All change in England squad

England interim Head Coach Stuart Lancaster

With one squad selection the ghost of World Cup past has been shed, and a new era has been ushered in to the world of English Rugby Union.  New Zealand is to be ushered out, highlighted at this weeks press conference within which the elite squad was announced with the word barely mentioned..  The 32 men selected are to lead their country into this years six nations, defending the crown Martin Johnson led his side to last year despite a last game loss in Ireland. 

A lot was made of the benefits of selecting an interim coach, could a big impact seriously be made or would it just paper over cracks on the short term.  Only for them to be highlighted once again once the tournament gets underway next month.

One thing is for certain, with this selection Stuart Lancaster has selected what will hopefully form the basis of the squad for the next World Cup to be held on these shores.  When he stated "this is a new era for England," he clearly showed this is a building job with 2015 the ultimate target.

A new younger breed has been brought in, while the old guard have been shown the door.  Jonny Wilkinson, Lewis Moody and Steve Thompson, all former World Cup winners, retired following last years New Zealand showpiece.  While Mike Tindall, Mark Cueto, Nick Easter, Shontayne Hape and Riki Flutey have all failed to make the grade.

Toby Flood, Manu Tuilagi and Courtney Lawes are all on the short term injury list, but more crucially Andrew Sheridan, Louis Deacon and Richard Wigglesworth will miss the entire tournament.

Saracens new star Owen Farrell

Amongst the new breed it is Owen Farrell who has hit the head lines after a string of stellar performances, being one of nine uncapped players to be selected.  His Saracens midfield team mate Brad Barritt is also included, while a partnership with team mate Charlie Hodgson could also be on the cards with Flood set to miss the first two encounters.

Dave Atwood, Geoff Parling, Alex Goode and Henry Trinder, the last three all uncapped, are also included after gaining promotion from the Saxons to cover for some of those on the treatment table.  Scarlets number eight Ben Morgan earns a place after declaring his allegiance to his country of birth and not Wales for whom he qualifyed under a three year residency rule, with Northampton Saints back row Calum Clark perhaps the boldest selection.

It is not yet known who will the captain the side with Tom Wood and Chris Robshaw though to be front runners although it is believed Lancaster wants a host of other names to step up, he said:  "The most important thing is to get the leadership group right. We need to develop a new group of leaders. From there, natural leaders will emerge."

Tom Palmer proves an exception to the Rugby Football Unions now overseas player rule, stepping in for James Haskell who is in Japan on sabbatical.  On the largely youthful side selected, Lancaster added:  "We've picked a side which is exciting, talented and committed to get us back to where we want to be, at the top of the game.
"I've spoken to those not selected and told them the door is not closed.
"But I want to use this Six Nations as an opportunity to develop the next players in those positions and develop a leadership group that is strong and wants to be the best.
"We think it's a tremendous opportunity to build a squad that has potential for now and for the future.
"We trust the players we have selected, a lot have been involved for a while and have been to the World Cup.
"They have been on the cusp of it for a while. Now they deserve their chance after proving themselves in big games for their clubs."

The England squad in full is as follows:


Forwards:  Props: A Corbisiero (London Irish), D Cole (Leicester Tigers), J Marler (Harlequins), M Stevens (Saracens), D Wilson (Bath Rugby); Hookers: D Hartley (Northampton Saints), L Mears (Bath Rugby), R Webber (London Wasps); Locks: M Botha (Saracens), L Deacon (Leicester Tigers), C Lawes (Northampton Saints), T Palmer (Stade Francais); Back-rows: C Clark (Northampton Saints), T Croft (Leicester Tigers), P Dowson (Northampton Saints), B Morgan (Scarlets), C Robshaw (Harlequins), T Wood (Northampton Saints).

Backs:  Full-backs: M Brown (Harlequins), B Foden (Northampton Saints); Wings: C Ashton (Northampton Saints), C Sharples (Gloucester Rugby), D Strettle (Saracens); Centres: B Barritt (Saracens), O Farrell (Saracens), M Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), J Turner-Hall (Harlequins); Fly-halves: T Flood (Leicester Tigers), C Hodgson (Saracens); Scrum-halves: L Dickson (Northampton Saints), J Simpson (London Wasps), B Youngs (Leicester Tigers).

