Stuart Lancaster has named his squad for the Autumn Internationals and the QBE series next month.
England Senior Squad (33)
Loose-head props
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Tight-head props
Kieran Brookes (Newcastle Falcons)
David Wilson (Bath Rugby)
Hookers
Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
Rob Webber (Bath Rugby)
Locks
Dave Attwood (Bath Rugby)
George Kruis (Saracens)
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Back rows
Calum Clark (Northampton Saints)
James Haskell (Wasps)
Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby)
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins, captain)
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
Scrum halves
Danny Care (Harlequins)
Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Fly halves
Owen Farrell (Saracens)
George Ford (Bath Rugby)
Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
Centres
Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby)
Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby)
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester Rugby)
Back threes
Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Alex Goode (Saracens)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath Rugby)
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
The following players will not be available for the2014 QBE Internationals: Alex Corbisiero (shoulder), Dan Cole (neck), Tom Croft (knee), Tom Johnson (neck), Geoff Parling (concussion), Chris Pennell (groin), Ed Slater (knee), Mako Vunipola (knee), Tom Youngs (shoulder).
A squad update will be issued at 8pm on Sunday, October 26 following the European Champions Cup and Challenge Cup second round.
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
46 replies on “England squad for November Internationals announced”
Hmm. Good squad , considering the injuries. However I imagine Kitchener, Foden and to a lesser extent Cipriani, must be thinking what more can they do to get selected.
Not seen many Sarries matches this season, but do Kruis and Goode warrant selection over Kitchener and Foden?
Clark? Again I have seen him play well, but better than the competetion? Also are we a bit light on hookers? Thought there are usually three in the squad.
Really disappointed on a few counts. Cipriani should be ahead of Myler all day – I really can not work that one out.
I’d also have Wade in over Jonny May, who I really do not rate at all. I know Wade has defensive issues but I’d still have him in the squad.
At full back, having only two in the squad makes sense, especially with May and Nowell covering that position. My only issue is that I’d have Foden over Goode.
Also slightly surprised by the number of front rows selected – I’d have thought they’d go with three players for each position.
Based on the above, my selection:
1) Marler 2) Hartley 3) Wilson
4) Lawes 5) Launchbury
6) Wood 7) Robshaw 8)Morgan
9) Care 10) Ford
11) Yarde
12) Burrell 13) Joseph
14) Roko 15) Brown
Bench:
16) Webber
17) Mullan
18) Brookes
19) Attwood
20) Morgan or Haskell
21) Dickson
22) Farrel
23) Nowell or Eastmond
So is this the actual EPS or the EPS with injured players replaced (i.e. Corbs with Mullan) or is the whole EPS thing now out of the window? And I’ve read more players (7?) will be added on Sunday, so what’s that about?
Good squad overall (Ashton’s finally gone) but surprised by Kruis over Kitchener and that Foden has also gone. I get the feeling Twelvetrees has survived by the skin of his teeth. As for Clarke.. Lancaster has always been a fan and will finally get to have in the squad.
This is the EPS squad. But it gets renamed in January pre-6 nations. So obviously, only players available between now and then are selected. Hence the likes of Corbs not being included.
Yes that makes sense, I’d forgotten it will only last until January.
I have got used to stupidly complicated England squad announcements but this is much more straightforward.. these are the players who are picked and fit. Simple. Except that more players will be added on the weekend I expect, because they will definitely want more front row cover.
So, can anyone help here-is Wade at all likely to be called up on Sunday? I’m still slightly confused by the whole system. In my opinion, Wade just had to get a run of games, he’s too outrageously talented to leave out. Thanks.
Oops I meant Billy V for starting 8
Kruis I think can be justified. The other 3 in the squad are quite some way ahead so unless there are injuries he’s unlikely to get much game time, but the experience will be good for him.
I would pick foden over Goode, goode works well for Saracens but he is shaky under the high ball and lacks the speed and physicality for the highest level in my opinion.
Based on who has been selected I’d go:
1. Marler 2. Hartley 3. Wilson 4. Launchbury 5. Lawes 6. Wood 7. Robshaw 8. Vunipola 9. Youngs 10. Farrell 11. Yarde 12. Eastmond 13. Burrell 14. Roko 15. Brown
16. Webber 17. Mullan 18. Brookes 19. Attwood 20. Haskell 21. Care 22. Ford (although I’d have Cips here if he’d been picked) 23. Nowell (would rather have Foden).
If Eastmond is out, I’d move Burrell inside and pick Joseph.
