England Rugby Elite Squad Announcement

[BigMansZetec]

Martin Johnson names his first proper squad at 11am today. Should include the backs coach appointment too.

[stimmers]

BigMansZetec said:

Martin Johnson names his first proper squad at 11am today. Should include the backs coach appointment too.

Could be a good week for rugby as far as my alligences are concerned.

[stimmers]

Flutey is in - good news

Other interesting ones

Jordan Crane
Dylan Hartley
Nick Kennedy
Simon Shaw
Shane Geraghty

Danny Care
Harry Ellis
Josh Lewsey
Dan Hipkiss
James Simpson Daniel
Jonny Wilkinson - only proper 10 in the squad

Ojo, Tindall and Strettle in the saxons. Cipriani is also included in the saxons squad

No Charlie Hodgson at all in either squad

Edited by stimmers on Tuesday 1st July 11:09

[BigMansZetec]

Very interesting squad.

Interesting how Kennedy and Hartley are in considering they played no part on the tour. I thought Fluteys inclusion might put Geraghty out of the frame e, but I guess he can provide cover at 10 in Ciprianis absence.
As much as I prefer home grown England talent, Flutey is a class act and could make a real difference.

Hope that ses an end to Hodgsons England ambitions, he's had enough chances over the years.

News conference at 11.30 on Sky Sports News for anyone interested.

[stimmers]

BigMansZetec said:

As much as I prefer home grown England talent, Flutey is a class act and could make a real difference.

I totally agree. Every nation on earth now takes players in this manner so it would be foolish to not do it. Interesting U Turn from Flutey who said he could never play for anyone apart from NZ. I think Flutey could reserect Wilko's career, by taking huge amount of pressure off him

[BigMansZetec]

Full squad:

Forwards: Steve Borthwick (Saracens), George Chuter (Leicester), Jordan Crane (Leicester), Tom Croft (Leicester), Dylan Hartley (Northampton), James Haskell (Wasps), Nick Kennedy (London Irish), Lee Mears (Bath), Lewis Moody (Leicester), Luke Narraway (Gloucester), Tom Palmer (Wasps), Tim Payne (Wasps), Tom Rees (Wasps), Simon Shaw (Wasps), Andrew Sheridan (Sale), Matt Stevens (Bath), Phil Vickery (Wasps).

Backs: Olly Barkley (Gloucester), Danny Care (Harlequins), Harry Ellis (Leicester), Toby Flood (Leicester), Riki Flutey (Wasps), Shane Geraghty (London Irish), Dan Hipkiss (Leicester), Josh Lewsey (Wasps), Jamie Noon (Newcastle), Pete Richards (London Irish), Paul Sackey (Wasps), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester), Mathew Tait (Sale), Tom Varndell (Leicester), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle).

Theres going to be plenty of competition in the midfield!

[stimmers]

Bit suprised by Mears. Thought he was found out in NZ, especially physically. Just wasn't up to it

[stimmers]

No annoucement on Brian Smith, they are still negotiating his release from his club.

Does that suggest he is not staying with Irish in any sort of capacity?

[BigMansZetec]

stimmers said:

No annoucement on Brian Smith, they are still negotiating his release from his club.

Does that suggest he is not staying with Irish in any sort of capacity?

He's definately going to England full time, one year part time would have suited the club better I feel.
Looks like Irish are going to screw every penny out of the RFU, hence the delay. Looked like Johnson was getting a bit frustrated about not having that sorted.

Re: Hookers, I would have said Hartley, Paice and one other, but obviously no Paice for whatever reason, did he have a bad tour?

Very short and to the point press conference, very few questions, but Jonno is not the sort of man to give much away is he.

[stimmers]

BigMansZetec said:

stimmers said:

No annoucement on Brian Smith, they are still negotiating his release from his club.

Does that suggest he is not staying with Irish in any sort of capacity?

He's definately going to England full time, one year part time would have suited the club better I feel.
Looks like Irish are going to screw every penny out of the RFU, hence the delay. Looked like Johnson was getting a bit frustrated about not having that sorted.

Re: Hookers, I would have said Hartley, Paice and one other, but obviously no Paice for whatever reason, did he have a bad tour?

Very short and to the point press conference, very few questions, but Jonno is not the sort of man to give much away is he.

Paice didn't do much on the tour, but they obviously feel his physicality is called into question too. Chuter and Hartley have no problems in that department.

[esselte]

Slightly off topic but what's happened to Dan Ward-Smith who I thought was looking promising before he had his knee injury last year?

[stimmers]

esselte said:

Slightly off topic but what's happened to Dan Ward-Smith who I thought was looking promising before he had his knee injury last year?

Never recovered the same form he had before that nasty Knee injury, in fact Bristol are a shadow of the team that did so well in 06/07. Not only that, but Ward-Smith' age works against him to as he's coming up to 30, not the best age to start an Eng career, especially when they are some really good young options like Jordan Crane, Narraway and of course Easter is still there. Haskell could become an 8 soon too.

Edited by stimmers on Thursday 3rd July 10:57

[esselte]

stimmers said:

esselte said:

Slightly off topic but what's happened to Dan Ward-Smith who I thought was looking promising before he had his knee injury last year?

Never recovered the same form he had before that nasty Knee injury, in fact Bristol are a shadow of the team that did so well in 06/07. Not only that, but Ward-Smith' age works against him to as he's coming up to 30, not the best age to start an Eng career, especially when they are some really good young options like Jordan Crane, Narraway and of course Easter is still there. Haskell could become an 8 soon too.

Thanks for that,I figured that's what would happen when he got hurt last year.You can't be out of the game for too long these days....wonder if it will happen to Danny with his ankle although he does have the advantage of youth...