Next up in our series of Six Nations preview articles, it’s England. Can they go one better than last year and win the Championship, with the Rugby World Cup being hosted on their soil later in 2015?
Strengths
The set piece has long been an England strength and that will be no different this tournament. Dave Wilson has been the cornerstone of the England pack in Dan Cole’s absence, but the blow of the former’s injury is softened by the return of the latter. Back it up with Kieron Brookes’ fleeting brilliance in the autumn, and England’s prop stocks look as healthy as ever.
The line-out, without either Courtney Lawes or Geoff Parling, could be more of an issue. Tom Wood’s absence, too, is a blow here, as he has developed into a fine jumper. Dave Attwood and either George Kruis or Graham Kitchener will do the job at the beginning of the Six Nations at least, and the latter’s prowess there for Leicester could edge him ahead. Expect Hartley to start over Youngs; despite his discipline issues, he is the more experienced line-out thrower (although Youngs’ “issues” here are frequently blown out of proportion).
The maul was England’s most effective attacking weapon in the autumn series, and it probably will be again – although it will be intriguing to see if any other teams adopt the standing off tactic that worked so well for Ireland against South Africa.
Weaknesses
When George Ford moved to fly-half in the autumn, he added the first hint of creativity of the series to the English backline. Before that, there had been none. England’s attacking play had become stagnated, rooted in rigid patterns that saw them hit midfield runners then try to generate quick ball round the corner. It did not work because the midfield runners couldn’t get over the gainline, meaning the men hitting the breakdown had to work harder and the ensuing ball was too slow.
Unfortunately, with injuries dogging the backline we are unlikely to see them push the boat out creativity-wise this tournament. Ford himself has already hinted at a simple English gameplan, for the game in Cardiff at least. This can be fine if the right players are used in the right way, but if we see, for example, Jonathan Joseph being used on the crash-ball as Brad Barritt was so ineffectively in the autumn, then fans will be left tearing their hair out.
Without a Tuilagi or a Burrell in that role, it will never be an effective strategy as the gainline will not be breached often enough. That was actually a more general malaise across the board for England in the autumn – other than whoever donned the number eight shirt, their carriers did not get over the gainline enough and they were left with a poor platform from which to attack.
Key Objective before World Cup: Find an alternate centre partnership that does not involve Manu Tuilagi, as they simply cannot guarantee his fitness, and give it time (what little is left) to gel.
Player to watch: George Ford
With Farrell injured, Ford should have the entirety of the Championship to stamp his authority over the number ten shirt. His attacking prowess is unquestionable; for the first time in years, England have put their faith in a playmaker who is comfortable taking the ball to the line and attacking space, rather than sitting deep and drifting outwards. Two things could halt this from being a successful Six Nations for him: first, his goal-kicking, which has had its wobbles this season and will never be as consistent as Farrell’s.
Secondly, and far more worryingly, he might be asked to play in a way that is not natural to him. He has already said that England will not be trying anything flash in Cardiff, and while the territorial battle will undoubtedly be key, Ford must also be allowed to play what is in front of him. Too often over the years we have seen England sides kick away good possession. With as gifted an attacker as Ford in the number ten shirt, he must be allowed to play on instinct.
Last season: 2nd
All in all, 2014 was a positive campaign for England. The 76th minute try by Gael Fickou in Paris on the opening weekend could have been a crushing blow, but it turned out to spell their only defeat as they went on to win four on the bounce, including strong home wins over Wales and Ireland and an absolute trouncing of Italy in Rome.
It also saw the emergence of a couple of key partnerships, most notably in the engine room where Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury proved they were a duo that had everything – work-rate, power and line-out stability. They could be England’s biggest loss this championship.
Prediction
It is a wonder, then, that over the course of four games in the autumn England managed to undo so much of the goodwill they built up this time last year. When you add the injury crisis (and it is a crisis, when you look at the list of walking wounded) then it is no wonder fans are entering this tournament with a sense of such dread.
Despite all that, they will not lose at home over the coming two months. Neither Italy, France or Scotland are strong enough across the board to conquer Twickenham, but conversely it’s tough to see a depleted England side being good enough to win in either Cardiff or Dublin. All of which points to a step down from last year. Predicted finish: 3rd.
By Jamie Hosie
Follow Jamie on Twitter: @jhosie43
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
33 replies on “Six Nations 2015: England team preview”
For me for the exact reasons you’ve just stated the pros and cons of Ford, is why someone like Slade needs to be in the 12 shirt. An extra kicker, and playmaker who’s going to make his tackles, and possibly create something. 12T simply has not proven he can do any of these consistently for club or country. With no Farrell as a back up kicker, and no other centre to choose from, Slade seems to me to be the perfect fit on current form. Is Daly an option at 12? Joseph is an out and out 13, but I think Slade could play 10, 12 or 13 and do the job better than 12T!
