England Squad for SA

[rugby then work]

With the England squad announced what does everyone think of their chances against South Africa with the squad Ashton has had to pick?

Did he make the right decision in protecting some of the younger players he could have picked and going for some older premiership warhorses instead?


Forwards: Alex Brown (Gloucester Rugby), Peter Buxton (Gloucester Rugby), Matt Cairns (Saracens), Darren Crompton (Bristol Rugby), Nick Easter (NEC Harlequins), Andy Hazell (Gloucester Rugby), Chris Jones (Sale Sharks), Magnus Lund (Sale Sharks), Mark Regan (Bristol Rugby), Pat Sanderson (Worcester Warriors), Dean Schofield (Sale Sharks), Andy Titterrell (Sale Sharks), Stuart Turner (Sale Sharks), Roy Winters (Bristol Rugby), Nick Wood (Gloucester Rugby), Kevin Yates (Saracens).

Backs: Anthony Allen (Gloucester Rugby), Mike Brown (NEC Harlequins), Ben Cohen (Northampton Saints), Andy Farrell (Saracens), Toby Flood (Newcastle Falcons), Andy Gomarsall (NEC Harlequins), Jamie Noon (Newcastle Falcons), Shaun Perry (Bristol Rugby), Jason Robinson (capt, Sale Sharks), Peter Richards (Gloucester Rugby), James Simpson-Daniel (Gloucester Rugby), David Strettle (NEC Harlequins), Mathew Tait (Newcastle Falcons), Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons).

[rugby then work]

Here's some of the players not available

Not considered because of injury: Mike Catt (London Irish, right buttock), Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks, left calf), James Forrester (Gloucester Rugby, right knee), Charlie Hodgson (Sale Sharks, right knee), Olly Morgan (Gloucester Rugby, right shoulder), Andrew Sheridan (Sale Sharks, left knee), Mike Tindall (Gloucester Rugby, right leg), Dan Ward-Smith (Bristol Rugby, left knee).

Not considered because of club commitments: Players from London Wasps and Leicester Tigers (Heineken Cup finalists), Bath Rugby (European Challenge Cup finalists) and Perry Freshwater (Perpignan).

[Vim_Fuego]

With Wasps and Leicester squads being verboten the England squad looks a little sketchy...Ashton wasn't handed the easiest of jobs prepping a squad at this time in the season was he?

Pleased to see Strettle with a place...

[I Look Like Kevin Costner]

Second biggest thrashing we have ever had.....

Why did the RFU even contemplate that tour with the climax of the Club competitions interfering.

[gemarriott]

Second biggest thrashing we have ever had.....

Why did the RFU even contemplate that tour with the climax of the Club competitions interfering.

kerching!! was that a till ringing in the krugerands?

[prop135]

Second biggest thrashing we have ever had.....

Why did the RFU even contemplate that tour with the climax of the Club competitions interfering.

Because the IRB sanctioned the tour 4 years ago and the RFU didn't think 3 English clubs would make the final stages of euro rugby. I just think it was a dumb idea touring at the end of a long season just prior to te world cup.

[tommo9999]

I think the IRB have already confirmed that this farce won't happen before the 2011 World Cup. Syd Millar was on telly spouting something about it last week, and Rob Andrew seemed to suggest it was already agreed.

[prop135]

Yep caught it after the Saxons game

Now if only this club V country row would go away................