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
TVaddict says...
@lawynd
I agree about Parling, he is an excellent find for England. He's not our typical build of lock, more New Zealander in his style. New Zealand don't like big lumbering forwards, they like the mobile athletic kind and that's Parling. He's great chasing kick-offs, great in the lineouts, and a committed ball carrier. An underrated player.
I agree Varndell is suspect in defence, but is he any more so than Strettle? I'd pick Varndell ahead of Stettle every time.
@bullitt
How did Brown bottle it against the Springboks? Also, it was Strettle that failed to finish the try against Wales.
Ok, I know a lot of people on here are gushing over Easter but I really haven't seen anything from him this season I haven't seen before. If anything, the team he's playing in is getting better and better and he looks better because of that. He's still slow compared to our other options and at international level that counts for a lot in both attack and defence. He was an adequate stop gap for England, but now we have some genuine talent coming through in the likes of Morgan and Vunipola we should develop it as they have the potential to be world class.
Posted 15:17 10th January 2013
lawynd says...
@kybone - one single, solitary hit. I've seen Quade Cooper and Danny Cipriani make them occasionally too...what's your point? Varndell is lazy in defence, there's no other way of putting it. Wasps are great going forward but there aren't many games this season where they haven't shipped at least a brace of tries against them, usually through the 10 channel or out wide.
Posted 12:50 10th January 2013
BWJC says...
lawynd - ah the old "bulding for the future" line - which future is that then, the 25th Century?! You build for the future by winning your next game, and you do that by playing the best players, there is abslutley no gaurantee that any of the youngsters in this squad will still be there in 2015, the only gaurantee is that winning your next game creates momentum and a winning mentality. Coaches are lucky to last more than 1 RWC cycle so England need to start winning now. Or maybe Lancaster is really planning for 2019 on behalf of his successor?
I did watch the Australia game but all I saw at 8 was some chubby bloke with no dynamism and zero off-loading skills. Not sulking mate, to be honest I'm quite happy Minty's available for Quins, just makes a joke of England coaches saying they are picking on form.
Posted 12:25 10th January 2013
kybone says...
lawynd- He didn't think it was someone elses job when he got binned for tackling someone too vigorously the other day.
Posted 11:36 10th January 2013
APV1 says...
@ Headhunter99 - no-one understands the Strettle choice. At least no-one who's posting on these boards.
@ backnforward - we are actually in total agreement. Without those other options available to us (Varndell, Biggs, Wade, etc), we are stuck with Ashton. That's what I'm not happy about.
The problem is, SL only has two specialist wingers in the EPS - Ashton and Strettle. I think we all agree that out of those two, Ashton is marginally better. Of the others available, wing isn't their best position:
Brown = 15
Foden = 15 (9 many moons ago, too)
Goode = 15 (10 / 12 as well..?)
JJ = 13
Tuilagi = 13
I think we need to have at least one specialist wing, so it has to be Ashton over Strettle. I think Brown is the best 15 we have (I know others disagree), so he has to start there. And Strettle is not good enough, so we have to fill the other wing with a part-timer. Of those available, Tuilagi will (should!) start at 13 anyway, so who's the next best? I think (particularly if you consider Tvaddict's skill-list) Foden is the man.
That's why my back three would be Brown at 15, with Ashton and Foden on the wings.
Posted 10:50 10th January 2013
lawynd says...
@ArmchairGeneral - you do know that Parling only gives away a few pounds to Lawes and Launchbury, right? Assuming that their bios are reasonably correct, Parling weighs in at 17st 13lb, Launchbury is 18st 2lb and Lawes is 18st 8lb, but is also an inch taller than the other two. Aside from ballast at scrums (where technique is just as important in any case, and no other team knows that better than Leicester), their weight really doesn't make that much of a difference and I don't understand why people get hung up on little things like that.
@BWJC - nobody is questioning Easter's ability, but Lancaster is building for the future. Easter is most definitely not the future, so what's the point of continually picking him instead of giving younger players a chance? Also, Waldrom was the best player on the field against Australia...did you miss that one, were you sulking because it wasn't Easter?
Furthermore, Varndell will never play for England again whilst his attitude to tackling and defence is that it's someone else's job. Why do you think Leicester were so willing to let him go?
