Smart selections?
Let us know your views on Martin Johnson's England squad
Last updated: 13th May 2008
Never one to sidestep the big decisions, Martin Johnson began his reign as England manager by naming a few surprises in his touring party for New Zealand.
Johnson, who was appointed in the newly-created role last month, has included Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley, London Irish wing Topsy Ojo and Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care among others in his 32-man squad for the two-Test series.
Johnson has not been helped by injury to a number of players, but has he chosen the right players to beat the All Blacks?
Is Steve Borthwick the right man to captain the tourists? Do the likes of Ben Kay, Pete Richards and Charlie Hodgson deserve to be on the plane? And can Lesley Vainikolo, Matt Banahan and Ryan Lamb feel hard done by for not making it into the 32?
Join the Sky Sports Debate by letting us know your views on Johnson's squad via the form below...
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Comments
Tom Biggs says...
amazing selection great new english back line with olly barkley and danny cipirani
Posted 17:15 15th May 2008
Graeme Marshall says...
Right call to leave behind Vainikolo and Balshaw, but not convinced I would take Hodgson over Lamb - Charlie simply had too many chances an d proved he is not the future at 10 for England. No point taking new players like Hartley et al if they do not play anyway, a bold matchday 15 selection is where it is really needed. Toby Flood simply not good enough to play 12 for England, neither physically powerful enough nor tricky enough of foot, not helped by playing for a team who have been going backwards most the season. Seems we will never see Sinbad back in England colours - a true shame. Banahan for me is a player for the future, but think they have made some decent calls all round - proof will come in the 15 selected. Likely that Barkley will get the nod at 12, with Tindall outside him, Strettle and Sackey on the wings - Ojo on the bench. Tait likely for full-back with Brown also on the bench. Has to be Cipriani at 10, and i'd go for Care at 9. Can't wait and fingers crossed we can turn them over.
Posted 13:27 15th May 2008
Rob Callard says...
Geraghty is injured, and is undergoing shoulder surgery in the summer
Posted 14:38 14th May 2008
John Stephens says...
Good Selection over all. I don't like seeing charlies name on the sheet. As said before, it would seem he is a great club player but not international. Maybe, HOPEFULLY he will prove us all wrong but I dont see why he has to be put in, even with Wilkinson injured, we have other options! Imagine if Charlie messes up again!!! Allot of the selections will be enjoyed by most. How different it is from Ashtons selections where you would look at the squad and and think..EH??? what the..... WHY? Johnno's common sense, Intelligence, Rugby skills and leadership will do us proud. FINALLY I find myself excited about England rugby after soooo soooo long!!
Posted 13:35 14th May 2008
Charlie Whiteley says...
Can someone tell me why Geraghty has not been picked? (im pretty sure hes not injured) he was outstoudning against toulouse in the HC and showed that he can hack it against the best, I would of prefered to have seen him in that 12 shirt ahead of both Flood and Barkley easily our best centre in English Rugby. Overall I feel Jonno has picked a solid and exctiting squad.
Posted 11:53 14th May 2008
Jon Boy says...
Toby flood is conning a living as a rugby player, plays for a poor team and international standard he is NOT, not even close. Some how he manages to pop up with a try or something to distraction from overall poor performances. Hope Tait gets a chance to show his attacking skills. Should give Ashton some experience and put him in saxons squad.
Posted 11:24 14th May 2008
Colin Hawkins says...
Well done to Johnson on this squad he has clearly been watching what is going on in the Premiership and Cup competitions this season, he has very cleverly rested some of the old guard thereby giving the Dylan Hartley's of this world opportunities which i feel they will use well, he is obviously thinking ahead in terms of the world cup and doing some repairing of the damage that was done during the Robinson/Ashton era. It is just a shame he will not be there to inpart his knowledge of how to be the All Blacks in their own backyard.
Posted 09:37 14th May 2008
Richard Andrews says...
Where is Richard Haughton? He has been in form all season and has been arguably Saracens star this season. He has scored 11 tries this season, plays comfortably at full back or wing, has proven himself both offensively and defensively this season - I think he has a right to feel robbed! Speaking of Saracens, why have Adam Powell, Tom Ryder & Matt Cairns all been overlooked too?
Posted 09:26 14th May 2008
Mark Lane says...
I would rather see England play a 14 man squad than to have Charlie Hodgson 'choke' the game away!...good for Sale, not for England though. Otherwise "Well done Johno, and best of luck!" - a good choice of players. Would like to see Simpson-Daniel in there eventually, and surely Banahan must be knocking on the door!? The sooner England adapt to Bath's 'floating ball' style of Rugby and stop kicking away possession the better! You have to have the ball to score points guys... Best of luck fellas, and show the Kiwis what this Land of Hope and Glory is all about! See you there!
Posted 08:55 14th May 2008
Heath Purvis says...