Wow. No Wade, no Cipriani. As a part time observer of English rugby I have to say I’m surprised. Lancaster deserves all the same brickbats Gats is getting with regards to sticking with the tried and trusted. I’m not a huge fan of Cipriani given his preference for mostly putting his mouth before his rugby but recently it seemed to me that had changed enough to give him a go?
To take another specific example – May. I know it’s hard to avoid the temptation to drop players who don’t perform in their first couple of tests, and I commend SL for avoiding doing it. But surely he has had his run now? It’s time to get Wade in there – or is he destined to have more Lions caps than England ones in his career?
Don’t think anyone here would disagree with you Brighty
I can just about see the argument for no Wade – he has had some defensive howlers this season -but he is such a talent I think its silly to exclude him. May has great pace but he’s not proved that he can use it in a effective manner.
Can’t see the argument for Myler. He’s solid and steady but what’s the point in having that on the bench if you’re down with 20 mins to go?
Goode also has more than had his chance and shouldn’t be there.
Completely agree with you here. The squad changes I’d make would be:
Cips > Myler
Wade > May
Foden > Goode
Wade – his defensive issues means I probably wouldn’t start him, particularly opposite Sevea in the NZ test. But, I want him in and around the squad.
Cips and Foden I just can not understand at all.
Wholeheartedly agree. 100%.
“As a part time observer of English rugby”
Is that tongue in cheek? You’re more obsesive about england than me!
Wade is a difficult one. Can do things no other winger can do, and ordinarily I would criticise management for not having the balls to bring his defence up to scratch. EXCEPT in this case. His head is not in the right place. His howlers have been unforgivable. Simple things like failing to touch down the ball TWICE resulitng in soft tries. The last thing I would want is for him to be rushed back, destroyed and vilified and his career set back a number of years like Cipriaini in 08. I hope he gets his sh1t together and gets a chance in the 6n.
As for May. Well I did see him take someone on the outside in a recent gloucester game, not just once either. One resulted in a try the other an assist – so maybe he has learnt his lessons.
May is actually in blistering form at the moment for Glos, but even as an avid supporter of his, I’m not sure that he can bring the AP form to the AI’s because in the AP he can get away with a great deal through use of sheer pace but at international level his opposition is that much quicker and his space less. I do hope to be proved wrong by a hat trick against NZ of course!
Think Kruis is good but I can’t see an argument for him over Kitchener
Goode? Nooooooooo. How many more chances can he get to prove he’s not international standard?? Foden would have been a far better choice.
Would have liked to see Slade over 36 but can just about understand why he’s there. Would switch out Myler for Cipriani and May for Wade
I’m also surprised by only not naming 3 players at Hooker and LH & TH. Don’t really rate Goode, very good for Sarriers but doesn’t really cut at internationaly level. Think Cipriani shouldn’t be gutted, personally think Farrell, Ford & Cipriani all offer something different to each other and give us options. Myler is no bad player tho.
My selection would be;
1.Marler 2.Hartley 3.Wilson 4.Lanchbury 5.Lawes 6.Wood 7.Robshaw 8.Vunipola 9.Care 10.Ford 11.Roko 12.Eastmond (Burrell if Eastmond unfit) 13.Burrell (Joseph if Burrell is at 12) 14.Nowell 15.Brown
16.Webber 17.Mullan 18.Brooks 19.Attwood 20.Morgan 21. Dickson 22.Farrell 23.May
If a third hooker, LH and TH are selected, who would people choose?
Jamie George, Alex Waller and Henry Thomas I would think.
Agree with that, so if we get an injury to a loosehead or hooker someone gets called up who has never been in the squad before and goes straight into a test match (Thomas as least has some experience) for that reason I think they should have included George and Waller in the squad.
I’m gutted about Wade. Unless injuries interevene (and there’s a reasonable chance of that) I can’t see how he can get an opportunity before the World Cup. Jack Nowell has scored a handful of tries in senior rugby and isn’t fully fit but is considered better than Wade. Really disappointed in Lancaster
Generally happy with the pack, but would have gone for Fraser over Clark. Pleased Brookes has been promoted over Thomas.
Backs I’m not so happy about:
– Cipriani has been consistent enough and good enough (including summer tour) to be 3rd choice.
– Goode is a good club player but lacks the pace and physicality for international rugby @ 15. Don’t understand his inclusion over Foden. More to the point I don’t understand his inclusion at all, because in his 16 caps we’ve seen enough to know he’s not a test match fullback.
– Neither Nowell or May did enough to stay ahead of Wade.
Agree with the comments on numbers of front rowers, given all 6 will be named in the match day squad any injury and you are immediately pulling people in outside of the training group.
