the squad

I don't disagree that that may be your strongest XV, but how many of those do you think will be picked in Johnno's first choice selections?

I'd go for 9, if you allow for a bit of reshuffling...

I think you've still got enough strength to be considered the favourites for your group, but Scotland are licking their lips at one of their best chances to upset you on the global stage.

i think ireland will be the best of the '4 nations'

best 15 :

sheridan
hartley
stevens
lawes
Palmer
Haskell
croft
easter
Youngs
Wilko
ashton
tuilagangi
tindall
Cueto
foden

Not sure why you came up with that XV Elvis - but its all about opinions

The front row is fine
Shaw was excellent in the warm up games but whilst a great player - Palmer is a good younger fitter player that has done us proud for the last few years
Wood showed his inexperience in the last couple of games in the 6N - Haskell will do a better job in my opinion
Chuck Simpson in at the deep end? Youngs form dipped last season but on his day is excellent we need to at least start with him
Flood has proved that the big match mentality still escapes him - and the warm ups have cemented JWs place for me + no-one wants to play against a team with him in - NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY
Outside of that I agree - but I chucked in Cueto - against my better judgement - only cos Foden needs to be at 15 and Im not convinced Armitage would do it on the wing

Whilst Ireland may win a battle between the 4 nations (time would tell) - I think England will do the best in the world cup

Elvis

While (as im irish) im flattered u think we will do the best of the home nations i would also say that if we finish best that means non of us are likely to get out of our groups hahahaha

OK OK I JEST...

Seriously i will say this.
Man for man there are alot of teams at the WC with better players on paper.
But But But... England are more then the sum of their parts.
They have an innate self belief. A mentality of no surrender, never give up, bloody minded even arrogant some might say (not me)

Call what u will but they dont go down easy or at all on the big occasions.
If the WC was won on heart and desire over skill hell you would have won the last one, and a few more besides.

Lydneyian! i missed the part in your post about Wilko... Tut tut mate.

"no-one wants to play against a team with him in - NO MATTER WHAT THEY SAY"

There was indeed a time when that was true. but thats been along time ago. I promise you mate, he's not feared any more then Flood over here. We know he will kick his pens, but we feel his ability to attack our line is not much of a treat.

I am amazed that Hape is England's only recognised 12 going to the world cup! The man can't play rugby!

Looks like England are going to stick with hape and tindall in midfield, which ultimately offers nothing in attack. Wales showed how easy it is to defend against these two as they're just a couple of crash ball merchants.

I have a feeling Argentina and Scotland must be hiding under their beds at the thought of playing against this back line!!

I will admit Im biased when it comes to JW - for obvious reasons - we are forever in his debt - but only a fool would underestimate him - sure he has had some injuries and gone quiet but class is permenent - he has come back towards his better form now - and with all the stars in thefrench league - who was voted (won the award) for best foreign player 2010/11 - none other than JW - he IS still feared around the world - maybe not in Ireland but certainly in France and in the SH - lets hope it doesnt come back to bite you next week Ding

I dont think anyone is Hape about Happy jericho!

I think wilkinson will be throwing huge miss passes straight to foden for this world cup. No wonder flood always plays the inside ball

Well dont underestimate JWs playmaking - he does it week in week out for Toulon - if Hape plays he could create stuff for him - (hopeful) - dont forget we could always move JW to 12 and bring flood on - although it didnt really work for the lions

Ding- I told you Im from an Irish family didnt I???? my Dad worries about JW - although thast could be to keep his No 1 son happy

Lydneyian
Ah mate, don't get me wrong. Huge respect for him not only as a player but as a very decent individual off the park.

Actually just to clarify its not that we underestimate him just that he plays a type of game that we believe we can contain. and indeed have done in the past.

Toulon (Like England 2003) have a massive pack and JW is the perfect FH to play behind a dominant pack. there in lies the quandary. how dominant can your pack be and how well will JW do behind it? More to it fro me then kicking Penalties but he needs the pack to provide him the opportunities and pressure the opposition.