 Former England and Lions star Guscott is a BBC rugby union pundit
After two months of club action the November internationals loom large and a number of this week's questions look forward to the forthcoming Tests. Steve Borthwick's captaincy is up for discussion, as is the Australian scrum and Martin Johnson's supposed 'bad boy' list. Other topics include Warren Gatland's views on the Guinness Premiership, Australian rugby league sensation Greg Inglis and how to keep Brian Moore entertained. If you have a question for Jerry, you can submit it by using the form in the top right-hand corner of the page. He will answer as many as possible next week.
What do you make of Warren Gatland's comments about the Premiership being 'weak'? I personally think he is wrong and the Premiership is going strong.
Chris Johnson, England Warren Gatland has recently criticised the quality of the Guinness Premiership following the exclusion of Eifion Lewis-Roberts from the Welsh squad. As a follower of the Premiership and the Magners League do you feel there is a difference in quality between these two leagues?
James, Wales Chris and James, Warren Gatland comes out with some strange comments from time to time - remember his comment during last season's Six Nations that Welsh players dislike the Irish more than any other team in the Six Nations?  | 606: DEBATE |
After being questioned about his remarks, he tried to say it was a compliment! I believe each league has its own qualities. I would suggest that the Premiership is more competitive purely on the grounds that it has relegation and this accounts for the more attritional style of play. I haven't seen much difference in skill levels between the two leagues. If the bigger picture is about winning Grand Slams, Six Nations and Heineken Cups then the Magners over the last few seasons is well ahead - the Magners League representation in the Lions squad was huge. Last season there were, however, record crowds and increased revenue in the Premiership. Personally I enjoy watching both leagues. Who do you think is the brightest young talent (English) coming into the game, and what needs to be done to ensure such players fulfil their potential? Also what do you make of the current gym culture for rugby?
Martin, UK  Lawes has been called into the England squad at the age of 20 |
Martin, I'm not a big fan of the gym culture, I'd rather see more focus by coaches on skills and technique work. Unfortunately we are going through an era of rugby where size and strength are seen as the best way. Young English talent: Wasps fly-half Danny Cipriani is only just 22, I still believe he has a big future. Northampton second row Courtney Lawes can be the next Simon Shaw and there are players like Joe Simpson at Wasps and Jordan Turner-Hall at Quins who are both 21. From what I can see there is an element of bias within the England set-up. Despite Saracens being top of the league and undefeated, the only player in the England squad is Steve Borthwick. Am I being paranoid or are some players of international quality being neglected due to the club they play for?
Sam Morgan, England Jeremy, you have just been made director of rugby at Saracens... (Just for this question. Sorry Dr Venter!)... Would you be frustrated at the absence of your England qualified players in the Saxons or Elite squads (bar Borthwick)? What more does Alex Goode in your opinion have to do given that he was part of a very successful U20 squad a few years ago? Or is there no chance for any of our players because the RFU doesn't like Sarries???
Jim Sam and Jim, I might be naïve but I believe there is no bias - you're lucky to have Borthwick in the team ;-) Seriously, if you are good enough it doesn't matter who you are playing for, you will stand out. Saracens are playing a brand of rugby that doesn't make them popular outside of Saracens. Remember, for some reason winners are not popular in England! I think a player like Noah Cato will not continue to go unnoticed if Sarries keep on winning. Unfortunately I've not noticed Alex Goode. Harlequins played a very cynical, time wasting game against Worcester last week. Why is this not reported in the national press? Many left the game appalled at their cynical tactics, also involving their physio and 'fake' injuries. If ever a team needed to be whiter than white after 'Bloodgate' its Quins. I am concerned as their 'gamesmanship' is leaching the game of the integrity it needs to prosper, otherwise I and many others will walk away from the professional game, after 20 years of watching rugby at all levels. Have you a view on how to get rid of this cynical behaviour from the sport?
Mark Bishop, England Mark, I guess you support Worcester? Time wasting is purely the responsibility of the referee. Please don't walk away, Worcester need your support. Jeremy, considering that you played centre, why is that you come out with some bizarre selection choices for your starting centres when asked to select an England XV? For example, suggesting that Jon Clarke should play 12 when he doesn't even play there for his club and has never played there before!
