Who Will #WearTheRose against France? Part 1

We are very close now. The 50 day countdown began, and England’s first warm up match against France is just over the horizon. Annoyingly, I will have to watch that match on the Sunday, what with my brother inconveniently arranging his wedding on the Saturday, but no matter. This is when Stuart Lancaster starts to show the world the squad he will unleash on Twickenham on September 18^th. With 14 days until France are welcomed (perhaps the wrong word, but never mind) to the home of English rugby, I want to throw out some speculation of who I think Lancaster will select in the various positions. This post is about the back three, both wings and the full back.

#15. Mike Brown. 

Most likely to be the starting fullback in the World Cup, he has masses of credit in the bank. But he does have one drawback – he hasn’t played since February, which is exactly why I expect to see him in the squad on the 15^th. He needs the match time, something that Alex Goode and Anthony Watson don’t, with both playing in the Premiership final. Albeit, briefly for Watson. (Which wasn’t a red card offence by the way, Ford Snr, but that’s a debate for another day.) The other possible is Ben Foden. Like Brown, he’s been out for a while, but his recovery has finally come to an end, and Lancaster would have been chatting with Jim Mallinder whilst pre-season training has been going on in Northampton. But the likelihood is that Brown will be pulling on the shirt. Giving Foden a chance here though would increase the wing options if it works well. Goode offers an alternate as a fly half, but he doesn’t add the same options to the back three that Foden, Watson and Brown offer. All of the aforementioned offer greater attacking lines, but have different kicking options. But this isn’t about what will come in September. This is who will play against France, and that is most likely to be Brown.

#14. Chris Ashton, and #11. Semesa Rokogunduni. 

Wing options are pretty full here. Even with the withdrawal of Ashton’s former Saracen teammate, David Strettle, a replacement was found in a matter of days. With speculation that Marland Yarde is on his way back to Harlequins when Lancaster makes further changes to his squad, these two are the most likely to be selected against France. They are the ones with the most to prove, perhaps with Jonny May sitting on the bench. Rokogunduni hasn’t pulled on the white since his test debut against New Zealand last year, Ashton has had even longer in the cold. With Watson as a strong wing option, Jack Nowell offering an alternative as a centre, and even Brown offering himself as an extra winger, these three players will need to give a strong showing to push their way into the final 31, and this will be their last chance to do it. Some even question the reasoning behind their inclusion when Wasps flyer Christian Wade has been left in Coventry. Time to stand up and be counted.

Next time, I will be casting an eye over the centre partnership likely to be selected, and a chance to weigh in on the ongoing argument of the selection process. Yes, that elephant in the room is going to be challenged. Stay tuned to find out who I think should #WearTheRose.