Predicting England 23 to Face France After Stuart Lancaster Names Squad

With England's Six Nations opener against France just three weeks away, the announcement of Stuart Lancaster's 35-man training squad brings a host of unanswered questions.

The most pertinent of all those is, of course, who will make the final cut.

So far in his England tenure, Lancaster has been unabashed in experimenting wildly with his selection, bastions both old and new staying and emerging, respectively, under his guidance.

However, after coming so close to winning the competition last year, England have a lot to be hopeful about heading into this tournament, where the squad members picked will shoulder a massive responsibility.

Providing all members of the announced training squad are fit and healthy, we've predicted which 23 members will be chosen in time to line up against Les Bleus on Feb. 1.

Props

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Mako Vunipola, Saracens

One of seven Saracens stars to have been named in the 35-man selection, Mako Vunipola looks likely to continue his advancement in the white of England this winter.

The older of the Vunipola brothers was ruled out of the majority of England's November Tests thanks to injury, but has since played a big part at Mark McCall's side, jumping to new heights both domestically and in Europe. 

Dan Cole, Leicester Tigers

Leicester Tigers may not be having their brightest patch of Premiership performances this season, but Dan Cole is one figure that Richard Cockerill has been able to rely on, along with several others.

Reliable if nothing else, the consistent tight head is a shoo-in to feature. 

Joe Marler, Harlequins

Having impressed—for the most part—in the absence of Vunipola for those November trials, Joe Marler is an excellent alternative at loose head who gives Lancaster a healthy dilemma in the position. 

Henry Thomas, Sale Sharks

The wild-card choice for a fourth prop will be between Henry Thomas of Sale and Matt Mullan of London Wasps.

However, with the future in sight as well, it wouldn't be a major shock to see Lancaster put faith in the more youthful of the two. At 22 years old, Thomas is showing talent beyond his years in recent months, which can undoubtedly be fine-tuned with time.

Hookers

Dylan Hartley, Northampton Saints

Having fallen out of favour internationally in the build-up to the British and Irish Lions tour of Australia last summer, Dylan Hartley couldn't have hoped to have responded in a better manner.

An effervescent leader to the end, Northampton Saints have benefited greatly from the attacking influence that their captain has asserted this season, putting Hartley right back in the hunt for Lancaster's starting man in the front row.

Tom Youngs, Leicester Tigers

However, the slightest slip up will undoubtedly be capitalized upon by Leicester Tigers star Tom Youngs, very recently having been named the club's Player of the Month.

Youngs' line-out throwing has been superb this season and the centre-turned-hooker has been as mobile as ever, but the momentum lost in recent months is likely to put him on the bottom of the pile.

Locks

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Courtney Lawes, Northampton Saints

Courtney Lawes has been among England's biggest success stories in 2014, refining a raw talent that was quite clear existed, but perhaps wasn't ready for the international stage beforehand.

However, in the absence of an injured Geoff Parling, the Saints lock has stepped up his game tremendously at times, taking a leading role in the pack. 

Ed Slater, Leicester Tigers

Ed Slater's 2013-14 season thus far has ensured Lancaster has had no choice but to pay attention to him, busting down doors in England and Europe when they appear before him.

Alongside Graham Kitchener, Slater has been a beast this season and after picking up injury just prior to last summer's tour of South America, a belated first cap awaits.

Joe Launchbury, London Wasps

Joe Launchbury has had to bide his time in the international shadows at times in recent months, but he's always taken his chances well when afforded to him.

The London Wasp has continued going about his club business as usual, and after starting in all three QBE Internationals over the autumn period, looks certain to feature once again.

Back Row

Chris Robshaw, Harlequins

Captain Chris Robshaw has been an omnipresent force not just for the national side, but has maintained his standing on a club platform, helping keep Harlequins in playoff contention this term.

Against all odds, the summer break from international rugby, in the wake of his Lions' snub, was a good call—form-benefiting as a result.

Tom Wood, Northampton Saints

Tom Wood's rise to prominence in the England setup has been no stroke of luck—the Northampton Saint ranking as one of the most consistent athletes at England's disposal right now.

Having captained his country for the majority of last summer's fixtures in Argentina, the blind side looks set once again to revive a partnership alongside Robshaw.

Billy Vunipola, Saracens

Age be damned, 21-year-old Billy Vunipola is quite literally smashing down any and all barriers put before him, in all regards.

