ENGLAND TEAM PROFILE

DELON ARMITAGE

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ONE TO WATCH

England’s forwards have been their dominant factor since 2003. Strong in the scrum and powerful in breakdown situations, they can carry over the gain-line when necessary and create good ball for the backs to work with. In Harry Ellis and Danny Care, England have two potentially very good scrum-halves behind the pack and at outside-half stands Cipriani, the man everyone has been talking about since he burst onto the scene in the 2008 Six Nations. The understanding of the half back pairing is integral to England’s campaign if they are to fulfill evident potential. Martin Johnson will not tolerate defeat. If he can instill this mentality and belief into his players, they will be very hard to beat.

show leadership qualities to help nurture the young three-quarters and support Steve Borthwick.

Danny Care’s physicality and sharpness with ball in hand offers him an opportunity to cement his place at scrum-half – especially with main rival Harry Ellis struggling for form even before a recent lengthy ban for foul play.

The key to success for England lies in the midfield. Up front, they have the power to bully any pack into submission but they must provide fast, clean ball to their backs. Will Greenwood played at outside centre last time England won the Six Nations with stalwart Mike Tindall inside. Since then, the midfield has lacked cohesion, flair and defensive dependability. Backs coach Brian Smith and Johnson have to find the right dynamic among an abundance of talent. n

Outstanding performances when given his chance in the Autumn internationals proved that Delon Armitage is ready for the top stage of rugby. His man of the match award against the Pacific Islanders was followed by equally mature performances against all of the Southern Hemisphere sides. Confident under the high ball and a natural athlete in attack, Armitage could be the answer to England’s problems at full back since Jason Robinson retired. London Irish have known of Armitage’s ability for a long time now as he has been a regularly prolific performer for them since his move from France. Pace, skill and flair are a product of his upbringing at Nice, but he has learned from Smith, who worked with him at London Irish, to tame any wildness he adopted. His 35-metre drop-goal against Australia proved to the world that he has a lot to offer England. Expect a big Six Nations from the new kid on the block.

THE LOWDOWN

STRENGTHS

WEAKNESSES

This is not an experienced England team. Having failed to begin the rebuilding process with new blood after the 2003 World Cup, there are many young, talented players in a squad that have not had enough time together at International level. Starved of creativity, the England midfield has become static and stale over recent seasons, unable to unlock defences of even mediocre standard. An over reliance on boring down opposition with physical bombardment until they concede a penalty to take three points will not win titles. With Hodgson out in the cold, England would look to one of Olly Barkley, Toby Flood or Shane Geraghty to step in if Cipriani needed replacing. Geraghty is the only one of these three to play regularly at fly-half for his club but the 22-year-old only has a handful of England caps. This is sparse cover for Cipriani who by his own admission has not done anything to prove his international prowess yet.

Above left Johnson handed Steve Borthwick the captaincy for the Autumn internationals

102 / CLASSIC SPORTS SERIES