Lucky Lancaster in the right place
About 124 weeks from now is the day of reckoning. England will play Wales in the World Cup Pool A match at Twickenham. With due respect to everything that passes between now and then, September 26 2015 must be the focal point of everything Stuart Lancaster and England do.
A daft seeding system means that one of England, Wales and Australia will be eliminated at the pool stage of the World Cup. Meanwhile, a quarter final is all but guaranteed for Samoa or Scotland in Pool B. Goldfish could devise a better system, but that's another story.
Lancaster's decision to use the upcoming Argentina tour for development is excellent, and not only because he's taking a handful of wings that will put Chris Ashton's recent performances into perspective. This summer is his chance to steal a march on Wales and Australia while they concentrate on the shorter term issues presented by the Lions tour.
Whatever disappointment some players felt when omitted by the Celtic-eyed Gatland, if England beat Wales and Australia to win Pool A in 2015 on the way to something special, they won't care about the Lions. There are enough England players and coaches on the Lions trip to examine Gatland's methods, Wales' players and, to a lesser degree, Australia. Good homework.
Simultaneously, key men like Robshaw, Care and Flood are resting (subject to Lions injuries) while Lancaster grooms England's puppies in Argentina.
England are well placed to prepare thoroughly for the biggest event of their careers. Had things gone differently in Cardiff at the end of the Six Nations, Lions selection and the current picture would be very different. For now, however, it is coming together like a plan.
Wales lost narrowly, but repeatedly, in Australia last summer. If they win this summer with a few ringers from the other home nations, I hope they remember who to thank.
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Richard Seeckts' rugby career consisted of one school match where he froze on the wing and despite no substitutes being available he was withdrawn from the game at half-time for mocking the opposition's line-out calls. Thereafter Richard and the sport agreed active participation was not the way ahead, but that has not prevented him from avidly writing about and watching the game. He now contributes his random observations to the Crooked Feed blog on ESPNscrum.com
