Martin Johnson has opted for a different dynamic in his match day squad. He has chosen a strong powerful back line with seasoned players returning to the forwards.
After last week’s narrow 23-19 win, English supporters will be hoping for a stronger showing of England’s intent in New Zealand. Leading from the centre will be Mike Tindall, who is given a chance alongside Shontayne Hape to show his value to the squad. Tindall and Hape were criticised during the Six Nations this year, but Tindall’s defensive organisation and leadership was missing in the loss against Ireland when he was injured. The physicality of the partnership will be crucial to stopping the Welsh centres Jamie Roberts and Gavin Henson getting forward momentum. Questions have been asked of the pairings lack of pace, but these will be answered on Saturday.
Delon Armitage had a fantastic afternoon last Saturday, his defence was outstanding and he made some scything attacking breaks. He was a real danger in open play. Ben Foden is given the opportunity to assert his claim to the starting full-back’s jersey that he has been holding since the Six Nations. Foden is a dangerous attacking option for England and his defensive strengths will help him attract Martin Johnson’s attention.
Swan-diving Chris Ashton returns to the fray following his knee surgery. He has to show the England manager that he is fit enough to take his space on the plane to New Zealand. Ashton had a terrific Autumn International series and was on excellent try-scoring form in the Six Nations. However, he was silenced against Ireland. A strong showing without further injury will guarantee his place in the World Cup. Once again Mark Cueto is selected on the other wing. I feel Martin Johnson has missed a trick in once again omitting Charlie Sharples. He was impressive in his first 10 minutes in an England jersey and he should have been given a chance to show what he can do. Cueto only scored 2 tries in the Aviva Premiership last season compared to Sharples’ haul of 7 last year. Johnson is not being ambitious with the inclusion of Cueto, but hopefully, Sharples will get his chance next week against Ireland.
Man of the Match from last week Jonny Wilkinson is not included this week. His past record and last week’s performance will ensure he gets a place in the World Cup squad. It is now up to Toby Flood to demonstrate his skill and composure and push for a starting position. It is a tough call between the two players. If Flood gets England attacking more aggressively and scoring more tries they will pick him ahead of Wilkinson. Wilkinson kicked the points last week and played the percentages, but in attack he was perhaps not a strong as he has been in recent years. Charlie Hodgson if given the chance will be looking to get back onto Martin Johnson’s radar, but I doubt he will make it onto the plane to New Zealand unless there is an injury to Wilkinson or Flood.
Danny Care had a solid came at scrum-half last week and Richard Wigglesworth is given a chance in the No.9 shirt. He had a great season with Saracens, but he was sharing the spot with Neil de Kock. Martin Johnson will need to see that Wigglesworth has what it takes to make the England shirt his own. It looks like Joe Simpson is not going to be on the plane to New Zealand. It is possible Johnson has decided that Care and Wigglesworth are to be his two scrum-halves.
I like the look of the English back-row. Nick Easter is once again called upon and will be looking for a strong showing in Cardiff. James Haskell had quite a good game last week, but in my eyes Easter is the out-and-out number 8 and deserves a starting place. His leadership is unquestionable and he will give England forward momentum. Tom Wood is another player who had a strong season with his club. He took Northampton to a Heineken Cup final and the Aviva Premiership semi-final. He really needs to perform as he could have a chance to make his way into the squad with Lewis Moody’s fitness still in doubt. Hendrie Fourie has been the workhorse for Leeds during the past two seasons. He will get his head down and work hard at the breakdown to assure quality ball for England’s backs and to disrupt Welsh momentum. He is an outside shot for New Zealand, but will be keen to impress Martin Johnson this Saturday.
Courtney Lawes returns to the squad this week. Neither Simon Shaw nor Tom Palmer really asserted themselves to a starting place last week so he has a great chance to prove himself this weekend. His strength and pace in the loose will be important for England. He offloads well and carries strongly. He will be partnered by Louis Deacon, who I fear may miss out on a place to New Zealand unless he has an excellent game. Simon Shaw and Tom Palmer are ahead of Deacon in the pecking-order. However the warm-up matches are put in place for a reason and a strong showing could impress Martin Johnson and encourage him to give Deacon the chance to fly to New Zealand with the squad.
The front row is not as strong as last week’s selection. The highly experienced Steve Thompson returns at hooker. The World Cup winner will be keen to show that he can more than compete for Dylan Hartley’s place. His set piece play will have to be on form to nudge Hartley out of a starting position. Hartley had a quiet game last week but did the basics well. Thompson is propped up either side by Alex Corbisiero of London Irish and Dan Cole of Leicester. Cole is more established in the England set up than Corbisiero, but I feel his scrummaging is not as impressive as Stephens. However, his play in the loose could impress Martin Johnson. A strong showing could get him a place at the World Cup. He is more dynamic a player than David Wilson and had a good season with Leicester. Corbisiero needs to show that he can front-up with some of the best scrummagers in New Zealand. England’s scrum last week was not always dominant. If Corbisiero can show Martin Johnson that he can tear up the Welsh front row, he may have a chance to play in New Zealand. It appears Paul Doran-Jones is going to miss out on the World Cup squad after once again being left out of the team.
Wales have chosen to give Gavin Henson one final chance to show his worth in a Welsh shirt. The troubled centre/fly-half has had a difficult season with off the field antics proving more interesting than his time on the pitch. Jamie Roberts is the man to help nurse him back into International rugby. Roberts is a tremendous go-to man who will give Wales forward momentum and make breaks in the English defence. Henson will try and show his kicking and passing game is just as good as it was when Wales last won the Grand Slam.
Rhys Priestland starts again at fly-half for Wales after an impressive game last week. He will be trying to show up Toby Flood this weekend. His kicking and passing game was terrific. If Wales have injury worries with Stephen Jones they will not be too worried if Priestland puts in another strong performance. James Hook starts at full-back after Morgan Stoddart’s horrible leg break last week. I am not convinced this is Hook’s best position, but he will hope to put a marker down for a starting spot at 10, 12 or 15.
Match Prediction: England by 12 the experience that Martin Johnson has selected this week will be too much for Wales. I am not sure if Gavin Henson will cope with Shontayne Hape and Mike Tindall running hard at him after such little game time this season. Also I believe Toby Flood will have a terrific game fizzing passes out to his backs and giving England much needed territory and direction.
England team: Ben Foden (Northampton); Chris Ashton (Northampton), Mike Tindall (Gloucester, capt), Shontayne Hape (London Irish), Mark Cueto (Sale); Toby Flood (Leicester), Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens); Alex Corbisiero (London Irish), Steve Thompson (Wasps), Dan Cole (Leicester); Louis Deacon (Leicester), Courtney Lawes (Northampton); Tom Wood (Northampton), Hendre Fourie (Sale), Nick Easter (Harlequins).
Replacements: Lee Mears (Bath), Matt Stevens (Saracens), Tom Palmer (Stade Français), James Haskell (Ricoh Black Rams), Danny Care (Harlequins), Charlie Hodgson (Saracens), Matt Banahan (Bath).
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