of.
Joe Simpson will have to be number two with Care missing, the young Wasps man has blistering pace and a quick brain, and will get his chance to shine. Third choice for me would be Ben Spencer from Saracens, the 19 year-old has been brilliant for Saracens in the absence of Neil De Kock and Richard Wigglesworth and looks set for a big future.
Selections Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers) Joe Simpson (London Wasps) Ben Spencer (Saracens)
Fly-Halves
Owen Farrell is the name on everybody's lips at the moment. The 20 year old has been in majestic form this season for Saracens, his goal-kicking is top quality and his distribution is slick. He has experience of winning big games in the Premiership and Heineken Cup, this kid has to play.
Toby Flood has started to find his confidence after a disappointing World Cup where he wasn't given a fair crack at the whip, when he stands flat and attacks the line he is class. His experience is a key factor.
Charlie Hodgson has been in the international wilderness for a few years but now may be time for his return. His link up play with Owen Farrell has been outstanding this season, and there isn't a better passing 10 in England. Will have a good influence on the younger players in the squad.
Selections Owen Farrell (Saracens) Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers) Charlie Hodgson (Saracens)
Centres
Brad Barritt doesn't do anything flash, but he gets his side over the gain line and never misses a tackle. He is Saracens go to man when they need a big carry and could form a frightening combination with Manu Tuilagi.
Manu Tuilagi is a superstar in the making, we all know what he brings to the game and he will be the fulcrum of the England side for a long time, although he will miss the Scotland game with injury.
Jonathan Joseph is a player who has been very impressive for London Irish, the outside centre has great acceleration and runs some great angles. He is only 20 but has enormous potential, he is the kind of player England need to blood early. his ability to play wing helps.
Billy Twelvetrees is a very clever footballer who has played well since returning for the Tigers, but he is also a good ball carrier and regularly gets over the gainline. Has a good passing game and a solid tactical kicking game that none of the other centres have, another one England have to blood sooner rather than later .
Selections Brad Barritt (Saracens) Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers) Jonathan Joseph (London Irish) Billy Twelvetrees (Leicester Tigers)
Wingers
Chris Ashton has to be one of the first names on the teamsheet for Stuart Lancaster, the winger has a terrific record for England and is one of the deadliest finishers in the world, a player who can only get better.
David Strettle has struggled with injuries in the last few years but has stayed healthy this season and looks lethal. A winger who glides across the field and always has time on the ball, has scored crucial tries this year and deserves his chance.
Ugo Monye is another man who has earned a recall to the squad, he has been in good form for high flying Quins and is a great finisher, seems to have found the form that got him two test starts for the Lions in 2009.
Selections Chris Ashton (Northampton) David Strettle (Saracens) Ugo Monye (Harlequins)
Full Backs
Ben Foden is still England's man at 15, one of the best counter-attacking players in the world has scored four tries in his last two games, rock solid at the back and a key man in the coming months.
Mike Brown has been one of the best players in Europe this season, seems to have curved that nasty edge that sometimes landed him in hot water. A howitzer boot that puts Quins in the right areas, alongside great attacking nous have earned him a spot in the 32.
Selections Ben Foden (Northampton) Mike Brown (Harlequins)
