One of the sub-plots of yesterday’s clash between London Irish and Leicester was the battle of the open sides. The old nutter Lewis Moody versus the young wrecking ball Steffon Armitage. One of them is almost certain to line up for England against Australia in two weeks time, so who is the best bet to fill the troublesome 7 jersey? This is a position that England have not really filled since Neil Back retired. Partly it has to be said, because Moody himself has been second only to Jonny Wilkinson in the “always injured” stakes. Moody in his prime was as good a backrow player as England has seen. Let’s not forget that he split up the holy trinity of Dallaglio/Hill/Back at the start of the Autumn Internationals in 2002, was almost superhuman against New Zealand that year and it was only injury (surprise surprise) that let Back regain his place in the side. It was Moody’s line out take in the 2003 World Cup final that led to that drop goal. Since that great day, Moody has been seen only sporadically.
Last season Moody regained his place in the England squad and then promptly broke an ankle. Upon his return he looked washed up, at one point Martin Corry outpaced him during the Barbarians match. Happily this season he has returned from yet more injury in fine form for Leicester and is looking something like his old self. His intensity and disregard for his own safety (that borders on the insane and accounts for his high injury rate) gives real drive to any side he plays for. At one point yesterday he hammered young Armitage so hard in a tackle that he forced a knock on, a telling moment in their personal dual.
The London Irish flanker is a different type of player. Short, squat, but deceptively powerful, his low centre of gravity makes him almost impossible to shift when he is over the ball. In this respect he reminds me of George Smith. He carries better than Moody, indeed he carries better than Steve Borthwick. His ability to punch holes in opposition fringe defences could in fact be his biggest value to England.
With England’s current injury situation, it might be Moody’s experience and dynamism that win him the day. Moody to start then with the pocket battleship to come off the bench. Or even how about this, Moody at 6, Armitage at 7? Who knows, If England get any more injuries, it just might happen.

Moody – 73/90
Armitage – 70/90

Before the start of the autumn internationals, I said that if we got a win against the big three, we could consider ourselves ahead of schedule.

Three down, one to go and we’ve not even got close to the draw against one onf the big three that I considered a successful campaign.

The game against South Africa, the World Champions, was as depressing a game I’ve seen in a long time. At least in the pool game against South Africa I had backed England to lose by 31 points or more. This time there was no anaesthetic.

It was hard to take anything positive out of the game. The lineout was ok against renowed lineout operators. In patches, Easter, Rees, Haskell, Care, Armitage and Sackey looked like they were playing at the right level. Cipriani belongs to this level but is out of sorts. In his short international career, three try-giving charge downs is two too many for a player of his supposed calibre. Flutey has shown glimpses but needs someone other than Noon outside him.

The pack looks wrong. How much blame should lie at the door of Wells? How long can the pack underperform yet the head coach takes the blame? Vickery & Shaw look like donkeys of yesteryear. An explanation of Kennedy’s demotion after the game against the Pacific Islanders has yet to be given. Monye’s body language at the tackle betrays him as a speedster without a natural feel for the game.

Borthwick – the only established captaincy candidate – continues to look out of his depth as a player. Palmer shows little promise. Yet there is no candidate enforcer for the front five (prefereably two).

The biggest problem against South Africa was moving the ball. It is an established key to success in rugby football that you pass the ball in front of the player, and he takes it at speed. Too often on Saturday, the receiver took the ball static, went to start running and get up to speed, only to be met by the blitz defence and taken down when he stood or even further back. Basics. Mini rugby basics.

And yet, what can be done?

Nothing.

The squad, picked in July, is in place. There look to be several Wasps players too many. There look to be many players trading on last season’s form and reputation (longer for Vickery).

So, nothing can be done for New Zealand. The only hope is the next squad review point before the Six Nations. Anyone want my ticket?

What is a realistic ambition for the four autumn internationals?

Given where we’ve been and where we are, a good but bruising win against the Pacific Islanders is a must and if we can somehow get a draw and two narrow losses against the big three of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa then consider ourselves on track. At least one win against one of those three and we will have done outstandingly well.

There’s no reason why we should be any further ahead than the early Clive Woodward years. There is a dearth of experience in the squad and therefore, at this moment, a lack of outstanding leaders on the park – only such a paucity can lead to Steve Borthwick being the only obvious candidate as England captain.