Methods of play are one thing and Englands is dull at the moment. But for the problem is selection. England badly need freshening up. I'd say those that really shouldn't be there at the moment are George, Vunipola, Watson, Daly, Youngs and Williams. That's the spine of the side. For me Smith or Ford have to play 10. Its all to predictable at the moment.
And yet, this is largely the same team who blew NZ away in the Semis. Listening to Eggchasers this morning and Tim talking through Jonny's comments on ITV after the game. I missed the post-match interviews (other than Farrell's) so if this is wrong, I apologise but relaying what Cocker said. Jonny's apparently spoke about a handful of games where for whatever they just weren't clicking and in trying to figure out they put it down to: Trying too hard and forcing things that weren't on, then a handful of other very minor changes.
Both the Premiership this season and international rugby at the moment is such fine margins. I do believe the changes needed to take England from the Scotland performance back to the sort of performance vs NZ are relatively minor. For me:
-- Farrell has to play 12. If he starts, it's at 12. If Ford is injured, or out of form we find another 10. The conundrum with that is that really only Smith/Simmonds are contenders to slot in right now. Simmonds is much more in the Farrell mould, Smith is having a good season and in-form. Jacob and Charlie both too green and I think need to get some consistent club form to be in contention - They've both shown enough, they just need to show it regularly enough
-- Daly needs a break or a rest. We either need to have a rock at the back, or someone who can give us some attacking impotus. My preference is Malins at 15 and Daly on the bench. There is no doubting Elliott's quality, but he's not showing it at the moment
-- Youngs also needs some time away from the squad, perhaps permanently. We've got Spencer and Robson both capable of scrapping it out for the shirt and Randall waiting in the wings. The 3 of them also give balance and flexibility. We know Dobbie can play a kicking game as well as a fast-paced, sniping game as/when needed. Spencer gives control as well as lightning pace to punish teams and Randall fizzes all over the place.
-- Pick a 13 at 13. Slade, or Lawrence or Paolo. I don't mind. If you want grunt, pick one of the latter two. If you want ball playing, pick Slade
-- Give Billy a break. His power and size aren't as effective as they were (at least not overtly, although supposedly his work off of the ball is through the roof). Put Curry at 8 and then rotate Underhill, Earl and Jack (when all 3 are fit) at 6/7 and pick based on whether you want to play a more counter-attacking game (Jack/Earl) or a more defensive/physical game (Underhill). That's not to doubt Jack's physicality or defence- he's a strong ball carrier, but his point of difference is his ability to win turnover ball to turn into attack
They're the changes I would make. More selection than anything and the only changes to the current squad would be to swap Spencer in for Youngs and bring in Smith. But not sure who i'd take out of the squad to accommodate him. Probably Paolo/Lawrence. If underhill was fit i'd have Willis in for Wilson.
Always a Wasp