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| England’s Stuart Lancaster short of time in countdown to World Cup | England’s Stuart Lancaster short of time in countdown to World Cup |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The Six Nations is gone, which means the grand parlour game can now begin. Ireland and Wales pretty much know their ideal lineups for this autumn’s Rugby the World Cup but whither England? Having finished second in the championship for four successive years, the host nation are still looking for the best way to transform potential into trophies. | The Six Nations is gone, which means the grand parlour game can now begin. Ireland and Wales pretty much know their ideal lineups for this autumn’s Rugby the World Cup but whither England? Having finished second in the championship for four successive years, the host nation are still looking for the best way to transform potential into trophies. |
| It is too late for Stuart Lancaster to experiment wildly. England have three warmup games – two against France and one against Ireland – before the World Cup commences. There is still time, though, for some proactive tinkering in search of the optimum balance between the Six Nations regulars, the currently injured, and a bolter or two. | It is too late for Stuart Lancaster to experiment wildly. England have three warmup games – two against France and one against Ireland – before the World Cup commences. There is still time, though, for some proactive tinkering in search of the optimum balance between the Six Nations regulars, the currently injured, and a bolter or two. |
| Related: Six Nations 2015: Guardian writers’ awards | |
| A touch of realism will be needed. Never mind winning the World Cup, England first have to top their pool. Finish runners-up again and it is a desperately tough southern hemisphere-strewn road to the final. Lose to both Australia and Wales and the chariot will be a total write-off. Even if they do progress as pool winners, would you automatically back them in a semi-final against Joe Schmidt’s Ireland? Rather than dreaming about outplaying New Zealand, they first need to be honest with themselves - The priority has to be defence. Eleven tries conceded in five games is the most ever shipped by an England side in a Six Nations Championship. Yes, they scored freely at the other end but Ireland won the title because they leaked a meagre three tries. To borrow the current managerial argot, England have been too soft around the edges. | A touch of realism will be needed. Never mind winning the World Cup, England first have to top their pool. Finish runners-up again and it is a desperately tough southern hemisphere-strewn road to the final. Lose to both Australia and Wales and the chariot will be a total write-off. Even if they do progress as pool winners, would you automatically back them in a semi-final against Joe Schmidt’s Ireland? Rather than dreaming about outplaying New Zealand, they first need to be honest with themselves - The priority has to be defence. Eleven tries conceded in five games is the most ever shipped by an England side in a Six Nations Championship. Yes, they scored freely at the other end but Ireland won the title because they leaked a meagre three tries. To borrow the current managerial argot, England have been too soft around the edges. |
| There are two ways to sort this. One would be to recall their preferred defensive captain, Brad Barritt. His commitment to the cause against Australia in November was exceptional and he would have started the Six Nations but for injury. When England beat the All Blacks in 2012 the Saracen was also one of their key gladiators. If half the battle is stopping Jamie Roberts and the big Wallaby runners at the gainline, Barritt has the necessary qualities. He will be in Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup squad, no question. | There are two ways to sort this. One would be to recall their preferred defensive captain, Brad Barritt. His commitment to the cause against Australia in November was exceptional and he would have started the Six Nations but for injury. When England beat the All Blacks in 2012 the Saracen was also one of their key gladiators. If half the battle is stopping Jamie Roberts and the big Wallaby runners at the gainline, Barritt has the necessary qualities. He will be in Stuart Lancaster’s World Cup squad, no question. |
| But if Barritt starts, what about Manu Tuilagi? The Leicester man is still recovering from groin trouble but is due back before the end of the season. England would clearly love his horsepower and physicality. The No13 jersey has been filled splendidly by Jonathan Joseph; even if Tuilagi rips it up in the warmup games, Lancaster would surely not want to discard the Bath centre. Tuilagi’s last autumn Test at Twickenham was in 2012; reputation alone is not enough in a World Cup year. | But if Barritt starts, what about Manu Tuilagi? The Leicester man is still recovering from groin trouble but is due back before the end of the season. England would clearly love his horsepower and physicality. The No13 jersey has been filled splendidly by Jonathan Joseph; even if Tuilagi rips it up in the warmup games, Lancaster would surely not want to discard the Bath centre. Tuilagi’s last autumn Test at Twickenham was in 2012; reputation alone is not enough in a World Cup year. |
| The compromise solution would be to plonk the big Tiger at inside-centre, ignoring the fact he lacks a tactical-kicking game. George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Jack Nowell could still combine in creative tandem with an even more thunderous decoy runner at their elbow. For the last 20 minutes, Barritt’s cool temperament might also be invaluable. England tend to create chances when Billy Twelvetrees is on the field but they also make errors too. | The compromise solution would be to plonk the big Tiger at inside-centre, ignoring the fact he lacks a tactical-kicking game. George Ford, Jonathan Joseph and Jack Nowell could still combine in creative tandem with an even more thunderous decoy runner at their elbow. For the last 20 minutes, Barritt’s cool temperament might also be invaluable. England tend to create chances when Billy Twelvetrees is on the field but they also make errors too. |
