Another few days have passed and we're another few days closer to finding out who will make up England's squad for the first home World Cup in 24 years. I've filled the time by watching AC/DC at Wembley, and now I have a sore neck - however, my entirely righteous thoughts of self-pity quickly dissipated when I saw what the England boys are going through in their World Cup camp in 30 degree heat. It looks brutal. I genuinely think Dan Cole has melted.
Again, there are more big decisions to be made, and more that I will undoubtedly change my mind about later. Like in my last article, where I picked Burrell but excluded Eastmond - I've changed my mind again on that. But, I have to put my money somewhere, so check out below to see who makes the rest of my World Cup squad.
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
I like to think that most opposition teams wince when they hear Courtney's name announced in any line-up, and for that reason alone he gets in. Not only that, but his lineout work and discipline have improved considerably to compliment his athleticism and power in defence, and I expect he'll end up one of the first names on the teamsheet.
VERDICT: IN
Ben Morgan (Gloucester)
Big Ben was having a superb season until breaking his leg, but by all accounts is looking in great shape and is set to play a full part in the warm up games. Assuming his leg is back in working order, he's a certainty to be included - with Lancaster's choice then being who starts at number 8. I would venture that Morgan has the better skill set than Billy Vunipola, but it's a great dilemma to have.
VERDICT: IN
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Perhaps I'm a tad harsh, but I always used to think there was a bit too much of the 'Paul Doran-Jones' about Matt Mullan - I generally thought he wasn't really good enough for international rugby. He's proven me wrong though this year, becoming a destructive scrummager in a vastly improved Wasps pack and maintaining impressive versatility in the loose. For me, he's battling it out for the 5th prop spot with Corbisiero - but I think the Saints' man's experience of the big occasion may just way in his favour at Mullan's expense.
VERDICT: OUT
Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
Please can we have a show of hands for who genuinely gets excited of the idea of Stephen Myler pulling the strings in the 10 shirt for England? Didn't think there'd be many. If you do have your hand up, put it down for goodness sake, you look weird. Look, Myler is a great club fly-half, he is reliable and accurate - but how often to we really see him take a big game by the scruff of a neck? Not quite international quality, in my opinion.
VERDICT: OUT
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
I've already had words with Jack about his rat's tail, so I'll leave his barnet out of the equation here, but the Chiefs man has had a very impressive return from injury for club and country. He may not be the quickest and I still think his defensive positioning needs work, but he is powerful, has great feet, and always seems to make a half break, partly because he is always looking to attack. I like his positivity and, when you chuck in the fact that he's comfortable in the 13/15 shirt too, he's a shoe-in.
VERDICT: IN
Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
Despite being a relative late bloomer in terms of realising his potential - only following his move to Tigers, really - big Geoff has achieved a lot: Premiership Titles, a successful Lions Tour, an England stalwart and, most importantly, he beat Jonny Depp and George Clooney to win 'Sexiest Beard of the Year' in 2013. Despite enduring an injury-plagued season, Parling has the experience, leadership and facial hair qualities that the England squad will need.
VERDICT: IN
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
He's the captain. So he's in. Sigh, fine, I'll say some more - he is statistically the best 7 in the northern hemisphere in terms of internationals, so he's in. By that I mean he had more carries, more more tackles and, aside from Blair Cowan, more turnovers than any other openside in the Six Nations, so if I hear a claim that he's "not a true seven", I will dust off my slapping gloves. He's earned the right to lead the country at the World Cup and the balance of the back-row, particularly when Haskell is at 6, is key to England's chances.
VERDICT: IN
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath)
'Roko' started the season in electric form, with some comically good steps and dazzling footwork lighting up the Premiership. But then England decided to ease him gently into international rugby, by starting him on the wing against the All Blacks for his first cap. He didn't do anything wrong, but didn't do anything great either, and injury meant that he remains a 'one-cap wonder'. I don't think he'll be losing that tag anytime soon either - he's capable of moments of magic but also has a tendency to go missing in games.
