I really hope so but judging by the last few years I fear the worst. I have a lot of hope that this could be a turning point for him and the England team, but deep down feel that it may be another heart-breaker for us all :cry:

I really hope so but judging by the last few years I fear the worst. I have a lot of hope that this could be a turning point for him and the England team, but deep down feel that it may be another heart-breaker for us all :cry:

lets hope hes goin to be all rigth because he is nedded if england are goin to have any chance in the world cup

that is so true. No pressure JW.

no chance - there going to pressureise him every change they get and he will take some huge hits during the game- its too soon!

I hope so, but if not I'll give him a rub down :D

But since it is Scotland will the harm/pressure be limited compared to, say, the Boks? So he might get away with it?

And scoop - join the queue :love:

Unlikely. He's an easy target and taking him out will be an early aim of the opposition (accidentally, of course :hihi:).

His selection is a bit of a joke anyway. He wouldn't have stood a chance of getting anywhere near the team if Hodgson hadn't ruptured his cruciate ligament. It's indicative of the rubbish state of choices England have for fly-half that he's anywhere near the opening line up in the first place.

I think the fact that he is in the team will be a great morale booster and motivate us through. I like to think that even if Hodgson was fit Jonny would get the nod over him since Charlie is a choker on the international stage.
If we are talking about joke selections, how about the Farrell/Tindall combination at centre? A couple of vintage tractors ploughing the same old furrows... and one of them is a converted combine harvester...
(drops the painful analogy)

Morale boosting and motivation for the crowd or the team? I don't think the team will be motivated by Wilkinson's presence, given that he hasn't played at international standard for about three years and has spent more time injured than playing for his club. I suppose the crowd's extra cheers for Wilkinson's return will give the team a bit of a vicarious boost. Shame that'll last for about twenty minutes until he's stretchered off again :( .

Wilkinson's reputation is built on that 2003 kick, and as a pretty poster boy for International rugby. Hodgson might be inconsistent at international level, but I'd take a fully fit Hodgson over a semi-fit liability like Wilkinson any day.

do you really think that farrell will have a bad game? I really think that with him in the centre we will be a better/stronger all round team!!!

Hodgson might be inconsistent at international level, but I'd take a fully fit Hodgson over a semi-fit liability like Wilkinson any day.

I don't agree, I see no hope for England at the forthcoming world cup with Hodgson in the pivotal role, whereas as I see a glimmer with a fit Wilkinson, especially if he has a good tactical kicker like Farrell outside him to increase his options.

I don't agree...
Do you ever? :lol:

Do you ever? :lol:


I never admit it when I do.








oops.....I mean if I do. :blush:

Phew. Hopefully I covered that up and she won't notice.

I just always saw Farrell as a back-row player really - I wanted us to nurture and develop our up-and-coming centres without having to resort to an (excellent but) aging icon with only 12 union games under his belt.
But I appreciate the intricacies of the back-row are probably beyond a league convert...
And I agree - Wilko over Hodgson every time. Charlie may be outstanding for Sale but he is too shaky in an England shirt, more's the pity.

But Wilkinson has played, what, 30 minutes in the last three months at club level? Is that really ample preparation for an England call-up, particularly when he's only just (presumably) recovered from the latest injury-of-the-month?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6314857.stm

I really am torn. JW has had far from the ideal build-up (read: no buildup at all virtually) and deep down I do fear he will take another career-threatening hit, but with our only other choices Flood and Geraghty, neither of whom have started for England (and Geraghty uncapped), then an inspirational and supremely talented glass-jawed superhero is our only option!
All I can say is my heart will be in my mouth for the whole 80 mins.

Although I am not sure what has happened to sunken-eyed Goode?
Is he out of action?
At least he can kick (though not much else...)

I agree; he's probably the best out of a very limited selection. I hope he'll do well and keep on his feet, but I'll definitely be on the edge of my seat for that game.

By the way, I was wrong; it was 40 minutes :lol: .
Now, new national coach Brian Ashton has recalled him to face Scotland in the Six Nations despite just 40 minutes of rugby in the last 12 weeks.
From the BBC site (http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/6313753.stm).

I am looking forward to it immensely albeit with a great deal of trepidation.
Will we see England turn the corner? Some astonishing displays from the old guard showing us that they are the future too?
The only thing I won't be able to bear is if we have a good win, people chuntering about 'how the World Cup is still within our grasp'.
Get over it people - we are starting from the bottom rung again!

will johnny make it through .......................... who knows .. if he gets injured he wont ... if he doesnt he will