England's Front Five Run Down

by Ben

Whilst all the talk has been about the back line, questions remain about the front five, especially with Phil Vickery injured. Whilst the latest squad announcement leaves Julian White in pole position to start in the number three shirt, with Matt Stevens paying the price for his ability on both sides of the scrum, the lack of depth could be a problem later in the tournament if injuries strike. Here is a rundown of the key players in the front five from both England squads:

 The Front Row: 

   Andrew Sheridan (age 26, caps 4): whilst showing off his sheer power against the Australians last November, he was made to look ordinary against a technically excellent All Black pack. Having shown good form of late in club competitions, his inability to worry John Hayes at Thurmond Park gives slight cause for concern. A certain starter at loose head, added experience between now and the World Cup should make him into a cornerstone of the pack for some years to come.

Steve Thompson (27, 42): answered his critics in awesome style during the Autumn internationals, he has proved that he is the best hooker in the country but some distance. A certain starter, the only problem is that, if injured his stranglehold on the 2 shirt, will mean an inexperienced replacement stepping into the breach.

Julian White (32, 27): surely the last chance saloon for White to establish himself as a starter in France. Whilst his scrummaging is top class, he doesn’t offer the same options in the loose as Stevens, and nearing the end of his career will find it difficult to change to suit a dynamic game. Should start, but needs to reduce opposition scrums to rubble to justify his inclusion. 

     Matt Stevens (23, 7): doubtless has a long future in the England squad, but to establish himself in the team, needs to concentrate on one side of the scrum in particular, otherwise he will find himself confined to bench duty because of his versatility. Will begin the tournament on the bench but could find himself in the starting line-up if White fails to justify his tag as the best English scrummager, given his greater involvement in the loose. At 23, still one for the future.

  Lee Mears (26, 1): needs game time, which he may get given George Chuter’s withdrawal through injury. If his club mates Borthwick and Grewcock are chosen at 4 & 5, the Italian match should provide him with a start, alongside Stevens, in order for the management to see whether he can step into Thompson’s shoes when called upon. 

    Perry Freshwater (32, 1): in the same boat as Mears and Chuter – if he is to succeed in the England camp, needs games and needs them soon. The writing looks to be on the wall following his demotion to the A-squad, as while he plies his trade in the hardest league in the world for front rows, his lack of international game time means he is a big gamble. Will play for the A’s and return to France.

The Locks: 

  Steve Borthwick and Danny Grewcock showed up well against Australia and the All Blacks, and should remain in the run on fifteen at the beginning of the competition. Their domination of a formidable Wasps pack last weekend should have put pay to Simon Shaw’s international hopes for yet another season, but he has been preferred to Louis Deacon. Whilst Shaw has plenty of experience, Deacon has played brilliantly for Leicester this season, despite having the shadow of Martin Johnson hanging over him. Alex Brown was unlucky with injury to rob him of the chance to start against Samoa (and possibly prevent Borthwick from staking his claim) but good club form has moved him back up the pecking order. Chris Jones from Sale may well get the nod for the bench as his ability to cover the back row gives Robinson more options, especially if Dallaglio is recalled at 6. Borthwick and Grewcock to continue, with Brown and Jones battling it out for the place on the bench.

In the front row especially, England do appear to have a certain strength in depth, but this may be deceptive. They went to Australia with two powerful threes in Vickery and White, with Woodman providing the force on the opposite side of the scrum. Their biggest advantage however, was Jason Leonard, with his experience and ability in both positions leaving the management unworried if either Vickery or Woodman was injured. Now however, this experience is lacking, and is an issue that must be addressed during the upcoming tournament. Matt Stevens needs at least one start, on either side of the scrum, to prove he can mix with the big boys, with appearances in every game aiding his development. The issue is even more dramatic at hooker, with Mears and Chuter possessing a solitary cap between them, the potential problems if Thompson gets injured are frightening. Whilst Italy are no slouches, if England are to make a reasonable fist of defending their crown, the squad players need to start against them with the front five being Sheridan, Mears, Stevens, Brown and Grewcock. France are the only team that may get the better of the English pack, and whilst the starting five are more than a match for any scrum in world rugby, the back-ups need to be tested, and soon.

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

• Digg
• Delicious
• Facebook
• Reddit
• Stumbleupon