Posted 09:52 10th January 2013
backnforward says...
@APV1
I don't usually disagree with your often excellent posts but...
"Ashton (not happy about this, but little choice)"
What about Varndell? Not the best defender I grant you but he knows where the try line is and how to get there. Ashton, who has been off form for 2 years or so now, is no titan in defence either!
Over Ashton I would pick Vandell, Biggs, Sharples, Wade, Cueto, Monye, me...
Posted 09:52 10th January 2013
Headhunter99 says...
Have got onto this article quite late but can someone explain to me the thinking behind putting Strettle into the EPS ? I can think of other form wings in preference i.e. Sharples, Wade even Monye !! What does Varndel have to do ? His defence looked pretty good and aggressive to me at the weekend.
Finally does anyone think Armitage (S) will ever get selected ? Personally someone needs to review this ruling about players base outside of England. I'm not sure on this but if he was playing for a Welsh or Scottish team would that still exclude him ?
Posted 09:17 10th January 2013
ben7 says...
1. Corbisiero
2. Youngs
3. Cole
4. Launchbury
5. Lawes
6. Wood
7. Robshaw (C)
8. Morgan
9. Care
10. Farrell
11. Brown
12. Barrett
13. Tuilagi
14. Foden
15. Goode
16. Hartley
17. Marler
18. Vunipola
19. Parling
20. Croft
21. Youngs
22. Burns
23. Twelvetrees
Posted 09:07 10th January 2013
NHsaints says...
@curates_egg No. Just be quiet before your little mind gets blown away. Saints aren't exactly reknowned for thuggery are they? We have Hartley who has the disciplinary record of a rabid polar bear and Clark who admittedly did act in a completely stupid manner but I genuinely don't think he meant to break the leicester players arm...that aside we're actually a pretty clean side...on the subject of Saints I want Foden to start, I don't care if he's wing, 13 or fullback we need him without question. Brown is a standout performer so him too, not sure about the last of our back 3 but I really don't see why we can't give Wade a chance, we've all seen what he can do if he gets the ball with any space down the touchline, now imagine that with Foden or Brown supporting...the thought of it must sicken the opposition teams...but Lancaster seems opposed to picking wade and I think more than anything it's his tactical kicking game.
Posted 21:47 09th January 2013
BWJC says...
AVP1 you''re right there, he's made his decision and no amount of common sense will change it! I imagine Minty would prob prefer a Lion spot anyway.
Kybone, maybe Varndell also offended Lancaster in some way a long time ago, he's clearly a man to bear a massive grudge and no amount of try scoring will change his mind.
Maybe Waldrom brings SL a mars bar every day at training, can't think of any other reason why he's in. Massive waste of space and has performed dreadfully in a white shirt every time.
Floody must be counting his lucky stars also, cant remember the last time he did anything of significance for England.
Posted 20:42 09th January 2013
Chubbylugs says...
I think the second row is an odd choice, but I think he's got one eye on croft as a partner for lawes or launchbury. Don't think you could pick croft and parling together or lawes and launchberry together as the lineout would suffer
Regarding nick Easter. He's the form 8 no question, so on merit you'd pick him, however he's unlikely to be at the same level by the World Cup. You could also argue that being away from England has freshened him up. Not so easy to do it all as an older player
Posted 19:53 09th January 2013
bullitt says...
@Tvaddict: Even if he was involved in the ABs game, you cannot merit Brown for Defence as an England player (i.e. the Springboks test when he bottled it). Or for that matter, a worked (i.e. 2012 v Wales when he bottled a try and as a result, the slam).
Posted 19:08 09th January 2013
lawynd says...
@Frooschman - I suspect the reason you have 'doubts' about Parling is because he's a Leicester player...just go ahead and admit it. He's the best English lineout caller and jumper in the game, carries better than most and consistently tops the tackle stats for both club and country. Lawes, Attwood and Launchbury offer more in loose play but that isn't the primary function of a lock; it doesn't matter a jot how much fancy-dan stuff they can do if we don't win any lineout ball in the first place.
Posted 18:40 09th January 2013
APV1 says...
