Five lessons for Lancaster
WITH BARELY A YEAR BEFORE THE WORLD CUP, WHAT HAVE ENGLAND LEARNT FROM THE SIX NATIONS?
1 ENGLAND NO LONGER PANIC
The signs were there when England came back from 17-3 down to 22-20 up against the All Blacks in November, but in this Six Nations they came back from two converted tries against France and 10 points conceded against Ireland during an ominous spell. They also held their nerve against the dangerous Welsh when dominant at half-time, but only five points up. This team have found a collective calm.
2 SOFT MIDFIELD HAS HARDENED UP
For so long England’s perceived weak spot, the emergence of Luther Burrell and the continuing progress by Billy Twelvetrees (left) mean England’s midfield have been one of this tournament’s most impressive facets. With Manu Tuilagi back on the bench yesterday, Kyle Eastmond, Jonathan Joseph and Brad Barritt on the fringes and, best of all, Sam Burgess making a late bid for the World Cup, Lancaster could have a happy selection dilemma.
3 WORLD STARS ARE EMERGING
Lancaster said a year ago he needed half-a-dozen players who would push hard to be in a world team for England to be World Cup contenders. He is edging closer to this number. Locks Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury would have a chance, as would scrum-half Danny Care on current form, and full-back Mike Brown. Throw in the injured loosehead Alex Corbisiero, and England, with Dylan Hartley, Dan Cole, Chris Robshaw and Owen Farrell rapidly improving, are almost there.
4 CARE AND HARTLEY ARE ON TOP
Before the Six Nations there were many undecided places. Now many have been resolved. Hartley (right), second choice last year, is now the No 1 hooker by miles. Lawes and Launchbury are clear first-choice locks and Care, third choice 12 months ago, is now the stand-out scrum-half. Farrell has ended any debate at fly-half and Brown has made the full-back’s jersey his own.
5 THEY STILL NEED HARD YARDE
Jack Nowell has played reasonably well in his first five starts for England and Jonny May has hinted at the confusion he can cause in opposing defences — although if he ran as far forward as he does sideways he would be devastating — but neither will cause sleepless nights in New Zealand and South Africa. Lancaster must try out his original first choices for the autumn, Marland Yarde and Christian Wade, as soon as possible. He is even tempted with the thought of Tuilagi on the wing. These two crucial positions are far from settled.