36 domestic fixtures, 7 Champions Cup matches and 5 Challenge Cup showdowns that is what our England players have contributed to over the past 6 weeks. It has been one of the most exciting starts to a season in recent years as the results have been as predictable as the Great British weather and over that time players have found and indeed lost form.
Today, at QBE's Head Office in Central London, Stuart Lancaster announced his EPS squad for the forthcoming QBE Internationals. This was the first of a series of announcements leading up to the 8th November and the first clash with the All Blacks. Stuart first announced Chris Robshaw as his Captain and then explained the selection decisions that he and his team had made. As expected there were a few key focus points in particular the selections choices made behind the scrum;
"Backs wise it has been very competitive across the board, we’ve had long debates in every position but ultimately it has come down to two criteria. One is consistency, consistency over time and the fact that we judge everyone on having very good qualities in all areas but stand out in two and probably the second is getting the balance right in our back line; that blend of pace, power and footballing ability"
After being picked for the first time 27 year old Semesa Rokoduguni will contribute greatly to that blend adding some 'punch and power' out wide which is needed in a squad without Manu Tuilagi. In Stuart's words 'Mike (Catt) and Faz (Andy Farrell) are keen to get him in and spend some time with him'. It was plainly evident that, like all of us, they see the potential housed in the winger and Stuart highlighted that they have already discussed the option of Rokoduguni starting in the first test against New Zealand.
Following his consistent form Stephen Myler's inclusion will have been greeted by cries of delight from Saints' fans everywhere whilst tears of joy for those in the Cipriani and Burns camps, for it was at the expense of Danny and Freddie that Stephen was included. Stuart highlighted that had Stephen been available for selection in the summer, and not been part of the Aviva Premiership Final, he would have started the first test against the All Blacks. This coupled with his consistent form pushed him ahead of the other two and ultimately secured his inclusion. Stuart was keen to point out that Danny was not playing badly, far from it, however he and the team believed that Stephen truly deserved his chance this year autumn.Stuart stressed explicitly that this is not the finished product, the 33 men on the announcement sheet today may not be the same 33 or so that are announced for the 6 Nations or indeed the World Cup;
"This is another stage in the development of a team and it is by no means the finished article as we lead into that World Cup; everyone still has plenty to play for and we’ll create opportunities as and when we can."
Today marks the start of an extremely exciting and special time of year, after one final weekend of Europe things step up and notch and International Rugby takes centre stage. The excitement is building already and with the individuals named today and those that remain chomping at the bit to get in the squad we can all see that English rugby is in a superb place and we are posed for a colossal set of matches against the best sides that the Southern Hemisphere has to offer in the 2014 QBE Internationals.
The Full 33 Man England EPS Squad
The following players will not be available for the 2014 QBE Internationals: Alex Corbisiero (shoulder), Dan Cole (neck), Tom Croft (knee), Tom Johnson (neck), Geoff Parling (concussion), Chris Pennell (groin), Ed Slater (knee), Mako Vunipola (knee), Tom Youngs (shoulder).
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