In the mix: Calum Clark
Northampton flanker Calum Clark and Gloucester back duo Freddie Burns and Billy Twelvetrees have all been named in the England Elite Player Squad, announced on Wednesday.
Also included in the squad following his return to rugby action is Leicester blindside Tom Croft.
There are seven changes from July, with call-ups for Burns (Gloucester), Clark (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), David Strettle (Saracens), Twelvetrees (Gloucester) and Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
The requirement for an eight-man replacements' bench during the Six Nations means that the Senior squad has been extended to 33 and Mako Vunipola (Saracens) moves up from the Saxons.
There are seven changes to the Saxons squad with Elliott Daly (London Wasps), Kyle Eastmond (Bath), Will Fraser (Saracens), Shaun Knight (Gloucester), Ed Slater (Leicester), Joel Tomkins (Saracens) and Billy Vunipola (London Wasps) all making their first appearances this season. Billy Vunipola will train with the senior squad in Leeds (January 20-25) while Croft (Leicester) continues his return-to-play programme.
"The fact that we have spent significant time deliberating over quite a few players shows how tough the competition is to get into this 65 and the strength in depth that is emerging," said England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster.
"We have made some changes to both squads and we feel that reflects the players' form during the first half of the season. There will undoubtedly be movement between the two squads as we go through the RBS 6 Nations and that was evident in the QBE Internationals, with players in form pushing through such as Freddie Burns, Joe Launchbury, Tom Youngs and Mako Vunipola.
"This is a very important year for England, with the Six Nations and the Saxons games to look forward to so there are some great opportunities for the players to demonstrate their club form at international level. The summer tour to Argentina will also be a great chance for those players pushing for a place, especially with some of our Senior squad hopefully going with the Lions, and chances will undoubtedly arise as we hope to play two midweek games as well as the two Tests."
EPS squad:
Forwards: Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (London Wasps), Tom Johnson (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), David Wilson (Bath), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Backs: Chris Ashton (Saracens), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Freddie Burns (Gloucester), Danny Care (Harlequins), Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (London Irish), David Strettle (Saracens), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Saxons squad:
Forwards: Mouritz Botha (Saracens), Nathan Catt (Bath Rugby), Louis Deacon (Leicester Tigers), Paul Doran Jones (Northampton Saints), Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints), Will Fraser (Saracens), Joe Gray (Harlequins), Graham Kitchener (Leicester Tigers), Shaun Knight (Gloucester Rugby), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), Matt Mullan (Worcester Warriors), David Paice (London Irish), Tom Palmer (London Wasps), George Robson (Harlequins), Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Billy Vunipola (London Wasps).
Backs: Nick Abendanon (Bath Rugby), Anthony Allen (Leicester Tigers), Tom Biggs (Bath Rugby), Elliot Daly (London Wasps), Kyle Eastmond (Bath Rugby), George Ford (Leicester Tigers), George Lowe (Harlequins), Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby), Ugo Monye (Harlequins), Joe Simpson (London Wasps), Charlie Sharples (Gloucester Rugby), Joel Tomkins (Saracens), Jordan Turner-Hall (Harlequins), Christian Wade (London Wasps), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens).
Comments
curates_egg says...
@Frooschman I have nothing to do with Leicester. It was the most wanton act of intentional brutality on a rugby pitch I have ever seen direct TV footage of . Watch the rugbydump clip again today. If he had done it outside a pub, he would still be in jail.
Posted 16:41 09th January 2013
Frooschman says...
Croft is not a second row. The man lacks the balast. And I have my doubts about Parling too! I will grudgingly accept Launchbury although I wish he didn't look so young. I'd still love to see Lawes and Attwood in the engine room. For me that's a combination with real potential.
In the meantime, what I wouldn't give to see a midfield of Burns, Twelvetrees and Joseph. All gas and guile, none of the crash-bang of their non-passing predecessors!
Posted 16:39 09th January 2013
Warrior7 says...
Where is Kvesic?
Posted 16:28 09th January 2013
APV1 says...
@ curates_egg - he's done his porridge, so let's see if he's learned his lesson. And there are plenty of examples of players from clubs all over the world being dumb, so let's not get over excited about Saints.
@ BWJC - Easter is in the form of his life and is probably being considered by Gats. But SL's made his decision. But, as I stated, I'd rather see Dowson than Waldrom.
