England's inconsistency creates more questions

Will England miss the Bath flyer?

England's build up to their home World Cup has been a confusing one for fans. It started off with the coaching staff making some big name cuts from the training squad, with a large number of wingers removed. In fact the current England squad has none of the top 7 English qualified try scorers from last seasons Aviva Premiership. This raises the question of where does Lancaster see his tries coming from? Is he going to depend on his forwards to produce the five-pointers, or the magic of Ford to create something rather than his wingers? It could be a risky outlook to take heading into a World Cup pool with an Australia team famed for their attacking intent, a Fijian side who include the try scoring - giant - magcian Nandolo, and a Welsh backline containing the much feared George North and maverick Liam Williams. Maybe with the electric Jonathan Joseph in the 13 shirt, they should be able to compensate but lacking the prolific try scorers out-wide could cost them in the long run. In fact they currently only possess two true wingers in their squad (Jonny May and Jack Nowell), while Anthony Watson has proved highly effective at wing rather than his preferred full-back selection. The risk extends to also include injuries, so England not only potentially's lack quality, but also quantity. When you look at the names who have been removed from the England squad: Rokoduguni, Yarde, and Wade are perhaps the standout quality wingers missing. All have test experience and are proven finishers as well as having the ability to create opportunities for those around them.

Burgess and Slade were effective in the 1st game

After the eye-brow raising squad exclusions England faced a double header against France. As expected the first game was seen as a chance to give those players fighting for a place in the final squad a run out. Sam Burgess was given a debut alongside Henry Slade in the centres and it proved to be an excellent selection choice. While Burgess had proven his credentials more as a flanker than a
centre, his strong ball carrying and good pair of hands allowed the England backline to make some excellent opportunities. And considering no other player has really laid claim to the 12 shirt in a long time, he could be within a shout of starting at the World Cup. Slade too had an excellent game at outside centre, with his excellent passing ability, and left footed kicking option, he brings something that has been missing from the England back-line recently. England have lacked the ability to unlock a defence, maybe having a second play-maker on the field could make a difference and properly utilise the likes of Joseph and Nowell out wide. Although perhaps defensively it may not provide the rigidity liked by most Northern Hemisphere sides. Speaking of which there was one excellent first-phase move execute by the backline, running off a lineout and a fantastic faux-crash by Burgess, May was given the chance to use his pace and work around the drifting French defence, before completing a text-book 2-on-1 to send Watson in at the corner. It was a real warning signal to the other teams at just what the England backline is possible of. Overall the first game proved a worthwhile match for a lot of the players, and although some inevitable rust was apparent England came through the game with a win, and while not convincing in their victory didn't look like they were going to lose either against a similarly rusty France side.

Without Hartley, can Youngs provide good lineout ball?

It was the second run out for the men in white that was perhaps the more interesting result. Team selection looked pretty much like a first choice team, except maybe perhaps at inside centre where no one has truly claimed the shirt. But with the likes of Robshaw, Lawes, Cole, Ford, Joseph and Brown all lining up it was a chance to see where England were heading into the World Cup. It's safe to say it didn't exactly go to plan. Compared to the last time this England team ran out - looking back at the 6 Nations now - they seemed to lack an element of control. Especially in the forwards, Tom Youngs
while excellent in the loose, lacked the accuracy at line out time, which prevented England gaining any significant foot-hold in the game. This problem was exacerbated by an under-pressure scrum that crumbled more than once. Both of these are going to worry coaches, players and fans alike, after all England have always prided themselves on their set piece, and used it as a powerful weapon. While none of the teams in their World Cup pool possess a fearsome scrum, it does perhaps mean that the coaches will have to rethink their tactics if they don't have a dominant scrum anymore. Especially since Australia have now found at least a stable scrummaging platform, and the last time the two faced it was the number one reason England cruised to victory last November.

Away from the set piece, England also struggled at the break down for the majority of the game, the pack was unable to slow the French possession down, and whenever they attempted to slow it down it often lead to a penalty. The English back-row especially failed to really get into the game, Vunipola made some strong carries, but nothing of note and tried some ill-advised off loads, meanwhile
Robshaw was pretty quiet and Haskell didn't make much impact at the contact area. This is an area of major concern, it's the antithesis of the scrummaging issue, with both Wales and Australia possessing fearsome back-rowers, and both teams also at least investigating the possibility of playing two openside flankers. With England lacking any "true" number 7, looking after possession and maintaining tempo around the park could prove to be difficult.

Is the breakdown an issue?

The England backs had a slightly better game than their forwards, although with limited ball they struggled to achieve much more than the occasional threat. Luther Burrell looked ineffective and
didn't really prove himself above any of the other inside centre options, while Jack Nowell worked hard around the park and has perhaps nailed down the test shirt more than either of his winger compatriots.

The substitutes were perhaps the most impressive players for England in Paris, with Nick Easter and Danny Care providing good go-forward ball which brought the England attack to life. The last ten minutes was an England team in full flow, and while perhaps it was a similar case of a team who knew the win was theirs slacking off a little near the end, the true threat was realised. Danny Cipriani took his final chance to impress well, bringing some creative flair to the backline and finishing the game with a try to boot. Although it could be too little too late for the Sale player to worm his way into the 31, with Brown and Goode ahead of him, and then Anthony Watson providing yet more cover at fullback.

Did Cipriani do enough to get into the final squad?

There is still one more game left for people to fight for the numbers 1-15, although by the time the Irish come to Twickenham, the final 31-man party will have been announced (Thursday 27/08), so those outsider options have had their last chance to change Lancaster's mind. The England team isn't looking like a world beater at the minute, but there are the makings of a championship winning team, and the Twickenham crowd will add a lot to the bargain too. There are a lot of questions still to be asked, and not a lot of time to answer them, the pool of death is looking tighter than ever.

Wales Back-Ups fail to impress

It's been two weeks since Wales played Ireland at the Millenium Stadium and Warren Gatland's selection issues still remain difficult. The side that took the field was severely outplayed by a better drilled and more assured Irish side. The problems stemmed from a woeful ability to look after possession by the Wales forwards, at scrum time the young front row were picked apart by much more experienced Irish forwards, the line-out looked okay if a little clunky, however the real issue was the breakdown battle.

The selection of Wales' back row proved their downfall in the end, especially in tandem with their second rows. With the two second rows looking to carry the ball around the breakdown, and both Moriarty and Baker wanting to offer a hard carry slightly further out, and then the marvellous Tipuric even further out than that. It meant that Wales had a severely limited amount of people actually

Moriarty carries the ball

supporting the ball carrier's as they went into contact, this against a team which is renowned for their ferocity at the point of contact. Things noticeably improved when Baker was replaced with Faletau - who has built a reputation for working hard at the breakdown - and Wales begun to look after the ball during phase play a lot more. It is certainly something that the coaching team must have noticed and something they'll have to take into consideration when it comes to the important games. In the end Hibbard was the main casualty of the pack, it seems Gatland has been unimpressed with his fitness and line-out throwing skills. Instead keeping the inexperienced ex-flanker Dacey in the squad, which could prove to be risky with neither Baldwin or Owens possessing the same amount of experience that the long-haired Hibbard brought.

Behind a beaten pack the Welsh backline had limited opportunity to show what they were capable of. The two half backs were the major casualties, both James Hook and Mike Phillips - with over 150 caps between them - were ejected from the training squad shortly after the game. Phillips looked s
ome-what like himself in the first ten minutes with two excellent clearing kicks, and bossing his forwards around. However as the game wore on his speed dropped, the ball spent too long at the breakdown and Wales couldn't play at the tempo they wanted, and was demanded by the coaches. Meanwhile James Hook fell into the predicted trap-hole of any player in a trial match, he tried too hard. He always looked to pull of the magical, make the break, instead of offering a controlled presence and manipulating the game, and in the end Wales never looked like threatening.

Hook and Phillips dropped from the squad

In fact the most creative player was Justin Tipuric who once again produced a mesmerising display of

Tipuric scores the try of the game

skill, passing, and intelligence. He has made a yet another big claim for Gatland to select him in the starting line up alongside Warburton. Especially after producing (and scoring) without a doubt the try of the game, linking up with the two Dragon youngesters Amos and Morgan who managed to show why they were in the training squad if little else. Eli Walker also staked a claim for a place in the final 31 with a fine display in attack, almost scoring a fantastic try which showed a glimpse of his finishing ability - something Wales have been missing since Cuthbert has lost his form. From the bench Matthew Morgan showed excellent attacking intent making multiple half breaks, although it was
against a tired Irish side, he could certainly be a wildcard selection especially if Gatland is looking to rack up the points against the likes of Uruguay. Perhaps those who did the greatest job from the replacements bench were the Cardiff Blues half-backs. Lloyd Williams showed a marked increase in pace at releasing the ball compared to Mike Phillips, if nothing spectacular. Gareth Anscombe however showed a little bit as to why Gatland brought him over from New Zealand. Nothing perhaps to the level of incumbent Dan Biggar, but he certainly brought a level of control to the red-shirts that was missing with Hook, executed his kicks to touch with calm assurance and to round off a good debut claimed a lovely assist with a well chosen looped miss pass to send Cuthbert in unopposed. He could be fighting Priestland for that substitute bench.

It's worth mentioning that Wales' defence was pretty poor against Ireland, however that is likely down to missing their ever present defence captain in Jamie Roberts organising the defensive line. Although Alex Cuthbert's infamously well documented positioning was caught out twice down the blindside giving Ireland simple tries, and it something that has to be cut out by the World Cup, either by cutting the problem out or serious work from the coaching staff, especially with Liam Williams still remaining injured.

Cuthbert at risk?

So with one week left till Wales head to Ireland for the replay and the final chance for players to fight for positions in the World Cup and match day squads, it's expected to be an all but full-strength Wales side put out next weekend. Most positions are spoken for, although three big selection questions remain. Can Tomas Francis fill the big void left by the injured Samson Lee at tight-head, it's a big ask for a test débutante but he has been playing well in the Aviva Premiership. Who will (momentarily) fill the gap left by the creative Liam Williams at wing? Will Gatland revert to type at give Cuthbert one last chance to show the form he had, or will he give the youngsters a chance to claim the shirt.
Hallam Amos appeared more confident at winger than fullback last time out and Eli Walker could bring a certain spark that has been missing. And lastly can Scott Williams cope with the pressure of playing at outside centre, he has shown many times his ability at Test level, but normally at inside centre, playing in the 13 shirt brings a very different defensive mentality. Could Wales be better off selecting a true outside centre in Tyler Morgan in the long run?

Can Francis cope at Test level?

Suggested Wales 23 vs. Ireland (29/08)
Backs:- L Halfpenny, H Amos, S Williams, J Roberts, G North, D Biggar, R Webb
Forwards:- G Jenkins, S Baldwin, T Francis, AW Jones, L Charteris, D Lydiate, S Warburton, T Faletau
Replacements:- K Owens, P James, A Jarvis, J Ball, J Tipuric, G Davies, R Priestland, E Walker

Suggested World Cup 31
Backs:- L Halfpenny, L Williams, G North, H Amos, E Walker, J Roberts, S Williams, T Morgan, D Biggar, R Priestland, G Anscombe, R Webb, G Davies, L Williams
Forwards:- G Jenkins, P James, N Smith, S Baldwin, K Owens, K Dacey, S Lee, T Francis, A Jarvis, AW Jones, L Charteris, J Ball, R Moriarty, S Warburton, D Lydiate, T Faletau, J Tipuric

World Cup Build Up

Tackle Pad is back. Sadly educational commitments shut down the page for a long time. With the greatest event in the sport on the horizon it seemed the perfect time to restart. We'll be focusing mostly on Wales' build up to the tournament and how their pool opponents are getting on, but expect coverage of the other teams in the tournament too.

It's good to be back.