England squad..... like Marmite?
You either love it or you hate it, and that's about all I can say when it comes to Lancaster's new Six Nations squad. Well actually, I like Marmite, and similarly, I like Lancaster. However it seems obvious that Lancaster has tactics on his mind as some England choices have gone against the grain. All the talk's been about youngsters, England's Back Row and the Red Rose Captaincy, but will Lancaster achieve where Johnno failed?
England came under much scrutiny in New Zealand with the likes of Mike Tindall and Manu Tuilagi not keeping in line; however it seems that Stuart Lancaster has intended to wipe the slate clean with 9 new boys, including the likes of Owen Farrell and Phil Dowson.
It certainly seems that Lancaster set his intentions early on with his 'get down and dirty' training tactic, taking the EPS squad north to Leeds and leaving Portugal free from 64 foreigners. Indeed, he seems to have backed up every word with his actions, but amidst all the new talk and hype it seems he's made some remarkably strange selections. Personally, I believe that the England Elite squad should have had 12 new faces with the additions of Geoff Parling, Matt Mullan and George Robson in particular. With David Wilson warming the bench most of this season for Bath, and Louis Deacon almost certainly out for the whole Six Nations, it should've put Robson and Mullan in with a great shout.
Robson's been on fire for Quins this season, appearing in 16 of their 19 games alongside Worcester Warriors Loosehead, Matt Mullan, who repeatedly riddled with injury, has seen a season injury free, and has continued to make light work of some of Britain's best Tightheads. What's been particularly influential is Lancaster's Back Row selection with 3 of the 6 being Northampton's superb trio of Dowson, Calum Clark and possible 'Captain Fantastic' Tom Wood, who have been the driving force behind Northampton's recent run of good form.
There is certainly no doubt that Lancaster has skill on his side, with the crash ball skills of Turner-Hall and Barritt, the deft handling of Joe Marler and the sheer power of the Scarlets Number Eight, Ben Morgan. Even though this Six Nations side isn't one full of cert choices, as an avid rugby fan, I still remain a firm supporter of the Interim Coach's new campaign!