Only reason I can see for having May over Wade is his ability to cover 15. But if that is the reason I’d rather have Watson than May. Better defender, and he doesn’t run sideways.
I’d have Cipriani over Myler also. I just think that both Ford and Cipriani offer something that Farrell and Myler don’t.
I can see why Goode is in over Foden. Foden has not really hit the heights since his injury, and I don’t think he has the same belief in his own ability anymore. Goode has come back from injury last season, and seems to have got quicker. He may still not have the pace that Foden has, but he keeps defenders guessing with ball in hand, and his positional play is outstanding.
Lastly Kruis over Kitchener. Well I wonder if this has something to do with the fact that Leicester have so many people injured throughout the whole squad, that they’ve just decided to leave him with his club? Also Kruis has been getting better and better. He’s been picked ahead of far more experienced players both this season, and towards the end of the last for Sarries. He is a very good ball carrier, and a stout defender, and very good in the line out.
Two picks I don’t like – May and Twelvetrees. Not convinced by May in either defence or attack. I was a fan of Twelvetrees, but he has never been utterly convincing, and he has had a few games to make the shirt his. Now he is not even playing that well for Gloucester.
I agree with Gaeme, Myler is pretty good, so while Cipriani may be having a storming season, it is not a crazy decision by Lancaster.
Given the further additions next week I am fine that Wade is not included. you need complete players at test level, and at the moment Wade is not good enough in defence. But he should be included next week to work with the England coaches on his positioning.
I like the idea of Burrell and Joseph in the centres, but I think we are more likely to see Barritt and Burrell if Eastmond is injured. It will be intruiging to see how Eastmond and Burrell would work together.
I would love to see Slade included next week. I think him outside Burrell would be awesome. Think he is basically the new 36, but seems to actually be producing the goods.
Interestingly I am finding it harder and harder to see how Tuilagi fits in to the team. You almost have to play him at outside centre, but who would you play at 12?
The problem for me with both May and Goode is that they don’t match their club form when playing for England, but it is the reason they get picked. I think May has either 4 or 5 tries in 6 prem games, which are pretty decent stats for a winger. If my memory is right he has about 7 or 8 caps, but only this years 6 nations where he has had a good run of games; therefore I’d say he deserves one more shot, but it’s make or break now, he has got to recreate his club form or we move on to somebody else.
Goode is the same in that he has had some outstanding performances for club and is obivously a very talent footballer. He just doesn’t cut at international and the only reason I can see for picking him is that Brown and Foden are more similar to each other and Goode offers something different. But for me he has had his chance and isn’t good enough.
I also want to stick up abit for Nowell, people seem down on him as he hasn’t scored many tries. I’d just like to put out that Ashton scores a shed load of tries (for club and country) and people don’t want him picked May also scores lots of tries (club) and people don’t like the fact he has been picked. So Nowell may not score many (yet) but he is a solid defender and is also quite like Brown in that he is very good at beating the first defender and making ground, which gives the team go forward ball. And it doesn’t matter how much pace or quick feet your wingers have, they’re going to score a lot more tries if their team is going forward and not playing on the back foot.
Forgot to add Goode to the list of problems.
Definitely prefer Foden. Or Pennell – pity he is injured.
I think Lancaster likes Goode as he can cover both 10 and 15 (some may not agree, but he goes in at first receiver a fair bit for Sarries). Still not a fan personally. Agree with most above – lacks physicality and speed.
Just awaiting the crushing disappointment and disillusionment in Lancaster when he names Barrit at centre and Goode on the bench.
Wing seems to be a real problem position for England. I can’t remember the last time there wasn’t a load of debate about who should be played there, certainly under Lancaster.
I can’t help but think that this is partly due to the other players in the back line for England. I would pick Tuilagi every time, but he always looks for contact when playing for England, maybe an offload after contact, but never simply spreads the ball to the wing.
Brown is another one guilty of not passing. He is good at beating defenders, but all too often he will beat a player, and then try and beat another one or two before hitting the deck and recycling, whereas he could beat the first man, then look to move the ball and continue in support. I always find myself noticing this when he plays, but I concede that currently he is the best man for the job at 15 for England.
Furthermore, England have Farrell at 10, whose distribution isn’t that great for a top class 10, but is arguably the first choice for other elements he brings to the team.
Add Barritt in at 12 for quite a few games under Lancaster, and it suddenly doesn’t seem that odd that wingers have never really managed to perform.
Your observation of Brown is spot on. Much as I like Brown I do wish that sometimes he would offload. He’s like that kid in the playground that everyone is shouting at to pass the ball, but he thinks he’s indestructible and can finish everything by himself.
