given the massive personnel changes needed in the team
Don't agree. Its not the players, its the game plan that needs to change. Remember eddie took Lancasters failures & won a grand slam.
Look at the difference in Wasps when Dai left & Quinns when Gustard went?
The core of the team would remain under a new coach IMO, especially this close to the world cup
Quote out of context, where I did say that a change of coach now would be too late, for exactly those reasons.
But how much of the core of the current side would you retain for the opening 6N match if you got the gig tomorrow?
Tight 5 OK. Reshuffle needed in places, but no more.
Lawes obviously will come back once fit. Hill has to go. Would love to see Launch recalled.
Back row. Billy needs to go, and Itoje to lock, so there are 2 spots up for grabs there. Jack and Simmonds in the current squad, but who else?
It's in the backs where I think they need more significant upheaval.
If we're sticking with Smith at 10, then we need to select a back line that will play to his strengths, and the current lot doesn't.
Ditch Youngs, start Mitchell and then perm 2 from JVP, Randall, Care and Quirke to train with the squad and provide bench cover. All of the above have been dicked around by EJ to a greater or lesser degree (although at least he didn't immediately jettison JVP after the ABs game).
Need some invention in the centres (ie, definitely not Farrell and Manu), and some pace on the wings (ie, definitely not Nowell and May). Aside from Slade, we're going to need to look beyond the current squad for centres (Lawrence, Daly?). Watson is the obvious wing choice given his experience, then one of the young speedsters in the Prem on the other wing (Radwan, Hassell-Collins, Arundell etc)
No major issue with Steward at FB, although would prefer Malins.