Scrum of the Earth /

Reesy, Cips, The Volcano and Stretts sharing a joke...

So could this finally be the four-year cycle that England start building their next golden generation.

The lasting remains of the 2003 crop of kings have all but wandered off into the media abyss, leaving only the exuberance of youth, which is seeping its way into Brian Ashton’s grand plan, albeit more gently than most supporters would’ve liked.

But the inclusion of Luke Narraway, Toby Flood and James Haskell at least shows he has one eye on the 250,000 piece jigsaw.

Up front, the furious five, who trenched their way through France, will provide the balance and experience every winning team needs, but it’s the back three where the gap needs filling.

Without Jason Robinson and Josh Lewsey England look vulnerable. There was a clear understanding between Lewsey and Paul Sackey, and how they ticked, covering each other in defence and always on hand under the high ball.

It’s great to see David Strettle back in the side with his toes twinkling at the ready and his ability to beat a man on the outside will be crucial if England are to get out of their narrow patterns.

The pub-chatter has all been about the lethal weapons, Lesley Vainikolo and Danny Cipriani, and although both will have to take centre stage from the bench against Wales, the arsenal Ashton has at his disposal including the other exciting juniors, Richard Wigglesworth and Tom Rees, from the replacements suggests Ashton may have a plan B.

England must start well, not just in the matches themselves, but to continue with the momentum built in France.

Wales will be tough but it’s an ideal encounter for England – Wales come with fresh hope and the bit between their teeth with two Heineken Cup quarter-finalists – so a solid victory should set them up nicely for a convincing win in Rome followed by another tense tussle in Paris.

The real test could come at Murrayfield with the Scots out to prove a point they can compete with the best on a regular basis and the Irish will hate to lose to both France and England.

Player to watch: David Strettle

Prediction: 2nd

England’s man-of-the-World Cup, Matt Tait can’t even make the squad…

His scintillating line-break seconds into the second half of the World Cup final went down as well as the countless glasses of Bordeaux drunk during the World Cup, and almost set up a Mark Cueto try, but Tait’s axe will now be as well received as the Parisian metro strike on the same day.

An awful afternoon at Welford Road on Saturday didn’t help but Balshaw has been fortunate to play behind a bulldozing pack and with an electric back-line… and still he hasn’t shone.

England finally found a guy that can beat his man on the outside, never mind hold his own in the tackle and solid under the high ball, but this cut will undoubtedly hurt more than ironically his last RBS 6 Nations encounter with the Welsh.

The two stand-out performers in England’s final two World Cup games were Tait and Dan Hipkiss, yet Ashton has decided to go back to his favourite westcountrymen.

If you’d have asked 99% of English rugby fans after the South Africa defeat who would form England’s back-line against Wales then Tait most certainly would’ve been selected at outside centre, on either wing or at full-back.

Brian must be losing his short-term memory… 

Luke Narraway knows all about the Ospreys... sorry Welsh back-row

It speak's volumes when you are more excited about the talent on the bench rather than the 1st XV, but Brian Ashton looks all set to continue with the attritional forward slog rather than daring to introduce the mecurials, who are (as expected) all on the bench.

Ashton must be anticipating Wales are going to throw the ball around and run England’s forwards ragged as the new-look back-row of Luke Narraway, Lewis Moody and James Haskell offers pace, power and plenty of legs.

Regan, Shaw and Sackey - all of who were major injury scares only yesterday make the side.

The Wasps pair are ‘undroppable’ but Regan hasn’t been at his best après France, whereas Lee Mears must be thinking what more he has to do - the same applies to Matt Stevens, who has been the best prop in Europe this season and illustrates a horrid stench of favouritism exists within the England squad.

He’s resisted the temptation of letting Lesley Vainikolo out of his cage from the start with David Strettle coming out of the international wilderness.

No one expected a revolution, but Balshaw? Gomarsall?

When was the last time Ian gassed past a real world class speedster on the outside, and Gomarsall’s being playing second fiddle to Danny Care, who only just scraped into the Saxons.

If it all goes tits up, England can at least call on the services of tantalising trio Danny Cipriani, Richard Wigglesworth and ‘The Volcano.’

There should be enough there, but the side suggests England are going to play right into Shaun Edwards' bloodthirsty flytrap of a defensive line.

15. Ian Balshaw (Gloucester) 14. Paul Sackey (Wasps) 13. Mike Tindall (Gloucester) 12. Toby Flood (Newcastle) 11. David Strettle (Harlequins) 10. Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle) 9. Andy Gomarsall (Harlequins) 8. Luke Narraway (Gloucester) 7. Lewis Moody (Leicester) 6. James Haskell (Wasps) 5. Steve Borthwick (Bath) 4. Simon Shaw (Wasps) 3. Andrew Sheridan (Sale) 2. Mark Regan (Bristol) 1. Phil Vickery (Wasps)

Replacements: 16. Lee Mears (Bath) 17. Matt Stevens (Bath) 18. Ben Kay (Leicester) 19. Tom Rees (Wasps) 20. Richard Wigglesworth (Sale) 21. Danny Cipriani (Wasps) 22. Lesley Vainikolo (Gloucester)