Johnno Wields the Axe...

toomevara

Johnsons first England elite squad an interesting one. Seems like he's got a clear idea of where he's going and doesnt mind stepping on a few toes to get there...

Looks like the end of the road for Tindall, Kay and Worsley. Also named Rikki Flutey who doesn't even qualify for the Red Rose for a few months! LI's Kennedy named, which is good for the lad, with Wilkinson the only speciaiist no. 10 in the squad...bit of a gamble. Strettle demoted to the saxons which is a surprise...

Forwards: Tim Payne (Wasps), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Matt Stevens (Bath), Phil Vickery (Wasps), George Chuter (Leicester), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), Lee Mears (Bath), Steve Borthwick (Saracens), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), Tom Palmer (Wasps), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Tom Croft (Leicester), James Haskell (Wasps), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Tom Rees (Wasps), Jordan Crane (Leicester), Luke Narraway (Gloucester).
Backs: Josh Lewsey (Wasps), Mathew Tait (Sale), Paul Sackey (Wasps), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Tom Varndell (Leicester), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Olly Barkley (Gloucester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Riki Flutey (Wasps), Shane Geraghty (London Irish), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle), Danny Care (Harlequins), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Pete Richards (London Irish).

Stev_o

Stop stealing MF's title and replacing the word knife with axe :P

Back on topic i think he's done some right selections and some daft ones. Why Tom Varndell is selected is beyond me adds nothing to the EQ that England need and for all his finishing ability he couldnt even finisher and straight forward try against New Zealand. Ironically enough during the 1st test a number of posters from tigers.co.uk (Leicester) said that Strettle should be given the boot and TV in since he failed to score that try next week TV is given the same situation and there isnt a word spoken and now he's in the senior set up.

Hipkiss has played what 8 games this year and played sh1te in everyone of them so there fore he deserves a call up. Brilliant thinking there Johnno.

Hi best winger is in the Saxons squad keeps scoring tries and offers weight when its desperately needed in the Senior squad so you decide to leave him there also a brilliant decision.

Lastly why has he only one 10 JW and 3 12/10's??? Its bound it end in tears.

Backline will be

9.Ellis
10.KW
11.Tait/JSD
12.Flutey
13.JSD/Tait
14.Varndell
15.Lewsey

toomevara

Stev_o wrote: »

9.Ellis
10.KW
11.Tait/JSD
12.Flutey
13.JSD/Tait
14.Varndell
15.Lewsey

Think Care will press Ellis hard and will defo make a start in the 6N. Got to go with Tait at 13, just pick a position for the guy and let him get on with it. The no 10 situation is interesting. Think Johnson may be banking on cipriani getting back relatively quickly. Look really threadbare there...Gloucs Lamb an option I suppose...Would stick Ojo on the wing meself....

Stev_o

toomevara wrote: »

Think Care will press Ellis hard and will defo make a start in the 6N. Got to go with Tait at 13, just pick a position for the guy and let him get on with it. The no 10 situation is interesting. Think Johnson may be banking on cipriani getting back relatively quickly. Look really threadbare there...Gloucs Lamb an option I suppose...Would stick Ojo on the wing meself....

I sadly think Johnno will go with Ellis though =/ which shouldnt be since Care has been a huge breath of fresh air in the way he manages games.

Yup Tait is suffering from the jack of all trades master of none syndrome. Still though think that their backline is going to be lacking weight unless they go with journeyman Noon.

Cipriani and Lamb are both in the Saxons squad and unless someone from the main squad is injured they wont get a call up i believe (Think thats the way the deals been done)

Good to see Crane being picked hopefully he can given a opportunity at 8 as he is a beast literally and now thanks to Toby Booth he has a offloading game

toomevara

Stev_o wrote: »

Good to see Crane being picked hopefully he can given a opportunity at 8 as he is a beast literally and now thanks to Toby Booth he has a offloading game

Yep, I'd go with crane, haskell, rees...animal back row..test any one in the world I reckon...