Looking ahead to the Rugby World Cup

The England Rugby team performed amicably in the recent Six Nations. They won the tournament but the poor performance against a fired up Irish team has left a sour taste. The team is certainly heading in right direction, and in good time with the World Cup fast approaching. We can expect the England team to mount a strong campaign and supporters should be optimistic about their chances, if they are to succeed however a few changes should be seen as essential.

The forwards played well and the group is settled going into the campaign and look amongst the most dangerous. Both the scrum and line-out were solid throughout the Six Nations and there are no real areas of concern. The southern hemisphere teams have long had the better of their northern counterparts in the back row but England are especially strong in this area (It helps that Hartley doubles as a flanker). Lewis Moody is set to return to a back row that has great depth. Tom Wood made a promising start to his career whilst Haskell and Croft are establishing themselves not just at the breakdown but increasingly within the team.

The backs were largely disappointing and lacked creativity throughout the Six Nations, this was masked by promising performances from Foden and Ashton who were both a constant threat  albeit mainly against the weaker teams. The backs creative problems have been pressing since the departure of Will Greenwood, many have commented on how he 'ran the show' and was the move caller. When Greenwood was in the team the attacking shortcomings of Wilkinson and Tindall went un-noticed down to his skill. Too often in recent times have England played three 'bruisers' in midfield and been surprised at the ever present lack of flair. The combination of Wilkinson, Flutey and Tindall worked well as Flutey's play-making skills complemented the others more direct approach. Flood has been picked for his qualities as a runner, which are superior to Wilkinson but with Tindall and Shontayne Hape outside him any creative endeavour from Flood went to waste.

This is why England must select Wilkinson for the forthcoming world cup and not because of his performances, however impressive, in previous ones. Wilkinson is an excellent defensive co-ordinator and alongside Tindall this forms a strong defensive line. This leaves a spare space which should go to Anthony Allen. He was selected ahead of Aaron Mauger towards the end of last year for Leciester an has shown the creative spark that England so desperately need. Another option is to recall Danny Cipriani who has been in stunning form for the Melbourne Rebels, although his mercurial ways are not to the liking of Martin Johnson so it seems unlikely he will be recalled.

Looking ahead the Rugby World Cup there are numerous reasons for England fans to be cheerful with the team finding form just at the right time to mount another charge. The 2007 tournament saw a poor England team nearly win and this one is in much better shape. The All Blacks once again appear to be favourites and will be England's biggest threat but they can salvage hope from their implosions at recent world cups.