England v Fiji. That's that match that is going to kick start the Rugby World Cup at Twickenham Stadium on the 18th September next year. So, with a little over 11 months to go until that day, I thought I'd take a look at England's prospects against the Southern Hemisphere heavyweights in a few weeks' time.
Let's start with the big question on everyone's minds: Danny Cipriani, will he be picked? After seeing some of his club performances, I think it would be remiss of Stuart Lancaster not to pick him. He has been outstanding so far since his return to English club rugby. I could write a full history and bore you all with it, but suffice it to say that both Cipriani and Bath's George Ford both attack flatter and quicker than current first choice outside half Owen Farrell. Although I believe Farrell is a more complete player in his ability to allow the centres to stretch themselves, the wingers to operate with freedom on the flanks, his intelligence at first receiver and his strength as first defender, the speed that Cipriani brings to both attack and a rushing, blitz defence can't be discounted, especially against the pacey in-hands movement of the NZ backline.
All-round there is a serious improvement in England and their in-hands play. This was highly evident in their recent tour of New Zealand. Even though they lost all three tests, they ran the hosts very close in the first two encounters. Considering these matches were played away from the comfort and security of Twickenham, I wouldn't put it past England to thrash them come November. A big call seeing as this is a record-breaking NZ team.
Moving on to the issue of Steffon Armitage, I can't see why the RFU won't allow Stuart Lancaster to pick Armitage as an 'exceptional circumstance' player, with the exceptional circumstance being that he has played incredibly well since moving to Toulon and deserves his place in the England setup. His potential omission must be a bit of a relief for Chris Robshaw as it means there isn't someone who could challenge him for his openside role within the England team. Whilst I believe a solid challenger to his position might bring out the best in Robshaw, handing him the captaincy and telling him to get on with it has already achieved that aim. He is, by far and away, the most hardworking of all the England players. His leadership has inspired this team. I know I've leapt to his defence before, but I can't see another stand-out individual in this squad. No disrespect to any other members of the England squad intended.
The Six Nations will be competed in by broadly the same squad of players that play this Autumn, but I'll talk about that closer to the time.
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