By Vespasian
January 3 2007

London Wasps' faith in Phil Vickery was rewarded when Brian Ashton chose him to lead England during the forthcoming Six Nations campaign. Vickster's try-scoring comeback was one of the few plus-points during the autumn internationals.  

Now he is charged with reinvigorating England's World Cup defence.

The gentle giant would have had little inkling that the outset of his benefit season at Gloucester last term would be so challenging.

Not only did it include yet another career threatening operation, but he concluded that his contract negotiations would be better served in Acton at London Wasps -- the Cherry and Whites having lowered their view of the World Cup winner's worth.

Vickster's long route march from Bude via the character building, Redruthian Hellfire Corner and the stronghold of Castle Grim has reached its rightful end having become firmly entrenched in London's western reaches.

By recognising Vickery's true worth in his new year's honours list, Ashton has slashed to ribbons Andy Robinson's staid England selectorial policy with a master stroke. Would that the blending of old-timers with new blood had been done last April, England's sorry plight would have been ended far sooner.

Ashton's creative vision will be delivered by the collective nous of Lieutenants Wilkinson (his time must be nigh, one way or the other), Catt (of nine tails), Tindall (the cavalier?), Lewsey (fixed wing variety), Balshaw (early Bath variety, please) and Robinson (thankfully of Whizzardly and not Dullardly variety).

Should they be unfit for duty, fresh legs will learn to pick up the pieces correctly (congratulations, Paul Sackey), or rapidly go the way of Ben Cohen (you are a wing back, sir, not a wing forward).

By freeing Lieutenant Corry of his captain's shackles and building a pack founded on four more Tigers and another four Wasps (Palmer, Payne, Rees and Worsley) together with a sprinkling of fresh legs and old lags (Messers Brown and Ward-Smith), England should finally begin to match the team strength and mental fortitude associated with Sir Woodward's class of 2003.

For others not mentioned in despatches, time is tight. Those not in the reckoning when the nights begin to draw in once more shall not make the director's final cut. The message from Ashton is clear for LBND, Shaw, Voyce and Gizzie (thank you, LS): Now is the hour to deliver for club and for country.

The time has surely come for Vickery's men to stand up in defiance.