Joe Simpson (Wasps)
There was a time when Joe Simpson was heralded as the next big thing, but injuries and a lack form saw his star fall away quicker than his hair. But it's back with a vengeance this time around - his star and his form that is, not his hair (sadly). He's worked hard to become reliable with his service and get his box-kicking up to scratch, but he's got that searing speed still which makes him such a huge threat around the breakdown. If he recovers from his knee-twinge and maintains his 2015 form, he sneaks in ahead of Care for me.
VERDICT: IN
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Speaking of golden boys, Henry Slade is rapidly shunting himself into that category. I admittedly dismissed him as a typical 'pretty boy' fly-half when I first saw him play. But then I saw him tackle Rene Ranger head on. With his face. And I thought, this kid has serious stones. Add to that a great natural awareness of the game, good feet, game management and a strong overall skillset, and you have a certain future England international. But not yet - a World Cup is not the right place for a debutant fly-half and - as several kicking malfunctions have shown - he might not be ready to deal with the intense pressure just yet.
VERDICT: OUT
Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
Despite being a shoe-in for the lead role should Desperate Dan ever follow the well-trodden comic-book movie path, Slater has more to his game than just raw physicality. Although that is mightily impressive, too. His understanding of the play, his lineout work and his leadership has seen him rank highly in the ranks of England coaches - but not highly enough to get an England cap yet, although he surely would have done this season before a knee-injury ruled him out. He'll be battling Attwood for that fourth lock spot and, whilst I think his ability to play 6 could help him, he may be a fraction undercooked for the World Cup - and he doesn't have the credit in the bank that Launchbury has.
VERDICT: OUT
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester)
In a similar way to Jonny May (maybe it's a Gloucester thing), Billy has that rare ability to infuriate England fans. On one hand, he has all the attributes to be a perfect inside centre - a booming boot, lightening fast and accurate passes, as well as being a powerful unit himself to offer an attacking threat. But he just doesn't do it on a regular basis - in fact, he seems to consistently combine moments of genuine quality with moments of fresh turd-ishness. And for that reason, I don't trust him on the big stage.
VERDICT: OUT
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
The 'Mak-Attack' (another attempt at a nickname I have coined which hasn't really caught on) has been very impressive in the latter half of 2015. Like Marler, he has worked hard on his scrummaging and his work rate and impact in the loose remains seriously impressive - look no further than his all-action display against Bath in the final for proof. Although the size of his earlobes genuinely freak me out, he is a dead cert for the squad in my book, even if he doesn't start.
VERDICT: IN
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
One of my criticisms of big Billy in previous years - in fact, as late as last year - was that he is not an 80 minute number 8. Of course, part of that is because he was being hauled off after 50 in most games, but I wasn't convinced he could make it in any event. But he has worked seriously hard to correct those views and got himself into prime shape, to the point where he has - for most of 2015 - played the full 80 for club and country. His battle with Ben Morgan for that eight shirt is great to see, but Billy's impact means that he is in whether starting or not.
VERDICT: IN
Anthony Watson (Bath)
Another player to benefit from a droolingly good year from the Bath backline, Watson is still raw but is a serious talent, as he showed in the Six Nations - he has the ability to bamboozle defenders with his feet and has serious gas, but his decision making sometimes lets him down, as he tries to do too much. But he didn't look out of place at all for England in the Six Nations, and his ability to cover full-back and his strength in the air means that he is a likely starter come that game against Fiji.
VERDICT: IN
Rob Webber (Bath)
I have to admit I was never the biggest fan of Rob Webber. But then he really impressed me on the tour to New Zealand. And then he had this season just gone, and I'm back to where I was before. He just doesn't look fit to me and, indeed, his lethargic attitude and occasional set-piece melt-down led to Ross Batty being preferred in the latter stages of the season for Bath. Yes, he has experience for England but, right now, he doesn't bring enough to the table to warrant selection.
VERDICT: OUT
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
Part of me feels sorry for Wigglesworth, and it's not just for having a ridiculous surname. He's been in and around the England squad for years and years, but he has - in truth - never been first choice. But then I realised that is, in itself, a reflection of the Saracens' man's strengths - he may not split defences apart like Youngs, Care or Simpson, but he is reliable, quick to the breakdown and a superb tactician. He's the perfect scrum-half to have on the bench when you need to calm things down and, after a great season with Sarries, he's earned his spot.
