RWC England vs Fiji Opener Thoughts

England opened the Rugby World Cup 2015 with a good win against Fiji. There was a brief opening ceremony which had one of the cheers of the night when Johnno was announced as the England Legend. Royalty was also there to open the tournament while England put in a good win to go with it. Although that could have been better.

Fiji are not the 9th ranked in the World for no reason. To put that in context Scotland are 10th with Argentina are 8th and the Pumas beat South Africa in South Africa only a couple of months ago. Fiji also won the Pacific nations cup this summer. If you would have said to me before the game that we would beat Fiji 35-11 I would have taken it in a heartbeat, however having watched the game I feel that we can do a lot better and therefore could have won by more.

Fiji made a huge amount of mistakes and gave away a lot of penalties and possession. England took advantage of this early by putting points on the board  made sure they kept the scoreboard ticking over including a penalty try. Though we made a lot of mistakes as well and therefore gave away promising positions to often. Those mistakes never made me feel that we were in danger of a defeat but they did let Fiji back into the game.

With 12 minutes to go the Fijians were only 7 points behind. It was good to that in those 12 minutes we did show to everyone that we have another gear to go up and that we were clearly the fittest team. Both of these things are attributes of a World Cup winning side and I’m sure it won’t be the only time we need to use these. Brown was absolutely fantastic and was the best player in the opening weekend of all teams in the tournament. He dragged the team up when we giving away possession to often. His double will be noticed and it was what got England over the line. It was good to see Billy Vunipola doing well when he came on and now we can see how good he is as an impacted sub collection his rewarded with a last play try. Vunipola and Morgan are going to be fighting for the number 8 shirt all tournament but I do really like the option of Vunipola off the bench.

Through the warm up games England’s scrum wasn’t great and this was the same again. They lost 3 scrums including one right on our line that led to the Fiji cross field try. Fiji are not known for there scrummaging and we are, yet they were dominant over us. THIS NEEDS TO GET SORTED NOW.

For the last 6 months I have been saying that I would have Farrell over Ford and for me this game proved it. I didn’t see Ford do anything that made me think it should be Ford. He was ok but the creativity wasn’t there. When Farrell came on almost straight away he started to turn the screw. He made a difference and was heavierly involved in Browns second try, I think he should be the starter against Wales next week. This sub and the other subs showed how strong we are in depth and how the bench players are going to have a big say in how England do in this World Cup.

The other thing that was proved for me was that Parling was the right choice. The lineout looks like a building block for an attacking platform again. Youngs and Parling seem to have a good understand and England are benefitting. They are not making me forget about Hartley just yet but still it is going the right way. Also with a man like Launchbury sat on the bench itching and waiting to come on and make an impact the 2nd row is looking good at the moment.

Defence is a big thing for me and I thought this was good. The first line of defence still has work to be done and we did give away some penalties in kick able positions that the Fijians could not benefit from. Our line wasn’t threaten as much as it will be by other opponents so we don’t know the full strength of our defence just yet but it looks pretty good.

The last thing for me that needs work is again the amount of turnovers against us. We need to make sure that we secure the ball better in the breakdown so that we keep possession better with having the ball stolen from us.

Fiji were never going to be a push over and are threat to any team so this win over them, that was comfortable without be convincing due to our own mishaps does make me think that there is more and bigger things to come from this England team. The competition has started and England have started ok, next up the Welsh and it will be a struggle to find a bigger game in any World Cup group stage. The only other one that might beat it is the following week when the England face the Ozzies. So well done England job done, bonus point achieved, work to do and Wales to bring on.

Did we learn anything in the RWC England Warms ups

Now that England have finished their warm up games for the Rugby World Cup and there is only 5 days to go till the Rugby World Cup kicks off it is time to reflect on the Englands Warms Up games and their are lots of talking points. So what do we think differently now that we didn’t a month ago.

The first thing for is that even though I still have belief that we can win the Webb Ellis trophy, I use to never also have doubt. The performance against France in Paris was so poor by our first team that it has brought that element of doubt in. We showed that when we needed to in the last 10 minutes, we had another gear to go up and I still feel we could have gone another gear even further we could have gone up.