@ Frooschman - you and I are both big fans of Attwood and we'll just have to continue to wonder what he did to whom, in order for him to be constantly overlooked.
Perhaps he and Varndell could start a club..?
@ simojukes - I agree. Whilst we will all have a couple of issues and tweaks, this is the best the squads have looked for a long time.
Posted 17:58 09th January 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Agree on all the Strettle reservations. Harsh on Sharlpes but ok with that drop. 6 nations is the time for Wade. On the bench. I'd start with 3 fullbacks. Goode at 15. Browne 14 and Foden 11.
We can't tinker too much with a young 200 plus cap 15 that's beaten the ABs so calls to drop the centres who made Smith and Nonu look dull are crazy. I really like Burns but bench.
If Croft gets to form after 6 nations he's 6 with Wood moving to 7. But keep with the AB beating combo to start. Launchberry has to start. He's going to be captain before long if he can dodge injuries. And whilst not a fan of Parling he's got everything except KGs and is improving even since playing for England.
Not sure about Vuni at prop yet. Mullans. That's my only correction along with Strettle. Oh yes Waldrom. Come on! He's a club player, end of.
Posted 17:54 09th January 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
good post tv addict. Certainly makes me compare your skills set to recent england back threes and groan.
Thinking totally out of the box I would love to see Alex Goode at 12. Maybe even 10. You're right about his footwork and didstribution. He's a brilliant counter attacker at 15 thanks to his side steps but he can pass too!!! Its kinda frustrating that he's squeezed into the saracens team at 15 to accomodate lesser players in their midfield. A brave england coach would not be led by nose by the pedestrian Saracens. There's a master stroke to be played, so come on Stu, give it a go.
Posted 17:33 09th January 2013
Gilbs says...
I'd have any of the Saxon wings over Ashton and Strettle any day - neither of which being on a scoring spree exactly...
Posted 17:21 09th January 2013
Tvaddict says...
I was try thinking about our back three like we do our backrow, as in what skill/attributes do we want there. So I was thinking: 1 finisher (i.e. Cohen), 1 distributer, 2 rocks under the high ball, 1 'magic' player (Creates something out of nothing i.e. Robinson), 1 worker (comes infield looking for work), 1-2 with a decent kicking game, 2 defencive rocks, all should have counter attacking ability.
Ashton: Finisher and sometimes a worker.
Brown: Defence, high ball, worker, kicker.
Foden: Defence, high ball, kicker, sort of distributer
Wade: Magic, finisher.
Goode: Distributer, high ball, defence, kicker
Biggs: High ball, defence, worker, finisher.
Yarde: high ball, defence, sort of magic, kicker.
Eastmond: kicker, defence, magic, distributer.
Varndell: Finisher.
Strettle: kicker,
Sharples: Finisher, magic, sort of distributer
Simplistic way of looking at it, but maybe some merit.
Posted 16:50 09th January 2013
simojukes says...
rumour has it that Clark is one of the 2nd row covers, as he does occasionally play there for saints. i believe croft will be similar, however he is being eased into test rugby (and rugby in general) which is why B. Vunipola will be training with the Elite boys during the 6Ns instead of with the Saxons. Seeing as Launchbury was in that boat during the autumn internationals, i see no reason why we wont be seeing B. Vunipola during the 6Ns, especially because i dont think Waldrom can hack it. Glad Haskell is in as i like that he covers the whole back row. I just hope that they at least consider him to be an 8, because why we take Tom Wood off, when he and Robshaw are the fittest players in the squad, but leave on Morgan is a bit odd.
Otherwise i think the squad is pretty good. glad 12Ts is in finally! my only other issue would be to agree with people on strettle, not been hugely convinced there. I think that wade should be given a chance, Jason Robinson and Shane Williams were small, but they turned out ok ;)
I wonder if we may see JJ playing on the wing, after all, last week Irish shuffled their backline having Tagicakinbau play 13, while JJ played 11... wonder if that was a request fromt he england management? If he doesnt play there, then i think it should be foden, as he is a finisher. With Brown at 15, as Goode is likely to be injured for the start.
All in all i am pretty happy though, and even if i have the odd issue, this is probably the happiest i have been at an EPS for quite some time.
Posted 16:44 09th January 2013