Today's announcement of England's squad for the upcoming summer tour to Australia and New Zealand is in danger of being overshadowed by a continuing pay row. The Rugby Players' Association remains unhappy with the Rugby Football Union's proposed "two-tier" payment package for a trip which includes two Tests against the Wallabies as well as three midweek games.
Members of the 44-strong squad who play in both Tests next month are due to receive £10,000 more than their team‑mates, who have reportedly been offered a flat fee of £7,800. The RPA believes all players should receive the same remuneration and negotiations have been ongoing for several weeks. As of last night, no resolution has been reached.
The make-up of today's squad could also have a major bearing on England's prospects at next year's World Cup. The tour party is big enough to accommodate at least a couple of wildcards and it will be a significant missed opportunity if the number of uncapped players announced by Martin Johnson does not nudge into double figures.
Among those who should receive a call are Saracens' Alex Goode, Leicester's Ben Youngs, Dan Ward-Smith of Wasps and Leeds' Hendre Fourie, a quartet who personify the type of mix the England management should be seeking. Goode and Youngs are the two most talented youngsters to emerge at Guinness Premiership level in the past 18 months, while the more experienced Ward-Smith and Fourie have the necessary ball-carrying ability to galvanise England's forward efforts. Add in Olly Barkley and Dominic Waldouck, both playing well enough to merit a midfield opportunity, and Johnson's squad can board the plane with a spring in their step.
If, on the other hand, Johnson fails to take a punt or two it will suggest the lessons of England's final Six Nations game in Paris have been discarded. Just as it was an error not to start with Ben Foden and Chris Ashton earlier in the championship, so it would be a misjudgment to revert to safety-first mode for the two Tests in Perth and Sydney. The late-season surge in attacking intent in the Premiership should have further underlined that a higher-tempo game is the way forward if England are to make an impact in New Zealand in 15 months' time. As France's English-born defence coach Dave Ellis bluntly put it in March: "They've got to bite the bullet and throw a few more young players in because they've nothing to lose."
It is even possible Johnson will learn as much from the non-Test matches, not least a tough-looking meeting with the NZ Maori in Napier, than from two encounters with Robbie Deans's Wallabies next month. The clock is already starting to tick in terms of identifying England's optimum World Cup squad, particularly with no scheduled June tour next year. Those named today in a 26-man Saxons squad will be a long way down the pecking order.
There are, of course, a few exceptions. Riki Flutey's continuing shoulder issues make him unavailable in the short term and there is little point risking Phil Vickery, only just back from his latest bout of neck surgery. With Andrew Sheridan, Matt Mullan, Nick Kennedy and Danny Cipriani also currently out of action, the only remaining doubt surrounds Steve Borthwick. Saracens insist he may yet be available to them if they were to reach the Premiership grand final on 29 May but it would be a risk to embark down under with a lineout specialist whose knee is not 100% right.
That would almost certainly mean England travelling under the stewardship of Lewis Moody, with Mike Tindall, Nick Easter and Tom Rees also offering leadership experience. It would be good to see the Premiership efforts of Newcastle's Jon Golding rewarded, while Ward-Smith may well see some action in the second-row. Given he can also play No8, this may just be bad news for Leicester's Jordan Crane.
Ten tour hopefuls
Alex Goode Saracens
Sarries' No1 fly-half next season and a Test regular in the making
Dominic Waldouck Wasps
Consistently impressive season; deserves a tour spot
Olly Barkley Bath
No12 option in absence of Riki Flutey
Ben Youngs Leicester
On the bench for end of Six Nations; should feature in a Test
Joe Simpson Wasps
Like Youngs, has the ability to add dash around the fringes
Rob Webber Wasps
Best of the next generation of hookers
Jon Golding Newcastle
If he stays fit, the loosehead has all the right qualities
Dan Ward-Smith Wasps
The answer as converted lock?
David Flatman Bath
Could tour in Andrew Sheridan's absence
Hendre Fourie Leeds
Effective openside
