England find themselves in a very fortunate position at the moment; if they win at home for the next twelve months, they are going to be world champions. The only side this group of players has not beaten is South Africa, and they will have the chance to change that when they meet in the second November series.
First up, they play a New Zealand side this Saturday heading into the match with a number of injury concerns.
It had been suggested that Dan Carter – the player who has been the most damaging for England in recent years – and Ma Nonu – returning from a broken arm but always a powerful presence in midfield – could feature for New Zealand; the absence of both from the matchday squad will be music to English ears.
But this is New Zealand we are talking about – their most dangerous asset is unquestionably the ability to close out games. Remember against Ireland last November, against South Africa and against Australia a few weeks ago? They score these tries at the most crucial moments of a game.
It teaches you a lesson and that it to play for 80 minutes. New Zealand set you up always. After 50 minutes they’ll wear you down, and then come at you for the last 30. It’s definitely a message for England – they will need to be fitter than New Zealand going into the World Cup next year.
This Saturday, the scrum will be a vital battleground. The Kiwis’ scrum was very good against Australia but the Aussie’s still did pretty well – England will need to do better.
One thing for @EnglandRugby we have to be fitter than everyone to win @rwc2015 #lasttencount
— Austin Healey (@IamAustinHealey) October 18, 2014
The midfield is going to be a really interesting situation, too. Lawrence Dallaglio recently wrote in one of his columns that there’s only going to be six guys who we can see actually starting the first game at the World Cup if everyone’s fit. There are loads of positions up for grabs so the November series is the tight time to really lay down a marker if you want to wear that white jersey at next year’s World Cup.
Stuart Lancaster sprung a slight surprise by omitting Billy Twelvetrees – a player who he had seemed to love despite patchy recent form – while there was better news for Kyle Eastmond. I’m looking forward to seeing Eastmond play; he’s been magnificent for Bath this year and looks really comfortable on the ball.
It is, however, unfortunately that the management haven’t picked David Strettle or Chris Ashton. The wing situation for England is really bizarre. Jack Nowell is a good rugby player but has scored no tries in 15 games, and then you look at a player look Chris Ashton with 24 in 37 games. It’s a great strike rate for Ashton, and Strettle’s record is not far behind. This is what your wingers are meant to do.
Yes there are areas of Ashton’s game that are poor, but he’s gone back and worked on them. He still struggles aerially and as a right winger, you’ve got to be very good at chasing box kicks or receiving then – admittedly he’s not very good at that. But he’s the best guy at putting pressure on opponents. If you put a kick deep into your opponents half, he chases it and turns it into a great opportunity. Those 15/20 yards that he gains England are invaluable in Test match rugby and that’s why I would have picked him. Defensively he’s strong; he’s a nuisance, a pain to play against. He’s exactly what you want on your team.
Stuart Lancaster’s new contract came at the right time. It’s good to give the England coaches security but I think after this World Cup, Graham Rowntree, Andy Farrell and Mike Catt will all be approached by big clubs who’ll offer them bigger money. That can be very difficult but it’s a profession. I know they all love working together, but I would say to Lancaster that over the next six years, it would be good to bring some new ideas in. Keep that group refreshed, perhaps with coaches coming in.
For now, England need a big series to help build for next year’s World Cup; facing challenging opponents can only aid preparation for 2015 and New Zealand are always guaranteed to be just that.
