Bath
Bath’s World Cup Hopefuls
Anthony to star at RWC?
By P G Tips
July 9 2014
There has been a lot of debate on this site recently about the squad Stuart Lancaster should select for the 2015 World Cup. Bath’s improved showing this season has confirmed the status of a few of our players and promoted the cause of a number of others – many of them newcomers to Blue, Black & White. Are we to expect a stronger showing than 2011 when 5 Bath squad members made the journey to New Zealand?
The last month, both domestically & down under has helped some reputations and put questions against others. So who are the candidates?
Should Feature if Fit
Rob Webber
Three hookers should be chosen. Rob’s star rose in New Zealand, while Dylan Hartleys’ spluttered. Currently they fight it out for first choice with Tom Youngs pressing. Rob needs a good autumn and 6 Nations & to stay clear of injury. Should be in Lancaster’s plans.
Davey Wilson
A great 6 nations taking over from the injured Cole, followed by some impressive play down under, Davey is another vying for first choice status. Stronger scrummager than Cole; should be chosen.
Strong candidates
Dave Attwood
One of 4 locks regularly favoured, Dave gets most of his caps from the bench. Currently 4th choice, so a place in the squad may depend on the balance elsewhere in the pack. Offers more grunt and ruck power than Parling, but not as prominent ball in hand. A strong chance of a place – especially if injury strikes any of his rivals.
George Ford
Chose a shoulder op over a New Zealand tour & may come to regret it.
From No 2 in the Fly half pecking order, he has fallen behind Burns & Cipriani in opportunity, but Burns blew hot & cold in New Zealand. George offers more in sparking a backline - if Lancaster opts for 3 fly halves that should help him. Needs to raise his goal-kicking a notch. In with a good chance, especially if he does well in September when his rivals may be tired or being rested.
Kyle Eastmond
Mixed fortunes in New Zealand: one good test, exposed by a rampant all Black backline in the other. Offers a maverick creativity in midfield but Lancaster may prefer bulk. Could get a chance to press his claims depending on fitness and form of others. A possible option.
Anthony Watson
Wing is not a settled position for England. Yarde looks like front runner & a resurgent Ashton can be dangerous in attack, but neither Nowell or May has truly convinced. A great line for a try in Christchurch and his full back credentials give Anthony a strong case. Now needs his chance in Autumn or 6N.
Credible Contenders
Sam Burgess
Despite the hype, it is impossible to grade Sam higher – at least until he pulls on a Union shirt. Mixed fortunes in England’s midfield may give him a chance, but will Bath use him there? Has undoubted skills and power: is he a secret weapon, or will 2015 be too early?
Olly Devoto
Keeping Kyle Eastmond out of Bath’s starting XV for the last month of the season shows how far Olly has come. Would have been considered “long shot” only, but Lancaster is known to favour a second distributor at 12. Olly showed defensive solidity late last season and he could do a Will Greenwood style job at 12 for England. Sadly, not a likely option in Lancaster’s mind unless injuries force his hand.
Semesa Rokoduguni
With few wingers truly secure in their squad places, Semesa can hope to shine and make a late bid. Will need to impress defensively to erase the memory of an unfortunate first England outing against the Baa Baas.
Long Shots
Nathan Catt
Did nothing wrong in New Zealand, but stands 5th in line on the stronger side of England’s scrum. Will do well enough if needed, but unlikely to feature.
Henry Thomas
6 caps at Tight head - not an English position of strength- but has lost ground to Kieran Brookes. His chances depend on whether Dan Cole recovers from long term injury. Maybe Neal Hatley can work his magic and turn him into a real force? More likely one for the future.
Carl Fearns
Did well on his last England chance – a midweek match in S Africa 2 years ago. Not had a call since- perhaps he is seen as too much a back row utility man? Would not let anybody down, but blindside is a position of relative strength.
Matt Garvey
Essential to Bath, but not it seems, to England. Matt, like Carl Fearns has a long queue of flankers in front of him. If he does move to lock this season as rumoured, he will find himself in another well populated position. May have to wait another 4 years for a chance.
Jonathon Joseph
5 tries last season for Bath, but injury disrupted his season. Plenty of pace and a great swerve, he is also sound in defence. Another who has slipped down the order since his first starts in South Africa 2 seasons ago. If Tuilagi & Burrell remain fit, he is unlikely to be needed.
So Bath could have as many as 15 squad members hoping to catch Lancaster’s eye. The likely outcome, if all remain fit, would seem to be 2 or 3 forwards to be chosen, with 1 or 2 backs to join them. Chances of Dave Attwood, George Ford & Kyle Eastmond being in the party may well depend on the overall balance Lancaster chooses within his pack & midfield. Sam Burgess is a wild card, already being touted by one press pundit- before he has put his boots on for Bath. So who will be lucky?
I will stick my neck out and say that (fitness permitting), these will be in the squad:
Rob Webber, Davey Wilson, Dave Attwood, George Ford, Anthony Watson.
Who would you choose?
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09/07/2014 21:35
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2014:08:22:22:16:38 by Stuart Anderton.
Webber, Wilson and Attwood for me. Ford cannot play until he learns how to kick when the pressure is on in the last 10 to 15 minutes. The others have simply run out of time.
I think that "bolt" could be Watson. it is easier to fit an outside back into the gameplan close to a tournament, he is on the radar and the competition is not strong!
PG
Quote:BathRugbyRMQuote:Rugby Rules
Eastmond has no chance. He's an embarrassment
Wow
It was bluntly put, but I think the first sentence is accurate. Kyle has not convinced for England and at this stage Lancaster is going to go with those who have and refine the team in the AI and 6N. I doubt George will make it as I thought Cipriani took his chance well in NZ. It is interesting that posters on the other boards, especially Quins and Wasps, rate Olly Devoto very highly indeed and last season were suggesting him as the bolter for the RWC squad.
... IMHO, of course.
Now in Honolulu
Its a shame for Kyle, the middle of last season he showed glimpses of real class, linking a few good performances together, but dropped off near the end.
Olly is a gem but I really don't want to see him rushed into the England set up. Lancaster isn't one to rush young talent in. Watson for example is undoubtedly better than Nowell and May (slight BB&W tinted) yet he still hasn't been given a chance in the deep end, he deserves an opportunity!
In those 5 England appearances he has scored 2 tries. In his first start for England v Argentina last summer he was a constant attacking threat and solid defensively, including scoring a stunning solo try. In this summer's first test he made the break of the match.
Admittedly he had a disappointing game in the 3rd test and was subbed at half time. He was not alone in being exposed by the All Black backs, who got off to a flying start thanks to 4 unforced errors by England.
So -one poor match in 5."Embarassment" is a gross exaggeration.
PG
The third test shambles could have seen any number of players to blame, its just a shame Kyle was used as the scapegoat.
He is a welcome change to the uninspiring Billy Twelvetrees or the Burrell Battering Ram in the 12 shirt.
OBinExile
Regarding the embarrassment comment, I just assumed that Stu had accidentally let Nabuk/Old Bat on for a period.
Quote:BathRugbyRM
He is a welcome change to the uninspiring Billy Twelvetrees or the Burrell Battering Ram in the 12 shirt.
Did you mean to say Barrett rather than Burrell? Burrell hasn't been given a start at 12 for England yet, has he?
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