A new era for English rugby

by Will Harris-Brown

“This is a new era for England”, stated England’s interim head coach, Stuart Lancaster.

With retirements, injuries and axing already accounting for 11 of England’s World Cup squad, the announcement of the Six Nations squad was always destined to have a sense of rebirth and renewal about it. 

England’s reputation suffered major damage during their excursions in New Zealand last autumn, where off-field issues allied to outdated tactics on the pitch showed the ‘Red Rose’ to be seriously lagging behind the rest of the world’s leading rugby nations.

It was therefore no surprise that the new squad contained no less than nine uncapped players, with four others having only a single cap.

New breed

Out went the stalwarts of past regimes such as Mike Tindall, Nick Easter and Mark Cueto, while Jonny Wilkinson, Lewis Moody and Steve Thompson had already called time on their respective England careers.

In come the undoubted new breed; of the nine uncapped players, seven are aged 25 or under, and in the squad as a whole there are only five players on the wrong side of 30.

Significantly, there are no survivors from the World Cup winning squad of 2003.

This squad has no former glories to look back on, it’s is all about what comes next.

At the back, Charlie Sharples is the favourite to take over the left-wing vacancy created by the axing of Cueto.

The Gloucester winger satisfies Lancaster’s preference for out-and-out finishers at 11 and 14, with Chris Ashton resuming his duties on the right.

One definite step away from the previous regime is the absence of a ‘b anger’ at 12.

Although in Jordan Turner-Hall, Brad Barritt and in particular Manu Tuilagi, England do not lack for muscle in the middle, these are players have much more to offer than simply bulk.

With Tuilagi injured for the opening game against Scotland, it is likely that Barritt will line up alongside club mate Owen Farrell in midfield.

Hype

After England were found desperately short of creativity at centre during the World Cup, Farrell’s inclusion in the squad has been the source of much hype and attention.

Still only 20, his talent is undoubted, but it will be interesting to see how he handles the pressure of being England’s new golden boy.

Saracens fly-half Charlie Hodgson, exiled from the national team during the Martin Johnson years, has been given a shot at redemption by Lancaster.

The 31-year old, who has not turned out for England since 2010, is likely to start against the Scots, thanks to Toby Flood’s injury, and will desperate to show that he belongs on the international stage.

Up front, the coaching staff have admitted lacking an out-and-out openside flanker, with the number eight Ben Morgan the only specialist among a number of multi-skilled back-rows such as Tom Wood, Tom Croft and Chris Robshaw.

After a World Cup dominated by specialist sevens, this may well be a cause for concern and a lot of attention will be paid to the development of Andy Saull in the Saxons.

Long-term

The front five selections have the most familiar feel to them of all the squad, with only debutants Joe Marler and Rob Webber, alongside one-capper Mouritz Botha, not into double digits of appearances for their country already.

This does not come as a surprise, however, with experience generally prized in tight forwards more than other areas.

That said, likely starters Alex Corbisiero, Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes are all well off their thirties, and very much part of England’s long-term future.

While Lancaster’s stewardship of the national team is only a temporary arrangement, he knows that an impressive Six Nations campaign, with clear signs of development on the pitch, would strengthen his chances of the role on a permanent basis.

The new players also will feel that this is their chance to make themselves indispensable to the England set up, whoever the coach may be, come the summer tour of South Africa.

They will be given a baptism of fire at Murrayfield with a Scotland team desperate for revenge after their World Cup exit, though the players will know that nothing will come easy to them in international rugby.

If they can handle the tough few weeks ahead well, then England’s bright new dawn will be very much here.

 

---

 

Owen Farrell

The son of national coach Andy Farrell, and England rugby’s man of the moment. 

Started out as a fly-half for club Saracens, but has been used this season as a creative centre, something England have desperately lacked of in recent years.

Possessing a great all-round game, Lancaster has stated that Farrell will be given time to find his feet at international level, he could be a key man for years to come. 

Ben Morgan

The only specialist number eight in the squad; the Bristol native recently rejected advances from the Wales union, for whom he qualified on residency grounds.

A number eight much more in the Lawrence Dallaglio mould than Nick Easter, he is a powerful ball carrier whose ability to draw defenders may help to bring England’s quick backs into play.

Brad Barritt

Farrell’s partner in the centre at club level, Barritt could be part of an all Saracens midfield for England as well.

The 25-year-old has built a reputation for his tenacity in defence, but allies this with intelligent distribution and kicking out of hand.

Will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of fellow South African-born centre Mike Catt.