Falling back on a tried and tested formula is an instinct in us all.
We had a good holiday in France last year – let’s book it again. They have nice ale at The Anchor – let’s go for a pint there again. Mike Tindall’s played well for us in the centre before – let’s pick him again.
But fortune can favour those willing to depart from the frequently trodden path. For those plucky enough to take a bold decision that takes you into unknown territory, the rewards can be great.
And that applies on the rugby pitch just as much as it does off it.
That Mike Tindall is a superb centre of world renown is not open to question. But recalling him when things aren’t clicking in the England centres is not the sort of creative, progressive move that Martin Johnson should be making as he seeks to build a national team for the future.
Tindall is a known quantity. His bag of tricks contains no surprises. All the opposition teams and coaches will have video analysed him until the VCR conks out. He is unlikely to be the man who will rouse the England backline to new creative heights.
But what of the other centres that Johnson has at his disposal?
When Tindall tweaked his back during a weights session last week, it was Newcastle Falcon Jamie Noon that Johnson fell back on.
But for all his muscle and reliability in defence, Noon – like Tindall – lacks the attacking guile and flair that is so desperately needed to inject sparkle into a backline that is too often bereft of imagination, creativity and the ability to spring a surprise.
Both Noon and Tindall can be crash ball carriers. But trying to gain the hard yards by thundering up the middle and hoping to break the tackle with a Maori sidestep ain’t going to work against a midfield that’s as resolute and watchful as, say, Wales’.
No. England need in the number 13 shirt someone who is both inventive and reliable; both smart and solid; both capable of conjuring up a spot of magic and able to hold the defensive line steady.
Step forward Alex Crockett.
That Crockett hasn’t been picked for at least the Saxons this season is a selection outrage.
It’s been said by some – including Bath supporters – that Crockett is a "good club player"; the kind of guy who provides the solid spine around which a strong Premiership side can be built, but not of international calibre.
Tosh. The Bath co-captain is far, far more than that.
Perhaps a year or so ago you wouldn’t have been able to use the words ‘magic’ and ‘Alex Crockett’ in the same sentence very often. He may have been dependable, but did he really have the brilliance to be elevated into contention for an international place?
Now I think the answer is a definite yes. Think of that deft kick into Matt Banahan’s path for the winning try against Sale – a kick that Bath head coach Steve Meehan described as showing the sort of touch you normally find at Augusta in the US Masters. Think of the vision and composure that enabled him to lob that pass to Butch James for the fly-half’s last-gasp winner against Leicester at The Rec.
Both those tricks showed Crockett to be a match-winner, as well as a safe pair of hands.
Martin Johnson should give Crockett the chance on the international stage that this talented player so craves and deserves.
We had a good holiday in France last year – let’s book it again. They have nice ale at The Anchor – let’s go for a pint there again. Mike Tindall’s played well for us in the centre before – let’s pick him again.
But fortune can favour those willing to depart from the frequently trodden path. For those plucky enough to take a bold decision that takes you into unknown territory, the rewards can be great.
And that applies on the rugby pitch just as much as it does off it.
That Mike Tindall is a superb centre of world renown is not open to question. But recalling him when things aren’t clicking in the England centres is not the sort of creative, progressive move that Martin Johnson should be making as he seeks to build a national team for the future.
Tindall is a known quantity. His bag of tricks contains no surprises. All the opposition teams and coaches will have video analysed him until the VCR conks out. He is unlikely to be the man who will rouse the England backline to new creative heights.
But what of the other centres that Johnson has at his disposal?
When Tindall tweaked his back during a weights session last week, it was Newcastle Falcon Jamie Noon that Johnson fell back on.
But for all his muscle and reliability in defence, Noon – like Tindall – lacks the attacking guile and flair that is so desperately needed to inject sparkle into a backline that is too often bereft of imagination, creativity and the ability to spring a surprise.
Both Noon and Tindall can be crash ball carriers. But trying to gain the hard yards by thundering up the middle and hoping to break the tackle with a Maori sidestep ain’t going to work against a midfield that’s as resolute and watchful as, say, Wales’.
No. England need in the number 13 shirt someone who is both inventive and reliable; both smart and solid; both capable of conjuring up a spot of magic and able to hold the defensive line steady.
Step forward Alex Crockett.
That Crockett hasn’t been picked for at least the Saxons this season is a selection outrage.
It’s been said by some – including Bath supporters – that Crockett is a "good club player"; the kind of guy who provides the solid spine around which a strong Premiership side can be built, but not of international calibre.
Tosh. The Bath co-captain is far, far more than that.
Perhaps a year or so ago you wouldn’t have been able to use the words ‘magic’ and ‘Alex Crockett’ in the same sentence very often. He may have been dependable, but did he really have the brilliance to be elevated into contention for an international place?
Now I think the answer is a definite yes. Think of that deft kick into Matt Banahan’s path for the winning try against Sale – a kick that Bath head coach Steve Meehan described as showing the sort of touch you normally find at Augusta in the US Masters. Think of the vision and composure that enabled him to lob that pass to Butch James for the fly-half’s last-gasp winner against Leicester at The Rec.
Both those tricks showed Crockett to be a match-winner, as well as a safe pair of hands.
Martin Johnson should give Crockett the chance on the international stage that this talented player so craves and deserves.
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