For me Slade on the bench and not Goode. Would be great to have a long distance place kicker in the team.
Will we not see either Nowell / Watson in the 23 shirt? That was the assumption I made but I might be wrong.
I assume in Cardiff we’ll see:
Youngs, Ford, May, Twelvetrees, JJ, Nowell/Watson, Brown
Wrigglesworth, Cipriani, Nowell/Watson
Might be wrong but I think that is what will happen.
I was thinking we had fb cover through Watson, May or even Cipriani. Joseph covers wing. I just think this kid is a real talent and appears not to get over awed. He’s a JWC winner to boot. Some players just take to test rugby easier than others. I reckon Slade is one of those.
You might be right about him – in fact I think you probably are. Not sure Cardiff is the place to find out though.
Now I think about it though – do we have centre cover at all without him on the bench? It is starting to make me think Twelvetrees might be there which will be very upsetting. I would rather Slade than seeing him in there.
You’re probably right about the line-up. I’m just worried that the line up of Ford, 12T and JJ is by no means going to worry Wales either going forward or in defence. The attack will most likely not get past 12T if recent form is anything to go by, and defensively he is not as good as his size and level of experience suggests. And throwing a youngster in at top this level is sometimes a necessity. Didn’t do Launchbury any harm.
Has he ever played in the 12 shirt? I know he has played well at 13 this year, and certainly looks like an incredibly exciting prospect. I do think throwing him in now would be a mistake though; it just feels too soon. Is he not a 10 anyway really? Ideally he should be getting game time there.
Throwing in an untried but very talented young player in a high pressure test match in Cardiff, out of position for good measure is the kind of thing that can set said player back a year or so. I’m a big admirer, but I think this world cup will be too soon for him and I’d rather he was developed carefully for the greater good, medium and long term.
While I do agree with these arguments, it doesn’t always go the Anthony Allen/Mat Tait route – look at Beauden Barrett. Made his debut for the All Blacks when he was 20, and his first 20 odd caps were at fullback when he was playing fly-half week in week out for the Hurricanes. (Of course, it is much easier to come into a consistently winning NZ team than a backtracking England side…)
NZ certainly believe in the ‘if you’re good enough, you’re old enough’ mantra and it has produced a situation where they now have Cruden and Barrett as superb back-ups, or even bona fide competitors, to Carter.
Slade has taken everything thrown at him in so far in his stride – in fact more than that, he’s looked like one of the best centres in the league this season. Why not give him a go at home to Italy?
Wouldn’t mind against Italy to be fair. But would you have him at 12? In between Ford and JJ it just feels too lightweight for this level. Probably not against Italy but I can’t see SL trying it unless he feels it is genuinely a future option.
Maybe get him off the bench for JJ later in the competition?
Do think it is hard to compare against NZ – it must be great being integrated into that side! Loads of front foot ball surrounded by fantastic backs!
From the Telegraph:
England XV to face Wales (probable): Mike Brown; Jonny May, Jonathan Joseph, Luther Burrell, Anthony Watson; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Joe Marler, Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole, Dave Attwood, George Kruis, James Haskell, Chris Robshaw, Billy Vunipola.
Easter and Cipriani confirmed on the bench.
I am actually feeling a bit more confident about this match now.
I posted that on another thread. Agree with you Benjit.
If Burrell can hold up in defence and do some boshing, we may have quick ball opportunities that Ford and JJ can exploit.
We shall see…
Putting aside all the usual (injury induced) trepidation. That team looks pretty good. Question marks over another new midfield and securing line-out ball, but it’s a powerful side up front and with some strike runners behind.
Ah just seen this after I posted the above. So Burrell over Twelvetrees, makes sense.
I like the look of that but I still feel as though we are lacking significantly at lock and centre. Well, 12. JJ is a top player.
And Cipriani….. I do believe he has a genuine chance now to play himself into that World Cup squad.
England have not picked an attacking side an attacking aide has finishers like Wade Watson May or Yarde in the team. We also have no go forward at 9. Wigglesworth coming off the Bench, YAWN! get some pace in the side like Simpson or Robson, if you were a forward and 60 mins into a physical battle like it’ll be in Cardiff on Friday who would you be more scared to see come on Simpson with his sub 11 second 11 metre pace or Wigglesworth?
