Graphic: England ideal XV

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.

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

Iain Balshaw, Gloucester, full back/wing

Steve Borthwick, Bath, lock

George Chuter, Leicester, hooker

Danny Cipriani, Wasps, fly half/full back

Tom Croft, Leicester, flanker/No 8

Mark Cueto, Sale, wing

Louis Deacon, Leicester, lock

Nick Easter, Harlequins, No 8

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