Can anyone tell me if simpson daniel is injured, becuase if he is not i have lost all faith in our national set up. Also Tim payne ??? peter richards??? joe worsely ??? must admit though on the whole fairly well balanced squad though i think abendanon would be a better choice than brown. Why is there such a great outcry for tom varndell to go, i have seen him in an england shirt of one description or another several times and i am sorry but if the chips are down i wouldnt back him, the same could be said about charlie hodgson. i think they are really good club players but when in an international envioronment they never seem to reach the heights. The pack looks especially strong and if they can gel could be the foundations of a succesful england again. Glad that dylan hartly has a chance and that the selectors have widened their vision but a small warning to the established wingers Northamton are back in the GP and with them comes one chris ashton who i will predict will be in an england jersey within 12 months. The saxons look mighty strong though i feel sorry for miles benjamin who has shown real pace and richard haughton whos general game has really matured. Banahan ?? i just dont get it, jonah lomu he is not ( or even a tuigamala or tuilagi)
Posted 23:38 13th May 2008
Marcus Maslin says...
listen, simon shaw, josh lewsey, sinbad, etc are all injured thats why they havent been picked! very good choice of players though! good old mike brown back in the mix and rightly so! the best and constant fullback in english rugby at present!
Posted 22:06 13th May 2008
Ben Stack says...
overall i think great selection, injuries aside i can only see good things to come from the team, finally nick kennedy in the squad after being the best line out jumper in the prem for last 3 years, also ojo, care, paice, all deserve there spot. feel bad for simpson daniel has been amazing this year and again injury gets him again, brown or tait at full back, i hate to say it but i would go with brown had a brilliant year, my team to start, brown, strettle, tindall, barkley, sackey, cipriani, richards, sheridan, mears,stevens,borthowick, kennedy, rees, lipman, haskell. subs- payne, paice, croft, easter, care, tait, ojo.
Posted 20:40 13th May 2008
James Bailey says...
The saxons would beat this England team. Charlie Hodgson over Ryan Lamb, don't make me laugh!! Why does Flood and Tait always find themselves in the England squads? What have they done this season??? Why leave the premierships top try scorers out??
Posted 18:47 13th May 2008
Mark Woodward says...
Good squad and a great blend of promise and experience. A few players are unlucky not to be included but overall I think the right players are in the right squad. It just baffles me (RWC aside) how when our 'A' team is that good that we have struggled recently. I think the strength of both squads proves how the Guiness Prem has got the blend of top overseas players and producing good young English players spot on for now. Long may it to continue
Posted 17:32 13th May 2008
John Galvin says...
Re Sinbad please note he is on the injured list, presumably needing post-season surgery as he's still playing. I don't think you can ignore him! Good luck to the London Irish boys.
Posted 17:25 13th May 2008
Chris Ward says...
Great squad. Yes everyone can make a case for their favourites but on the whole really you can't argue. As a Sale fan i think Foden should have gone! But i accept its a limited squad. Re Varndell i simply don't think the important men think he can defend! Don't forget as well he was given a chance but failed to take it. He may have earnt another one but not before the likes of Ojo who add far more in dynamic running coming off the wiong (Something i haven't really seen Varndell do) I was suprised Worseley got in till i remembered how he can defend and those others left out (Such as JSD) were left out for injury. I also love the make up of the Saxons squad. You could as another commentor said play 1st XV VS Saxons and it would be one hell of a game. For the first time since before the world cup im actually excited by the prospect of England Rugby again.
Posted 16:49 13th May 2008
Garry Bonney says...
Good selection for both squads, by MJ and his team. The Eng squad, has about the right blend of youth and experience. The fowards look like we could have the potential for a great pack for a few years, when look at how Mat Stevens and Lee Mears have been playing all season, these are front rowers who think there back rowers - great. Borthwick as capt. is a good choice, he has the similar triats on MJ, which is what you need out on the field, nice one MJ. If Tindall can get fit and stay fit, he is the experience needed to give the new guys the boost they may need against the likes of the AB's. I think leaving Lamb out for the Saxons, is probably right, I think he needs probably one or two games with the Saxons, to bring him up to the next playing level, and then give him a chance in the AI's. Overall, not bad choices in both squads. Good Luck boys, give 'em hell.
Posted 15:40 13th May 2008
Andrew Cox says...
How as varndell not been picked for the senior side, he is the quickest rugby player in England for God sake and for the past two seasons has scored tries for fun! Also he is the highest try scorer in the GP and hasnt played that many games anyway! What does he have to do to get in with the big boys
Posted 15:34 13th May 2008
M D says...
Good selection from MJ, but why are none of the leading try scorers from the GP not there...Varndell, Banahan, Simpson-Daniel, Vainikolo (admittedly not ready for international RU just yet), Voyce...the list goes on. The first to appear is Sackey down in twelfth followed closely by Cipriani, who should be introduced to the first team as soon as possible. How does the management expect to score tries when it leaves its most potent try scorers at home. Shane Geraghty should also feel unlucky not to have made it. Forwards look strong though, and quick, and skillful so that will make a change.
Posted 15:29 13th May 2008
James Nicholls says...
Tim Payne over Nick Wood? Come on Johnno, you're having a laugh!
Posted 15:01 13th May 2008
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