The Elite
With the England Performance Squad announcement just under a month away we felt it was time to have a look at the runners and riders for some of the key England shirts this autumn. Stuart Lancaster shrewdly delayed the decision and as a result has been able to call on a far more accurate form guide to aid his decision making, so who has done enough to earn themselves a call up and who has not been so fortunate with the delayed decision? Looking at the pack, it'll be particularly surprising if the boys from Bath aren't rewarded for their early dominance, and this will most certainly be to the detriment of a few Tigers players having suffered a 45-0 mauling at The Rec last weekend. Rob Webber and Dave Attwood will be pushing for starting jerseys if not will certainly make the bench having outmuscled and outclassed Tom Youngs and Geoff Parling in particular. Guy Mercer and Carl Fearns have been knocking on the door for a while but they are competing with a stable yard of back-rowers that are more congested than the M5 on a Friday night. Key performers for Lancaster will remain despite some embarrassing calls for Chris Robshaw to be axed as captain considering the performances he has put in against top opposition on a regular basis for a long time now. Conor O'Shea spoke in anger about some of the recent comments regarding Robshaw and rightly so. Lancaster has four or five forwards now who, if fully fit, are certainties for the World Cup slots and he will want them to continue to gain experience at the top level. Looking at the backs, despite perhaps not justifying being first choice fly-half over Owen Farrell based on years gone by, it would be extremely foolish for Lancaster to not have a good look at George Ford this autumn, he is absolutely flying and is more than ready to show what he can do at the top level. A certain Mr Cipriani may also be given some game time and he undoubtedly should be on current form. They will be fed by Danny Care who is still the sharpest in the business despite a mixed start for Quins this season. Billy Twelevetrees, a real loser on current form as a result of the delayed squad announcement, and Luther Burrell are both under real pressure having been Lancaster's choice for The Six Nations this year. Kyle Eastmond and Manu Tuilagi will make up the 4 options for Lancaster to choose from and in many eyes are the best 12-13 combo. An outside shout on the wing is Alex Lewington who has serious wheels and a hat-trick against Saracens would have done his claims no harm at all. Christian Wade and Jack Nowell are recovering from injuries but have time to impress before the announcement and it would be a surprise if Jonny May isn't given another opportunity considering the way he's started the season. SharpLines England XV for AI's: Alex Corbisiero, Dylan Hartley, David Wilson, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Tom Wood, Chris Robshaw, Billy Vunipola, Danny Care, Christian Wade, Kyle Eastmond, Manu Tuilagi, Jonny May, Mike Brown. Subs to look out for during AI's: Dave Attwood, George Ford, Rob Webber, Jonathan Joseph, Alex Lewington, Semesa Rokodoguni, Matt Mullan, James Haskell. Autumn Fixtures
08/11 – England v New Zealand
15/11 – England v South Africa
22/11 – England v Samoa
29/11 – England v Australia
Written by Andy Southall