Martin Johnson decided to keep Steve Borthwick on as England captain this week, and I have to say that I agree with the choice - who else has really put their hand up?  Borthwick will lead England into their four autumn internationals |
Johnson had a choice to stay with what was already there or make a clean break and go with something totally new in the way Geoff Cooke did with a young Will Carling. But when it comes to a decision about captaincy, you would go with Johnson's choice every time - he was one of the best captains in the history of the sport and knows what to look for in a leader. Borthwick is a big, reliable, no-nonsense second row... now who does that remind you of? Maybe Johnson sees a little bit of himself in Borthwick and has gone with him for that reason. He is a good organiser and has started to bulk up and become a real physical presence. He did a good job at Bath and was taken to Saracens, partly for his leadership qualities. The more you look at it, the more you have to say he was the right choice. There is not massive experience in the pack, the half-backs are young and the backline is in a state of flux. The left-field decision would have been James Haskell, but his performances haven't been as good as last year. He hasn't really stepped up and made a case for himself. Tom Rees is another maybe, but I certainly think England need a captain in the forwards. They dominate games up front and the leader should come from that area.  | Lewsey is playing in a team that is struggling and he has been short of his best so far |
That was not the only decision that Johnson made this week, with eight players - including Josh Lewsey and Olly Barkley - released from the squad to play for their clubs in the EDF Energy Cup this weekend. Decisions like that are part of the professional game these days. Johnson said he would like his players to have a rest before the international week, so it doesn't look as if those players are in his thinking for the opening Test against the Pacific Islands. But maybe he is saying that someone like Barkley needs another game. Let's be honest, Lewsey is playing in a team that is struggling and he has been short of his best so far. So with the four autumn Tests just around the corner, here is my take on who should line up for England: | 606: DEBATE |
15: Delon Armitage - London Irish have played really good rugby this season and he has been a big part of it. And with every other full-back injured or out of favour, this is a massive opportunity for him. 14: Paul Sackey - always a starter on the wing for me, no question. He's done it at Test level and has to be in. 13: Jamie Noon - you know what you're going to get with Jamie and I've very rarely seen him fail for England. Great in defence and a very strong ball carrier. 12: Toby Flood - this centre combination might not take us through to the World Cup, but it's a decent starting point. He gives you another kicking option at 12 and is a form player even though he might have been playing mainly at fly-half. If Johnson wants to be a bit more expressive he might look to Riki Flutey but Flood gets the nod for me. 11: Ugo Monye - fair play to him, he's done really well for Harlequins this season and he's getting his chance. His defence might be a little suspect but he punches his weight and is a great runner with ball in hand. 10: Danny Cipriani - the most naturally talented player and a dead cert at number 10 for my money. This could be the start of a long half-back partnership, I think. 9: Danny Care - He has made everything tick for Harlequins and really delivered, but I just hope he doesn't try to do too much. At Test level you have to be a bit more canny in terms of when to take on the defence around the ruck. 1: Andrew Sheridan - another automatic starter for me, when he's fit and firing on all cylinders. Sale have started well so let's go with the man in form. 2: Lee Mears - he's the man in possession of the shirt from the summer tour, and he's playing very well for Bath so I would start with him and have Dylan Hartley there to wreak havoc off the bench. 3. Matt Stevens - I think England should go for it and go with the younger, more mobile man who is playing so well for Bath. Offers so much around the pitch in the loose. 4: Nick Kennedy - in my book, he's deserved his chance for the last three seasons and he's in tip-top form at the moment 5 Steve Borthwick - as captain, he's obviously a definite starter. He will lead from the front and do what he's good at. 6: James Haskell - he has to perform better for England than he has so far for Wasps, but I think he is the sort of player who can raise his game for the big occasion. 7: Michael Lipman - Tricky one here, it's a real toss-up - if Lipman linked and passed a bit more I'd be his biggest fan but he finds contact too often, I think. Tom Rees is a better link between forwards and backs, but I just have a feeling Johnson will go for Lipman's direct approach. 8: Jordan Crane - I've been very impressed with him so far this season, and I think he's the best of the bunch at number eight. Jeremy Guscott was talking to BBC Sport's Phil Harlow
| 
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Bookmark with:
What are these?