VERDICT: IN
David Wilson (Bath)
Yikes this is a harsh call on big Dave. After Cole's injury, Wilson filled the tighthead shirt with enthusiasm and no shortage of quality - leading some to even question the Leicester man's chances of getting the three shirt back. But then the injury bug has turned it's attention to the Bath tighthead, and since his return he hasn't quite hit the heights of earlier in the season. He's a great player, no doubt about it, but I do like the added impact Brookes gives from the bench and that, for me, leaves no place for Wilson.
VERDICT: OUT
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
In some ways, it's been a disappointing year for Tom Wood. He's had his share of injuries, James Haskell took his England spot and, to be honest, he has been very quiet for Saints. And not "quiet but he's doing the unseen grunt work" quiet, he's been genuinely quiet. But Wood is the kind of player who performs better on the big stage and, although he has a battle to win his shirt back, his leadership, versatility and experience should see him into the squad.
VERDICT: IN
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
I bet when Marland Yarde moved to Quins, he thought "Finally, I'm going to get lots of ball in lots of space and I'm really going to show everyone what I can do". Sorry mate, but Quins had a shocker of a year (although they went relatively un-slammed by the press) and that affected the ability of all the backs to impose themselves, especially Yarde. But his raw ability frightened the All Blacks last year and, yes, he is still a bit raw, but he has the physicality and pace to make a real impact at Test level, and I think he'll excel behind a strong England pack.
VERDICT: IN
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Youngs junior deserves an awful lot of credit this year for how he's bounced back from a turgid 2013-14 season, where he was unfit and woefully out of form, to becoming arguably the best 9 in the Six Nations again. He still retains that eye for a gap, as he showed against France, but his kicking and passing have improved markedly and, having been given skipper duties for Leicester in Slater's absence, he is a key leader these days within the England squad. Frightening for someone who didn't realise humans had two lungs until a couple of years ago (@StuffBenSaid).
VERDICT: IN
Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
You don't know the meaning of 'workrate' until you watch the human cube that is Tom Youngs play. With barrelling power on the carry and brutal aggression in defence, combined with a never-fading engine and serious mobility, you have pretty much the ultimate hooker. Ah, aside from the lineout throwing, of course. But he has been top-notch for Leicester again this year, and it only seems to be with England that there are issues - hopefully they can be ironed out pre-World Cup, because there is little doubt that, following Hartley's omission, Youngs is the first choice hooker.
VERDICT: IN
Again, there are more big decisions to be made, and more that I will undoubtedly change my mind about later. Like in my last article, where I picked Burrell but excluded Eastmond - I've changed my mind again on that. But, I have to put my money somewhere, so check out below to see who makes the rest of my World Cup squad.
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
I like to think that most opposition teams wince when they hear Courtney's name announced in any line-up, and for that reason alone he gets in. Not only that, but his lineout work and discipline have improved considerably to compliment his athleticism and power in defence, and I expect he'll end up one of the first names on the teamsheet.
VERDICT: IN
Joe Launchbury (Wasps)
Yes, he may look like Cupid's older brother, but the cherub-faced Launchbury is one mean player. His comeback from injury was eye-catching, displaying that superb mobility, offloading ability and breakdown technique that have become hallmarks of his play, and if he continues his rehabilitation, he'll be a starter for sure. And, to be frank, the season out with injury will probably do him good in the long-term.
VERDICT: IN
Yes, he may look like Cupid's older brother, but the cherub-faced Launchbury is one mean player. His comeback from injury was eye-catching, displaying that superb mobility, offloading ability and breakdown technique that have become hallmarks of his play, and if he continues his rehabilitation, he'll be a starter for sure. And, to be frank, the season out with injury will probably do him good in the long-term.
