Fit again: Alex Corbisiero
Alex Corbisiero, Jonathan Joseph and Chris Ashton may all return for England's clash against Australia - creating selection dilemmas.
Despite the convincing 54-12 scoreline, England were solid if not overly spectacular last weekend at Twickenham, putting in a good performance with seven tries and a dominant set-piece both in the scrum and line-out as expected.
Fiji's spirited opening was enough to keep England on their toes but from then on after the opening quarter, the emphasis was on accuracy and being as clinical as possible.
In that respect, England fell short - Chris Robshaw and Dan Cole were both held up over the line and Joe Marler butchered a simple two-on-one scoring opportunity.
Those chances will have to be taken against Australia, South Africa and New Zealand if England are to be successful.
That is not to say that the Fiji result was without positives. Tom Youngs received ample criticism in the build-up regarding his throwing abilities and finished with a 100 per cent line-out record, hitting all of his 16 throws. Alex Goode also impressed at Twickenham operating as a second distributor alongside Toby Flood.
The hard work of Joe Marler, Youngs and Dan Cole at the scrum also led to England eventually controlling both possession and territory, not forgetting the penalty try before half-time. Given Fiji's lack of preparation, how much can be taken from that dominance is up for debate.
Now ahead of Australia, returning personnel have handed England a trio of selection dilemmas.
Marler has made few mistakes since he took the loosehead spot on the tour of South Africa, but Alex Corbisiero's return to fitness offers competition. Corbisiero has been excellent since he made his England debut back in 2011, performing well at the Rugby World Cup and in last season's Six Nations.
Troublesome ankle and knee injuries have kept him on the sidelines so far this season but after a successful comeback for London Irish against Sale on Sunday, his name is back in contention. However, having played only 62 minutes, his match sharpness has to be questioned.
If Corbisiero was selected ahead of Marler it would emphasise two points - how highly the England management rank Corbisiero's talent and ability regardless of his preparation, along with calling into question their faith in Marler at Test level.
The young Harlequin has made few mistakes since his debut and to see him cut for the game against the Wallabies would be a surprise.
Another area of contention is in the centre. Manu Tuilagi has a minor foot injury but importantly is expected to be fit for the game with Australia. England's most effective attacker, Tuilagi scored two tries against Fiji and found plenty of space, but the identity of his partner in midfield is far from certain.
Brad Barritt has often been criticised for a lack of creativity and distribution, somewhat unfairly, whilst excelling in defence. Against Fiji he was much improved going forward with the ball in hand, but up against Pat McCabe and Ben Tapuai is unlikely to be given as much space.
Jonathan Joseph has less experience than Barritt but his dynamism in midfield is a rare commodity, possessing the sharp footwork and acceleration that elsewhere England lack. Defensively he is sound, but not on Barritt's level.
Selecting the right partner for Tuilagi will indicate how England plan to take down the Wallabies - either keeping it tight through Barritt or looking to play expansively with Joseph.
Chris Ashton's return on the right wing means that one of Ugo Monye and Charlie Sharples will fill the slot on the opposite side, with both getting their chance to impress against Fiji.
Sharples finished with two tries to Monye's one, but Sharples appeared far more threatening when given opportunities and should win that positional battle.
Making the right calls are essential if England are to back up their pre-match billing as favourites following Australia's heavy 33-6 defeat in Paris.
At the same time, compared to the injury crisis faced by the Wallabies, Stuart Lancaster and his coaching team are fortunate to have those options available.
by Ben Coles
@bencoles_
Comments
jehosophat says...
Difficult to know how fit the returning players are - but my feeling is to start Corbs for the tense early exchanges and to get a real grip on the scrum, then bring on Marler later when it opens up - perhaps at half time to avoid over working Corbs on his return. Fully fit he is a starter for me every time. We need to totally own the scrum from the start, the Aussies will be practicing non-stop and Corbs/Cole are a world class combo - Marler lacks international experience and will have fewer tricks in the kit bag.
