For many years England have had a gigantic hole in the 12 position that is in desperate need of being filled. Since the victorious squad of 2003, England have struggled to find fitting successors for the World Cup-winning inside centres, Mike Tindall and Mike Catt. Likewise, England have been unable to discover a formidable 12 and 13 partnership, like that of Tindall and Greenwood. After the disappointing Tour of New Zealand, one of the main issues highlighted is that England are running out of time to find a suitable 12 to partner the world class outside centre, Manu Tuilagi. Stuart Lancaster has many options at inside centre, all of which have been proving their talent at club level and bring different capabilities to the table.
England’s Inside Centre Options
Brad Barritt
Club: Saracens
Age: 27
Barritt has been playing alongside England fly half Owen Farrell at his club, Saracens. Defensively Barritt is incredibly strong, and is by far Lancaster’s best choice if he wants a more defensive outlook to his back line. The Saracens centre is an aggressive defender, and is “Mr Reliable” when it comes to tackling. Not only is Barritt a phenomenal tackler, but he is also a master when it comes to the breakdown, both winning and turning over the ball. Attacking is Barritt’s weakness; unlike the other competing centres, Barritt lacks cutting edge and that wow factor that many an England fan is looking for. The Saracens centre isn’t seen as match winner, and hasn’t demonstrated thus far that he has that spark or attacking flare that is absent from the England side.
Billy Twelvetrees
Club: Gloucester
Age: 25
Twelvetrees was Lancaster’s number one choice during this year’s Six Nations, yet only started one of the three tests against the All Blacks, which was put down to his inconsistent performances. Twelvetrees offers a wealth of varied attributes to the England side. The Gloucester centre provides outstanding distribution services to his outside backs and can vary his passing and types of play in contrasting situations. Twelvetrees is also a competent kicker both out of hand and from the ground, which gives Lancaster an alternative kicking option, taking the pressure and reliance off fly half Owen Farrell. However, inconsistency is Twelvetrees’ downfall. After having a somewhat variable season in the Premiership, with a mixture of both tremendous and mediocre performances, question marks hang over his name. The Cherry and Whites centre started the second test against the merciless All Blacks, who exposed his weaknesses, and his lacklustre display was enough for England’s coaching team to drop him for the third match.
Kyle Eastmond
Club: Bath
Age: 24
The former Rugby League starlet burst onto the international stage of Union in England’s first test with New Zealand in Auckland. He demonstrated his fantastic club form throughout the encounter. A number of dazzling, jinky runs were a breath of fresh air, and were somewhat reminiscent of Jason Robinson. Eastmond, unlike Twelvetrees and Barritt, is of a much smaller build, yet provides the English with more attacking options. He is a far more punishing centre if he breaks the line, with his magical footwork and exhilarating speed he often leaves defenders for dead. Eastmond and Tuilagi seemed to develop a great partnership in the first test, by complimenting each others’ strengths; the pair looked to have serious potential in England’s midfield. The Bath centre isn’t without his faults as a defender though; he was poor in the third test, consequently being replaced at half time. Unfortunately, Eastmond and Tuilagi didn’t continue their successful alliance in the third test, and seemed to be reading from different scripts. If they demonstrate that they can repeat their heroics from the first game, Eastmond would be in serious contention for that 12 jersey.
Luther Burrell
Club: Northampton Saints
Age: 26
Burrell partnered Twelvetrees at outside centre in the Six Nations this year, scoring three tries. The Northampton Saints centre also played an influential role in his club’s victorious season in the Aviva Premiership. Burrell has a mixture of Barritt’s, Twelvetrees’ and Eastmond’s skill, which puts him in good stead to stake his claim on the 12 shirt. The former Leeds man proffers Twelvetrees’ distribution, Barritt’s defensive solidity and Eastmond’s eye for the gap, he can also be used as a crash-ball merchant, which adds another string to his bow. Burrell is yet to play a full 80 minutes alongside Manu Tuilagi, so that combination is yet to be put to the test. If that partnership were to be a success, they may well be Lancaster’s preferred 12 and 13, but that’s a big IF.
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