Freshwater: 'No, really, i couldn't be more pleased...'
The Perry Freshwater Appreciation Society (PAFS) will be booking themselves in at Châteaux Freshwater in the south of France this weekend after the Perpignan prop was named in Brian Ashton’s 1st XV for Rosbif contre L’escargots part deux!
Andrew Sheridan’s losing battle with a wasp has opened the gate for Perry to state his claim.
Ashton refuses to play all his cards so it’s another opportunity for the gnome look-a-like to decide upon his English legion for their opening cup encounter with the US Marshalls. For those poker players, maybe Brian ‘check’ Ashton hasn’t called anyone’s bluff.
The culling of Cipriani and Abendenon combined with the constant chatter about Mark Cueto at 15 leads us to think he is a shoe in for September 8th. Robinson and Lewsey without question will man the flanks while Jonny Wilkinson’s flight through France will be piloted by virtue of man-power by Shaun Perry.
The centre position has been as long running a problem as the Gerrard/Lampard issue (although the football crisis is clear to all and sundry bar the manager). The re-run of the Farrell/Hipkiss combination fuels further speculation that the pair will run out in Lens.
Chuter is a little suprising. Undoubtedly he was pivotal in Leicester’s multiple successes last season but not one thread of the skin-fitted jersey has been torn off Mark Regan’s bountiful bulk of late. So watch this space!
Phil the ‘raging bull’ Vickery is captain even if Matt Stevens magnificent return from injury piles enormous pressure on the skipper. Simon Shaw epitomises the Ashton era – physique, presence, power, penetration – he drove London Wasps to Heineken Cup glory and Ashton knows his battering ram will steer England’s forward ship.
Borthwick vs. Kay is as compelling viewing as Easter vs. Dallaglio. Both stories have been as telling as the other for different reasons. In the line-out, both second-row’s have made giant leaps to become Shaw’s partner in crime but the Leicester talisman’s mobility around the park should give him the edge.
As for Easter, his four tries against Wales won’t fool any English rugby fanatic but the sheer existence of Lawrence on a rugby field is enough
to get the opposition thinking and Ashton may prefer the media’s best friend. In fact, the back row saga runs like a soap-opera, with everybody’s favourite character changing after each episode. England needs a seven who plays as a runner and will pop up on the shoulder like a most trusted ally. Therefore Rees is the man. His athleticism and attacking capabilities should give him the fractional nod over Worsley.
This leaves the battle of the Tigers for the blindside. Former Captain, Martin Corry starts on Saturday and not only does he bring a line-breaker but an alternative jumper in the line-out. Moody’s best position is at six but his lack of game time and Corry’s leadership skills, which he has in abundance, makes him the final piece of the jigsaw.
Ashton is looking for impact off the bench and with Messrs Mears, Stevens, Worsley and Dallaglio, England’s collision course will be aimed directly at the try-line.
England
15. Mark Cueto (Sale Sharks)
14. Josh Lewsey (London Wasps)
13. Dan Hipkiss (Leicester Tigers)
12. Andy Farrell (Saracens)
11. Jason Robinson
10. Jonny Wilkinson (Newcastle Falcons)
9. Shaun Perry (Bristol Rugby)
1. Perry Freshwater (Perpignan)
2. George Chuter (Leicester Tigers)
3. Phil Vickery (London Wasps, captain)
4. Simon Shaw (London Wasps)
5. Steve Borthwick (Bath Rugby)
6. Martin Corry (Leicester Tigers)
7. Tom Rees (London Wasps)
8. Nick Easter (Harlequins)
Replacements
16. Lee Mears (Bath Rugby)
17. Matt Stevens (Bath Rugby)
18. Joe Worsley (London Wasps)
19. Lawrence Dallaglio (London Wasps)
20. Andy Gomarsall (Harlequins)
21. Olly Barkley (Bath Rugby)
22. Paul Sackey (London Wasps)