Stuart Lancaster revealed his 33 man squad for the Six Nations earlier and it's a squad most people expected to see, without any major surprises. There are 2 uncapped players in the squad; Calum Clark is back in after impressive outings for Northampton following his 32 week ban and Billy Twelvetrees is deservedly selected, probably for the fact that he has a successful partnership with Freddie Burns and also the fact that he can cover most positions in the backs.
It would have been nice for Lancaster to carry on the trend of blooding youngsters into the squad, Billy Vunipola, Elliot Daly and Tom Homer are personal favourites of mine but I'll talk about that a little bit later. Here, I pick the team that I believe should be starting and, as usual, it'll be quite controversial.
15. Ben Foden (Northampton Saints)
Slowly getting back to his best form which he had a few years ago and an integral cog in the Saint's machine. I'm not a massive fan of Mike Brown and while Alex Goode has his strong points, Foden is more solid under the high ball and a more impressive counter attacker. A shame that Abendanon isn't in the squad but competition for full-back is fierce and it would have been lovely to see Daly and the points machine that is Tom Homer given some experience in the Elite Squad.
14. Mike Brown (Harlequins)
I would have picked Tom Varndell for this spot but seen as Lancaster hasn't even included him in the Saxons squad, despite his impressive season so far, I've gone for Mike Brown. This is purely for the reason that I can't stand Chris Ashton. Ashton is a massively over-rated player who struggles with the basics of catching and his defence is non-existent. At least Brown has shown that he is a strong runner, can tackle his opposite man. and puts 100% effort in.
13. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
The strongest 13 in the Premiership at the moment and a player who had a strong Autumn, especially against the All Blacks. Everyone knows what he can bring to the table, strong runs and big hits. Still question marks over his decision making and hands, but he has plenty of years left to mature.
12. Brad Barritt (Saracens)
Another player who I am not a massive fan of but he has made me eat my words this season. Recently, he has shown that he has more in his arsenal than just a solid defence, strong attacking play, not just in the Premiership but in Europe, means that he is starting to become a better 12 than I believed he could be. Another player who had a strong game against NZ.
11. David Strettle (Saracens)
Comes in from the wilderness to be part of England's Elite Squad and possibly into a starting position. Has been playing well on the left wing for Saracens and is a player who I used to love when he first came on the scene. For me though, if Wade had been picked, he would be the one starting. It seems Lancaster doesn't believe that he's capable for international level yet, but personally, he would tear teams like Scotland and Italy apart.
10. Owen Farrell (Saracens)
As much as I am one of Freddie Burns' biggest fans, Owen Farrell's showing against the All Blacks puts him in the starting 10 spot. Recent games showing maturity beyond his tender years, has forced critics off his back ...... for now. A few poor games and I would love to see Burns take the fly-half spot off him.
9. Danny Care (Harlequins)
Hopefully his wild side is behind him, because Care is the best scrum-half to come out of England since Matt Dawson. A clever passing game and great sniping ensure that should be starting for his country. Teams who let him take a quick tap or don't have enough defence around the breakdown, beware.
8. Tom Waldrom (Leicester Tigers)
A tough call for me but Thomas the Tank Engine gets it. Ben Morgan's form hasn't been great recently and Waldrom's physical nature yet deft hands for someone his size is an invaluable asset for an international 8. Billy Vunipola's recent form and savage nature is something that I would've liked to watch, but again, me and Lancaster aren't seeing eye to eye.
7. Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
I have serious doubts about Chris Robshaw's international ability and his captaincy so there is no way I can include him in the starting spot. Tom Croft would have been a shoe-in if he hadn't been injured for the last 8 months and I don't believe that Calum Clark is international level. It would have been nice to see Matt Kvesic in the squad along with the seriously underrated Chief, James Scaysbrook. I suppose that only leaves Tom Wood.
6. Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs)
Another underrated Chiefs player in my opinion. Shown he has the ability ever since he came into the international fold, yet is a player who many fail to notice in a match. This is not because he's not doing anything, quite the opposite. He does all the dirty work and behind-the-scenes work a good blindside should do. He has a great work rate, never misses a tackle and loves the physical part of the game.
5. Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
One of my players of the year and one of the players of the Autumn. Formed a great lock partnership with Launchbury and is great in the lineout. If he or Launchbury gets dropped for Courtney Lawes, I'll scream.
4. Joe Launchbury (London Wasps)
This youngster continues his rise into rugby stardom. While Wasps didn't have the best start to the season, he was one of their shining lights. He got picked during the Autumn and hasn't looked back. A big physical player who loves to carry the ball.
3. Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers)
Another player who was in my team of the year. He is arguably England's best prop, the best prop in the Premiership, and one of the best in the World. Missed by England during the Autumn, he has been dominant for the Tigers in their bid for the Premiership title.
2. Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
England don't have a lot of good hookers at the moment but that's not to say Hartley gets on the list for that reason. An amazingly physical player and a real leader of men. Leads from the front at Northampton and is a technically good lineout thrower. He's had discipline problems in the past but even with that in mind, this is the man who I believe should captain England. Possibly the country's most passionate player.
1. Alex Corbisiero (London Irish)
Has injury problems at the moment but if this guy was fully fit, no-one can budge him from the loosehead position. His scrummaging is coming on leaps and bounds and for a prop, he is one of the more mobile forwards on the field. Loves to carry the ball and has a scary tackle count for a front row player. England had better hope he's fit for the Six Nations otherwise they will have to rely on Joe Marler and his poor scrummaging, or Mako Vunipola and his stupidly long shorts.
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