Sir Clive Woodward picks his England XV for Autumn Internationals
Rugby NewsWednesday, 17 October 2018 at 22:41
Sir Clive Woodward has picked his own England team for the Mail ahead of the squad announcement for the 2018 Autumn Internationals.
Fullback: Elliot Daly (Wasps)
"Daly is world class and must start somewhere. I think he is a 13. The Lions played him on the wing but many, including Eddie, believe he is a full back. If it is the latter, Eddie must make that call and give him a run in that position through to the World Cup."
Winger: Jonny May (Leicester Tigers)
"May has made himself almost undroppable."
Centre: Alex Lozowski (Saracens)
Centre: Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
Winger: Chris Ashton (Sale Sharks)
"Ashton is a brilliant finisher, the best in the business, who needs to be brought into the England fold properly. Eddie needs to put an arm round him, but that act of faith from the England coach must be repaid by Ashton with a promise to cut out the splashdowns and the nonsense he sometimes gets himself involved with on the field.
Fly-half: Owen Farrell (Saracens)
"Farrell is England's No 10 going forward, with George Ford on the bench to provide a tactical option later on if Eddie wants to switch Farrell to 12."
Scrum-half: Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)
Prop: Alec Hepburn (Exeter Chiefs)
Hooker: Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints)
"I want a clear message that Hartley will resume as captain - but only if he stays on for 80 minutes. I have every confidence that Hartley is an 80-minute player."
Dylan Hartley of England (Capt) arrives before the six Nations Championship match, between England and Ireland at Twickenham Stadium, London , UK, on the 17th March 2017. (Photo:Dean Lancaster/PPAUK)[/caption]
Prop: Harry Williams (Exeter Chiefs)
Lock: Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
Lock: George Kruis (Saracens)
Flanker: Maro Itoje (Saracens)
"Itoje is playing really well and finally looks comfortable in the back row. Is it me or is he looking quicker and more dynamic than last season? He has convinced me his position is blindside flanker where he is playing for Saracens rather than in the second row."
Flanker: Michael Rhodes (Saracens)
"Rhodes is now qualified for England and going well. He will feature in the squad and with Billy Vunipola and Chris Robshaw injured and Nathan Hughes now facing a ban, Don Armand must be a strong contender to be added to the back row mix."
Number 8: Brad Shields (Wasps)
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