Eddie, tell us once and for all why Danny Care isn't in the England squad? - Andy Goode
The group training in Richmond this week may be a mix of new names and experienced faces but it’s another England squad without Danny Care in it and people deserve to know why.
It’s three and a half years since he last played for his country and he’s been in good form at various stages and for long periods during that time but he’s arguably playing better than ever right now and Eddie Jones should tell us why he’s not being included.
It seems to be an open secret that the pair have clashed in the past but I haven’t heard anyone else in the game have a bad word to say about Care and, having played with him myself, I can guarantee he isn’t a bad apple.
The blend of characters is important in an international squad, as it is at club level, and it’s also every coach’s prerogative to pick who he wants but Care is anything but a disruptive influence and I just think it’s about time we heard a proper explanation as to why he keeps being overlooked.
Jack van Poortvliet, Alex Mitchell and Harry Randall are all excellent prospects but I think you’d be hard pushed to find anyone in the country right now who thinks they should all be above the Harlequins scrum half in the pecking order.
This is, of course, only a training squad and there’s every chance they won’t be the trio of number nines on the plane to Australia in a month’s time but Care’s exile has lasted so long now that people almost seem to have accepted that he won’t get picked again.
I don’t think that’s right and I also think age is just a number. He wasn’t too old at the last World Cup when he was left out and he’ll be 36 by the time the 2023 edition comes around but if he’s playing like he is at the moment, then who cares how old he is.
If anything, that experience should count in his favour and you can certainly make a case that he’s taken his game to another level over the past 18 months or so.
He used to have a reputation as the ideal scrum half to come off the bench and inject some pace or as just a great running threat. I’m not sure that was fair at the time but now he has improved his kicking game and he’s controlling games for Quins.
Add to that, his halfback partner at club level is the incumbent number 10 for England and we haven’t really seen the best out of Marcus Smith at international level yet and that is another tick in the box.
Perhaps that familiarity he has with Smith would free the young fly half up even more and allow him to be at his best, although the game plan and structures in place are more important in allowing that to happen.
Scrum half has been a bit of an issue for England for a while now in terms of the fact that Ben Youngs has been Eddie’s favourite for such a long time and, since Care was jettisoned, nobody else has had a proper look in until Randall during this year’s Six Nations.
Willi Heinz was chosen at the last World Cup, Ben Spencer didn’t get much of a chance, Dan Robson was only trusted off the bench and others have been in the squad without being given a genuine chance to stake a claim.
Youngs is still very much in the mix of course but I think, when you look at current form, Care is head and shoulders above every other scrum half in the country.
If you want to win a World Cup in less than 18 months, you need to be picking your best players and Care’s form is making a mockery of his non-selection. Why is he not in the England squad?
It’s a simple question and not an unreasonable one. I think Jones should be getting asked it at every press conference and in every interview until we get a legitimate response.
Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
9 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
9 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
9 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
9 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments