Back in business: Tom Croft
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Leicester Tigers flank Tom Croft has been called into the England squad to prepare for Sunday's Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham.
Bad news for England fans however is that fly-half Owen Farrell is set to miss the penultimate match of the championship after failing to recover from a thigh strain sustained against France.
Croft is one of 36 players to meet up at Pennyhill Park on Monday and England Head Coach Stuart Lancaster is pleased to welcome the Leicester Tigers back-row to his first England training camp of the season.
"The indications last week were that it might be a bit early for Tom to get involved in this Six Nations," said Lancaster.
"But having played back-to-back games he has now had the all clear from the specialist and Leicester's and our medics. I also had a good chat with Richard Cockerill; he is happy with his form and we can clearly see he is playing well, but most importantly Tom feels he is ready - it's great to have him back in.
"We have competition in all places but the back row is very competitive and to have Tom available just adds to that so we are looking forward to seeing how he does this week. We are also bringing in Calum Clark as we want to keep supporting him and be involved during his recovery."
In Farrell's absence, Toby Flood will start against Italy.
"Owen's still got the quad injury which I want to make sure has settled down completely. It's fair to say that you can read into that that Toby Flood will be starting," said Lancaster.
Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Farrell (Saracens) and Ben Morgan (Gloucester Rugby) will also continue their recovery in camp.
England training squad:
Chris Ashton (Saracens), Brad Barritt (Saracens), Mouritz Botha (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Freddie Burns (Gloucester ), Danny Care (Harlequins), Calum Clark (Northampton Saints), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Tom Croft (Leicester Tigers) , Lee Dickson (Northampton Saints), Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Owen Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Leicester Tigers), Ben Foden (Northampton Saints), Alex Goode (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (London Wasps), Matt Kvesic (Worcester Warriors), Joe Launchbury (London Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Ben Morgan (Gloucester ), Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins) , David Strettle (Saracens), Henry Thomas (Sale Sharks), Joel Tomkins (Saracens), Manusamoa Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester ), Mako Vunipola (Saracens), Billy Vunipola (London Wasps), David Wilson (Bath ), Thomas Waldrom (Leicester Tigers), Tom Wood (Northampton Saints), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers), Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers).
Comments
wasey says...
Also I meant foden not golden like my kindle seems to think
Posted 16:10 06th March 2013
wasey says...
The criticism of Ashton is a bit over the top really defensively he has been poor but his attacking potential is still there, there you can see him running the same lines that made him a deadly winger. The problems are at fly half, inside centre and fullback. To solve these issues I would bring In burns, 36 and Brown or golden at fullback. Firstly the partnership burns and 36 have at Gloucester has been great to watch and they both have great individual attacking skills as well which should hopefully get the backs firing a bit more. I have nothing against barritt I think his defensive organisation is pure class but on the attack he is a less effective tuilagi. With Goode at full back you don't see him breaking defenses like Brown or golden and with this line breaking ability and Ashton work rate he might start scoring tries like he did at Northampton. This would mean a winger slot going begging and he have great strength in depth with the likes of May, eastmond, Biggs etc. My personal choice has got to be jonny may though his attacking and pace has been great and he is another player that runs great lines as well. My backs would be youngs, burns, Ashton, 36, tuilagi, May and Brown. Brown.
Posted 16:08 06th March 2013
TVaddict says...
If we keep Brown at 11 and Goode at 15 then we really need someone with a bit of magic like Wade. If we are willing to move Brown to 15 (I am) then you could bring in a worker like Biggs or Daly (who is probably the most all round of the lot) plus a finisher like Varndell or May. Since May and Daly have played a lot of fullback I can only see our defence under the high ball improving with 11) Daly, 14) May, 15) Brown. So more pace, flair, defence and better finishers. Which would probably be my choice, though it changes fairly regularly! The player I really want fast tracked into the England set-up is Daly who is such an all round player it would be a shame to waste him.
However, these players aren't even in the squad at the moment, so based on that I'd go for a 23 of:
1) Vunipola
2) Youngs
3) Cole
4) Parling
5) Launchbury
6) Wood
7) Robshaw
8) Vunipola
9) Care
10) Flood
11) Foden
12) 36
13) Tuilagi
14) Ashton
15) Brown
16) Hartley
17) Marler
18) Wilson
19) Lawes
20) Haskell
21) Youngs
22) Burns
23) Strettle
I know it's been said, but it's an absolute joke we only have Saracen wingers in the squad. Lancaster has been good in everything except his choices for back three. I hope he changes that soon because it's the only consistently negative aspect about his time in charge.
Posted 11:36 06th March 2013
Coshie78 says...
My pick, purely ont the basis to give the regulars a well earned rest:
Vunipola Youngs Smith
Parling Lawes
Haskell Vunipola Robshaw
Care
Flood
36 Tuilagi
Foden Brown Strettle
Some might feel it is a little disrespectful to Italy, but you have to manage your squad throughout the competition and that is still a very strong team.
It also gives an opportunity to Care, Brown, Strettle and Foden to play themselves into the starting team/ bench for Wales.
I doubt Dan Cole fancies 20 mins at the end, but he will benefit from it given the extra day Gethin Jenkins has.
Barritt must be battered all over and he has an important part ot play versus Wales' big midfield - let him heal and be ready for them.
Posted 09:05 06th March 2013
DavidCartwright says...
My team for Italy would be just two players different to APV1 (hooker and no. 8) ...
Vunipola Youngs Cole
Launchbury Parling
Vunipola Robshaw Wood
Care
Flood
36 Tuilagi
Foden Ashton
Brown
Posted 02:58 06th March 2013
APV1 says...
@ markpat- always a dangerous game to agree with me - I know nothing!
That said, I'd quite happily see Wood and 6 and Hask at 8. In fact, all three have played 6, 7 and 8 and I'd happily see them inter-change. Captain Fantastic has really claimed the 7 shirt, but 6 and 8...
Without Parisse, it would be good to see Vunipola. But he'd have to replace Croft on my bench and I'm not sure I'd be willing to do that. We still have a "green" team and Croft's experience of England and the Lions is something we could well do with. he also needs some game time at international level. Perhaps Vunipola's time in the squad will be enough for now and he'll tour with England and get his time then.
I don't think Tuilagi is ready for the wing yet. He's not quick enough by some margin - compared to many other international wingers and FBs - and doesn't have a very accomplished kicking game. But I'd love to see him develop into a real poaching winger, a la Ashton in his prime. Paired up with a true pace-man (Wade, Varndell, Biggs, Eastmond, May, etc) and a proper FB (Brown / Foden), we'd have a cracking back line (in order of preference):
Care / Youngs
Farrell / Burns (Flood / Ford)
Biggs / Varndell / May
36
Barritt
Tuilagi / Wade / Eastmond
Brown / Foden
Imagine 36 having recieved a crisp, flat pass from Farrell or Burns at pace, having the option to mis-pass to Wade or Biggs, throw it down the line to Barritt, or a slipped inside pass to a full-pelt Tuilagi...
KAPOW!
Posted 17:16 05th March 2013
markpat says...
Personally, and I seem to be in the minority in this, I think Wood has been pretty poor at 8, especially compared to how he plays at 6. I think I'd actually prefer Haskell at 8 and Wood on the blind.
However, "if" Parisse isn't playing, I'd actually like to see Vunipola get a game and see what he can do. If he plays well, you can give him most of the match, rather than just 20 mins. If he's out of his depth, you can bring on Haskell.
I agree with APV1 on a lot though, as I often do. Hartley starts - Young's lineout throwing worries me, especially against Italy and Hartley's a better scrummager, plus Youngs is a much better impact player than Hartley.
I'd also hvae Foden on the wing and Brown at fullback. I had heard rumours of Lancaster considering Tuilagi on the wing. If you're even considering that, then this is probably the game to try it, as Italy's wingers won't burn him and their kicking isn't great (on the whole). That way, Ashton gets dropped as well - he needs to be dropped to try and spark his performances, rather than risk him thinking he's playing okay, as he keeps insisting.
For me, I think that gives:
Vunipola, Hartley, Cole
Launchbury, Parling
Robshaw, Wood, Vunipola
Care, Flood
36, Barritt
Foden, Tuilagi
Brown
subs - Youngs, Marler, Wilson, Lawes, Haskell, Youngs, Goode, Ashton
although I'd actually like a bench of:
Youngs, Marler, Wilson, Lawes, Croft, Haskell, Youngs, Goode
but that would be risky and I don't think would happen.
Posted 15:41 05th March 2013
rugby_rockstar says...
Its true airchairgeneral, foden makes ashton look good. I personally think foden would make any winger look good, he's the important part of that combo.
Posted 15:28 05th March 2013
Coshie78 says...
I agree in theory with the not broken don't fix it, but there is one factor that I think we are missing... Our game is on Sunday, Wales' on Saturday, they have an extra day to recover...
Need to find the right balance of not upsetting the apple-cart but giving the 15 lads that will take the pitch next Saturday the best chance...
I couldn't care less if we beat Italy by 1 or 100 as long as the best players are fresh for Cardiff...
No disrespect to Italy, but with their away form and missing talent England's weakest team from the squad available more than capable of doing the job...
Would give the remaining some rest, Wales need their best team to beat Scotland, could turn a disadvantage into an advantage...
Not sure I've even convinced myself, but is something to ponder...
Posted 13:38 05th March 2013
APV1 says...
Let me explain some of my more "contoversial" picks:
Props - no brainer. Marler can come on as an impact player, but I think we'll want to start with Mako's bulk against the Italians. I'm a Bath fan, but Cole's the best in the business right now.
Hooker - if the Italian FR are firing, we'll need his experience to counter their scrum. If they're struggling, he'll be better able to exploit them in the scrum and he's better at the line-out. A hooker who can't scrummage and throw is useless and you'd be better off with and extra back-row on if you want mobility and tackle-count.
2R - it ain't broke, let's not fix it. If all's well at 1/2 time, let's bring on Lawes. But I don't see Lawes or Lunchbox calling the line-out like Parling.
BR - Croft has played 2 matches since his return. I wouldn't want to risk him getting rolled-over by the Italian BR. But I'd like him to get a run out.
9 - Care snipes better than Youngs and I'd like to see him start. We know what BY offers from the get-go, let's see DC take tha game by the scruff and boss it about.
10 - Farrell and Burns injured. 36 and Twoshoes to cover injury, but TF goes the whole 80 unless injured.
C - 36 is no slouch in defence but he does need to learn how to control and run the system. Here's his real chance to shine. He's also our other "play maker" in the starting 15.
W - Foden played well at the weekend and is a better winger than Brown. Ashton's there by default, as I'd prefer him over Strettle, Goode or Brown. With no Wade, Biggs, May, Eastmond, etc in the squad, what choice do we have? Any Fez-Heads able to explain what SL sees in Strettle over the others that we're missing?
15 - Mr Angry is the best 15 we've got at the moment, closely followed by Foden. So let's play him at 15. Foden's quicker, so better suited to being on the wing and SL has demonstrated that he wants two FBs on the pitch if possible.
Posted 12:02 05th March 2013
ArmchairGeneral says...
Ashton's issue is that he's playing with a 15 that does not bring in wingers. Even though they are club mates Goode/Ash don't work. Goode is not a wingers full back. Foden is. Drop Goode or Ashton but not both. I'd like to see Foden at 15 and keep Ashton. With Croft available I'd being him into the 15 at 6 given that Wood is covering 8. Haskell bench. Youngs rather than Hartley. Care deserves his start.
Posted 05:46 05th March 2013
stumpy says...
A few of these desicions really puzzle me, and I am not one to knit-pick. Some guys in the squad are 100% ruled out as far as I know, and are not even in the main core of players such as Callum Clark. There is also Strettles inclusion which makes me wonder what the talented wingers such as May and Biggs can do to break into the England set up. But in Lancaster we trust! A great job he has done.
The overall thought from this squad is a positive one. It shows the depth we have. In most positions we have at least 2 international class players within this squad:
Loosehead props: Corbieiro, Marler, Vunipola
Hookers: Hartley, Youngs
Tighthead props: Cole, Wilson
Locks: Lawes, Launchbury, Parling, Botha
6s: Croft, Wood
7s: Robshaw, Kvesic, Haskell
8s: Morgan, Vunipola, Walfrom
Scrum Halves: Care, Youngs
Fly Halves: Farrell, Flood, Burns
12s: Barritt, Twelvetrees
13s: Tuilagi, Tommkins
Wingers: Ashton (to an extent), Brown, Foden.
Fbs: Goode, Brown, Foden
Posted 22:42 04th March 2013
rewahard_08 says...
I would probably blood Billy Vunipola from the bench to give him a taste of test rugby, we already know what Croft brings to the table, good to experiment in these types of games with no disrespect to Italy.
Posted 22:11 04th March 2013
NHsaints says...
@APV1 totally agree, that's nearly our best starting XV and nearly our best bench and it'll be good to give Vunipola some gametime, although at the same time I think Lawes could do with a start in the second row and give Parling a break (he's played practically every test since Lancaster took over), also I think it's the right call to have Hartley as he's better in the scrum and Lineout (9 times out of 10), had a cracker against Irish and Youngs makes a better impact player than him. One thing we can't do is consign any of our best players to having a game off for a rest because Italy will take it to us in the forwards like no-one else bar france have done this year.
Posted 19:13 04th March 2013
JamieTheProp says...
I'd drop Ashton - not scoring tries and not tackling - so what is he doing?
I'd also swap out Hartley for Youngs (and I'm normally a fan of Hartley in the scrummage).
Other than that agree with APV1
Posted 18:25 04th March 2013
APV1 says...
My team for Italy:
Vunipola Hartley Cole
Launchbury Parling
Haskell Robshaw Wood
Care
Flood
36 Tuilagi
Foden Ashton
Brown
Youngs Marler Wilson Lawes Croft Youngs Barritt Goode
Posted 18:16 04th March 2013