And this is the reason SL likes Goode as back up. He’s totally different. Because of his ability to cover 10, he is always looking for a potential offload, and is very unselfish with ball in hand. Carrying the ball in two hands to keep defenders guessing.
Good to see Ashton Dropped, but hoped he’s not called later. Rokoduguni & Nowell made the cut was good but Johnny May, nope think he should be in saxons instead of eps,
Calum Clark over Matt Kvesic is stupid and the reason because Clark fitness was better is stupid.
Our centers, can understand some of the choices because of the amount of caps they have. Our most capped centre is Manu, followed by Barrit then Twelvetrees. Don’t think we should bring in more uncapped players at this stage towards RWC.
Our centre worries me Joseph happens to switch on & off, Burrell defence is awful ,Twelvetrees needs a couple of International games to start looking anywhere good. Also you should be aware SBW will appear during the tour, Do i trust Burrell against SBW nope, his defence is awful and when he can’t muscle his way over he becomes completely lost. Do i trust Eastmond against SBW who know? and the same would be said with Barrit with it being a test of his defence.
Putting Eastmond with Burrell would be a test to see if Eastmond was at fault for the 3rd test defence problem. I would rather have Eastmond go with Joseph even though i am skeptic of Joseph.
Jonny, those are some good observations. This is the cause of my uncertainty as to how to fit Tuilagi into the team (and possibly Lancasters, given the NZ experiment). this is one reason I am a big fan of Foden. He runs good supporting lines like a winger, and passes to bring supporting players into the game.
How much is it due to players not running support? Does Brown have passing options available?
I genuinely think Brown has an issue with passing, Ashton, who he has played with enough, is the best in the world at reading the play and getting himself on the end of breaks to score. I’m a Saracens fan and I can’t remember the last time he actually beat a defender himself, he just finishes what others start.
I thought in the 2014 6N that brown had started to distribute more, but he seemed to regress on the summer tour.
Regarding your thoughts on Tuilagi, I think England need to play him with Eastmond, who can distribute like a 10, but offers a different threat to the defence. 36, barritt and Burrell don’t have the hands, footwork or pace over the first 20m to distract the defence enough.
Interestingly, having someone like Roko in the backline, who carries well and breaks tackles, might mean that some of the ‘crash ball’ duties could be shared between them, so that tuilagi isn’t constantly running at organised defences.
I would agree, but keep getting flashbacks to the defensive shambles over the summer when they were paired together. If they got that sorted then it would be promising. With Ford inside it would be require a lot of cover work from the back row.
Tuilagi needs to work some deception into his game. he is such a threat that he will draw defenders (as Nonu does for NZ – see Savea try vs Arg this summer). Then if he passes he can put others in space.
It will help having Roko, but mainly this is must be achieved by the forwards getting quick ball so the whole team can play at pace.
Slade’s omission is the biggest head scratcher for me. Can play 10, 12 or 13, so great versatility from a squad perspective but he also seems to tick everyone of SL’s requirements for a 12. Strong defence. Provides a kicking option. Can distribute and has a running game.
Yes he’s inexperienced, but he’s also won a junior world cup. Why is Stuart looking a gift horse in the mouth?
Couldn’t have put it better myself
Looks like Slade will be one of the extras brought into the squad- partially as injury cover for Eastmond. Hoping he takes his chance and blows the others away in training!
Should also say I’m disappointed that Clark has been picked. I can’t budge on this one.I don’t care of he has done his time. He shouldn’t have a rugby career let alone get international honours. Very disappointed.
I have to agree with you Brighty. A few people saying that Cips being left out possibly because of his past misdemeanours and attitude? But I don’t remember him ever smashing someone in the face and getting a red card when captaining England at age level, or braking another player’s arm!!
I have no idea what Kitchener has to do to be selected, he has never failed to deputise well for the Tigers in Slater/Parling’s absence, he carries and leads like the former, bosses the lineout like the latter and has a very sharp turn of pace for a second row. It’s an area of strong depth for England but I think him and Slater are easily the closest we have to the tried and tested top four (Lawes, Launchbury, Parling, Attwood).
As per Myler vs Cipriani, there’s no doubt Myler isn’t as quick or creative as Cipriani or Ford, or as solid defensively as Farrell, and some would argue that his age should count against him as well. But even as a Tigers fan, he’s probably been the most consistent fly half in the Aviva Premiership dating back to the start of last season. Maybe there are concerns over Farrell’s fitness and thus his capacity to start the tests?
