Banahan would have been greatest in the 1990’s against Lomu when big winners were the fashion but now so one dimensional, any winger against him, as Williams showed, tackle low and any big tree will go over Hape &Tindall. Dawson is so obviously the man to replace Easter that it is nothing short of cronyism he isn’t in the frame.
A far is the better player in every aspect of back row play especially at 8. It seems the more time the coaches have with the players the less instinctively and creatively they play. even one could add perhaps that when those coaches have been basically comprised of the same personnel for a number of years that a few new faces with fresh ideas might provide a less blinkered approach to the game and hence selection policy.
England’s style has deteriorated to an impact game where collision is de rigor biggest is best is its mantra and strategy and game plan are straight off the blackboard with players playing by numbers. The fact that several of the likely squad are also overweight or over muscled and as a result are yards short of pace seems not to affect the current selection criteria. These are the 10 things about which he have thought:
- Find depth in the final quarter of the field
- Learn to adapt at key moments
- Provide immediate support from attacking moves or set piece plays
- Eliminate bad decoys
- Get nastier at the breakdown
- Versatility can be a curse
- Banish self-doubt and never ever beat yourself up