Err not sure what you mean – looks like they have picked (though unconfirmed right now) both May and Watson?
I agree with the 3rd prediction based on us losing to Wales. IF we manage to beat Wales I think we’ll win the 6n. Likewise I can see Wales taking it not Ireland if they get that first win.
I agree with chinners, I would much rather have Simpson on bench than wiggles worth but if the weather isn’t great wiggles worth is prob the best kicker available and that might be a factor in selection. It may not matter anyway because if 12T plays the wingers might as we’ll take sleeping bags
Is it just me or is this England injury crisis getting blown a tad out of proportion, especially in the back? Feels like an opportunity to finally force Lancaster’s hand.
Losing David Wilson means Dan Cole (a Lion for whom Wilson has provided a very able stand-in) will mostly likely start, which he most likely would have done in any case at some point this season.
Three good hookers and three great loose heads to choose from.
Losing Launchbury, Lawes and Parling is admittedly a bit of a disaster.
Losing Wood and Morgan is bad considering how impressive Morgan was in the autumn.. but B Vunipola has been great for Sarries recently, Haskell has been pushing for inclusion and the Saxons lot apparently did a fine job.
No problems at scrum half or wing. Full back – no reason to suggest that Brown wouldn’t have started anyway or that Goode and Watson wouldn’t be given the bench position (despite Foden’s marvellous form this season).
People have been clamouring for Ford to start for so long without limited success that it feels like the Farrell injury was the only way he’d get a run in the shirt anyway.
Centres… the embarrassment of riches at centre that everyone talks about has caused Lancaster plenty of head aches, so the injury epidemic means that he no longer has to make the decision – similar to Ford, feels that this is the best way to force Lancaster to start JJ. Any talk of unfamiliarity seems like rubbish. England changed their centre partnership every game over the autumn – the only partnership that’s stuck for a series of recent games is Burrell and 36 – and they’re both fit. Wales lost two centres in the autumn and had to put North at 13, that’s how thin on the ground centres were.
Feels like every player who’ll start because of injury (barring the second row) hasn’t got an army of supporters that have been calling for their inclusion in the starting line up regardless. Benjit’s starting XV (again excluding the second row) could easily have been picked if there were no injuries and, aside from some raised eyebrows, would there be a huge uproar?
This is a genuine question as I’m not familiar with Wales back ups. I’m not trolling!
What would Wales look like without 1st th prop, 1,2,3 2nd rows, 1st choice blind side, 1st choice no 8 and 1st choice outside centre. I think realistically this is where the injuries actually count.
I do agree some of the injuries are perhaps blessings in disguise and I know there is also a disparity between player numbers but just thought this would be a good guide.
Hi Snewe,
I would reckon Wales would have hoped to replace Lee (tighthead) with Adam Jones, but that’s scuppered now, so probably Ospreys’ Aaron Jarvis, who’s not an adequate replacement; losing Alun Wyn, Ball and Charteris would throw Bradley Davies and Coombs (?) into the mix (in fact, I seem to remember one autumn series where Wales were 4 second rows down at one point); if we lost Lydiate then Warburton would play 6 and Tipuric 7; If Faletau was injured… well that’s tricky because his immediate replacement would most likely be Dan Baker but he’s injured atm anyway, so maybe Turnbull (?); if Jon Davies was injured, Scott Wiliams would take the 13 shirt.
So definitely pretty bad I grant you (and the Welsh press would no doubt be as vocal about it as the English press). However, most of those players have either got a few caps in the bank or need/deserve some game time anyway. But I couldn’t tell you who’d be on the bench if that happened, which would make the final 20 minutes a potential shambles – I guess that’s where the player numbers debate would rear its head.
I guess my point was that most of the English players who will have to step into the breach in Cardiff are players we’ve been begging Lancaster to give a cap to for months anyway. I can’t be the only one who reckoned that Lancaster would have picked Farrell and Barritt over Ford and Joseph if he had a fully fit team and I can’t be the only one who would have been disappointed to see it. England should be crowing that they can sustain 13 injuries and still put out a team that doesn’t look out of place internationally, especially in a World Cup year, but instead they’re making excuses for losing to Wales before the whistle’s even been blown.
Thanks for the reply. I actually prefer the sound of Warburton and tipueric together and Scott Williams would likely walk into our centres.
The point I was trying to make was though bad I don’t think the injuries are quite as catastrophic as made out by the press. Some people counted in the injury list weren’t ever going to start (Slater, foden).
