2014, a brand new year and a brand new EPS squad, well not exactly brand new as it is filled with many familiar names however there are a few notable additions in personnel. Another addition is the fact that we have an EPS Squad and a 6 Nations Squad... why? Well this is due to the fact that Stuart Lancaster is faced with a very lengthy injury list, one that sadly we are all too familiar with right now!! I don’t wish to start this article on a morbid note however it must be said that with two huge rounds of Heineken Cup action left before England assemble in camp the law of averages does suggest that there might be a couple of additions to that lengthy list. However let's park the injuries for the moment and have a little look at the changes that have occurred and a few of the key talking points;
The changes in a nutshell;
- Ford in for Flood permanently
- 8 Saxons are training with 6 Nations Squad to cover for injuries they are Burrell, Johnson, May, Mullan, Nowell, Slater, Thomas and Watson
- 3 extra Saxons will train with the 6 Nations Squad; Myler, Webber and Wigglesworth
- 8 Changes in the Saxons Squad, the players coming in are Catt, Mullan, Collier, Dickinson, Ewers, Slade, Trinder and Watson and those leaving are Myall, Wood, Doran Jones, Crane, Waldrom, Strettle, Ford (into EPS) Sharples (into EPS)
Naturally there are a few points to discuss coming out of that short list of changes and where better to start than with the Number 10 shirt;
It was the worst kept secret in rugby that Toby Flood is off to France next season therefore his removal from the EPS Squad was a full gone conclusion before Stuart even sat down yesterday however what wasn't so clear cut was who would replace him. For the past few months England has been divided into 4 distinct fly half camps; a Burns camp led by Austin Healey, a Cipriani camp, a Myler Camp and a Ford camp and unsurprisingly George Ford was given the nod ahead of his compatriots.
George Ford has picked up more man of the match performances this season than I can count and has led Bath to their best start to the Aviva Premiership in a very long time. All in all he has certainly put up two fingers, in a nice way, to those who said that leaving Leicester was the dumbest idea in the world.
Stephen Myler pops his head in front of Freddie Burns as he is asked to train with the EPS Squad whilst Freddie is left in the Saxons. On current form this is the right choice... Myler has been instrumental at Saints, orchestrating everything that is sublime there; whereas Freddie Burns has been stuttering, with contract negotiations seemingly the cause of his dip in form. Freddie’s potential is still there however at the moment he isn’t quite at his best.
Finally that man Mr Cipriani... there isn't a place for him at the moment but it wouldn't surprise me if he was taken to NZ this summer if his form continues to improve. My view on this is that if he really wants it he'll have a stormer of the rest of the season and force SL to sit up and take notice... and I can't wait to to see him do this!
Of the 8 Players that are elevated from the Saxons to cover for injuries a name that sticks out for me is Luther Burrell... 12 and 13 are two other positions that have been discussed until the cows come home already and I'll make no qualms about the fact that my personal 12, 13 combination includes the big man Luther. He is more controlled than he once was and my goodness me can he pack a punch when it comes to physicality. I think his power and stature would add a lot to our Six Nations campaign and I hope that Stuart agrees too. One other mention must go to the exciting talent that is Jack Nowell... he is one of the gems of Sandy Park will certainly want to put up his hand to be in contention for a place on the bench or even a starting spot.
Shifting focus to the core Saxons Squad there are a few new names on the list and I was delighted to see; Dave Ewers, Henry Slade and Sam Dickinson. Henry Slade is a player who is coming of age fast... this season he's already proved himself against the best in the business, Mr Wilkinson, and after watching him play with such confidence and ease at Adams Park last weekend I believe that he is certainly one to watch. Sam Dickinson and Dave Ewers are two players that I have been raving about since day one of the Aviva Premiership this season; two powerhouses, two huge workhorses and two outstanding players to have in our Saxons Squad. I can't wait to see them get some game time in an England shirt and I wouldn't be surprised if they were pushing for EPS places soon.
Obviously between now and February 1st there will be a lot of discussion about the makeup of our England Squad, predicting starting XVs and match day 23’s will be the order of the day and strong opinions will be thrown about all over the place. All in all the countdown is well and truly on... we are marching towards the first big International competition of the year and from here on things get tough. There is certainly much more that I could write about our EPS, 6 Nations and Saxons Squads, I could go on for hours in fact, however I'll resist that temptation!!! Enjoy Europe and a try not to burn yourselves out because the 6 Nations are in sight and it is almost England time!