I would start Barritt as well - the Barritt/Tualagi partnership may not set the world alight in flair terms but is very solid and Tualagi does make holes, marked man or not. Joseph may be one for the future but he needs to come on from the bench and make a genuine impact a few times to be even considered as a starter.
Ashton and Sharples on the wing seems fair - Sharples is work in progress too, and looked a bit shell shocked the first time he started for England, but is coming along well.
Second row and back row have plenty of permutations - 6 and 8 especially. At 8 Morgan is going to have to man up and prove he has the fitness and focus to consitently play the whole 80 at some point, or always be a bench player - he put his hand up for the big matches in the 6N last year so I'd start him.
Posted 11:32 14th November 2012
Nastyned says...
I think Farrell is an option at 12, has got the defence and a better kicking and passing game than Barritt. No need to rush Corbs back, Marler is doing fine and has grown up since the SA tour, Ashton for Monye.
Posted 19:19 13th November 2012
NHsaints says...
As it is I'd rather rest Corbs for this test; he's a fantastic scrummager but Vunipola and Marler have got australia covered after a performance like they had against France. Ashton walks into the side over Monye for me. Barritt and JJ is a serious dilema, McCabe has been one of Australia's most potent players of late and very strong defence would be very helpful there but JJ could equally as well cover the defence and better the attack. However I'd take Barritt to start and have him close on tuilagi's or Flood's shoulders if they take a midfield run with the instruction to secure the ball...he does have the valuable asset of being a strong rucker for a back and we can't afford turnovers against Australia.
Posted 18:39 13th November 2012
heart_of_oak says...
Is Joseph better than Twelvetrees ? I think 12trees offers more options and is the better more creative inside centre. I don't particularly buy into the argument that he used to play with Manu and Flood and that that makes him a better bet then JJ. I just think that of the two, 12trees is the better more versatile creative player. I'd start with him and if his defence is letting him down and causing problems for the team, then I'd bring Barritt on. 12trees reminds me of Will Greenwood while Barritt seems more like Will Carling.
In the scrum, it's too early for Corbs to come back. He needs more club time to prove his fitness. He's a great player but we have other good props who can do a job for us such that we don't need to risk a full recovery by Corbs.
Posted 18:14 13th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
Agree: drop the tank
Posted 17:20 13th November 2012
APV1 says...
An interesting variety of opinions - I'd love to know whether anyone in the England camp ever reads these threads...
So here's my tuppence-worth (Lancaster - take note!):
Monye out of squad, Ashton to start.
Corbs to have another game with the club and onto the bench for SA (when Vunipola would have to be dropped). I know he's probably stronger in the scrum, but I think Marler and Cole, with Wilson and Vunipola on the bench, will be enough for Australia.
I'd consider JJ on the bench for Farrell as well.
I think I'd also swap Morgan for Waldrom - straight swap with "The Tank" out altogether.
But I think I'd start with the same team as last Saturday (Ashton & Morgan in, Monye & Waldrom out) and I think we've got a good shout against the Aussies.
I know they've got plenty of injuries but we've got a fair few too. But we should take this one.
Posted 16:37 13th November 2012
zambokke says...
Jonathan Joseph may be a good 13, but aren't Australians used to playing against good centres e.g. Nonu, SBW etc. I would be more worries about defence at 12,13 if I was English i.e. keep Barritt.
Posted 16:28 13th November 2012
sirtidychris says...
darthbok
Manu tuilagi isn't doing too bad at 7 tries in 14 caps by the age of 21 and chris ashton has 15 tries in 26 games including top try scorer in the world cup and six nations..He has also scored 4 tries for sarries in 6 games...not too bad
Your man monye has got 14 caps and has scored 2 tries...
Posted 15:40 13th November 2012
darthbok says...
ashton is highly overated-- has not shone for sarries -- take monye every time-- tuilagi is also overated and will be targetted and isolated - would have rather played jordan turner hall --
Posted 14:39 13th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Hello JJ, bye bye Mike Tindal clone Brad Barritt.
Posted 14:39 13th November 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
I'd like to see Joseph replace Farrell on bench. Goode covers Flood.