Sharks look to bounce back

Sale Sharks head to Vicarage Road this weekend off the back of a second half humiliation handed out by the dominant Leicester Tigers.  Sharks executive director of sport Steve Diamond admitted it was a "reality check," after his side conceded 31 unanswered points after leading 13-3 at half time.

Tom Brady scored his sides solitary try as the game ebbed towards half time, but in reality the Edgeley Park outfit could and possibly should have headed into the break with a bigger margin.  Mark Cueto broke down the left wing but was unable to break through, while on more than one occasion shoddy handling skills or ill discipline cost them.  A late tackle prevented Rob Miller from going over, while Brady was denied by the television match official after beating a dawdling Geordan Murphy.

The opening try however was a very well worked move, initiated by the quick thinking Dwayne Peel.  The Welsh Scrum Half took a quick penalty and released Miller, who in turn fed Brady for a deserved score.
Following this though it was all downhill.  A different Leicester emerged in the Second half, with a pack that dominated for a full 40 minutes.  Including two tries as a direct result of driving mauls.  Toby Flood added 16 of his 19 points in this period of the game, as a startled Sale side saw first hand the standard that has to be met to compete at the highest level in The Aviva Premiership.

Saracens are the focus this weekend, who sit one place and seven points over the Stockport based side.  A whole host of sides are now breathing down the neck of Sale hoping to knock them down the league, a scenario that is more than likely going to materialise sooner rather than later.  Atleast the Sale fan's can look forward to a season minus relegation scrap, something that has been all to familiar in recent season.

Speaking to the club's official website, Diamond said:  "It's a long time ago since I left Saracens. They have created a super franchise. They are now going away from home and winning at Gloucester, so we know that we are up against a top side on Sunday.
 
" In the end it's all about our performance this weekend. If we get it right in our set piece and defence then we stand a chance of getting something out of the game. They are one of the top super clubs in England right now and if you get anything from them away from home, then you are doing well."

Below is the Sale Sharks side in full for Sunday's clash


15.Rob Miller, 14.Will Addison, 13.Johnny Leota, 12.Sam Tuitupou (capt), 11.Mark Cueto, 10.Nick Macleod, 9.Will Cliff, 1.Alasdair Dickinson, 2.Tommy Taylor, 3.Henry Thomas, 4.Fraser McKenzie, 5.James Gaskell, 6.Richie Vernon. 7.David Seymour, 8.Andy Powell

Replacements 

16.Marc Jones, 17.Vadim Cobilas, 18.Tony Buckley, 19.Kearnan Myall, 20.Mark Easter, 21.Cillian Willis, 22.Tasesa Lavea, 23.Tom Brady

England V France: Time for the talking to stop

We are now a little over two days away from what is being billed as the crunch encounter of this years Six Nations campaign.

By the time England and France have finished doing battle at Twickenham on Saturday, the victorious team will be fully expected to go on and claim a grand slam.

In the build up it seems France are a little on edge ahead of the game.

We have seen Marc Lievremont shouting off, with his 'everyone hates England' jibe, attempting to wind up the hosts and provoke a response.

Instead we have seen Martin Johnson remain tight lipped, and Toby Flood openly mock the comments.

In addition the visitors to HQ have made several changes to their starting XV for the game.

Sebastien Chabal, Vincent Clerc, Dimitri Yachvili and Yannick Jauzion have all been recalled, while Maxime Medard is shifted to full back.

There's no doubt they will attempt to be more physical than Italy, and get in the faces of the English front row.

But in addition they will not concede sloppy ball like the Italians did, and will definitely not stand off and allow England to attack in flowing fashion.

England on the other hand have made just one change, as Andrew Sheridan comes back in after injury with Alex Corbisiero moving out of the side.

This seems a more settled side, and it is no secret that they have been scoring freely while France haven't exactly had a tight defence.

And despite French claims that they have a plan to contain Chris Ashton, the Northampton wing will no doubt be a threat.

On home soil, and form considered, England should run out the victors but it certainly won't be easy.

However after their next game at home to Scotland, a potential grand slam finale will rest on a tricky trip to Ireland.

How nice it is to be able to dream of a first English grand slam since 2003.