Ahead of England’s must-win game with Australia this weekend, Hutch and Hosie have donned their selection caps, dispensed with the management speak and any talk of culture, and picked squads that they think will beat the Wallabies on Saturday night.
Hosie’s England team
15. Mike Brown 14. Anthony Watson 13. Jonathan Joseph 12. Owen Farrell 11. Jonny May 10. George Ford 9. Ben Youngs 1. Joe Marler 2. Tom Youngs 3. Dan Cole 4. Geoff Parling 5. Joe Launchbury 6. Tom Wood 7. Chris Robshaw 8. Nick Easter
Replacements: 16. Jamie George 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Kieron Brookes 19. James Haskell 20. Ben Morgan 21. Danny Care 22. Brad Barritt 23. Henry Slade
Obviously, the biggest talking point of any England XV this week is going to be the midfield. I have changed my mind several times about what is the best option, and I keep coming back to playing Farrell at 12. Defensively he will have no problem (moving from the 10 to 12 defensive channel is a damn sight easier than moving from 12 to 13). Farrell can kick for goal and to alleviate danger in their own 22, allowing Ford to focus on what he does best: attacking the line and putting others in space.
More than anything, though, it is a backline picked with the explicit goal of getting the back three into the game more. They are comfortably the best unit in this team, with all three looking so dangerous at the moment. Get them the ball more often and the tries will come.
The other point of contention is in the back row. Nick Easter has only just come into the squad but his experience and better handling skills would be better suited to the balance of this team, I think. His ability to cover the second row means both Haskell and Morgan (who simply has not hit his best form since returning from injury) can be named on the bench for impact.
Speaking of the bench, there will be chat about the selection of my backs. Simply put, if the game needs to be closed out in the last 10 minutes, get Barritt on to smash Aussies with his face again. If England are chasing, get Slade on and give it a lash. Joseph can cover the wing and the back three are all versatile enough that there is no need for Nowell or Goode.
It’s a touch out there, and wildly unlikely that this team will ever take to the field, but I do think it could do a job on the Aussies.
Hutch’s England team
15. Mike Brown 14. Anthony Watson 13. Jonathan Joseph 12. Sam Burgess 11. Jonny May 10. Owen Farrell 9. Ben Youngs 1. Joe Marler 2. Tom Youngs 3. Dan Cole 4. Geoff Parling 5. Joe Launchbury 6. Tom Wood 7. Chris Robshaw 8. Ben Morgan
Replacements: 16. Jamie George 17. Mako Vunipola 18. Kieron Brookes 19. George Kruis 20. Nick Easter 21. Danny Care 22. George Ford 23. Henry Slade
With Lawes and Vunipola ruled out, the pack pretty much selects itself – even though the back row is going to be a distant second best to Australia, England are in a corner and this is the best Lancaster can come up with for Saturday.
In the backs, I’m sticking with Burgess over Barritt at 12, on the basis that the latter is likely to cause about as much concern to the Aussies as England’s breakdown prowess. At least Burgess will make them stop and think, even if it’s just for a second.
Without Danny Cipriani in the squad, I’m struggling to see where Lancaster will turn if/when England are trailing in the final stages of the match. Henry Slade takes Alex Goode’s spot on the bench – it’s asking a lot of a rookie to come in and change a game of this magnitude, but what other options are there?
What would your England XV be to take on Australia this weekend?
Photo by: Patrick Khachfe / Onside Images
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Its not about which XV. More to do with which tactics. So far this World cup I’ve not seen anything which will give Aussie a worry.
I was expecting to see Jonny, Jonno, Greenwood, Back…….
Perhaps we can coax Sheridan away from his wine in the South of France…
Only any good if his personal ref comes with him…
Maybe next week we will get an article “2 Welsh XVs to narrowly lose to Australia”
Ouch
Hutch’s team is the one I want to see. I want Barritt no where near the 23. For shame Jamie.
I’d pick exactly the same 23 as Hutch.
Farrell played well at 10, Ford has not.
Farrell is a better 10 than a 12
2 10s can sound good on paper. I remember Greenwood declaring Wilkinson and Flood as a “masterstroke” selection in 2011. This is a game to put everyone in a position they play well in and not try some combination with guys out of their primary position.
Or if Aus recall Dunning or Baxter
Such a shame billy vunipola is out, on last weeks form he would’ve given pocock a real run for his money. If England want to a chance of winning then Barrit must be no where near the 23 surely?
I don’t like the way the Aussies are talking up Burgess. Chieka is a big mate of his and Ashley Cooper has been singing his praises too. I think they would be delighted to see him start so they can target his dodgy positioning with quick passing moves and clever kicking. With this in mind I favour Jamie’s selection.
How about Slade at 10? I know It’s a big leap but I think he would handle it and Farrell could take on Kuridrani (if he’s out there)Ford on the bench,along with Kruis, George ,MV,Brookes,Easter and B Youngs.
England must dominate at the scrum,simply have to. If they can put the Aussies into reverse and gain a few penalties along the way then the game is winnable. If we start to go backwards however or fall foul of the ref …………………………….
Farrell at 12 Hosie – another player out of position! We really need Barritt or Burgess there as they are our two 12s. Shame on me possibly, but I think Barritt is probably our best answer to start and bring Burgess on as an impact sub. Burgess is the better player in most ways but I worry about his positioning, and the Aussies could exploit that. Is Greenwood fit? Maybe that wasn’t such a bad idea!
So the Mail are reporting a Farrell/ Barritt/ Joseph axis. Words fail me. If JJ sees any ball it’s likely to be sh*t.
I feel so disillusioned with this team and this world cup.