VERDICT: IN
Joe Marler (Harlequins)
By all accounts, big Joe is a little weird...but you can't knock his development into one of the best looseheads in the northern hemisphere. He remains impressively mobile around the park and is a real force in the set piece these days, having fully taken his opportunity when handed to him.
VERDICT: IN
By all accounts, big Joe is a little weird...but you can't knock his development into one of the best looseheads in the northern hemisphere. He remains impressively mobile around the park and is a real force in the set piece these days, having fully taken his opportunity when handed to him.
VERDICT: IN
Jonny May (Gloucester)
Jonny May is probably one of the most infuriating players in the game. Blessed with searing speed, he is capable of tearing teams apart, as he did to the All Blacks last year - but I bet you, like any England fan, have shouted 'bloody run straight' (or words to that effect) at the TV at least twice when the ball is in his hands. Some supporters say if you don't know where you're going, then the opponent certainly won't, but I just don't trust a headless chicken.
VERDICT: OUT
Jonny May is probably one of the most infuriating players in the game. Blessed with searing speed, he is capable of tearing teams apart, as he did to the All Blacks last year - but I bet you, like any England fan, have shouted 'bloody run straight' (or words to that effect) at the TV at least twice when the ball is in his hands. Some supporters say if you don't know where you're going, then the opponent certainly won't, but I just don't trust a headless chicken.
VERDICT: OUT
Ben Morgan (Gloucester)
Big Ben was having a superb season until breaking his leg, but by all accounts is looking in great shape and is set to play a full part in the warm up games. Assuming his leg is back in working order, he's a certainty to be included - with Lancaster's choice then being who starts at number 8. I would venture that Morgan has the better skill set than Billy Vunipola, but it's a great dilemma to have.
VERDICT: IN
Matt Mullan (Wasps)
Perhaps I'm a tad harsh, but I always used to think there was a bit too much of the 'Paul Doran-Jones' about Matt Mullan - I generally thought he wasn't really good enough for international rugby. He's proven me wrong though this year, becoming a destructive scrummager in a vastly improved Wasps pack and maintaining impressive versatility in the loose. For me, he's battling it out for the 5th prop spot with Corbisiero - but I think the Saints' man's experience of the big occasion may just way in his favour at Mullan's expense.
VERDICT: OUT
Stephen Myler (Northampton Saints)
Please can we have a show of hands for who genuinely gets excited of the idea of Stephen Myler pulling the strings in the 10 shirt for England? Didn't think there'd be many. If you do have your hand up, put it down for goodness sake, you look weird. Look, Myler is a great club fly-half, he is reliable and accurate - but how often to we really see him take a big game by the scruff of a neck? Not quite international quality, in my opinion.
VERDICT: OUT
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)
I've already had words with Jack about his rat's tail, so I'll leave his barnet out of the equation here, but the Chiefs man has had a very impressive return from injury for club and country. He may not be the quickest and I still think his defensive positioning needs work, but he is powerful, has great feet, and always seems to make a half break, partly because he is always looking to attack. I like his positivity and, when you chuck in the fact that he's comfortable in the 13/15 shirt too, he's a shoe-in.
VERDICT: IN
Geoff Parling (Leicester Tigers)
Despite being a relative late bloomer in terms of realising his potential - only following his move to Tigers, really - big Geoff has achieved a lot: Premiership Titles, a successful Lions Tour, an England stalwart and, most importantly, he beat Jonny Depp and George Clooney to win 'Sexiest Beard of the Year' in 2013. Despite enduring an injury-plagued season, Parling has the experience, leadership and facial hair qualities that the England squad will need.
VERDICT: IN
Chris Robshaw (Harlequins)
He's the captain. So he's in. Sigh, fine, I'll say some more - he is statistically the best 7 in the northern hemisphere in terms of internationals, so he's in. By that I mean he had more carries, more more tackles and, aside from Blair Cowan, more turnovers than any other openside in the Six Nations, so if I hear a claim that he's "not a true seven", I will dust off my slapping gloves. He's earned the right to lead the country at the World Cup and the balance of the back-row, particularly when Haskell is at 6, is key to England's chances.