I don’t think (or at least hope) the players will be making excuses, actually think they will remain confident. I don’t think we will win but think it will be a cracker.
And if we don’t weI’ll blame the injuries then 😉
As would I – worked for Wales last time in Cardiff 🙂
Indeed indeed. I’m sure the players won’t be making those excuses – just the press.
Fantastic response to a loss though 😀 did make me chuckle
Can’t wait for the game
Typo aberration was inevitable. Apologies
Feels like every player who’ll start because of injury (barring the second row) *has* got an army of supporters that have been calling for their inclusion in the starting line up regardless. Benjit’s starting XV (again excluding the second row) could easily have been picked if there were no injuries and, aside from some raised eyebrows, would there be a huge uproar?
We probably have been quite of flipping out a bit too much, because of the numbers. 13 front line players out is a heck of a lot. And we have new or completely untested combinations in the 2nd row, back row, half backs and centres.
But that is one he’ll of team to still be able to put out.
Indeed – while there are plenty who would have wanted to see those untested combinations get their chance in any case, having to try them all in one big go is bothersome to say the least I would imagine.
Teams who play with 2 playmakers do so, so that they can vary the position of the pivot. With only one pivot, in theory it is easier to defend.
However, in Watson and Brown England also have two outside backs who are very adept at picking lines of the 9, and providing – if not a second playmaker – then certainly a second and third option for the scrum half.
It provides a slightly different problem for Wales defence to resolve, as there will pace on the inside channels and pace on the outside channels, with Burrell (hopefully) holding the 12 channel.
Its a very different way to play, similar to NZ and could be very exciting, particularly if England can keep Warburton off the first phase ball.
Oh Gawd. ‘Depleted England’ AGAIN! England must FORGET this! Otherwise there’s the possibility that they’ll talk, or allow the medya, to talk them to defeat. The situation is what it is. They must trust in the team that takes the field. There is NO other choice. It’s more to do with Lancaster & which game they’ll play. To win, or NOT to lose. They have to surely go @ it from the opening whistle as though they were 10 down with 10 to play. But I have this sinking feeling that Ford will repeat what Tait did all those yrs ago; i.e., play like a draught horse when he is in reality a greyhound. The side to win the breakdown wins? And England mustn’t get sucked into believing that the Welsh ‘D’ or attack is impregnable or insurmountable. I mean, they haven’t beaten the ABs since before brighty was born; i.e., 1953. However, home advantage, ref’s calls away in the ‘M’ stadium, is, on the surface, still a tough ask. That’s why I believe that they need to get on the board 1st. They certainly don’t want to play catch up in the 1st of their 2 ‘hardest’ games, which are away of course. Agree with chinners1995 though; get GI Joe in there, also Wade on the wing for PACE! After all these 2 are so sharp they could cut through a banker’s bonus! But, will Lancs be brave, put them into space & let them loose? Unfortunately, dreams usually only happen in films or books. Shame though. Tight still. Wales by 6?
Jamie
AB’s don’t want to get caught out again @ 1st 5. Esp as Carter’s not nec a banker for this WC… as it turned out in the end last time. Agree age is relative. As you point out with Barrett (he’s also as fast as a speeding bullet), but also Brad Thorn also played in the last WC @ 37. Then there’s also Slade of course. Tons of ‘b/up’.
But surely Lanc’s has been exposed by hanging on to Farrell almost until after the horse has bolted. Now he’s got the relatively untried Ford @ Cardiff & Dublin & Ciprani doesn’t get more than a bit part. It’s called (lack of) foresight I think. Really feel for guys like Cip, Wade, Simpson Armitage etc as SL’s wasting their careers. I know I’ve stated that it’s mainly in the coaching & guys should slot into a system, but what message does he send out & what does it do for not only individual, but team morale?
As for ‘yr’ Slade, why wait til Italy. Chuck him on v Wales @ some pt. Sink or swim time… & the egg timer’s running.
Charlie
‘Is it just me or is this England injury crisis getting blown a tad out of proportion, especially in the back? Feels like an opportunity to finally force Lancaster’s hand’.
Yup.
Agree injuries help lancs in some ways. He doesn’t have to count on so many fingers.
twelvestocks
‘And Cipriani….. I do believe he has a genuine chance now to play himself into that World Cup squad’.
I think you’re an optimist, but good on you for that. I hope that you’re right though.
England have a strong side and are always a real competition for opposing teams. However It’s going to be a tough game against wales, and I’m expecting the welsh to win with ease. Wales have to much talent in the backs. EG: North, Cuthbert, Davies, Roberts and Halfpenny.