ContinueThe irony facing Stuart Lancaster as he prepares to announce his EPS senior and Saxons squads next week for the season ahead is that, after a character-defining tour of South Africa, he is probably less aware of his first-choice starting XV than he was before the first test.
In one sense this creates that cliched "happy selection dilemma." In another the England rugby head coach will need to decide on his best 15, and 22, in time for the autumn series of four test matches against Fiji, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. Why? Because the countdown to the 2015 world cup staged in England will have started by then, and if Lancaster wants his young bucks to be experienced by 2015 he will need to start sticking to the same team.
So, where are the issues? Pretty much everywhere. The front row looks stable with Alex Corbierso, Dylan Hartley and Dan Cole occupying the three berths, with Joe Marler, who impressed in South Africa, pushing hard at loosehead, and Tom Youngs coming up fast on the rails as hooker. With Courtney Lawes always a preferred option when fit and injury-free, there appears to be one berth going in the second row.
On the evidence of South Africa it is between Geoff Parling and Tom Palmer. The back row is no clearer, either, although Lancaster at least has options and the knowledge that there are those who can slot in, such as Tom Johnson.
Tom Croft should return to blindside when fit, and with captain Chris Robshaw nailed down at openside this leaves the number eight jersey open. Ben Morgan took a step backwards in South Africa, although he is still very much in England's plans. The jersey is between him, James Haskell and Thomas Waldrom.
At nine Lancaster knows he can pick Ben Youngs or Danny Care and have a world -class scrum half. These two may end up having a similar rivalry to Matt Dawson and Kyran Bracken.
Ten, 12 and 13 remains a problem, however. Owen Farrell is already a world-class kicker and a resolute defender, but he needs to do more in directing the line and creating attacking options. Toby Flood can do this, but may not be as strong defensively.
Outside them Manu Tuilagi has been employed at 12. Manu is a magnificent runner who dents holes in opposing defences, but he needs to distribute better and England need to capitalise more on the space he creates by sucking in defenders.
Jonathan Joseph was used at 13 and the jury has to be out on him because of the lack of attacking chances presented to him. Are there other options? A Flood, Farrell combo, with Tuilagi back to 13? What about Brad Barritt, magnificent in defence but limited in attack?
Alex Goode's impressive starting debut at full back has thrown up another conundrum in the back three. Suddenly Ben Foden, who made an impact on the wing in two tests, is under threat at full back by both Goode and Mike Brown.
Chris Ashton did enough to keep his winger's jersey, but the statement laid down by Jonny May in the second midweek match made everyone take notice. Problems, problems.
The very good news is that Lancaster, with Andy Farrell back on the coaching team, has many options. The issue is, with whom does he go with? The starting XV for Fiji in November will be interesting, to say the least.
