Home Nations World Cup Squads

The home Nations of England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland have now all announced their squads for this year’s World Cup. There are several noticeable inclusions and omissions, but the decisions have been made now and we will see if they were correct in a couple of week’s time.

In each squad there lie certain strengths and weaknesses, so disregarding potential opponents, omissions and inclusions what does each team have in terms of strengths and weaknesses?

ENGLAND

Strengths-

England go into the World Cup with a very ‘big’ squad. Backs and forwards alike are large in stature, and this gives insight into the tactics coach Johnson is likely to employ. A heavy team is can be a handful as long as they play the game in the apppropriate style and use it to their advantage.

With 5 props and 3 scrum-halves in his squad, Johnson has gone for a safety first option, and if more injury problems do occur for England, these decisions may pay off.

In young centre Manu Tuilagi England have an extremely powerful and dangerous weapon, and if given the chance he could explode onto the World Cup scene if given the chance

Weaknesses-

Size isn’t everything, and although injury has hampered certain selections, England’s midfield and even wide attack doesn’t look to have much guile or skill. Although Johnson has gone for the safe option at scrum-half and prop, Mark Cueto and Chris Ashton are the only out and out wingers in the squad in a team which have found scoring tries somewhat of a difficulty as of late.

Lewis Moody has been confirmed as captain despite ongoing knee problems, which will rule him out of contention for England’s last warm up game against Ireland on Saturday. Who is the next in line if Moody fails to regain fitness in time for the first game against Argentina?

The 2 main play-makers in the squad are stand-offs, so England could only have one ball-handling decision maker, opting for bulk and size in the midfield. At scrum-half Ben Youngs is returning from injury and not in his best form, and both Wigglesworth and Simpson are vastly inexperienced at this level. The scrum-half needs to drive the bus so to speak, but will England have a player able to do this?

WALES

Strengths-

Wales have a familiar squad, with players, for the most part, who have been together for quite a while. Included in this squad are outside backs who, when on form, are world-class performers. Lee Byre, Shane Williams, Lee Halfpenny and George North give Wales plenty of options out wide.

Playmakers Stephen Jones and James Hook offer different attributes, both extremely important. With 100 caps Stephen Jones has a wealth of experience and the ability to control games, while Hook can create moments of magic from stand-off, full back and centre.

Most of the forwards are household names in Wales with the exiting 20-year-old Tonga-born Toby Faletau offering an explosive and dynamic option in the back row.

Weaknesses-

Sam Warburton is a worthy captain after his recent performances, but he is Wales’ only out and out openside flanker option, giving the 22-year-old added pressure.

In the front-row, as well as loosing Matthew Reese who requires neck surgery, Wales have several key players with a distinct lack of recent game-time. Gethin Jenkins has not played since having toe surgery in January and Adam Jones has only played once since recovering from a toe injury. Will these experienced and talented player be able to perform or will Wales have to field a less experienced and weaker front-row option?

SCOTLAND

Strengths-

Like Wales’, the Scotland squad is fairly familiar. The forwards have a good blend of size and skill. John Barkley and Kelly Brown are big names in the back-row who perform consistently, and with Alistair Strokosch, Nathan Hines and Ross Rennie there are plenty of quality options and partnerships which could be played.

Scotland have a wealth of riches at scrum-half, each offering their own unique and specific style of play. Whether Robinson chooses his number 1 scrum-half or plays a type of player specific to the tactics of the game will be seen.

There are front row players who are physically strong and due to their experience they know how to play with each other. Scotland also have some sharp exiting runners out-wide in De Luca, Evans and Danielli who, if they are given the opportunity, could create some problems for defences.

Weaknesses-

The Scottish back-line has some good runners, but there is a lack of natural ball-players. Outiside the stand-off position, Scotland don’t seem to have many players who are natural playmakers and can create opportunities. This has been seen in the past and is one reason why Scotland have often failed to cross the whitewash as often as they should.

The stand-off players Scotland have are different types of players, and while Parks has been criticized for his running game, Jackson has a distinct lack of experience at this level. If the team are to perform then the stand-off needs to provide the platform, and without further creators outside them, the pressure playmaking may lie solely on their shoulders.

Although Scotland have experienced front-rowers, the replacements in these positions lack this, and in set-piece positions the pressure will be huge.

IRELAND

Strengths-

Individual players usually do not equate to a ‘strength’ for a rugby team, but in Irish captain Brian O’Driscoll it is hard to look past the inspiration he can bring to a team. Talent-wise, O’Driscoll is not alone in the Irish back-line. Jonny Sexton is gaining more and more skill and experience in becoming a world-class stand-off. The Irish squad is littered with players who when on form can perform mesmeric pieces of play. Names such as Tommy Bowe, Gordon D’Arcy, Geordan Murphy, Rob Kearney and Keith Earls are all in the mix, but the difficulty for coach Declan Kidney is in deciding who he picks and where.

In the forwards Ireland have rough, tough and experienced players. They have only gone for four props, meaning they have extra cover for the back row in the form of Donnacha Ryan who also plays a lock. The abrasive nature of the Irish forwards has the potential to combine well with the skill and speed of the back-line.

Weaknesses-

It is an argument for all teams, but the threat of injury is especially dangerous for Ireland. Due to the influence of the several key players Ireland have, losing just one of them could have serious consequences.

Although a big pack, Ireland could have some more explosive ball-carrying forwards to aid the backs’ go-forward.

Although again singling out specific players, the omission of Tomas O’Leary could play a part. Before Ireland lost to France last Saturday O’Leary was thought to be Kidney’s first choice scrum-half. The omission is a huge loss of experience in a pivotal position, with Conor Murray being chosen ahead of O’Leary who has just one Test appearance. It just means even more influence is put on the players of great experience, but again it remains to be seen if it will make a difference.