In the aftermath of another England Grand Slam fall at the final hurdle, courtesy of a record defeat to Wales, Stuart Lancaster was adamant that his side is still on an upward curve and on the right track for a certain event taking place in 2015. They are making progress, but following a similar climax to Martin Johnson’s last Six Nation’s campaign, interestingly in a Championship when Chris Ashton alone scored two more tries than the whole England side did in this year's event, how can future Grand Slam disappointments be avoided?
The specialist
Mike Brown, Tom Wood and Courtney Lawes were forced to play out of position for all, or part, of England’s Six Nations campaign. They are talented, reliable players but they should all be picked in their favoured full back, blindside and lock positions respectively, or not at all. Start with specialists.
Keep backing youth and form
The likes of Owen Farrell and Joe Launchbury were brought into the England set up last year and they have risen to the challenge admirably. Likewise, Christian Wade, Jonny May and Billy Vunipola, a young trio who have taken the Premiership by storm this season, should be capped sooner rather than later. They have the potential to give England much needed line breaking and game-changing capabilities.
English should also use Freddie Burns more effectively. It took an age to be elevated to the Elite squad but the Gloucester standoff has been injured recently. He was however fit for the Italy and Wales matches and could have been brought on from the bench to provide impetus, even a touch or two of reckless creativity, in attack. He has both composure and confidence in abundance and given the opportunity could work wonders for this England team.
All four should have played some part in this year’s Six Nations.
What to do with the middle men?
What type of players should be deployed in Mike Catt’s England midfield? The All Blacks performance aside, when for 80 minutes everything they touched turned to gold, the combination of Brad Barritt and Manu Tuilagi does not pose a significant threat out wide. They are powerful, but they cut back inside too often or run straight at defenders, focusing on making the gain line rather than having the vision to use overlaps and create chances for others.
A combination of either Billy Twelvetrees, a player in the Catt mould, with Tuilagi outside, or Farrell at 12 (Burns at 10) and Tuilagi would be strong enough in defence, attack minded and much more likely to supply ball to the starved back three.
Full back spot still up for grabs
England are in the fortunate position of having a number of in-form candidates for the full back berth - is the incumbent the right man for the role? Alex Goode has been solid for England, in his first nine caps, but his garryowens and running from deep have become predictable. It worked in the Dublin rain but with a closed roof in Cardiff England needed a spark for kick return opportunities. All of the top international sides have an attacking player at 15; an elusive runner who is consistently capable of beating defenders. For this reason alone, Mike Brown or Ben Foden should start in the fifteen shirt.
Policy towards France
Wales (Mike Phillips), Scotland (Johnnie Beattie) and Italy (Andrea Lo Cicero + Serio Parisse et al)
proved that players based en France can, unsurprisingly, contribute significantly to important tests despite not being in camp for the full duration. Even if certain individuals have to play for their club on a Six Nations rest weekend they should not be overlooked for selection. How important is having complete control over players if, in a few instances, the wrong players are being controlled?
Steffon Armitage deserves a chance. He is excellent in support, playing well off Bastareaud and Giteau for his club and would equally compliment any combination in England's midfield. He is an attack minded player and, at the very least, would certainly improve England's bench.
His club mate Andrew Sheridan is the old head that England need in their front row and pack. He is in the form of his life, keeping a certain Gethin Jenkins, who was part the Welsh front row that controlled the scrum last weekend, out of the Toulon starting line up. His presence in the England squad would undoubtedly help to develop England's younger props. After all, Sheridan has a very impressive rugby CV - a thirteen year professional career, which has included two Lions tours and an appearance in a Rugby World Cup final.
Don’t be afraid to drop
A forgotten, but pleasing, aspect of the New Zealand win was seeing Owen Farrell slot over a drop goal in the first half. Boring to many, but this three pointer has settled many an important encounter over the years. Both Burns and Farrell have the ability in this area and perhaps it is time for the coaching staff to incorporate this very English, as Rob Andrew and Jonny Wilkinson proved during England’s most recent successful eras, weapon back into the game plan. Keep the scoreboard ticking over.
Don’t be judged on the World Cup
Concentrating on the next Rugby World Cup, a distant two and a half years away, is a risky and in many ways futile strategy. Six Nations Championships (England have won one since 2003), Triple Crowns (0 since 2003), Grand Slams (0 since 2003) and important matches against southern hemisphere opponents are there to be won every year. Focus on the now and do not mention 2015 until 2015.
England are a better side under Stuart Lancaster but he needs to make further changes, some of which might be prescribed above, so the side can push on to a level where Grand Slams and Championships are won. One Grand Slam since 1995....
My England team (and squad), politics and injuries aside:
Andrew Sheridan
Tom Youngs
Dan Cole
Geoff Parling
Joe Launchbury
Tom Wood
Chris Robshaw
Ben Morgan
Danny Care
Freddie Burns
Christian Wade
Owen Farrell
Manu Tuilagi
Jonny May
Mike Brown
Chris Ashton
Alex Goode
Alex Corbisiero
Henry Thomas
Steffon Armitage
Tom Croft
Dylan Hartley
Other Elite squad members (33 players in total).
Billy Vunipola
Mako Vunipola
David Wilson
Courtney Lawes
Matt Kvesic
Joel Tomkins
Billy Twelvetrees
Joe Simpson
Brad Barritt
Ben Foden
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