Overall throughout the three games what we have learnt is that we have got a very good squad capable of going very deep in the competition. Yes I know we already knew didn’t we. But the added extra is we now know the style that we are going to be playing and that the whole squad is capable of playing the new style. Before I wasn’t sure which way were going to play. But we have found a way to play power upfront, direct, territory games as well as giving the backs creative freedom and doing all of this while having a good defence.

Personally I feel that there is a long way to go defensively. We are a very good defensive side and with the back row, Barritt and Burgess performing at the highest standard in defence we are strong but I do think there are cracks. The wings weren’t really tested in the warms ups because they were an area of weakness in the Six Nations and I have not seen anything that has suggested that that area is fixed. Brown is probably the best last ditch defender in the game but none of this is the problem. The problem is earlier in the play when we let teams get into those positions. It is the first line of defence that isn’t great. I have noticed holes in the lines where opposing players are finding. Our backs are often drawn into the middle of the pitch to much leaving gaps out wide. The front 5 I think need to work harder on them being the first line of defence and stop the on-slaught before it even happens and where are the massive hits from Lawes I didn’t see him even do a half big hit. I want them and the world to feel them. These hits are important not just for the fans but for the confidence and the mental effect it can have on both teams.

The next thing we learnt was that the lineout might and I mean might be coming together. Against France is was atrocious both times but against Ireland even though it was far from perfect we did what we had to to win it and it worked. There has never been any doubt with Tom Youngs in the loose and he was great against Ireland but the set piece is what he is selected to do and that is much improved and I hope it stays that way.

Funnily one thing that I think we have come more to expect than learn this time round and that is when it comes to the World the French know how to step it up and turn up with affect no matter how bad they have been for the years in between. Ireland have cracks appearing after looking brilliant over last two years so I think Pool D is going to be more interesting now.

The last big thing that I feel we have finally got is a decided 1st XV with no questions asked. Hmmm I hear you say. What is that XV? and I beat you’ll disagree. Well you’ll have to wait and see who I select next week as my team to start the World Cup.

England put the dream back on the cards

England beat Ireland with a much more comprehensive performance. A performance that can once again make us believe that the dream is possible. We were a team that looked good and we did everything much much better. Yes the scrum still needs work but the lineout was back to being a strength and the penalty count was low.

The win was the most important thing but they also built confidence and we were lucky that the performance just happened to come with it. This whole game has given me that belief that we are again capable of going very deep in the World especially as Ireland are potential Semi Final opponents. I was very pleased overall and everything was so much better but we will still need to up it again for the World Cup as we are in the toughest Pool in the history of the competition.

We mixed our traditional style of being direct and territorial and our new style of creative backs and an offloading game. This worked really well and showed that we can play both styles well together. The offloading game still needs to be cleaned up but, hey, I am feeling good about the way the team is going, which seemed a far cry two weeks ago.

England started very positively and put a lot of early pressure on the Irish defensive before May bosched his way through Bowe for a third minute try in the corner. Ford then converted from the touchline to give England a 7-0 lead and great opening 5 minutes.

May then gave Ireland their first kick at goal because he took Sexton out in the air. Sexton duly converted the kick, just with the ball bouncing off the bar. This game started on a high tempo and it was great to see England with a much better start than two weeks ago.

England then continue to take control and play the direct and territory game. Breaking gain line after gain line which lead to a cross field kick by Ford and Watson out jumping Zebo to score England’s 2nd try. Ford couldn’t add the extras though.

I loved and had to rewind the TV when Marler broke the line and had a short run. I was very impressed with our opening 20 minutes. We were evening winning out line out, just. The arm wrestle in the middle half of the pitch then started. The end of the half was tight and it showed that one score for Ireland could change the whole dynamics of the game. However England stayed strong and we went into the break 12-3 up.

