England lucky to get nil...

Well, it was as expected. South Africa completed a very classy and clinical win over England, pushing England in to deep trouble, and making it clear for all to see the problems that Brian Ashton faces in the coming weeks.

There's no need to perform open surgery on the match. I was optimistic, I always try to be, I had a small glimmer of hope. Maybe the South Africans would have a bad day at the office and we could sneak it, but unfortunately, it wasn't to be, and 36 nil scoreline was pretty fair.

Our best performer was Jason Robinson, and there is now a distinct chance that he won't play again in the tournament due to injury, thus being a very sad end to a glittering career. He had a pace, and a determination that seemed to escape many others in the side. It was always going to be a sad moment to see such a terrific rugby player leaving the field for the last time, but the way it happened is not how Jason, or anyone, would have wanted it to happen.

My quarms with the English selection go back a long way. So far, it was November four years ago. Yes, straight after the world cup win. We needed to start afresh from that point. If you were not going to be available to play in four years time, then you should have called it quits then, and let a new breed of team develop. Instead, we went on with some of the old guard, then some called it a day a year or 2 ago (Matt Dawson is one), and then some have come out of retirement to play again (Robinson, Dallaglio), and some are still knocking around now (Mike Catt at 36 anyone). We needed to be aware of what was happening in world rugby. Just take a look at the New Zealand and South African sides now. They are both in great form, with players who have had time to gel as a unit, as a team, as a squad, whereas England and are a bunch of players who don't know where they stand, and come from unsuccessful clubs (I'll come back to this point shortly). The New Zealand and South Africa teams have pacey, multi-talented players , who are not just players who play in and fill a position, they are players who have the skills to be 15 players on the pitch and take teams apart clinically. There skill and fitness levels are high. They are creative and are good to watch. Four years ago, we won the world cup with a brand of rugby that was going out of fashion, but that we had mastered, and had the players to execute it with. That time has gone, and it's high time the coaches, the selectors, and the RFU noticed that. This world cup was never going to happen for us. We are not a cohesive unit, and we never will be unless we start again from scratch.

I think it would be harsh call to dismiss Brian Ashton from his position after the world cup. Six months ago, he was put in charge of a sinking ship, the fall-out of the Andy Robinson era. On the other hand, maybe a culling is what is needed. A big clear out, get rid of the deadwood, only then can we start afresh and plan for four years ahead, and let's forget about short term stop gaps once and for all! And then we pose the question, not of who to bring in, but who would relish the challenge, who would be big enough to fill the position and impose themselves on the English national set up

There are two possible candidates that I personally feel could have what it takes, but both are currently under contract. One, is Dean Richards. The Harlequins Director of Rugby has sucessfully brought them back from National Division One, and now they look a solid unit, a force to be reckoned with, having watched their game against London Irish at Twickenham yesterday. Richards has an impressive CV, and a strong reputation, and a positive but hard attitude.

The other, is Eddie Jones. The coach of the losing finalists, Australia, four years ago. International experience and a fresh eye to look over this England side and selection. His current techincal role with South Africa seems to be doing wonders for them, but Saracens have got him in charge of their Academy, and they will not want to let him go!

So it's on one of those two choices in my opinion, or back Ashton to the hilt and tell him he has at least four years at it. It is a about time we took the bull by the horns and got a grip of ourselves!

Now back to the point I raised earlier; why play players from unsuccessful teams? Newcastle didn't have a great season last time out, in fact they haven't for several seasons, but players like Jamie Noon and Matthew Tait (I would say Jonny as well, but he has hardly player) are always selected. Bath always have players in the squad, yet they haven't performed for several seasons now. We should make our squad up of players from the top teams, who scored the most points, who have the best defensive records. Selection needs an overhaul! Look's like the whole damn thing needs an overhaul!