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Wilko and out for England
The leading scorer in world rugby is dropped
Last updated: 11th March 2008
Jonny Wilkinson has paid the price for England's disappointing form by being axed for the final RBS Six Nations game against Ireland.
Wilkinson, who was one of a number of players below-par against Scotland, has been replaced by Danny Cipriani.
However, does Wilkinson deserve to be the scapegoat for England poor performance or is coach Brian Ashton right to drop the record points scorer in Test rugby?
Or can the decision be seen as a desperate act by a coach in danger of losing his job?
Join the Sky Sports Debate by filling in the form below...
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Comments
Brian Coulson says...
I know it's academic what we all think, but I too can't understand why along with Cipriani, Stevens. Tait, Simpson Daniel, Lewsey, Cueto Etc. aren't in and Vickery. Flood,and BALSHAW aren't given a rest, I also think that Wilkinson will be back I fell as I may have read elsewhere that JW needs a season playing injury free club rugby with no tours to learn to enjoy himself again. Balshaw why?
Posted 16:13 12th March 2008
Richard Forrester says...
Wilkinson should have been dropped long ago from the 10 position although there may be a case for trying him at full back where he has played before and is a brave tackler and his goal kicking abilities are maybe needed. but, he now clearly lacks the pace required for an international fly half and has lost the ability to get his backs moving. Cipriani is the right choice at 10 but other changes need to be made outside him. Vainikola needs to give way to Strettle as soon as he returns and I would play Simpson Daniel at outside centre with Tait inside him. Sackey on the other wing. The lack of a great centre combination in recent times makes you realize just how good Carling and Guscott were but I do think that Tait and JSD could evolve into a great centre combination given time. both have played in these positions before and well for their clubs. in the forwards, Vickery has to give way to Stevens and the second and back rows need to be rjigged. The back row seems very makeshift at present. Finally Ashton has to go plus his two coaches. Bring in jake White and clean the stables completely. The current team seem to have no game plan and are playing diabolical rugby. There should have been wholesale changes for the Ireland match and I'm not sure Cipriani will be able to do much with an unbalanced and ageing pack and the current centres outside him who are second rate.
Posted 15:55 12th March 2008
John Brown says...
Jonny is still one of the best 10's in world rugby, the problem with England Rugby is down to the men at the top and with the coaches. Rob Andrews input into the team seems to centered around his Newcastle boys, especially Flood & Noon who are quite simply not international class centres and this shows with newcastle constantly finishing in the bottom half of the premiership. I would suggest the removal of these people and bringing in a coaching team which has actually acheived something. Jake White maybe, but dean richards is a must.
Posted 08:57 12th March 2008
Kevan Curtis says...
one man is not to blame, how dose Danny Cipriani get drop one week when he was pick at fullback and then come in at no10, Ian Balshaw has not had a good game for England in a long time, nor has a lot of people, if you want to blame one man, then you should look at the top first.
Posted 08:39 12th March 2008
Alex C says...
I remember a similar debate raging back when NZ dropped Carlos Spencer after the 2003 world cup and another young fly half was brought in who people weren't sure of, only turned out to be Dan Carter
Posted 08:25 12th March 2008
Andrew Shepherd says...
i agree we should go with cipriani we're not gonna win it are we, blood some new players and mix it up make them sweat for the shirt. some seem to be in a comfort zone we should bring in simpson-daniel and tait should be at 13, try cueto at 15 and shuffle the pack to make it at least look like we are trying new things. to replace just johnny is a backward step
Posted 07:47 12th March 2008
Ian Stewart says...
As a Scotsman it pains me to say this but Wilkinson is still one of the best players in the world and even from the bench will have some influance on the game. He was not to blame for the result on Saturday. the media are being very disrespectful, all seems to be centred on how England didn't perfrom, no mention of Chris Patterson or Mike Blair and there excellent play or the very impresive Scottish defence.
Posted 07:39 12th March 2008
Matthew Saunders says...
Jonny had a bad game to top a tournament in which he hasn't played to the standard expected of an international 10. The whole team was dire and I would personally like to see some more changes (I don't think Ashton is capable of making). However, Jonny is a senior player in a key position and should be controlling the game. There are no longer the controlling influences of Greenwood in the backline to direct Jonny and it is showing. The blunt fact remains that his kicking from hand and decision making was dire. Ashton, if anything, is backed into a corner. The old experienced pro has to make way for the young upstart. It is the only element of that England team, which leaves me remotely excited. As we know with Jonny he will be back a better player and there are still many more starts to come from the highest point scorer of all time. Just not this weekend.
Posted 02:03 12th March 2008
Malcolm Cavanagh says...
Why just drop johnny when people like Balshaw still get in the team Ashton should be axed England need a world class manager to get us back to where w belong no.1!!
Posted 01:26 12th March 2008
Nagin Lad says...
I am lost for words. Yes Wilko had a bad game with aimless kicks but where was the chase. The Volcano dropped the ball almost every time. I would have Hodgson or Wilko at 10, Gerharty at 12, Hipkiss 13, Varndell, Sackey and Cipriani as the back three. Matt Stevens has to start.
