Dallaglio is largely there because of our complete and utter balls up in the planning for this tournament. For years we had to play Corry at #8 because he was skipper. I can't think of a slower #8 in world rugby but he played pretty much every game and therefore we didn't get a chance to blood the likes of Ward-Smith and Easter. I think had he been fit Ward-Smith would have come instead of Dallaglio but partly because he wasn't and partly because Dallaglio did well for Wasps in their big games he was included. Likewise with all of the back row really. Blind side has been less of a problem as the likes of Worsley and Moody are experienced but for years we insisted on playing Moody out of position at #7 so again we have a real lack of experience in this crucial position.
As for Catt, well it seems that we're clutching at straws with his selection. We've had four years since the last world cup and you can probably count on one hand the number of positions that are nailed down. Inside centre has been a particular problem and the selectors don't seem to have a clue who they want there. It seems from the outside as though they aren't impressed by anyone from the Zurich Premiership and are just trying out anyone and everyone in the hope that someone takes to international rugby. Players are thrown in and tossed out again with alarming regularity. I'm inclined to think that Catt played yesterday because they thought America would be easy pickings and he would be able to create a bit more than Faz and boost our confidence for SA because I can't imagine why you would want him in the side against the Boks (heck, they didn't want him which is why he came to this country in the first place). Farrell doesn't have the pace but at least he knows how to draw his marker and offload in the tackle. Playing centre generally isn't about scoring length of the field tries, it's about creating space for the flyers outside you. I'd like to see Faz given a go with Barkley because Wilkinson has a habit of crabbing sideways and really cramping the space of the #12 who by the time he gets the ball has half the opposition back row down his neck and precious little forward momentum to cross the gain line. It's not as if we need Wilkinson for his goal kicking either as Barkley did ok yesterday and Faz averaged something like 85% success rate in League and was one of the highest points scorers in Wigan history so knows how to kick goals as well.
As for Catt, well it seems that we're clutching at straws with his selection. We've had four years since the last world cup and you can probably count on one hand the number of positions that are nailed down. Inside centre has been a particular problem and the selectors don't seem to have a clue who they want there. It seems from the outside as though they aren't impressed by anyone from the Zurich Premiership and are just trying out anyone and everyone in the hope that someone takes to international rugby. Players are thrown in and tossed out again with alarming regularity. I'm inclined to think that Catt played yesterday because they thought America would be easy pickings and he would be able to create a bit more than Faz and boost our confidence for SA because I can't imagine why you would want him in the side against the Boks (heck, they didn't want him which is why he came to this country in the first place). Farrell doesn't have the pace but at least he knows how to draw his marker and offload in the tackle. Playing centre generally isn't about scoring length of the field tries, it's about creating space for the flyers outside you. I'd like to see Faz given a go with Barkley because Wilkinson has a habit of crabbing sideways and really cramping the space of the #12 who by the time he gets the ball has half the opposition back row down his neck and precious little forward momentum to cross the gain line. It's not as if we need Wilkinson for his goal kicking either as Barkley did ok yesterday and Faz averaged something like 85% success rate in League and was one of the highest points scorers in Wigan history so knows how to kick goals as well.