The first points of the 2nd half was when Ford copied Sexton by getting a penalty over after bouncing off the bar. This is when Ireland started to flex their muscles and showed us why they are third in the world. Sexton got three points back before O’Connell scored with a close range drive and Sexton again kicked between the uprights.

Morgan, Marler, both Youngs brothers, Ford and Barritt were all sub off with in a few minutes off each other. They should all be pleased with their performance with Morgan and the Youngs brothers in particular strengthening their cases for starting places against Fiji in 2 weeks. The second half was much slower and because the first half was played at such a high pace a lot of players were picking up cramp which I’ll be honest should really be a worry this close to the World Cup.

Wigglesworth looked lively when he came on so it could look like with have 3 top class scrum half’s for the World Cup. England did miss a couple of clear opportunities with numbers on the outside and poor decision making cost them more tries. Farrell continued his high international kicking success rate with two penalties that gives England a 8 point cushion being 21-13. Just before the end Burgess managed to squeeze in what is become a trademark of his by smashing Madigan with a big hit.

Wood was given man of the match and I think that is fair even though it could have been given to half a dozen players. I thought Robshaw might have snuck it over Wood in the forwards but then again I am bias. However overall I probably would have given it to May because of the devastating affect he had out wide.

This performance has really lifted me and my belief in what this team can achieve in the next two months. This is a belief that I have had for a couple of years now and the only time it worried me and that was in Paris. So that will be in the back of my mind but now England can grow and fingers cross progress through the stages.

Refection on the England RWC Squad

It has been a week since England have confirmed their 31 man squad for the 2015 Rugby World Cup and they are facing Ireland in their last RWC warm up match. So with the week pasted how have the surprise’s and the somewhat controversy squad selection settled with you?

The biggest shock and most controversial pick of them all was that is Sam Burgess being included. A lot has been said and a lot has been written about how much of a dodgy decision it is to include someone that only changed codes last Autumn. Personally I think it is a positive decision and was pleased to see Burgess included.

Ok so Burgess is not experienced at Union but it is not like he is new to rugby. League has a lot of similarities to Union. Burgess was probably the best player in League before he switched codes. He physical presents is something that is going to intimidate opponents when they are tired and he comes off the bench to bulldozer them and flatten them when they run at him. His defensive is brilliant and within 90 seconds of his test debut he had a big hit and drove back an 80 caps Frenchmen. He has got a lot to learn but we keep hearing about him from behind the scenes and on the training field. So I think Burgess can be a force in this World Cup.

The next big decision was no including Cipriani. Part of me can understand this Even though I wanted Cipriani in and was very keen for him to join Quins this season as I think he suits our style and could be the replacement for Nick Evans, I do think that he was not going to push Ford and Farrell out at Fly half or Brown and Goode at Full back. Which would leave him as a centre and we have the creative Joesph and Slade who are more specialists at these positions.

Slade being included was a good call because he did show some moments of magic on his debut and he adds to creativity in the squad which seems to be the direction of play that Lancaster is going to play. This means that you can understand Burrell missing out. Twelvetrees has been on the edge the whole and never really showed us anything to makes think he should be included.

Even though I know and agree with the reason as to why the plonker Hartley was taken out of the mix months ago. I feel we are in desperate need of him right now. I think that we are so weak in the set pieces at the minute that we might need to find an injury so that we can get Hartley back in.

Corbisiero was absolutley corrected to be left out because he is not the player he was 2 years ago on the Lions tour and the first warm up games with the French proved that. Attwood was unlucky to miss out but I think it is more that Kruis played his way in with that performance in France when everything else around him was crumbling he still performed. Clark did have a long shot of getting into the squad because of who he would have to displace so it was no surprise that he missed out.

Lastly I am really pleased that Morgan made it back to be fit enough to be included. I am disappointed that Easter didn’t make it because he is a wonderful player and a good utility player but I do think Morgan is a player that opponents struggle with. So now we just need him to get match fit by lasting 80 minutes on Saturday.

England lose in Paris after a dismal performace

Alarm bells are most certainly ringing all over the place in the England camp. Yes there are some positives to take from the game but generally it was a complete mess. Just like the pitch.