Ashton replaces Moygne but Moygne back on for S.Af with Sharples taking a rest.
Corbi back in the 6 nations.
Posted 14:29 13th November 2012
nhb99 says...
Much as I admire Corbisiero, let's be patient, and give him a few club games before bringing him back.
I remember even Sheridan getting shunted back by the powder-puff Aussies, because he was picked too early after coming back from injury.
Marler's done alright, even against the Bokke.
For the rest, Joseph could also do with game time at club level before coming back, and I would see him battling for a bench spot with Brown, covering the outside backs.
I see people pushing Twlevetrees, but for me he is still one for the future - he may have a big boot on him, but too high a percentage of his kicks go out on the full, and too many of his good-looking passes don't go to hand.
Sharples to partner Ashton; and Morgan to replace Waldrom, who seems to get pushed back more often than not in contact.
Posted 14:03 13th November 2012
melkdave says...
Nice to have such dilemmas,for my ywo cents worth .I would start with the same team ,accept Ashton for Monyeat 11.With JJ on the bench,,not sure if .Corbs is even match fit ,after his long lay off.So personnally wouldnt risk itEngland need to be a little more precise,and maybe have a tad extra pace ,,but at least they look like they are getting there .I dont expect the wallaby scrum to fall apart again to the extent it did against France tbh,but under pressure ,and giving away penalties yes.England can be victorious against Australia ,we have been the last 2 times weve met,andthat was with a team i feel a bit limted to the current one ,we are building..So feeling fairly confidant of a England victory by 12-15 points.
Posted 13:34 13th November 2012
BMakka8 says...
Lancaster has already said that Lawes will be with Northampton for their LVE game on Sunday, and I expect he will also give Joseph and Corbs game time with their clubs rather than rush them in.
Therefore I think the only change will be Ashton for Monye, with the other 3 coming back the following week. The only chage to this might be if he brings Joseph on to the bench for Brown, but I consider that unlikely as, while Manu could cover the wings, there would be no full back cover.
Posted 13:17 13th November 2012
sirtidychris says...
Johnathan Joseph should not be partnering manu, manu is a 13 he is our best 13 in a decade you cant move him, JJ is a 13, if you want someone to partner tuilagi other than barrett then its 12trees, he plays week in and out at 12, used to partner flood and manu and offers size, a big boot and good distribution...the longer we leave him out for loyalty sake and keep playing people out of position the more i get frustrated with Lancaster. Corbs is a must, Mako has done nothing wrong and needs to be let down without damaging his confidence but he needs more 1st team action at sarries and was always only a stop gap for now but a project for the future. Corbs is a unit, a desturctuive scrummager and pillar of our team, hes unfit so play him off the bench so he's firing when we meet some proper props against SA and NZ. Ashton is a must Ugo drops out
Posted 13:11 13th November 2012
handsofawinger says...
Joseph outside of Barritt is another option - with Manu on the bench. I know we all love Tuilagi smashing into the defence, but I think Joseph will go further by going round rather than through.
Posted 13:00 13th November 2012
craigsman says...
Oh and obviously - Lawes for Palmer.
Posted 12:49 13th November 2012
kybone says...
This is the first time in a long time that i can remember England having so many options in all areas. The team selection at this stage is very difficult and i don't envy SL at all. He must be racking his brain trying to decide who he should leave out. And we still have injured players to come back with the likes of Croft, Lawes, Hartley, and Foden likely to be pushing for starting spots.
Posted 12:34 13th November 2012
craigsman says...
My thoughts are same team but:
- Start Joseph and bring in Barritt to close the game out
- Start Marler and bring in Corbs to give some game time
- Ashton for Monye
Posted 12:25 13th November 2012
JamieTheProp says...
For once we have selection dilemmas - this can only be good! Slowly building a strong squad (especially in the forwards).
Excellent news - for me Corbs walks straight into the starting 15! We need to smash that Australian scrum and he is our best scrummager after Cole! Not as good as Marler around the pitch I realise - but still not bad!
Posted 12:11 13th November 2012