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Same old England?
Brian Ashton defended his England squad selection in the face of criticism from Stuart and Dewi.
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Brian Ashton defended his England squad selection in the face of criticism from Stuart and Dewi.
Back to story
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Comments
Tom Raby says...
I have very few problems with what will be the starting 15, no point in 15 new, young faces and going out and getting battered! but why has he stuck with the same old players who won't play?! As Will Greenwood said there are players in the squad who are going to turn up and be told to hold tackle bags all session. what would be wrong with including the likes of abendanon, allen, geraghty, kennedy or palmer and lipman instead of the balshaws, noons, hodgesons, kays and worsleys of this world. in a way the only real changes that have been made to the squad (apart from farrell and barkley) are through retirement of dallaglio, corry, robinson and catt - and ashton would probably have picked most of them if they were available...!
Posted 15:24 22nd January 2008
Guy Woodeson says...
Aside from the odd player who I think were unlucky not to make the squad: Shane Geraghty and Josh Lewsey I think it's the best I've seen England put out since the Martin Johnson era. It has in the squad everything we needed- three uncapped talents who have that they can make the grade in high-pressured games with confidence (Cipriani, Croft and Wigglesworth), a cross-code legend who has shown to be a success in the 15-man game and who wants to play for his adopted country (Vainikolo) and experience from past World Cups who have still got energy left in the tank to help the new boys slip into the test arena comforably (Regan, Shaw, Tindall, Kay and Vickery). The balance has finally been perfected and on the topic of picking Vainikolo it is a good decision, think about it: he's qualified for England, he's become a super-star after four-odd months since crossing-codes, Ashton didn't pressure him into playing for England it was his choice and since he's playing well PICK HIM!! I have great belief in this squad and I can see us winning the whole thing.
Posted 11:59 14th January 2008
Tom Moore says...
I think that Brian Ashton has got the team spot on apart from not including Josh Lewsey. We are looking for experience mainly in the first 15 and i think that we do not have sufficient enough experience at full-back. Blashaw just doesnt do enough for me to be classed as an expereienced full-back. Yes, Matthew Tait has improved at this position, but we do not have a 15 that has the international experience there. Ok, Lewsey hasnt scored for England for a good time now, but remember that last ditch tackle against Aus at twickenham. That is what we need Lewsey for, his good defensive duties and the experience he has. Then why not swap Tait to 15 from 13 after 60 mins, giving him the position he is most suited to, and the position that i believe he is most suited too, only after getting some good game time there. Also, i think that 'the valcano' Vainikolo will make a big impact on the international scene. I wouldn't like to see him start because i believe that we should stick to pure english prospects for the next W/C but i have no problem with him on the bench, coming on and storming all over the oppersition. I think he will be similar to Chabal, coming on to make a big impact, with fresh legs hunting for work to do, and i certainly hope this is what he offers us. He will be exciting. Hmmm the Vickery problem. As a prop/second row myself, i as pleased to see him in the squad. He has given a lot to England over the years, i just do not think he deserves to play after two offences now, resulting in bans. Why not give Stevens a good shout, he did prove himself a great asset at the W/C. The captaincy going to Gomersall as he controls the play between the forwards and the backs, or Shaw for jus being the oldest player in the team. Why not, he has been around for so long, give him a chance to retire with a nice cap as captain to leave on. We should all support Ashton and the England Team. Come on England.
Posted 21:04 13th January 2008
Alister Roger says...
Although i respect the vast amount of knowledge both Deiand Stuart have are they going to give Brian a chance to prove that he can do the job. He's brought in some youth and kept some experince to guide them through, If they can do a better job then maybe they should become coaches and do the job themselves.
Posted 15:47 11th January 2008
Alan Farris says...
I think that Dewi Morris is being unduly pessimistic with regards to England's prospects for the future following Brian Ashton's recent 32-man squad selection. England do not have a right to automatically dominate the Siz Nations tournament, as the other countries all have useful players in their ranks, but - in my opinion - Ashton has selected a group of players with both short- and long-term potential. I do not agree with every single one of his choices - the omission of Josh Lewsey is, in my opinion, regrettable - but considering the quality and combined experience of the players that he has lost recently (Dallaglio, Corry, Robinson etc.), the squad looks full of promise from 1 to 15. I am not too concerned about the choice of Vickery as skipper, as he is as fearless as any ex-Gloucester front rower would be expected to be, and he could end up being the squad captain, rather than the captain on the park if he suffers yet another injury. If, in three years time, England are about to enter the World Cup with the likes of Cipriani, Tait and Barkley weaving their magic, Vainokolo and Cueto boshing through for tries, Croft, Rees and Moody gallivanting about the park and Shaw and Sheridan dominating up front, no-one is going to give a tinker's cuss about a loss or two at the start of 2008 while the new faces settled in. Good for you, Brian, you stick to your guns and pick the team that YOU want (and, at the same time, good for you, Dewi, to keep asking the questions and making the comments that the rest of us make in the pub and clubhouse!!!)
Posted 15:42 11th January 2008
Paul Smith says...
There are 4 years to build for the next W/C and I agree with Ashton you have to have a bit of continuity and experience to bring the new lads along, Vickery, Regan and Shaw will prob only be around for this season but that will give Ashton time enough to blood the young boys once England have got a winning formula - we dont wont to start off like we did after the last W/C with defeats which then only lead to people wanting wholesale changes. The back line will still be very young so you wil need some old heads in the forwards along with Haskell, Rees and Croft.