France were obviously the better team but I don’t think that’s because France did enough to win the game, I think its that England did well and truly enough to lose the game. The things that I mentioned in my France vs England preview article were all things that were a problem. Subsequently we have now moved down the rankings to 5th and could even be 6th by the time we play another game.

We gave away 12 penalties of which 7 where kicks at the posts. Our own lineouts was just under 70% compared to the French 100% on their lineout and then both teams had 12 turnovers. These figure are not good enough to win a world cup. I really really hope that what we have been working on  all summer is our fitness and not our skills because to put it frankly we didn’t have any skills.

I thought the first half was a bit strange because at one point the French had 81% of possession. I wouldn’t have been too bothered by this because it would have been great practice defensively but our defence fell apart. We didn’t give away any real threats on our line but we gave away a lot of territory and kickable penalties. Discipline was so poor and has still got to be the first thing that needs to be sorted.

The scrum which is suppose to be a tool that England use to build attacking platforms and gain kickable penalties but the opposite was happening and it was causing us to give those things away. Yes the pitch was in a dreadful state with the ref and linesman even fixing the turf at one point. The French might have planned for this and so were prepared for it but still the English forwards and scrum should have been able to deal with it. Marler and Cole are in amongst the best 5 props in the world but on Saturday they didn’t even look like good clubs players.

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Once again the lineout was a real worry because that was our first string hooker. I thought Youngs was ok in the loose but that’s kind of irrelevant because of how out of sorts he was in the set piece. Jamie George was actual a bright spark when he came on has surly played himself into the squad.

The rest of the forwards just didn’t seem to get started and that is crazy when you think about who that is talking about. Lawes, Lauchbury, Woods, Robshaw and Vunipola all didn’t get out of the blocks. Part of me wonders whether they are tired because they all look off the pace. Maybe they have spent all their time working on fitness and are burnt out and need a rest. There is a 2 week gap till our next game and maybe the players need some time off and afterwards need to haul ass on the skills and set piece training to make sure that we are a hell of a lot better than we are at the moment.

The backs didn’t look too bad but they didn’t really have the ball much and scraping for the ball. There weren’t really given a chance to fight for their squad place. Burrell and Nowell did the best with what they got. When all the subs came on we looked better and in the last 10 minutes we found another gear and went at the French getting two try’s in the process. We very nearly got a third with the clock hitting 80 minutes and we got closer and closer to the line. It was getting quite tense and I was ready to scream in celebration to get the score equalling try and then have a kick at the post for the win but didn’t materialise.

So there is even more work to do than last week because it was our first team this time that failed to perform. Time to sort it out Lancaster. Next up Ireland and they will give us even less to play with.

France vs England – 1st strings selected

England have had there first test in the run up to the RWC and they have passed it. Just, and this was with a weakened team against strong French team. Now we get to the return fixture in Paris.

This is England’s only away games until next years Six Nations so it will be a completed different atmosphere to the rest of the games coming our way. England are fielding a pretty much first team.  In previous World cup warms up there has been an unwritten rule between the two nations that they do not play both their first teams against each other at the same time. However this time is looks like this is pretty much both 1stXV’s by both teams.

So with England fielding their first team what do we expect? First things first is a win. This has to be the priority and then comes the performance. The performance this week will be more important than last week because this time the expectations will be higher due to it being the first team. Yes it was the 2nd string last week but there are several things that need to be sure not to happen this week. There are three things that need to be fix.

The first thing that needs to be looked at is discipline. We had two silly sin bins and they were both minor compared to Slades tackle in the air which was a definite sin bin but the ref didn’t give it. We also gave away to many penalties and penalties in kickable positions. This was ok against a average French but we need to practice ironing them out for the big games. We have brought the big dogs in for this game so this is going to be the best example of where we are at and with the discipline being something that England have struggle with over the last few years hopefully it has been a main area of focus during the summer and will be reflected on Saturday.

