England's poor play isn't liable to cause injury, though.
A few things from tonight's performance:
- Ford needs to learn how to stamp his authority when the forwards are on the back foot.
- Why does Lancaster insist on playing two 6.5's in the backrow in every fixture? We need a specialist in the breakdown; on this form we will get destroyed by Ireland and Australia in these areas during the upcoming fixtures. A back three trio of Haskell, Vunipola and Robshaw doesn't give us any clout in the lineout.
- The loosehead position is beginning to worry me. Mako is a good impact player but shouldn't start; Marler was overwhelmed this evening. Corbisiero doesn't look anywhere near the player he was circa 2013.
- Cipriani deserves a proper opportunity to demonstrate what he can offer.
- How can Lancaster justify given Twelvetrees chance after chance, but discard Kyle Eastmond at the drop of a hat?
Ford definitely looks better when there is another playmaker/passer option on the pitch alongside him, takes some of the pressure off him and allows him a bit more time to scan the field and then put people through gaps. Not going to happen though unless Slade gets a chance at 12.
Cipriani I think will lose out to Goode. I thought 12T got a couple of shocking hospital passes way behind the gainline and felt sorry for him, but he did fuck up that move off the scrum and it hasn't happened for him in an England shirt.
Forwards we are largely stuck with. Our scrum does look shaky but its the 2 spot that is most concerning for me. At this point I'd probably give George the spot with Youngs off the bench. Lineout needs sorting as a first priority.
The backrow is a mess and he should have looked at Kvesic. Wood is getting shitter and shitter and I'd be tempted to drop him and, I cant believe I'm saying it, take Easter. At least he has a bit of nous and carries the ball. BV could cover 6.
What is unbelievable is that we will be going into the World Cup with a centre combination (and backline) that has never played together before. You have to hope it clicks.
I'd like to say it's unbelievable that Burgess is in the squad but ever since a lot of money changed hands he was always going to be in there regardless of performances.
I just hope he doesn't actually get any game time.
Oh, please! In comparison to some of the mediocre dross that is and has been selected over the years, I would hardly call his inclusion 'unbelievable'.
So, will England get out of the group?
If I had to put my house on it (not that I have one) I'd say yes. Just.
Should be pretty tight. I wouldn't mind betting that we beat England, England beat Australia then we lose to Australia in the last group game. Then it'd come down to who beat Uruguay by the most points.
We're all going to lose to Fiji.
So, will England get out of the group?
If I had to put my house on it (not that I have one) I'd say yes. Just.
Should be pretty tight. I wouldn't mind betting that we beat England, England beat Australia then we lose to Australia in the last group game. Then it'd come down to who beat Uruguay by the most points.
I'm not sure if either Wales or England are going to beat the Aussies. A year ago I was fairly confident, but they've improved and we haven't. And Wales get the shit kicked out of them by the Southern Hemisphere on an alarmingly regular basis.
It could all come down to England v Wales.