Posted 15:07 11th January 2008
Robert Collins says...
this is the best english rugby i've seen since the 2003 world cup when we beat australia. in the 2007 world cup people underestimated ashton, they said we wouldn't get through the knock out stages but he got england to the final, so you can't say he is rubbish because he is one of the best coaches we have had in a long time.
Posted 14:56 11th January 2008
Chris Adolph says...
Typical comments we've come to expect from armchair spectators. Barnes has never really got rid of the chip on his shoulder, so you can't really expect him to talk objectively,but I'd have expected better from Dewi. I agree with Lewis the focus has to be in developing a team and get used to the winning way again. You need the blend of youth and experience to do that. It's very easy to criticise selection and say "go for youth" when you are not accountable. Good to see Farrell out at least we can put that disaster behind us!
Posted 14:14 11th January 2008
Dave West says...
And that is why English rugby goes backwards. The Twickenham crowd would rather see a good rugby display and lose than the normal drudgery served up by the dinosaurs. The six nations have no better players up there sleeve than the European Cup competitions so the excuse the younger players have no experience at the perceived level is rubbish. Play the younger players and build a rugby team for the next world cup.
Posted 14:10 11th January 2008
Chris Green says...
Stuart, unlike many misguided fans I genuinely don't care what style England play. This is not ice dance and you do not get points for artistic impression. What matters is winning. To win you pick your best players. Given this simple formula, Ashton has made some glaring mistakes. Stevens is transparently the best prop and should start. Hipkiss is the outstanding young back and experienced at the highest level and must be in the 32. Allen is a superb back and similarly must be in. worst of all Balshaw has not played well since Spring 2001 and would not get in many club sides. His selection is a dire mistake.
Posted 13:50 11th January 2008
Jeremy Hegan says...
Ashton has once again gone for too much experience, which is what has unfortunately happened to Ireland, where the passion and excitement will be surpassed by a cumbersome monotiny! He is failing to see the talent which is staring him in the face and as a result I envisage a similar campaign for england to the one they suffered four years ago.
Posted 13:50 11th January 2008
Kevin Jubb says...
Disagree with Dewi I think Brian has got it just about right, carry on winning keep the feel good factor going and slowly introduce the youngsters, it much easier to settle into a winning team than one under pressure, the older players can be eased out over the next 12 to 18 months, we will have a much better picture in next years Six Nations.
Posted 13:44 11th January 2008
P.i Staker says...
England should keep playing the boring style of rugby we are used to. It suits them. They won in 2003 with no flair and reached the final in 2007 with the ball only going past 10 for 5% of moves.
Posted 13:40 11th January 2008
Cornish Legend says...
What is Dewi on about? England rugby is not solely about the World Cup, England need to field their strongest team for the 6 Nations. We shouldn't be throwing in youngsters unless they are worth their place in the side and I believe that Ashton has done exactly this. The Saxons is for youngsters with promise and those who excel can then be drafted into the senior squad. Morris' statement that England fans will tolerate defeats with a young side playing attractive rugby is nonsence - I for one am eyeing up a Grand Slam this year and will be disappointed if we don't achieve this. Dewi should try picking some new shirt and tie combinations (which aren't disgusting) and leave the rugby analysis to the excellent Greenwood.
Posted 13:39 11th January 2008
Dan O'leary says...
Please could Mr Barnes and Mr Morris stop complaining! If Ashton dropped all the dinosaurs and a team of youngsters went out and lost heavily to Wales I'm sure they'd be equally critical. The very thing England needs is an end to quick fixes. If Croft for example is going to be vital at the next World Cup then what's the rush. Expose him and the other youngsters to International rugby gradually, rather than dropping them in too early with too much pressure and expectation (see Matthew Tait's debut). With someone like Cipriani, why not let Wilinson build a score initially and then bring him on with the sevurity of knowing he can try things, as one slip up won't lose the match. Yes we have a very exciting group of youngsters coming through, but a few old heads shepherding this talent through surely can't be a bad thing. And as for a "suffocating" style of play, why not reserve judgement until the final whistle and actually wait to see what England do! I don't envy Brian Ashton when every decision he makes is met with almost instant negativity from some corners of the media.
Posted 13:25 11th January 2008
James Gregory says...
Judge Brian after the 6 nations tournament has been completed. I think he has got it fairly well spot on so far and is playing to England's current strengths - I'm sure the media would like nothing better than England to lose their opening game in the RBS to set the hounds lose on Ashton. Why try and play expansive passing tactics when it is not yet the northern hemisphere style at international level, it takes time to develop...four years should be ample. As for the front row. Players that know each other with tried and experienced combinations gives the team a good base to work from. As for the comment about Ashton being overly loyal to certain players, maybe Dewi and Stuart should speak to Andy Farrell or Josh Lewsey - I don't think chopping a man of Vickery's experience as captain is the way forward. If he's fit he should play, the key thing for a captain is to have the respect of the players they are leading, Vickery has that. Who else would they suggest as captain, Johnny, Mike Tindall? The youngsters he has brought in are there for the future. Ashton will introduce them over the course of time and the tournaments to come. For me Ashton has selected wisely and introduced some interesting new players in the back row where pace and flair has been an issue. Lets see how they get on against the home nations before thinking about winning world cups.
Posted 12:31 11th January 2008
Lewis Rudge says...
Andy Robinson's problems were largely caused by losing too many expeienced players as he took over. Brian Ashton has to keep a solid base to give a good performance in the 6 Nations and then carry on introducing new blood at a steady rate without rocking the boat. Throwing in an inexperienced side with his fingers crossed will not bring back the World Cup. Losing narrowly while playing attractive rugby will not charm the crowd at Twickenham.
Posted 12:02 11th January 2008
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