Secondly the lineout has to be so much better. With Tom Youngs we have a great domestic line out thrower but he has struggled to replicate this into the international stage. He has inherited the number 2 jersey through Hartley’s stupidly. But with that he has inherited the pressure of continuing the English tradition of having a great lineout set piece. It was not to long ago that England were the best in the World in the lineout and it would be great to get to that. I assume Lawes will be running it again but this time he will have to click with a hooker that isn’t from the same club as him so they won’t be as use to each other as previously. The time is now for this to click because it has become a weakness of ours.

Lastly is that turnovers is something that has crept into the England game recent and particular in the last game. This needs to be put to bed before it becomes an issue. I am confident that the first string can deal with it much better though and make more turnovers than conceding them.

England’s physical power has been well know in World Rugby since the beginning of time but now we have a free flowing and creative backs game to add into the mix and that game has similarities to the Guscott and Underwoods era. So this England team has a real chance to show the world this weekend that we are a serious threat to anyone and that come the World Cup we are going to be going deep into the competition if not all the way. This weekend (I hope) could bring about a worrying message for the rest of the World with Wales and Australia being the teams with both eyes on the match.

England vs France review

So it begins. The World Cup is upon us and the warms up games have got under way. England have started with 19-14 over the French at Twickers on Saturday. This means we passed the most important test by getting the win but how else did we do and what does that do for the team and the players.

We knew the team was three quarters of a second string but they did find themselves up against a three quarters first string in the French. So firstly to get the win was a huge result for England and that helps us to know that the strength in depth is very strong.

We didn’t start great and other than a big hit by Burgess and a try saving hand from May, France were the better team in the first 10 minutes, so clearly there were some nerves that needed to be overcome. This was until the wonderful sidestep and change of pace by Watson to get England on the scoreboard.

The next 50 minutes of the game were all about the back 5. The 2 wingers scored the 3 tries between them but it wasn’t just about them. Burgess was fantastic in defence even if he did make a school boy mistake for his sin bin. Slade has been a extra playermaker seeing and playing the defence in front of him and putting his team mates into space. They have both given Lancaster a really problem as who to drop from the squad because before this game is would have been those two but after those performances it would almost seem stupid to leave them out.

Goode’s vision was becoming more of an influence as the game went on and then he saved the best for last when he made May’s try with his cross half field kick. He will definitely be in the squad but is seriously pushing Brown for the number 15 shirt however they both play very different styles and the style might determine the starter.

Watson and May were outstanding and have pretty much made themselves the starting first team wingers for England. Their pace and change pace and acceleration is a serious weapon. Their defence was strong as well but some positional play need work but they are the headliners and the reasons England won this game.

One big thing that I mentioned previously that needs to be sorted and clearly is a worry is their discipline. The amount of penalties that we gave was just not acceptable. Better teams will crucify us and take advantage more than the French did.  The other huge problem that needs to be address is the amount of turnovers that we gave away. These two areas are a worry that needs to be fixed before next week.

In the forwards the stand outs for me were Kruis and Parling. They were great in the lineout and were good at assisting the back row at the breakdown. France pushed England’s defence a lot and they were the more attacking and England coped with most of it but there is still work to be done to tight it up.

I felt that the subs didn’t actually add much to the team and struggled to get up to the speed with the tempo and the game seemed to slow down a lot when that happened. Which is strange because Danny Care is the best in the business at upping the temp.

So to my Man of the Match. I think it has the be one to the wingers that were the difference. Of the back 5 that I mentioned there was only one that didn’t go quiet in the second half and that was Johnny May. So he is my Man of the Match.

My England 1st XV – Forwards

So with England about to embark on the build up to the RWC. I thought I would put down my 1st XV and back up in each position. This may change after the warm up matches so this only for right now. First up the forwards.

Loosehead prop.

