Stuart Lancaster will announce his England squad for the World Cup on Thursday. Gavin Mairs of the Telegraph is reporting Lancaster has made a decision at Centre.
It is 22-year-old Henry Slade of Exeter, not recent rugby league convert Sam Burgess, who will be in the midfield alongside more experienced Centres, Brad Barritt and Jonathan Joseph. This will leave a decision between Burgess and fellow centre Luther Burrell for the final spot in the squad. Both of whom were considered strong favourites to make the team at the beginning of august internationals.
Lancaster saw Slade and Burgess make their international debut together in the 19-14 win over France. Both impressed in the win at Twickenham. It was considered then that they were both fighting for the same spot in the squad. However It is not yet clear if this is still the case and whether this suggests Burgess is set to miss out.
Rob Baxter, Director of rugby for Slade’s Exeter Chiefs, has revealed he spoke to the Lancaster over the decision to bring Slade to the World Cup. Baxter cited his goal kicking and play making ability as an X-factor England could use.
Henry is a young player on form and this is the time to
pick him, He has been on form either at 10 or in the midfield this season and
if that is not the time to pick someone and go with it then there never will
be.
Lancaster himself spoke about the “big step up” the players had during the win over France. Whilst he also spoke about the competition in
the squad and the tough decision at centre.
The message to all the players is that it is one of the
most competitive positions and everyone’s going to have to earn the right to
get in. That particular decision around the centre combination, if you like,
will I think go down to the wire.
Reports also suggest Danny Cipriani will not make the squad despite a man of the match performance against France. Lancaster also has tough decisions in the forward pack, with Ben Morgan struggling for match fitness and Billy Vunipola’s poor first half in Paris. Lancaster could bring veteran number 8 Nick Easter in their place or as a 4th lock.
Lancaster will let the players know of their fate individually, after a last-minute assessment at an internal match Thursday morning. Lancaster will then announce his squad at 1:45 pm.
