Martin Johnson has shown his ruthless side by trimming down the original 45 man training squad. It is clear he has made some tricky decisions. Johnson has let go Joe Worsley, Thomas Waldrom, George Chuter and fliers James Simpson-Daniel and David Strettle.
Firstly the loss of Joe Worsley who has amassed 78 England caps was unexpected. He is a hugely experienced player and a flanker that is well known for being sent onto the pitch with one mission, to tackle everything that moves in an opposition’s jersey. At 34 Worsley perhaps had been outdone by the energy and enthusiasm of his younger back row colleagues. However I feel Johnson may regret this decision. If it comes to a Semi-Final in New Zealand this Autumn, Worsley is one man who would have been in line for a starting place.
Thomas Waldrom, who qualified through his Grandparents’ nationalities, was given a chance by being selected for the initial training squad. He had a fantastic season with Leicester, but I felt he was in danger of loosing out on the full squad. His experience of playing rugby in New Zealand could have been useful, but I feel that Worsley and Waldrom being axed suggests that Johnson is looking for a more powerful and dynamic back row.
George Chuter was England’s number one hooker for a while, but he has faced tough competition from Dylan Hartley and Steve Thompson. Chuter is not as dynamic or powerful as Hartley and he is not as experienced as the World Cup winning Thompson. Hartley will be England’s number one this year as he has lead Northampton to the Heineken Cup Final and ably through to the Aviva Premiership Semi-Final.
Perhaps the second biggest shock omission the squad is David Strettle, who has been let go by England. The winger who has made a name for himself since leaving Harlequins has suffered niggling injuries. Strettle was picked as being almost a shoe in for New Zealand by some. Also somewhat embarrassingly, he appears as one of the models for England’s new kit. However England has a wealth of exciting talent to choose from on the wing with Mark Cueto, Chris Ashton, Ugo Monye and the young Charlie Sharples.
Sadly James Simpson-Daniel has once again missed out on England recognition. Week in week out for Gloucester he is one of the most consistent performers. Many suggest he is one of the most underrated players in England at the moment. Had he not picked up so many injuries he would have been on his way to 50 caps by now. However, England’s loss is Gloucester’s gain and I for one will be thrilled to see him running rings around the Aviva Premiership this year and teaching Gloucester’s youngster’s Jonny May, Henry Trinder and Freddie Burns a few tricks or two.
Who is next to go?
From the recent interview with Martin Johnson it appears young Gloucester speedster Charlie Sharples and the physical Manu Tuilagi are pleasing the England manager. My tip is for them to stay now. I had picked Sharples to be dropped at the first stage, but it seems he is thriving in the England training environment. Tuilagi will give England pace and power at inside centre and alongside Mike Tindall he would have excellent guidance and direction. Hopefully these two players will be given the chance to show their worth in the warm-up games.
David Wilson is likely to be dropped. He is the least dynamic of the props in the squad. Paul Doran-Jones, Dan Cole and Alex Corbisiero are ahead of him in the pecking order. Wilson is not one of the best scrummagers in the squad and has not had an exceptional season with Bath.
Chris Robshaw will be lucky to make the final squad. He strikes me as a great team player but does not really shine out as an individual. The Harlequins Captain plays in the back row which is one of England’s most contested positions. Hendrie Fourie, Lewis Moody and Tom Wood just to name a few are ahead of Robshaw. Robshaw again will have a chance in the future, but he does not have the experience yet and will improve with another season leading Harlequins in the Heineken Cup.
Riki Flutey has had an average season with struggling Wasps. Personally I believed Anthony Allen should have been chosen ahead of him. The young Tigers centre was voted the Leicester players’ player of the season at Welford Road last season. Flutey was on form when he went on tour with the Lions in 2009, but he has not returned to the same level. Manu Tuilagi has had a great season with Leicester and Johnson is likely to favour the physicality of Shontayne Hape and Matt Banahan (who can also cover wing) over Flutey.
Richard Wigglesworth has been sharing the no.9 jersey at Saracens with Neil de Kock and will struggle to get a place in the final squad with Ben Youngs, Danny Care and Joe Simpson ahead of him. Wigglesworth is one for the future though, and I would expect to see him given a chance in the next Six Nations. He is a fast and hard working scrum half, who can also kick at goal, he is the kind of versatile player that England will look to in the future.
Any thoughts about who should have been dropped instead? Who do you think will be next to go? Leave a message below or follow and contact me on twitter @tommyd91
You make some really good comments, most of which I agree with.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Joe Worsley should feel a little disappointed that he hasn't made the next stage of selection. He has been a great servant to English rugby down the years and must surely have something to offer. Whilst not neceserally starting, even having him in the touring party wold have been a bonus given his experience. He is a survivor of 2003 and has already been to 3 World Cups. Johnson has missed a trick with the Wasps man I feel. He does a job for you and is very effective and versatile. Whilst England are moving forward and looking to the future, Worsley must surely have been close to selection giving something different.
I am pleased that Waldrom has been discarded though. There are other players more rewarded having served their time in the Premiership for years. It is morally right that the shirt is being given to someone else.
Chuter is obvious really, not good enough and lack of alternatives (maybe Rob Webber).
As you say, I am surprised Sharples is still in but he has obviously really impressed. JSD has never quite made it internationally so it hardly comes as a surprise.
I agree that Strettle also had a strong claim for inclusion off the back of a great season with Saracens but injury has halted his career meaning other wingers have been able to overtake him.
Some good points Tom. Well done mate