Joe Marler is my choice as he has come on more than any other prop in the last couple of years and is a force to be reckon with. He is impressive defensively in open play and is probably the best scrummager we have and maybe the world. He can be a bit of loose cannon but I think that is under control while still having that dark side that opponents fear. Back up – Marko Vunipola

Hooker

Tom Youngs has inherited the position after Hartley’s stupidity. He is a good carrier of the ball but I think that he is weak in set pieces, he use to have the highest success rate in the Premiership in the lineout but this figure has been very low in International Rugby. The set piece is vital for England and use to be a strength so Youngs will need to get it sorted asap. Back up – Rob Webber

Tighthead prop

This position has belonged to Dan Cole for many years and even though he hasn’t been quite the same player since his neck injury he is still one of the best tightheads in the world and is a big reason why our scrum is so strong and effective. He will need to be back to his best to help England be that dominated forward force. Back up – David Wilson

Second row

Joe Launchbury has got the chance to become the best second row in the world. His work rate is incredible and his work at the breakdown is fantastic. He is still young so has a long way to grow, improve and perfect. There are also rumors in world rugby that the opposition don’t like playing against him. Back up – Nick Easter

Second row

Courtney Laws could easily been an SAS assassin in another life. He has already got a reputation for destroying half backs and even though sometimes he flirts with late tackles the sheer size of the man means the tackles are devastating. He is not just about tackling though. His line out work is top notch and the partnership him and Launchbury could soon be the best in the world if it isn’t aren’t already. Back Up – Geoff Parling.

Blindside flanker

This is one of the positions that I think is still up for grabs. But my choice is Tom Wood. A couple of years ago he was being talked about as potential the future England Captain but went off the boil a bit. He now seems have got his head down and worked on his game. He is an influential figure in the squad and a good leader but just need to prove himself a bit more at the breakdown. Back up – James Haskell.

Openside flanker

This is obvious. The England Captain Chris Robshaw is one of the best players in the squad. Personnel I think he is the best but then I might be a bit bias. There is no-one with a better work rate and he seems to do a lot of extra things. He does a lot of charge downs and is always first to the breakdown causing a lot of trouble for the opposition. He is the right man to lead this country and hopefully lift the Webb Ellis trophy on the 31st October. Back up Calum Clark.

Number 8

The two main players in question for this both have good and bad points and I think it is so tough and close between them that you could flip a coin to decide. However assuming fitness isn’t an issue I’m going for Ben Morgan for me he dealt with the big boys in the Autumn Internationals last year much better and Vunipola wouldn’t have got his shot in the Six Nations was it not for Morgans injury. Morgan seems to have a cooler head and that will be important at the big moments. Back Up Billy Vunipola.

My England 1st XV – Backs

Now onto the backs.

Scrum half

Ben Youngs proved himself at a time when 4-5 players were vying for this position. Youngs need to make sure he plays quick ball at the breakdowns and have an eye for gaps in the defence round the breakdown area. His delivery of the ball is the best at the moment. Back Up – Danny Care

Fly half

Well I know this is a big call but I would choose Owen Farrell. For me it’s simple and comes down to one word and that is defence. Farrell has amongst the best defence of an fly half in the world and at times is “Jonny-esk”. Farrell also has the better consistency kicking wise both at the posts and the corners. Lastly under pressure at the Aviva Premiership final Farrell was leagues better than Ford and has been in much bigger pressure situations than Ford. Back up – George Ford

Left Wing

With the wings I would have chosen both Ashton and Strettle with back up Yarde but none are in the squad any more I’m going with who is still in. I am worried about the wings. Johnny May is going to have to be one of them because of the change of pace that he is capable of. That pace we saw on many occasions in the Premiership and against the All Blacks last year but he needs to sort out his positioning in defence because teams will expose that. But Lancaster has said that May has stepped in up in the summering training. Back up – Marland Yarde

Inside Centre

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again defence. So Brad Barritt is the choice. He has put his body of the line for club and country so many times and in heroic incidents. He is the only man that I can see coping with, Roberts, Nonu, SBW etc. He is not bad with the ball in hands either and is perfectly capable of a crash ball himself. Back up – Billy Twelvetrees.

