Morgan only had an hour in his legs when he was “fit”, he’s blowing after 1/2 now, sorry to say but that injury has done him for this year.

No chance that he’s anywhere near first choice ahead of Billy, who’s done the opposite and turned himself into an 80 minute player .
And tbh, morgan’s a very poor bench choice too ‘cos he lacks any versatility as cover – as well as his fitness – injured flanker in the first half and they’re stuffed. A 20 minute impact man isn’t enough for a BR in the WC. Therefore no point taking him as fifth BR, he can go home and watch the games on the exercise bike.
Can see Lancaster taking Easter ahead of him too now, he offers that bit of versatility and experience that they don’t really have elsewhere. second choice 8, possible lock, and put’s pressure on two bench spots in the final 23.
If he’s got any balls, he can use that to his advantage in squad selection. Can’t see the point in taking JG or LCD either when they so obviously wouldn’t want to play them – and there’s a creative way to get the man they want back after Fiji. By picking Easter (Cover’s br and lock) and a versatile extra back (cover 10, 13, 15, poss more) in a 16/15 split- Slade’s the man – and go two hookers like Oz – and get first choice hooker coming “out” as first injury replacement for whoever goes home first after Fiji. Obviously Props and Halves excluded – but any other injury – even a back – could work really.

Marler, Mako,
Youngs, Webber
Cole, Wilson, Brookes
Lawes, Launchbury, atwood, Kruis,
Robshaw, Woods, Billy, haskell, Easter

Care, Youngs, Wworth
Ford, farrell,
Slade
Barritt, burgess, Joseph, Burrell

Nowell, Watson, May
Brown, Goode

(“departure lounge” – hartley)

To me, whatever squad he’s going to pick now looks a little short of wing cover with only three in the training squad and the two 15s rather unusually not really covering there. But taking the extra FH/centre would allow JJ to go out if really need and maintain decent cover in midfield – bit like the 6N when there was an injury.

Good work thats 5 players not in the extended squad. Whats the point of Easter over Attwood?

True enough – I did consider that. OK Attwood is in and Morgan out as he’s not really fit enough.

But that’s my final word. 😉

Interesting now most of us getting Slade, Burgess and Burrell in.

Apart from the obvious Armitage, which other candidates are there for a 7?

Can’t believe cipriani is being left out. Big mistake by Lancaster that.

Brilliant!

I know how it is. I’m half Irish, and I have a feeling that I’ll be using it in the later stages!

I think North needs a run out for sure. Otherwise wouldn’t it be more morale boosting to get a win over the Irish and therefore play a stronger side?

I feel sorry for Cipriani, he’s done well when brought in but the fact is no one in the Engkand setup (or me) trust him. I suppose it’s possible he could yet be called up if there’s an injury, much like the AB 10 who ended up kicking the winning points in the final but that’s a long shot. It’s time for him to move on, make some good money in France. Such a talented player wasted his chance at the start of his career. We don’t know yet what will come of the drunk driving (?) event but there’s too much evidence to say nothing has changed inside his head.

Edit: got a mailing for top 14 tickets, Slade Francis v Toulon in Sep for £8. I wonder what the games will be like with so many players away.mgoing to be tough on the clubs

I predict Farrell will implode under the expectation of a home nation, he is flaky enough in 6 nations games. I would love to see him give some Islander one of his petulant digs and get absolutely hammered.

Is Cips the english Quade Cooper? can do brilliant things but a head full of toys.

there’s too much evidence to say nothing has changed inside his head.

Whilst you make some good points I don’t agree with this. He’s knuckled down for Sale the past few seasons and been consistently excellent.

SL told him he was part of the RWC plans to prevent him going to Toulon and then proceeded to give him virtually no opportunities at all.

18 minutes at FH vs Italy where he scored a try immediately and then set up another and was generally excellent.
A few last minute run ons at FB.
30 minutes at FB against France when England didn’t have the ball.
27 minutes against France where he played all over the backline and was by far England’s best back, also scored again.

Fair enough if we had some world class players keeping him out but to see useless lumps like Farrell, Barritt, Haskell, Goode and Tom Youngs going to the party must be infuriating for him.

What Namasterbuzz said. As a ST holder at Sale he has been pretty flawless both in his play and his temperament. I think its not so much the fact that he has been omitted more the fact that Lancaster has strung him along, he is no doubt been a bit embarrassed when despite limited game time he has still shone.

Can you show some of this “evidence”?

Well innocent until proven guilty on the drink driving I’d say – like anybody else.

He totally ripped Ireland apart in the 6N I recall and then got that nasty ankle injury wasn’t it?

The point being he clearly has the talent and with the right management he could possibly have been a world class fly-half. Thing is, we’ll never know as SL doesn’t care for his type.

Anyway, Toulon generally don’t bother trying to hire too many second rate players do they?

Has Farrell done anything at the top level, he was a dirt tracker for the Lions.

He came out of Andy’s balls,that would appear to be enough.

M Morgan (I was expecting Anscombe)
North
T Morgan
C Allen
Amos
Priestland
Davies
Moriarty
Tips
Lydiate
Bradley Davies
Charteris
Francis
Owens
Paul James/Rob Evans

Or will we go with all the big guns and have acteam like above v italy?

It’s last chance before the squad announcements for Ireland so IMO, it would be fairest and best to give the chance to those players who still need to do something to claim a spot.

For Ireland, maybe FJones, Earls, DKearney, Fitz and McFadden need some time at the back, marbe mixing it up a bit from the other games with Earls wing and Fitz and Mcfadden centre. But sadly it looks like Gilroy’s not really in the frame any more. Cave deserves another go too, and if they’re still under consideration then Boss and Marmion at SH.
There are rumours that Madigan night be covering 3rd SH spot like Giteau and OZ – Boss only played 60 unneccesary minutes at the last WC so not a complete crazy gamble – which could be a fun 20 minutes this weekend.

Up front, it looks like the first match ever that Schmidt won’t start MIke Ross.
Marty Moore came on for him in 10/10 times in the last two 6N , but still injured so must be in danger for WC. Healy’s still out too and two crocked props would be too much to take. Nathan White , Kilcoyne, and Bent all need game time to prove their worth.Would be nice to see what Cronin does from the start with them too as he’s likely to be coming on with them on 60 in WC.
Think Henderson and Murphy are in the squad now due to versatillity, so the two most at risk of missing out if 6 props are needed are D Ryan and Chris Henry. Both deserve to start on Sat to show what they can do.