Scrum of the Earth /

It's already been labelled as 'No Excuse Tuesday.' Martin Johnson formally waltzes down the RFU red carpet on the pay-roll as England's team manager under the new agreement between the Rugby Football Union and Premier Rugby Limited.

While the coaches finally breath a sigh of relief with the players now enjoying extended hours under their command. So more time to head out on the juice with lots of fancy ladies then? Not at all, as Johnson will employ the first signs of his ruthless regime.

A party of 32 players will form the inaugural Elite Player Squad, but there is equally as much interest in the coaching department, especially as the players believe the coaching they receive at club level far outweighs the standards dropped at international level.

Let's hope Brian Smith is the first of a string of changes to the coaching panel. The London Irish coach is the favourite to become the boss of the backs, but with criticism over Mike Ford's defence capabilities coming louder than a kiddies party at Megabowl, Smith may be the first of several new faces. It's a results game after all.

But what of the 32. It would be easy to turn back to the experienced pro's of the black & white era, but with the new laws about to kick in, Johnson would be unwisely elbowed into picking some of his old cronies such as Phil Vickery and Mike Tindall.

There are a few gems to get excited about. Starting at the back, Ben Foden is an exceptionally talented runner of the ball, who pops up on the shoulder as well as in midfield. Matt Banahan proved with the Saxons he is a potent finisher, who doesn't shy away from contact and would compliment the predatory skills of Tom Varndell and Topsy Ojo.

Riki Flutey must get his opportunity. His contribution to the Wasps back line this season cannot be underestimated and Shaun Edwards likens him to "an extra back-rower" in defence so ticks more than one of the problem boxes. Toby Flood and Olly Barkley can both operate at fly-half and posses the attributes to become the perfect foil for Danny Cipriani.

The scrum-halves were indifferent in New Zealand, proving Harry Ellis is still the best around, but Danny Care has the sparkling credentials to cause havoc off the bench, and Foden is an able third choice.

In the engine room, Jordan Crane's consistency must be rewarded, while Dylan Hartley and Nick Kennedy's boisterous attitude and willing athleticism around the park will reap rich pickings in the next 12 months with more experience.

ScrumoftheEarth's England squad

Backs: J Lewsey (Wasps) B Foden (Northampton Saints) T Varndell (Leicester Tigers) P Sackey (Wasps) M Banahan (Bath) T Ojo (London Irish) R Flutey (Wasps) D Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers) M Tait (Sale Sharks) O Barkley (Gloucester) D Cipriani (Wasps) (R Lamb [Gloucester] for November) T Flood (Leicester Tigers) H Ellis (Leicester Tigers) D Care (Harlequins)

Forwards: J Crane (Leicester Tigers) L Narraway (Gloucester) J Haskell (Wasps) T Rees (Wasps) T Croft (Leicester Tigers) L Moody (Leicester Tigers) M Lipman (Bath) N Kennedy (London Irish) S Borthwick (Saracens) T Palmer (Wasps) S Shaw (Wasps) T Payne (Wasps) A Sheridan (Sale Sharks)  M Stevens (Bath) J Hobson (Bristol) L Mears (Bath) D Hartley (Northampton Saints) D Paice (London Irish)