@ Centre12 - Launch, Parling, Croft and Lawes are considered 2Rs. The problem is that Launch, Lawes and Croft are also considered back-row forwards. On reflection, perhaps I'd have lost Clark to the Saxons and brought Palmer back in to the EPS (that's if my earlier swap of Waldrom for Dowson had already happened). And how long will Lawes be fit for? He's been ever-so unlucky, but is it a glimpse of things to come? I don't want one of the best locks in the AP and future England starter to be an injury liability.
@ breakellt - nice team. We're obviously thinking on similar wave-lengths. However I started Morgan over Haskell for exactly the reason you're worried about Hartley. Haskell has the (unfair, if you ask me) reputation of being a card-magnet, as does Hartley. To start them both is just to risky for me. And I can understand the argument of Barritt over 12Trees, but's it's nice to have the options.
Posted 15:50 09th January 2013
Tvaddict says...
Ok, the fact that strettle is there is a joke. Probably the least effective wing in the premiership and he could be in the England team? Who is he sleeping with because I'd like a call up to!
Waldron is a big fat no. Tell me what he does better than Vunipola. Vunipola is younger, is a better ball carier, faster, bigger, can pass, and has equivalent control of the ball at the base of the scrum.
Why don't we have one exciting winger in the squad? Wade, Biggs, Varndell, Jess, Yarde are all exciting so get them in the team! If your worried about defence then pick from Biggs, Yarde and Jess. If you want pure attacking threat then pick Wade or Varndell or both! 'sigh' Different management but the same fear of wingers that score tries.
With all that said I agree with the others. We could do with another lineout leader like Robson, and I haven't been impressed by Clark compaired to some of the backrow at Saracens (Kruis and Fraiser). I hope Twelvetrees and Burns get some decent game time as Burns (Brown and Launchbury I should add) is my bolter for the lions.
1) Corbs/Vunipola/Marler
2) Youngs/ Hartley
3) Cole/ Wilson
4) Launchbury/Lawes
5) Parling
6) Wood/Haskell
7) Robshaw
8) Morgan
9) Care/Youngs
10) Farrell/Burns
11) Foden
12) Barritt
13) Tuilagi
14) Joseph/Ashton
15) Brown
Same pack that beat the ABs. Ashton doesn't deserve a first team place having not performed for two years. Fodens pace will suit the wing better than Brown.
1) Corbs
Posted 15:17 09th January 2013
dezz says...
Looks like two very competitive squads. Wish Wales would pick an A team.
Posted 15:04 09th January 2013
Frooschman says...
Oh curates_egg thank you for not letting me down. Had a little bet that the first comment would be anti-Clark! As far as I'm concerned the boy was stupid but he's served his time and deserves a second chance, however I appreciate that some observers, particularly those of a tigerish nature, will be harder to convince. Whether his inclusion is best for England however is a different question and I refer to Centre12 on this subject - 8 back rows but only 3 locks? Ridiculous! Promote Palmer and bring Attwood into the Saxons.
Posted 14:53 09th January 2013
Chrismje says...
I have one comment with regard to replacements as I see a problem with increasing to eight the number on the bench as it will increase the "impact" player aspect.
I think this is wrong as rugby is a game for 15 players to play 80 minutes!!
I believe like football only 3 or 4 of the bench should be allowed to come on as replacements.
This applies to injuries and substitutions and I also think would reduce injuries as players would all be required to last 80 minutes.
There may be a case for front row injury substitutions to make sure we do not get back to uncontested scrums but even this may not be necessary if teams know that somebody may have to move up to the front row.
I remember the days of no substitution and replacement for injuries and some great games where a depleted team fought on to win.
Posted 14:39 09th January 2013
kybone says...
'We have made some changes to both squads and we feel that reflects the players' form during the first half of the season'- Right, so this squad selected on form doesn't include by far the best winger in the country over the first half of the season! Can anyone explain why a player who only scored his first try of the season last weekend gets in the EPS, and the Prems clear top scorer with 10 tries doesn't even merit a place in the Saxons? If i was Varndell i'd be on the phone to SL asking him what exactly he felt i was doing wrong.
Posted 14:38 09th January 2013
breakellt says...
My starting XV would be and some reasons why:
Corbisiero Hartley Cole
Launchbury Parling
Wood Haskell Robshaw
Care
Farrell
Barrett Tuilagi
Ashton Foden Brown
Subs Vunipola Lawes Morgan B&T Youngs Burns Goode
Although I dont have 100% confidence in Hartley as he seems to be liability to be carded his leadership skills pip him above TYoungs
The thought of Lawes and Launchbury pairing up in the future scares me but Parlings line out skills and form warrants a start
I think Morgan would make a great impact player as his defensive work and fitness is not as good as haskells and burns just needs a bit more experience at international rugby before he starts (as I see him as the future 10 and possible lions 10) however farrell deserves to start and no place for flood as hes too similar to farrell.
