Six Nations 2014: The four issues that England must address to turn things around

 
Standard Sport3 February 2014

After their narrow defeat to France on the opening weekend of the Six Nations, Standard Sport looks at the key areas where England can improve ahead of their clash at Scotland.

1) How do you solve a problem like Dan Cole?

The Leicester tight head is arguably the most important player in the England team. With Bath’s David Wilson unavailable until possibly the Ireland game because of a calf injury, there isn’t another proven tight head who can come into the side and take some of the burden off Cole’s shoulders. That is why he was lifted out of the scrum late in the game against France — an ignominious sight for any prop — because he was on his last legs. Cole not only scrums himself into the ground for England, he also wins turnover and handles with real enthusiasm. Henry Thomas is on the bench but he is inexperienced at this level.

2) How do you keep any left wings fit?

The latest casualty is the unlucky Jonny May, who broke his nose early on in the match in Paris and must be rated doubtful to start against the Scots, who will no doubt test his hooter if the Gloucester wing is risked. Mike Brown scored a very good try filling in on the flank — a role he hoped had been given up in favour of his natural full-back position. However, with options very limited, it seems Brown will be asked to wear No11 again, with Alex Goode taking over the full-back role which he did confidently on Saturday.

3) To replace or not to replace?

The debate rages on about when is the right time to use you bench. Danny Care was flying on Saturday but came off. Billy Vunipola was also replaced when Tom Wood was cramping but the flanker could have made way, giving England both Vunipola and the bullocking Ben Morgan to charge at the French. England’s momentum dipped in key areas in the last quarter instead of getting a major boost, with hooker Tom Youngs doing good work in the loose but he then threw badly at a key attacking five-metre line-out. Dylan Hartley would have hit his man.

4) Have England finally got the midfield combination right?

Not on this evidence but there were signs that more time together could turn Luther Burrell and Billy Twelvetrees into a useful double act until Manu Tuilagi is fit. Twelvetrees mixed up his game well and is starting to understand the nature of the inside-centre role England need him to fill, while Burrell has now experienced the pace and power of a Test match and will be better for the experience.

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