Aftermath

Predictably enough there has, in the aftermath of the Cardiff massacre, been much hysterical speculation about England’s need to rebuild.

That’s right – rebuild. After one defeat.  

And who is calling for Stuart Lancaster to rip it up and start again? Why, the very journalists who a few short weeks ago were telling the world that England were near certainties for the 2015 World Cup.

The other favourite topic for journos right now is the potential make up of the Lions squad to tour Oz this summer. Of course the perceived wisdom on the strength of Saturday's game is that the squad will now be dominated by Welshmen. After all, that’s always worked so well in the past and Wales do have such a magnificent track record down under.

From England’s perspective I can still see the likes of Cole, Hartley, Parling, Robshaw, Wood, Youngs, Farrell and Tuilagi all making the plane to Oz but, and I know this will sound like sour grapes, right now I must admit I really couldn’t give a rat’s arse about who goes on the Lions trip and it could actually work in England’s favour if the core of the team were available for the Argentina trip instead.

A tough trip to Argentina is probably the best thing for England this summer, offering Stuart Lancaster the chance to shuffle the deck a little, bed the likes of Alex Corbisiero and Tom Croft (maybe as a lock) back into the team and try out out a few fresh combinations. For me at least a productive tour for England holds more significance than the money-spinning exercise down under being undertaken by Gatland & Co.