Chris Jones in the Evening Standard proposed his England starting XV for Scotland game in three weeks time. Who is in and how do they compare to the Scottish team that started against Australia (and scored 34 points against them)?
15 - Mike Brown v Stuart Hogg
14/11 - Chris Ashton/Anthony Watson v Sean Maitland/Tommy Seymour
13 - Jonathan Joseph v Mark Bennett
12 - Owen Farrell v Peter Horne
10 - George Ford v Finn Russell
9 - Danny Care v Greg Laidlaw
8 - Billy Vuinopola v David Denton
7 - James Haskell v John Hardie
6 - Chris Robshaw v Blair Cowan
5/4 - George Kruis/Joe Launchbury v Jonny Gray/Richie Gray
3 - Dan Cole v WP Nel
2 - Dylan Hartley v Ross Ford
1 - Joe Marler v Ally Dickinson
England may have a slight edge in the backline, although Farrell at 12 is still WIP, and packs look fairly even, with Scotland through Hardie having edge at breakdown and England stronger in front five, although WP Nel will test Marler, who had an indifferent RWC 2015.
Friday 15 January 2016
Wednesday 13 January 2016
OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW
Eddie Jones announces his first squad of 33 for the Six Nations, which features 7 new non capped players, including Sam Hill, Josh Beaumont, Ollie Devoto*, Elliot Daly, Mario Itoje, Jack Clifford and Paul Hill.
Notable absentees include Tom Youngs, Tom Wood, Geoff Parling, Ben Morgan, Luther Burrell, Kyle Eastmond, Richard Wigglesworth and Danny Cipriani. There is no space initially for Manu Tuilagi, but he is the reason for Ollie Devoto's * as he will replace him once fit.
Those returning, having been left out of RWC 2015 include Chris Ashton, Marland Yarde and Matt Kvesic. Also missing are those injured such as Slade, May, Attwood and Corbisero.
Who will make the 23 man squad for the Scotland game on 6th February?
Forwards: Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Alex Goode (Saracens), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Notable absentees include Tom Youngs, Tom Wood, Geoff Parling, Ben Morgan, Luther Burrell, Kyle Eastmond, Richard Wigglesworth and Danny Cipriani. There is no space initially for Manu Tuilagi, but he is the reason for Ollie Devoto's * as he will replace him once fit.
Those returning, having been left out of RWC 2015 include Chris Ashton, Marland Yarde and Matt Kvesic. Also missing are those injured such as Slade, May, Attwood and Corbisero.
Who will make the 23 man squad for the Scotland game on 6th February?
Forwards: Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Alex Goode (Saracens), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Monday 11 January 2016
SIX NATIONS PLAYER WATCH: 11TH JANUARY 2016
English Premiership first, with wins this weekend for Exeter over Gloucester, Irish over Newcastle, Wasps over Worcester, Leicester over Saints (just) and Quins ruining Sarries unbeaten record. Those coming into form at the right time, with Eddie Jones squad announcement due on Wednesday 13th January 2016, were Chris Robshaw (Brian Moore calls him the form blindside in the Prem), Mako Vuinopola and Tom Youngs in front row, Thomas Waldrom in back row, George Ford and Ben Youngs as half backs and Mike Brown and Anthony Watson in back three. Good news also that Manu Tuilagi returned after 15 months out and put in a massive tackle on Courtney Lawes to prevent a try. Bad news that Jack Nowell and Joe Launchbury sustained injuries, casting a doubt over their participation in the Scotland 6 Nations opener, and Dylan Hartley's fitness also looks in doubt as he recovers from a rib injury.
In European Champions Cup, there were wins for Ulster over Oyonnax, Racing Metro over Glasgow, Stade Francais over Munster and Toulon over Bath (just). In Pro 12, Scarlets won a close one against Connacht to go top of the league, with Leinster in 2nd, Edinburgh in 3rd and Connacht in 4th. In terms of other 6 Nations form, George North looked sharp for Saints, but Owen Williams was injured playing for Leicester and looks a doubt for the tournament as fly half cover for Wales.
Full review of England's squad announcement on Wednesday.
Currently unavailable: L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), A Corbisiero (Northampton), K Brookes (Northampton), D Attwood (Bath), M Lees (Exeter), E Slater (Leicester), D Ewers (Exeter), C Clark (Northampton), M Williams (Leicester), H Slade (Exeter), J May (Gloucester), C Wade (Wasps).
In European Champions Cup, there were wins for Ulster over Oyonnax, Racing Metro over Glasgow, Stade Francais over Munster and Toulon over Bath (just). In Pro 12, Scarlets won a close one against Connacht to go top of the league, with Leinster in 2nd, Edinburgh in 3rd and Connacht in 4th. In terms of other 6 Nations form, George North looked sharp for Saints, but Owen Williams was injured playing for Leicester and looks a doubt for the tournament as fly half cover for Wales.
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| We await Eddie's squad with baited breath |
Currently unavailable: L Cowan-Dickie (Exeter), A Corbisiero (Northampton), K Brookes (Northampton), D Attwood (Bath), M Lees (Exeter), E Slater (Leicester), D Ewers (Exeter), C Clark (Northampton), M Williams (Leicester), H Slade (Exeter), J May (Gloucester), C Wade (Wasps).
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