Five To Watch - England's World Cup Squad
After Martin Johnson announced his 45-man training squad for the World Cup, we have a much better idea of who will be heading out to New Zealand to compete for the William Webb Ellis trophy in September. Despite Johnson's claims that nobody's place is certain the England manager will probably stick with a core group of players that served him so well in the Autumn Internationals and then claimed the Red Roses first Six Nations title since 2003. So with so few places available who are the men that may have played themselves into contention for a place in the final 30 man squad which will be named in August, here are five players who are in with a good chance of heading to the Southern Hemisphere
Matt Stevens The prop returned to rugby following his two-year drugs suspension in January and quickly forced his way into the Saracens front-row and helped them to the Premiership title in May. Stevens was then part of the England Saxons side which won the Churchill Cup a victory built on a dominant scrum of which the South African born prop was the key figure. His versatility and dynamic play with ball in hand make him a difficult player for opposition defences to deal with, experience is another massive bonus to having Stevens in the squad he played in the 2007 World Cup final and also toured New Zealand with the Lions in 2005. His return to full match fitness and form have made him a real contender for a place in Johnson's front row plans, with David Wilson the man likely to drop out.
Mouritz Botha The huge Saracens second-row has been in magnificent form this season and has been one of the most consistent players in the Aviva Premiership. His work at the line-out is very clever and he was a key part of the dominance Saracens enjoyed in that part of the game all season. Around the field Botha epitomised everything that was good about Sarries, his work-rate is sky high, his tackling is crunching and his work around the breakdown is very shrewd. The South African has a lot of qualities that have shone through this season and he has earned his place in the training squad, if he impresses in training and then in the games against Wales and Ireland he could edge out Louis Deacon or Simon Shaw for a place on that plane.
Thomas Waldrom Another one of England's new found "foreign legion that made it to the training squad after an impressive season at club level. The Kiwi number eight had a rip roaring start to the season with Leicester Tigers, his ball carrying ability was second to none compared with all the other forwards in the Premiership and he topped the table for number of carries and finished fifth behind four backs in the metres gained table. He fell out of favour with Tigers chief Richard Cockerill towards the end of the season, but his intelligent and powerful style of play has clearly impressed Martin Johnson who will probably give him a chance to shine against Wales and Ireland. Given England's lack of depth at number eight Waldrom maybe more of shoe in than we realise.
Manu Tuilagi We all know about the Leicester Tigers outside centre who won the Aviva Premierships Young Player of the Season award after an outstanding debut season. The youngest of the Tuilagi dynasty earned plaudits for his powerful and destructive displays for the East Midlands club, with ball in hand he causes mayhem with the sort of ball carrying that makes the Tuilagi's famous, in defence he makes the sort of huge hits you expect. That punch on Chris Ashton did take the shine of his brilliant debut season, but he may be the spark that the England midfield need, not necessarily as a starter, but as an impact player of the bench who could create something from nothing. He is not the finished article by any means but his confidence and ability may mean England have a wildcard player like no other in the squad.
Charlie Sharples England have two established wingers in Chris Ashton and Mark Cueto, but behind that the other places are really up for grabs and the Gloucester flyer may just be the man to take one of those spots. The 21 year-old was in blistering form for the Cherry and Whites during their successful campaign which saw them reach the Premiership semi-finals and win the LV Anglo-Welsh Cup. He is a good finisher and he isn't shy to look for work of his wing, and finished inside the top 10 for metres gained and clean breaks for the season. After a good season for club he played his way into the England Saxons side which won the Churchill Cup and he scored a try in the final. His experience is limited but there cannot be much debate that he is worth a run-out in the friendly matches, and if performs well he may earn a seat on the plane.
Possible Squad
Props Andrew Sheridan, Matt Stevens, Dan Cole, Alex Corbisiero
Hookers Dylan Hartley, Steve Thompson
Locks Courtney Lawes, Tom Palmer, Mouritz Botha, Simon Shaw
Flankers Lewis Moody, Tom Croft, Tom Wood, James Haskell, Hendrie Fourie
Number Eight Nick Easter, Thomas Waldrom
Scrum Halves Ben Youngs, Danny Care
Fly Halves Toby Flood, Jonny Wilkinson
Centres Mike Tindall, Shontayne Hape, Manu Tuilagi
Wingers Chris Ashton, Mark Cueto, Charlie Sharples, Matt Banahan
Full Back Ben Foden