Regarding Wade, I’m gutted he is still being overlooked but as somebody else said, his head is clearly not in the right place. I’d much rather him miss a few tests, improve his weaknesses and set Twickenham alight in the 6N then have a complete meltdown against Savea and set his international career back a couple of years. That being said, I’d still have liked to see him in and around the setup to possibly start against Samoa.
Anything I was planning to say about Goode just seems pointless at this stage. It’s been said plenty of times before and Foden must be scratching his head over what more he can do to catch Lancaster’s eye. The one thing Goode offers over Foden at 15 is being able to play first reciever but the same can be said of Robshaw and any of our inside centres. Even Foden himself can slot in as scrum half if needed, not to mention he has the pace to cover the wing, something Goode lacks.
This actually got me thinking, considering it seems to be a problem position for England, could Goode play 12? Good playmaker, excellent footballer, slots in at first reciever and even has a decent step despite being a couple of yards short of world class pace. Beale was shifted around a lot between 10 and 15 in Australia and from the first few rounds of S15 that I watched, he seemed really at home at 12.
Have had similar thoughts re Goode. But Beale has pace. I just can’t get past the fact that I don’t think Goode has enough pace to really threaten at international level. And he is not that strong in the tackle.
But this has all been said.
I’ve seen Goode play at 13 for Sarries before when they had a few centres injured. He kept the defence guessing, but didn’t really break the line. He has great footballing skills, which depending on what type of centre you want to play is good to have. If he had a centre partner with real pace and a great defensive game, it could work. Sadly I don’t think England have a centre with both those attributes? At least not one who’s ready for top level International rugby.
Mostly predictable (& sensible). Unsurprising Cip is out. Surprising Wade is out. Told you SL doesn’t like/trust Cip. England don’t trust skill over the stolid (Farrell… & Myler!?) when the chips are down (it’s ingrained; e.g. Andrew over Barnes). Ford’s a more innovative choice, but Jeez, the last x 2 I’ve watched him, he’s kicked sideways! I prev opined that Wade is lightweight (literally) in ‘D’, but who else in England (Euro?) can burn people like him? Just needs extra homework on posi in ‘D’ & technique, timing in the tackle. May’s been canned by a few, but hell, with a midfield running him (& the Xmas fav, Noel) E to W (Jaimie’s HUGE strides?) into touch, where else could the guy go but infield? Then he gets shot as the messenger! Rock & a hard place? England need 1 skill & 1 ‘bosh’ merchant @ centre, so Eastmond & Burrell… or Joseph. Latter has adv of club combo with former. But they’ve gotta run STRAIGHT & then run stra… you’ve got it. Then Wade would be in bizzo.. if only. And what of Varndell? RR on attack & more exp now. Fwds mainly pick themselves, but Haskell @ open, Robbo @ 6? Not on yr life boy. Prob Billy V over Morgan.
totally agree brighty, think it brings disrepute to the rose
Based on this selection here is my team to start the first test.
1. Marler, 2. Hartley, 3. Wilson
4. Launchbury, 5. Lawes
6. Wood, 7. Robshaw
8. B. Vunipola
9. Care
10. Ford
11. Yarde, 12. Eastmond, 13. Burrell, 14 Roko
15. Brown
16. Webber, 17. Mullan, 18. Brookes, 19. Attwood, 20. Haskell, 21. Youngs, 22. Farrell, 23. Goode.
If Eastmond is injured I would have Barritt at 12, with Joseph at 13.
1. Marler, 2. Hartley, 3. Wilson
4. Launchbury, 5. Lawes
6. Wood, 7. Robshaw
8. B. Vunipola
9. Care
10 Farrell
11 may / rocko that is Lancaster’s choice really
12 Eastmond
13 Burrell (with the injury to tuilagi)
14 Yarde/Rocko
15 Brown
Not sure what Nowell and Kruis have done to deserve a place Wade would be in my squad but not in the starting 15, he’s just not reliable enough . Kitchener deserves a place and Myler?? Just wish that Armitidge was in the squad but I respect his stance. I agree with DON P that Ford has just kicked sideways Youngs would be on my bench but not starting over Care. Not sure what all the criticism towards Goode is about he’s on good form at the moment. Twelvetrees is just for back up really. Cipriani I’m on the fence with really, he has come on and made a difference quite a few times but Marler doesn’t deserve it. England should look towards more ‘club’ players like Balmain, Kvesic, Kitchener. Good news is that we have plenty of talent coming through the U21’s. Hopefully by the end of the series we will know which players deserve (or don’t) places for the 2015 world cup.