With several players returning from injury and a few difficult selection calls to make after their disappointing performance against Ireland, Stuart Lancaster faces a tough task selecting the England team to play Scotland this weekend.
The team will be announced later today, but for now, put yourself in Lancaster’s shoes and pick the team you want to see run out against Scotland from the squad of 35 outlined earlier this week:
Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ... Loading ...Feel free to share your XV in the comments section below.
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
21 replies on “Poll: Pick the England team to play Scotland”
Well there’s a few surprises in that poll! Biggest one is that 12t got no votes!! I’m sure it won’t make any difference to SL’s decision, but a combination of Ford, Slade and Joseph is probably the best we have as far as form goes at the moment.
I see that Slamming is still behind 12t, if this poll had been done before the 6Ns started I bet he would have been right up there. That said I would still not be surprised to see him there alongside Slade come the WC
I’d stick with Burrell over Slade for the moment, but I’d definitely like to see Slade on the bench.
I’ve gone: Marler, Hartley, Cole, Lawes, Parling, Haskell, Robshaw, Vunipola, Youngs, Ford, Nowell, Burrell, Joseph, Watson Brown
Bench: Youngs, Vunipola, Brookes, Attwood, Easter, Care, Slade, May
I’d actually have Simpson over Care and Daly over May – but they that’s what I’d go for with the squad SL has picked.
Not that I think he should be starting for England but I can’t see why so many fans don’t rate Twelvetrees and also question why Lancaster selects him. Lancaster has said on many occasions he plays a ‘Money Ball’ type of game whereby players must perform highly across a selection of position specific requirements to win a place. Hence why I believe players like Wade won’t get a sniff under him. He’s electric with the ball but falls short elsewhere but I suppose there’s always room for wildcards. 12T fits this template (Good defence, great hands and kicking game, ok carrying the ball in to contact, great rugby brain) which tips him over others. Many fans think England should pick the flashiest team possible. Slade is in great form, very excited to see him edging into the team but it is only recent that his form has gone from good to great. Same with Daly. Embarrassment of riches in the centres but unfortunately none (apart from possibly a top form and injury free Tuilagi) are world beaters so England’s best chances are picking a well balanced team which is what Lancaster is doing in my opinion.
I think the problem a lot of people have with 12T, is that whilst he is capable of the things you mentioned, he has often fallen short on one or two of them whilst playing for both club and country, and hasn’t been in form for some time. Whereas Slade has been in good form (similar to Joseph) all season. His form hasn’t dropped, but only now that someone else is injured gets his chance.
You’re completely right. 12T has all of those skills but I believe people moan about his squad inclusion not because he’s in poor form but because he can’t sidestep like Eastmond, accelerate like Joseph, smash an opposing line like Burrell or use his face to tackle like Barratt. He ticks more varied boxes than the above. I’m not a Gloucester fan and don’t think he should be starting but I think he’s a player that is misunderstood especially when you consider Lancaster’s selection criteria.
That’s not the case at all. A lot of people genuinely thought he was the answer, but time and time again, the qualities that we know he possesses have not shown up when required, and until he does that consistently like he was doing when he was first called up then he does not deserve a spot.
You’re right Jay. That’s what I said. It was other supporters that I said disagree with his selection because he can’t do the flashy stuff. I agree that his form is poor and shouldn’t be selected. He’s on the bench though!
Armitage at open side PLEASE!
12T is a great option at inside centre on paper – he can run, pass, kick and defend – but he hasn’t grabbed the numerous opportunities Lancaster has given him. His continued inclusion is baffling. Meanwhile, I’m not sure what Kyle Eastmond has done wrong to not even be considered. Ultimately Lancaster really needs to just pick the type of player he wants in that position and stick with it. It’s damaging to the team to have this ongoing change of tactics in such a crucial position. 12T, Barritt and Burrell are such different players and whichever one you select has an enormous effect on the type of rugby this team plays.
Does anyone know when the squad gets trimmed to 23 (or 25 sometimes)? It is normally Tuesday but it doesn’t seem to have happened?
I read somewhere that the team will be picked after training today. Not sure when that suggests that we will see what it is.
However I will confidently announce that we’ll see Brown and Lawes for Goode and Attwood, with Parling and Wood on the bench.
Would love to see Slade on the bench for Twelvetrees but it won’t happen (this week).
Just seen a tweet saying the full team will be picked at 4pm.
Think your predictions are quite likely though. I’d like to see Parling start with Lawes with Attwood on the bench personally.
The rumour is Lawes will replace Kruis.
Yes I agree, I actually meant Lawes for Kruis.
To be honest, most of this is pretty well “Telegraphed” before the actual announcement anyway. Its quite arre that we get a surprise by this stage.
Completely agree with Jogden – what has Eastmond done wrong? He is a class distributor that can fix defenders and breach the gain line. I get his kicking game is not great but no worse than Burrell/Barritt and on recent showing 12T and his defense is solid.
I hope SL takes the opportunity to test backups like Cips and maybe Slade this week as otherwise we could go into the WC still not knowing pivotal replacements are ready.
I’m a Bath fan, but I do think our 10/12/13 combo would be a bit light for test rugby. They’d make their tackles, no doubt, but not before the attack had made ground or got the offload away. Would prefer one of the centres to be a big lad.
Jacob, not sure if they have trimmed to 25 or not, but word on the street (ESPN) is that it will be Lawes in for Kruis and Brown at fullback. Wood in for Croft, and there is still a question over whether to bring Parling onto the bench.
Fine with the team. would have liked slade on the bench for experience (and because he is better than 12T).
I see we have 10 wums who are purposely picking the weakest players in every catagory. Its the only way I can explain the following players having so many votes
Mako, Brookes, Easter, Clark, Slade(10), Burgess, Twelvetrees and most importantly Goode
Otherwise the real fans seem to be in general agreement
My team marler young cole cruise lawes ewers kvesic vunipola young ford wade Burrell Joseph Watson brown vunipola Hartley Brookes attwood Haskell wigglesworth cipriani goode ha!! We need dynamism and pace
My team to play Scotland and get a guaranteed win:New Zealand!