Outside Centre

Jonathan Joseph has taken hold of this position after finally been given the opportunity which we have screaming for, for years. He has made the fact that Tuilagi getting in trouble with the law less of a worry. Joesph has a way of finding space when there isn’t any. The lines he choose’s are 2nd to none and we will need them. Joseph is not well know on the international scene so could be key for England. Back up – Luther Burrell.

Right Wing

This wing is Jack Norwell. He has come on leaps and bounds since he first got the call up 18 months ago. I didn’t agree with it then but he has become a little devil for his opposition number as they can’t seem to get hold of him. He has also finally started to score try more regularly because he seems to pop up at the right place and the right time more, just like a winger should Back up – Antony Watson.

Full Back

The only backs player that is a given for all of us. Mike Brown has been the best full back in the country since he was given that role rather than on the wing. His last ditch defence is wonderful and his attacking support play has contributed to so many tries over the last few year. We need him to be fit for the whole tournament as the angry man is key. Back up Alex Goode.

The Status of the England Rugby team

England are this Saturday going to start their Rugby World Cup warms games. Warm up games that are incredibly important if England are going to take as much confidence as possible in the World Cup. A World Cup that England will be very keen to win and probably should win if we are to show that we really are a superpower in world rugby by winning our home world cup.

So what is the realism, are England in a place to win the World Cup and what do we need to do between now and the 18th September when England kick of the World Cup against Fiji at the home of rugby Twickenham.

The first thing that needs to sort out is who is in the 1st XV. This has been talked about for a number of years and trying to get the team settled and comfortable with each other. There are to many places still up for grabs and England need to get down to that 31 fast and get them gelling. This should have be done a while ago but better to get it done now than never.

In the forwards there are only 2 places that I think are not confirmed and that is blindside flanker and number 8. I think the rest are nailed down and it is more about who is the back ups for the forwards. The backs is another story with only Brown at full back guaranteed to start, the rest are still to be sorted. Joesph may be another that may be confirmed. One thing that is amazing and probably better than any other team in the world is our strength in depth. In nearly any position we have back up to a high level.

The next thing that needs to get sort though and could affect who ends up in the starting XV is, what style do we play? Do we play the traditional English way of power and forcing our way through while trying to play a fast breakdown to feed the back that use there pace or precise kicking for territory. Or do we play the new free flowing rugby that we played in the Six Nations. This free flowing rugby is so exciting to watch and the creativity is what made us score 55 points against the French. However it is also that that free flowing rugby that made us concede 35 points against the French. I am really not sure the exciting rugby is going to cut it against the best in the world and it could show us up. Yes we are looked good at it but are our back line as good at creative rugby as the All Blacks or even the Wallabies and wont the Irish just counter attack with their kicking game to exposure the holes in the back line. Maybe the tradition power game where play for territory and keep the scoreboard ticking over is the best bet. Also are we not to new to this creative style of play. We have only played that way for one Six Nations but the power and territory game we have been playing for decades. You will never win the world cup by because the best attackers but you could win the world cup having the best defence and just keep the scoreboard ticking over. If we can find a way to combine to two then job done.

The third thing England need to do is sort out their disciplinary record. The amount of infringements we give away is just stupid. A lot of these are down to silly things like “killing the ball”, “hands in the ruck”, “offsides”, none of which are necessary. If we can improve our discipline then we will stop giving free points away to our opposition and stop being on the back foot like we so often are.

So can England we the World Cup. Absolutely. This team is very good and even though very few if any of the players would make the World XV the squad is fantastic and a squad is what wins a World Cup because there are bound to be injuries in every squad so with England’s strength in depth it bodes well for us. England have a tough group to get out of to start with and if we are to be real we really need to win it otherwise we are likely to play South Africa in the Quarters and with the record we have against them they are the one team that I really don’t want to face at World Cup. So what that means is we need to win our group and go down the route of Scotland or Somoa and then Ireland or Argentina and then comes the final where in all likelihood will be the All Black

England are one of the best teams in the world and with the World Cup being in England then England are most certainly in the mix to win it all. First we just need to do all the necessities to make that possibility become a reality. First up France this Saturday. Come on England.