I think Fodens also the guy to increase our chances of scoring more tries and he seems to get the best out of ashton and breaks the line on a consistant and frequent bases. Care is the inform 9 and I still wonder what Wade or Varndell need to do to get into the EPS they offer alot more than Strettle and are in form and improving all the time rather than getting back to there former selves.
Posted 13:51 09th January 2013
sirtidychris says...
Spot on in my opinion...lancasters decision making is starting to give me real confidence for the next few years...you can always have personal squabbles over one or two e.g simpson vs dickson or vunipola vs clark, but when it comes down to it the right players are getting called up eventually and the medicore guys being phased out gently.
Posted 13:45 09th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
So we're touring Argentina in June. I bet all the home nations would have fancied that one in Lions Year, its the perfect mix of toughness to test an understrength England.
None of the home nations will want SA and they'll be glad that France are keeping NZ busy.
Posted 13:44 09th January 2013
Centre12 says...
There are 8 Backrow Forwards vying for 3 positions, while only 3 second rows vying for 2 positions, interesting option. The only other issue I have is with Strettle being ranked above Wade, May and Daly (who could also cover wing). Happy to finally see 12Trees in there, I think the nation have been screaming for his inclusion ever since prior the WC.
Regarding the Saxons I do feel for old Tom Varndel, the Leagues leading try scorer and not even in the Squad, what else has a guy got to do, oh there also seems to be only one #10 involved, Ford. Who is going to fill in if he get injured???
Posted 13:44 09th January 2013
BWJC says...
If Lancaster is genuinely picking on form and thinks a fat, slow, can't catch, can't offload, puffing Kiwi is better than Nick Easter, then we're in serious trouble.
Truth is he can't get over his little schoolgirl temper-tantrum over Easter's supposed comments at the RWC. Grow up man and move on.
Posted 13:41 09th January 2013
APV1 says...
Let the fun begin!
Forwards:
Agree on all except Waldrom. Not performing at test level imo and should be in Saxons. Easter's the form 8, but I appreciate SL's never going to pick him. I might have had Dowson in there instead.
Calum Clark is an interesting choice. SL has shown in the past that he doesn't suffer fools and won't abide poor standards of behaviour (just ask Danny Care!), but CC deserves his place on form. Let's give him the benefit and hope he's learned the tough lesson.
Backs:
Great to see 36 in the Squad at last. He's got great potential at 12 and I think he deserves his spot.
Strettle is there, although I think he's Saxon's quality at the moment, not EPS. But Varndell's not in either of them!
I'd have Biggs in the EPS for Strettle (-> Saxons) and Varndell in the Saxons for Eastmond (You see? Even as a Bath fan I can be objective!).
So here's my starting team (assuming all are available and fit):
Cole
Hartley
Corbs
Parling
Launch
Wood
Robshaw (c)
Morgan
Care
Farrell
Ashton (not happy about this, but little choice)
12Trees
Tuilagi
Foden
Brown
Bench - Marler (or Wilson..?), Youngs, Vunipola, Lawes, Haskell, Youngs, Burns, JJ.
A combination of experience and up-coming talent; bulk and swiftness.
It was difficult to leave some out (Barritt had a good Autumn and is on good AP form, as an example and it's always tough to leave out a talent like Croft) and I've had to include some I'd prefer not to (Ashton, as an example). I'd like to see Lawes and Launch starting together too, but I think Parling brings the much-needed experience into the 2R. L & L might be the future, when they've both got a few more Tests under their belts.
Why not Croft? I couldn't have him and Lawes on the bench and I think Lawes and Haskell offer better options. He's only just back too...
But over-all I think it's a good squad and a 6N-winning one too.
Posted 13:33 09th January 2013
makemehappy says...
Bugger! England are actually picking their best players!
Posted 13:26 09th January 2013
melkdave says...
No complaints really,they are both very strong squads.I just hope we arnt pushing T.Croft back to soon,his been out for along time,and is going to need a month at least to get match fit ,and back near his best form..Also happy theres going to be movement betwen the squads,as there has been in recent campaigns,so we can take advantage of players in excepional form,and see if young talant can do the biz,at the top leval .
Posted 13:26 09th January 2013
curates_egg says...
Clark should have been banned for life after brutally assaulting that Leicester player's arm last season. A disgusting act of sheer brutal thuggery - I don't think I have ever seen worse in such a clear fashion. Fits in well with some of his Northampton thug teammates.
Posted 13:15 09th January 2013