VERDICT: IN
Semesa Rokoduguni (Bath)
'Roko' started the season in electric form, with some comically good steps and dazzling footwork lighting up the Premiership. But then England decided to ease him gently into international rugby, by starting him on the wing against the All Blacks for his first cap. He didn't do anything wrong, but didn't do anything great either, and injury meant that he remains a 'one-cap wonder'. I don't think he'll be losing that tag anytime soon either - he's capable of moments of magic but also has a tendency to go missing in games.
VERDICT: OUT
Joe Simpson (Wasps)
There was a time when Joe Simpson was heralded as the next big thing, but injuries and a lack form saw his star fall away quicker than his hair. But it's back with a vengeance this time around - his star and his form that is, not his hair (sadly). He's worked hard to become reliable with his service and get his box-kicking up to scratch, but he's got that searing speed still which makes him such a huge threat around the breakdown. If he recovers from his knee-twinge and maintains his 2015 form, he sneaks in ahead of Care for me.
VERDICT: IN
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Speaking of golden boys, Henry Slade is rapidly shunting himself into that category. I admittedly dismissed him as a typical 'pretty boy' fly-half when I first saw him play. But then I saw him tackle Rene Ranger head on. With his face. And I thought, this kid has serious stones. Add to that a great natural awareness of the game, good feet, game management and a strong overall skillset, and you have a certain future England international. But not yet - a World Cup is not the right place for a debutant fly-half and - as several kicking malfunctions have shown - he might not be ready to deal with the intense pressure just yet.
VERDICT: OUT
Ed Slater (Leicester Tigers)
Despite being a shoe-in for the lead role should Desperate Dan ever follow the well-trodden comic-book movie path, Slater has more to his game than just raw physicality. Although that is mightily impressive, too. His understanding of the play, his lineout work and his leadership has seen him rank highly in the ranks of England coaches - but not highly enough to get an England cap yet, although he surely would have done this season before a knee-injury ruled him out. He'll be battling Attwood for that fourth lock spot and, whilst I think his ability to play 6 could help him, he may be a fraction undercooked for the World Cup - and he doesn't have the credit in the bank that Launchbury has.
VERDICT: OUT
Billy Twelvetrees (Gloucester)
In a similar way to Jonny May (maybe it's a Gloucester thing), Billy has that rare ability to infuriate England fans. On one hand, he has all the attributes to be a perfect inside centre - a booming boot, lightening fast and accurate passes, as well as being a powerful unit himself to offer an attacking threat. But he just doesn't do it on a regular basis - in fact, he seems to consistently combine moments of genuine quality with moments of fresh turd-ishness. And for that reason, I don't trust him on the big stage.
VERDICT: OUT
Mako Vunipola (Saracens)
The 'Mak-Attack' (another attempt at a nickname I have coined which hasn't really caught on) has been very impressive in the latter half of 2015. Like Marler, he has worked hard on his scrummaging and his work rate and impact in the loose remains seriously impressive - look no further than his all-action display against Bath in the final for proof. Although the size of his earlobes genuinely freak me out, he is a dead cert for the squad in my book, even if he doesn't start.
VERDICT: IN
Billy Vunipola (Saracens)
One of my criticisms of big Billy in previous years - in fact, as late as last year - was that he is not an 80 minute number 8. Of course, part of that is because he was being hauled off after 50 in most games, but I wasn't convinced he could make it in any event. But he has worked seriously hard to correct those views and got himself into prime shape, to the point where he has - for most of 2015 - played the full 80 for club and country. His battle with Ben Morgan for that eight shirt is great to see, but Billy's impact means that he is in whether starting or not.
VERDICT: IN
Anthony Watson (Bath)
Another player to benefit from a droolingly good year from the Bath backline, Watson is still raw but is a serious talent, as he showed in the Six Nations - he has the ability to bamboozle defenders with his feet and has serious gas, but his decision making sometimes lets him down, as he tries to do too much. But he didn't look out of place at all for England in the Six Nations, and his ability to cover full-back and his strength in the air means that he is a likely starter come that game against Fiji.