Muhammad-Kazim Kanani, England  Clarke has all the attributes to succeed at inside centre |
Muhammad, there are always a number of criteria applied to selection, it's all very subjective. I select on the basis I believe they can fulfil a role; the centre positions for me are about combinations and I prefer a bigger inside centre and a quicker outside centre. Jon Clarke could play inside centre because he's big enough and has enough footballing ability to do the job. With the Australian scrum getting so much bad press over the last five years (and deservedly so), will the recent England forward injuries give Australia the advantage in the scrum contests and how do you think England will adjust their play to address this?
Steve, UK Steve, having watched the NZ v Aus match at the weekend I don't think the Aussies are coming with a weak scrum. Having said that, England have had the sign over Australia in the scrummaging department and as we are missing Phil Vickery and particularly Andrew Sheridan the Aussies will be much happier. I don't think England will adjust their play, they will continue to have a forward dominated gameplan unless they have been working on something new (I hope they have!). Jerry, there has been a huge amount of debate in recent times about the leadership abilities of Steve Borthwick at international level. Who were the best captains you played under in your career and why is it that an experienced club captain can't quite cut it at international level?
Ed Sibley, England Ed, Borthwick must have something about him with regards to leadership that Brendan Venter and Martin Johnson admire and believe in. I don't believe he would have lasted this long if most of the players didn't believe in him as well, something would have leaked out from someone. But he's under pressure from the outside because a lot of the rugby public don't believe he deserves his place and he is captain of a very average England team who at times don't look as though they are being led. The best captains I played under were ones who said very little and led by example, the best example being Johnson. Watch highlights of Australia's Four Nations win over England, in which Inglis stars If you could convert any rugby league player to union - who would it be?
Dafydd Edwards, Wales Dafydd, I would love to see Australia rugby league centre Greg Inglis play union. He is 6ft 5in, 16st and he can motor. He has an all-round game that would fit very well in union. Jeremy, do you think England could or should adopt the successful regional squad systems demonstrated by Wales and Ireland, whereby they stick with largely home-qualified players? Why not have say four English regions fielding mostly English qualified players, playing at a standard above Premiership level, to compete with the likes of Leinster or the Ospreys, who in effect provide half of their national teams. Surely this would increase competition and give MJ more options?
Phil Clennell, England Phil, briefly I think they could adopt a regional structure but it wouldn't work at present because of the amount of personal investment in the game since professionalism. I think we are too far down the line in club development to try and change it to a regional structure. Work should continue to make the professional club structure sustainable. In the recent newspaper reports it says that Martin Johnson has a "secret list" of players that are being overlooked in terms of their being selected for the elite squad due to their attitudes, do you think that this list exists? Do you as a former player think that while you were playing this was true of coaches? Did you ever experience this and if not how do you think you would have reacted? And if they are the best player in that position currently in the country should this be overlooked?
Matt Brown, Horsham in West Sussex Matt, there might well be a list. There have always been a number of players throughout the history of the game who have made a few coaches think twice before selecting them. Ultimately their talent will force their coaches to select them. Hey Jerry, the best thing about watching rugger over here is listening to Brian Moore. His passion for the game is fantastic and his slight bias towards England always makes me laugh. How do you put up with the guy?
David Blazey, New Zealand  Moore (second left) prepares to enjoy a scrum against France |
David, that's a bit rich considering you Kiwis have Murray Mexted, I've never heard more bias in my life?! One of Brian's nicknames when he was playing was 'Pitbull', as in terrier. To keep him happy you just throw a stick for him to chase or put a French rugby player in front of him! This time last year, Danny Cipriani was England's first choice fly-half and was being heralded as Jonny's long-term successor. Will he ever be forgiven for being charged down against South Africa last autumn?
Adam, London, UK Adam, Cipriani will be back if he learns to tackle, that's all that's missing from his game. Things like being charged down and game management can be rectified but if he can't tackle he's never going to be number one consistently.
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