From his terrific club form with new club Saracens to the heights of a November Test against New Zealand, the former Wasps star hasn't shown the slightest sign that he's intimidated by his surroundings, oozing confidence with every step he takes. 

Ben Morgan, Gloucester

Ben Morgan played a big hand in last year's Six Nations trials, excelling in a competition with which he holds a strong affinity, having made his international debut against Scotland on Feb. 4, 2012.

Since moving to Kingsholm from Scarlets, the No. 8 has established himself as one of a small Gloucester contingent who really deserve a shot in the England jersey despite any troubles the club may be experiencing in the league.

Scrum Halves

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Ben Youngs, Leicester Tigers

England's current first choice at scrum half remains Ben Youngs, who, like many at the club, is overcoming the boundaries that Leicester Tigers have set themselves this term to remain perfectly well-established in his own right.

With 35 caps to his name already, the 24-year-old would seem relatively safe, although there are a number of players behind in the pecking order who'd be all too happy to take the jersey off his back. 

Lee Dickson, Northampton Saints

At the expense of Richard Wigglesworth and Danny Care, it's Lee Dickson who will, in all likelihood, be given another chance to impress in the national team next month.

Northampton Saints' halfback has jostled ferociously with Kahn Fotuali'i to get the nod under Jim Mallinder, showing consistency if nought else.

At times, the No. 9 has lacked the same spark that the likes of Care and Youngs bring to the table, but there's a lot to be said for the security in his distribution too.

Fly-Halves

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Owen Farrell, Saracens

One might not think Owen Farrell was just 22 years of age, given the manner in which he's excelled as an international in recent years, but Lancaster's management of the starlet has been superb.

With Toby Flood dropping out of the mix after his impending move to Toulouse became apparent, it's now all the more important that Farrell remain fit at fly-half, offering cover in the centre as well.

George Ford, Bath

The man benefiting from Flood's omission is Bath's George Ford, who, after moving away from Welford Road last summer, has stepped into the spotlight of a starting place at The Rec and thrived at it.

Stephen Myler and an outside bet of Freddie Burns coming in will challenge the Bath kicking maestro, but Ford's potent mix of immediate talent and future potential is an intriguing project that Lancaster may want to get an early start on.

Centres

Luther Burrell, Northampton Saints

If one had to sum up Luther Burrell's style of play over the last two seasons up in one word, there's nothing more appropriate than "solid."

Solid in the tackle, solid moving forward with ball in hand; there's just not much that Jim Mallinder hasn't been able to rely upon his centre for since the 2012-13 season.

Brad Barritt's return to the international frame may just be a bit too soon, and Kyle Eastmond's lack of experience, despite all his flair, won't trump Burrell. 

Billy Twelvetrees, Gloucester

As versatile as they come in the back line, Billy Twelvetrees has been a tremendously useful utility for Lancaster this year.

The fly-half-cum-centre has paid his due diligence with Gloucester, rightfully reaping the rewards with international recognition.

Back Three

Chris Ashton, Saracens

Chris Ashton's job at Allianz Park is sometimes made to look far more difficult than it perhaps actually is, thanks to the superb supply of talent around him, but the winger has nonetheless gone through an encouraging return to form since the summer.

With four tries to his name so far this season, the speedster will once again make it onto the England flank, but the Saracens finisher should be glad there's not more in-form, experienced English wings around right now. 

Mike Brown, Harlequins

The man formerly known as Mr. Angry has now shirked all past negative connotations that may have once surrounded this player, instead replacing those with messages of a bright England career.

In 2013, Mike Brown was omnipresent for Lancaster's side, starting off on the wing for the Six Nations before establishing himself as the first-choice fullback in Argentina, and the November internationals as a result.

Alex Goode, Saracens

Placing some weighted pressure on that No. 15 shirt is another consistent talent, Alex Goode.

Although the Saracens star doesn't tend to put a foot wrong in his approach, Goode gives the feeling that his play is a little too safe at times, with others holding more potential for flash when needed. 

Jonny May, Gloucester

Jonny May is the only one of an enigmatic trio in England's 35-man squad to have already been capped by the team, the other two options being Exeter Chiefs' Jack Nowell and Anthony Watson of Bath.

It also happens that May is the only one of the three over the age of 20, and now may not yet be the time to place quite so much faith in two youngsters with no England experience and in quite pivotal areas of the pitch.

May offers cover on the wing, at fullback or in the centre, and has shown his credentials on many an occasion with Gloucester over the last 18 months.