2007 in review
Last year ended in remarkable circumstances. Reaching a World Cup final after failing to score a point against South Africa in the pool stage was wholly unexpected. England had finished third in the RBS Six Nations Championship, with the 43-13 thrashing by Ireland at Croke Park signalling a new low. The next month, Wales avoided the wooden spoon by beating England 27-18 in Cardiff.
Things went from bad to worse when a depleted England — both because of injury and resting players from three clubs involved in European finals — became a laughing stock in South Africa. England’s “painters and decorators”, as the press in the republic called them, were beaten 58-10 and 55-22.
England lost at home and away against France in their World Cup warm-up matches, shattering hopes that the champions could defend their title. Samoa and Tonga, their pool A opponents, were suddenly seen as a threat. They struggled past the United States and had to do without an injured Jonny Wilkinson and a suspended Phil Vickery against the Springboks. South Africa cut England to ribbons with a 36-0 defeat. A crisis meeting followed. Samoa and Tonga were disposed of in ugly fashion and then England’s World Cup erupted when they overthrew Australia in Marseilles to advance to the semi-finals where, with New Zealand out, they duly defeated the hosts. Suddenly England were in the final; suddenly 2007 was not so bad after all.
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Who’s in and who’s out?
“Dad’s Army” is slowly being disbanded with veterans hanging up their boots. Gone are Lawrence Dallaglio, Mike Catt, Martin Corry and Jason Robinson. Dan Hipkiss, Andy Farrell, Josh Lewsey and Perry Freshwater are out of favour, while Shaun Perry, the scrum half, misses the tournament after surgery on his windpipe, as does Peter Richards, with a biceps injury. Lesley Vainikolo is the thriller in the squad, while Tom Croft, Danny Cipriani and Richard Wigglesworth could win their first caps. Mike Tindall makes a welcome return from long-term injury, as does David Strettle. Iain Balshaw is given a chance to prove himself at full back again.
The coach: Brian Ashton
Ashton survived a public inquisition after Dallaglio and Catt released biographies detailing the acrimonious team meeting in France. Rob Andrew and the powers at HQ have resisted making drastic changes, leaving Ashton, Mike Ford and John Wells in place on one-year rolling contracts. Ashton, who took over on short notice from Andy Robinson at the end of 2006, has become more media-savvy and appears ready to stamp his authority on the squad now that he has some breathing space away from World Cup fervour.
Squad
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Iain Balshaw, Gloucester, full back/wing
Steve Borthwick, Bath, lock
George Chuter, Leicester, hooker
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Danny Cipriani, Wasps, fly half/full back
Tom Croft, Leicester, flanker/No 8
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Mark Cueto, Sale, wing
Louis Deacon, Leicester, lock
Nick Easter, Harlequins, No 8
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Toby Flood, Newcastle, centre/fly half
Andy Gomarsall, Harlequins, scrum half
James Haskell, Wasps, flanker/No 8
Charlie Hodgson, Sale, fly half/centre
Ben Kay, Leicester, lock
Lee Mears, Bath, hooker
Lewis Moody, Leicester, flanker
Jamie Noon, Newcastle, centre
Tim Payne, Wasps, Prop
Tom Rees, Wasps, flanker
Mark Regan, Bristol, hooker
Paul Sackey, Wasps, wing
Simon Shaw, Wasps, lock
Andrew Sheridan, Sale, prop
Matt Stevens, Bath, prop
David Strettle, Harlequins, wing
Mathew Tait, Newcastle, full back/centre
Mike Tindall, Gloucester, centre
Lesley Vainikolo, Gloucester, wing
Phil Vickery (capt), Wasps, prop
Richard Wigglesworth, Sale, scrum half
Jonny Wilkinson, Newcastle, fly half
Joe Worsley, Wasps, flanker