VERDICT: IN
Rob Webber (Bath)
I have to admit I was never the biggest fan of Rob Webber. But then he really impressed me on the tour to New Zealand. And then he had this season just gone, and I'm back to where I was before. He just doesn't look fit to me and, indeed, his lethargic attitude and occasional set-piece melt-down led to Ross Batty being preferred in the latter stages of the season for Bath. Yes, he has experience for England but, right now, he doesn't bring enough to the table to warrant selection.
VERDICT: OUT
Richard Wigglesworth (Saracens)
Part of me feels sorry for Wigglesworth, and it's not just for having a ridiculous surname. He's been in and around the England squad for years and years, but he has - in truth - never been first choice. But then I realised that is, in itself, a reflection of the Saracens' man's strengths - he may not split defences apart like Youngs, Care or Simpson, but he is reliable, quick to the breakdown and a superb tactician. He's the perfect scrum-half to have on the bench when you need to calm things down and, after a great season with Sarries, he's earned his spot.
VERDICT: IN
David Wilson (Bath)
Yikes this is a harsh call on big Dave. After Cole's injury, Wilson filled the tighthead shirt with enthusiasm and no shortage of quality - leading some to even question the Leicester man's chances of getting the three shirt back. But then the injury bug has turned it's attention to the Bath tighthead, and since his return he hasn't quite hit the heights of earlier in the season. He's a great player, no doubt about it, but I do like the added impact Brookes gives from the bench and that, for me, leaves no place for Wilson.
VERDICT: OUT
Tom Wood (Northampton Saints)
In some ways, it's been a disappointing year for Tom Wood. He's had his share of injuries, James Haskell took his England spot and, to be honest, he has been very quiet for Saints. And not "quiet but he's doing the unseen grunt work" quiet, he's been genuinely quiet. But Wood is the kind of player who performs better on the big stage and, although he has a battle to win his shirt back, his leadership, versatility and experience should see him into the squad.
VERDICT: IN
Marland Yarde (Harlequins)
I bet when Marland Yarde moved to Quins, he thought "Finally, I'm going to get lots of ball in lots of space and I'm really going to show everyone what I can do". Sorry mate, but Quins had a shocker of a year (although they went relatively un-slammed by the press) and that affected the ability of all the backs to impose themselves, especially Yarde. But his raw ability frightened the All Blacks last year and, yes, he is still a bit raw, but he has the physicality and pace to make a real impact at Test level, and I think he'll excel behind a strong England pack.
VERDICT: IN
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Youngs junior deserves an awful lot of credit this year for how he's bounced back from a turgid 2013-14 season, where he was unfit and woefully out of form, to becoming arguably the best 9 in the Six Nations again. He still retains that eye for a gap, as he showed against France, but his kicking and passing have improved markedly and, having been given skipper duties for Leicester in Slater's absence, he is a key leader these days within the England squad. Frightening for someone who didn't realise humans had two lungs until a couple of years ago (@StuffBenSaid).
VERDICT: IN
Tom Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
You don't know the meaning of 'workrate' until you watch the human cube that is Tom Youngs play. With barrelling power on the carry and brutal aggression in defence, combined with a never-fading engine and serious mobility, you have pretty much the ultimate hooker. Ah, aside from the lineout throwing, of course. But he has been top-notch for Leicester again this year, and it only seems to be with England that there are issues - hopefully they can be ironed out pre-World Cup, because there is little doubt that, following Hartley's omission, Youngs is the first choice hooker.
VERDICT: IN
And there we have it, my England Rugby World Cup Squad:
Props: Brookes, Cole, Corbisiero, Marler, M Vunipola
Hookers: Cowan-Dickie, George, T Youngs
Locks: Attwood, Launchbury, Lawes, Parling
Back Row: Haskell, Morgan, Robshaw, B Vunipola, Wood
Half-Backs: Cipriani, Farrell, Ford, Simpson, Wigglesworth, B Youngs
Centres: Barritt, Burrell, Joseph
Wingers/Full Backs: Brown, Daly, Nowell, Watson, Yarde
Champions, all.
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