| So where would that leave Twelvetrees and Luther Burrell, both of whom have enjoyed Six Nations successes without necessarily impersonating Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Matt Giteau or Matt Toomua? If Lancaster will have one selectorial regret this year it is not giving Henry Slade any game-time during the Six Nations. Slade, who turned 22 last week, could be the missing link at 12: a good defender, an excellent kicker and distributor, and an elusive runner to boot. The question is whether sufficient training-field hours exist to transform him from Test rookie into Ford’s right-hand man. Even if that alchemy were to be swiftly performed and Slade makes the 31-strong World Cup squad, he will still struggle to make the bench. | So where would that leave Twelvetrees and Luther Burrell, both of whom have enjoyed Six Nations successes without necessarily impersonating Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Matt Giteau or Matt Toomua? If Lancaster will have one selectorial regret this year it is not giving Henry Slade any game-time during the Six Nations. Slade, who turned 22 last week, could be the missing link at 12: a good defender, an excellent kicker and distributor, and an elusive runner to boot. The question is whether sufficient training-field hours exist to transform him from Test rookie into Ford’s right-hand man. Even if that alchemy were to be swiftly performed and Slade makes the 31-strong World Cup squad, he will still struggle to make the bench. |
| Related: England narrowly fail to claim Six Nations but have hope for World Cup | |
| Owen Farrell continues to be name-checked by Lancaster on a regular basis and can expect to be involved in some capacity once he is fit again. Sticking him at inside-centre alongside Ford, though, is not the long-term answer. And what about the breakdown, the absolute key area when it comes to beating Wales, Australia and, for that matter, Ireland? Like it or not – assuming he is available – inviting Steffon Armitage to attend the wider squad’s pre-World Cup training camp in June seems like a no-brainer. | Owen Farrell continues to be name-checked by Lancaster on a regular basis and can expect to be involved in some capacity once he is fit again. Sticking him at inside-centre alongside Ford, though, is not the long-term answer. And what about the breakdown, the absolute key area when it comes to beating Wales, Australia and, for that matter, Ireland? Like it or not – assuming he is available – inviting Steffon Armitage to attend the wider squad’s pre-World Cup training camp in June seems like a no-brainer. |
| The return of a fit Alex Corbisiero and Joe Launchbury would also help, while there is still a decision to be made about a reserve winger. If Christian Wade impresses against Armitage’s Toulon next week it would be a timely nudge, given Jonny May, Marland Yarde, Semesa Rokoduguni and Chris Ashton have all been tried and, for now, jettisoned. Soon, though, it will be impossible to drown out the ticking clock. If the World Cup was happening next year England would be feeling far more confident. | The return of a fit Alex Corbisiero and Joe Launchbury would also help, while there is still a decision to be made about a reserve winger. If Christian Wade impresses against Armitage’s Toulon next week it would be a timely nudge, given Jonny May, Marland Yarde, Semesa Rokoduguni and Chris Ashton have all been tried and, for now, jettisoned. Soon, though, it will be impossible to drown out the ticking clock. If the World Cup was happening next year England would be feeling far more confident. |
| My England XV for opening World Cup match v Fiji M Brown; A Watson, J Joseph, M Tuilagi, J Nowell; G Ford, B Youngs; A Corbisiero, D Hartley, D Cole, C Lawes, J Launchbury, C Robshaw (capt), S Armitage, B Vunipola. | My England XV for opening World Cup match v Fiji M Brown; A Watson, J Joseph, M Tuilagi, J Nowell; G Ford, B Youngs; A Corbisiero, D Hartley, D Cole, C Lawes, J Launchbury, C Robshaw (capt), S Armitage, B Vunipola. |
| Replacements T Youngs, J Marler, D Wilson, G Parling, T Wood, D Care, O Farrell, B Barritt. | Replacements T Youngs, J Marler, D Wilson, G Parling, T Wood, D Care, O Farrell, B Barritt. |
| Street life | Street life |
| When it comes to turning wine into water, English sport has a pretty decent track record. Few recent descents have been steeper than in women’s rugby where the world champions have just trailed in a mediocre fourth in the Six Nations. Even allowing for rebuilding and competing sevens commitments it makes the abrupt pre-tournament departure of the successful head coach Gary Street look all the stranger. | When it comes to turning wine into water, English sport has a pretty decent track record. Few recent descents have been steeper than in women’s rugby where the world champions have just trailed in a mediocre fourth in the Six Nations. Even allowing for rebuilding and competing sevens commitments it makes the abrupt pre-tournament departure of the successful head coach Gary Street look all the stranger. |
| One to watch | One to watch |
| The Hong Kong Sevens remains a serious off-field party but these days it is also a breeding ground for medal-winning Olympians. While some fear sevens is in danger of overtaking 15s in certain countries, the contrary view is that the shortened form of the game fosters interest far beyond traditional boundaries. South Africa top the men’s World Series standings from New Zealand and Fiji, but the improving USA are now ranked seventh in the world. With Rio 2016 looming, the global profile of sevens is only heading in one direction. | The Hong Kong Sevens remains a serious off-field party but these days it is also a breeding ground for medal-winning Olympians. While some fear sevens is in danger of overtaking 15s in certain countries, the contrary view is that the shortened form of the game fosters interest far beyond traditional boundaries. South Africa top the men’s World Series standings from New Zealand and Fiji, but the improving USA are now ranked seventh in the world. With Rio 2016 looming, the global profile of sevens is only heading in one direction. |