Posted 23:05 11th March 2008
Nich Marshall says...
Lets hope that coach White is still looking for a job, come monday morning, saturday within the first 10 minutes you could see we had no passion. sounds familar Steve McClaren. the scots fought, tackled with such spirit. when on paper(i know rugby isn't played on paper) their players were of less ability , but had the heart of William Wallace- boo. has Jonny been made a victim, yep because Brian isn't brave, to fall on his zimmer. move jonny to full back if needs be! he's brave, fearless, astute, brillant under the high ball, oh and the best goal kicker in rugby!
Posted 22:54 11th March 2008
Gary Johnson says...
Well Well Well. Beaten by the Scots and Jonny is dropped. The Scots tackled v. well and were better in the conditions. England also underestimated them. Simple. With nothing to play for now, changes could have been made for this weekend. Should have kept JW on pitch played him at 12 in the Mike Catt role lucking after DC with Sinbad at 13. Lewsey at FB and Cueto/Bangerman on Left wing. Need to get some go forward past the gain line and provide good quick ball to release backs. To get this,forwards need to be more cohesive as a unit and and be able to do the simple things well which at the moment we don't seem able to do. These are all Premiership players and are all capable of providing the required platform. The issue then comes down to leadership on and off the field and basic coaching. Answer-release Ashton after 6N and start again while we can. Lets not leave it too late.
Posted 22:52 11th March 2008
Stuart Urquhat says...
im not surprise that jonny has been dropped by why hasnt most of the team not been dropped?? yes jonny has been under par but england performances against scotland was a joke!! we cant win the 6 nations so why dont Aston change the team around so that England can actually play with a bit of style!!
Posted 22:43 11th March 2008
Roger Malcolm says...
Brian Ashton has lost the plot. Get rid of him and Rob Andrew now, they will never deliver the full potential of England rugby. It pains me to say it but 18 months ago I said England should go and get Gatland. Instead we kept good old uncle Brian and we insulted Edwards by offering him the Saxons! Well done Rob Andrew and the RFU outstanding
Posted 22:30 11th March 2008
Emmanuel Shobowale says...
If Jonny Wilkinson was dropped because he just wants to give danny cipriani a chance, then fair enough as England can't win the six nations. But if he was dropped for bad performance, I disagree. Jonny Wilkinson is probably the most famous rugby player in the world, therefore he gets most of the praise, but also most of the stick. He is being targeted unfairly, when it was a bad team performance. Shouldn't Vickery leadership be called into question?
Posted 21:57 11th March 2008
Mark Cullen says...
What planet is Brian Ashton on? Yes Jonny has not been playing well and Cipriani deserves his chance but one change when the whole team were woeful c'mon Brian??!!! Its pretty difficult for any half back to play decent rugby behind a beaten pack and thats what England were last weekend. What is more disgraceful is that we were overpowered up front by Scotland!! Not the Boks, not the All Blacks....Scotland!!! The hollow victory in Paris was fed largely from French over exuberance and mistakes. Now serious questions need to be asked about Ashton and the way his so called coaches select and motivate this team. Clearly its time for Rob Andrew to show his mettle and take the step he should have taken after the World Cup....simply find us a coach who can hack it at this level!!
Posted 21:27 11th March 2008
Peter Plowden says...
I believe England got to the world cup final despite Ashton, not because of him. He hasn't got the team buzzing, they lack direction and where on earth is the passion that the other teams show? Wilkinson is being made a scapegoat for sure, and as for Cipriani, yes, a great talent, but until he decides he is big enough to play without headgear normally reserved for forwards getting their ears pulled off, I will have no respect for him.
Posted 21:21 11th March 2008
Katie Ryan says...
Did Brian Ashton not notice that all englands points were thanks to one player? I think Brian Ashton should be sacked, making Jonny the scapegoat is a joke! He made some awful selection choices before and during the Scotland game - i think the man needs his eyes testing!
Posted 20:56 11th March 2008
Brian Mash says...
Ashton MUST be sacked he is a joke!!!! Someone please tell me how exactly Balshaw still makes the England team??? Or Toby 'Couldn't break an egg, let alone a defensive line' Flood??? Vainikolo should never have been picked over Sinbad - full stop. Big Les thrives at Glos because of the fluent backline. When one player plays bad (Balshaw) he should be dropped, but when the entire team plays bad look to the coaching team! Cipriani great at 10, if only we could see him with Geraghty and Tait in the centres???!! Will someone please also tell our forwards to stay OUT of the backline....their influence ensures that the wings never get the ball till they are standing on the touchline!! As much as I hate to say it we should take a leaf out of Super 14's attacking rugby!! England so far - rubbish!! Ashton must be sacked!!! NOW!! Followed by Baron and Andrew. Come back Clive!!!!!
Posted 20:51 11th March 2008
Lee H says...
I agree with Fiona. I don't think Jonny should be treated as a scapegoat for several players playing badly, who scored all of England's points in that game? Ah yes, Jonny. I remember Cipriani coming on for Jonny against Italy in the RBS 6 Nations a few weeks back and virtually passing the ball to allow an Italian try, so is it really a great idea to drop Jonny?
Posted 14:19 11th March 2008
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