Will Greenwood: Loving the new England

International / Will Greenwood / 12 January 2012 / Leave a Comment

Will welcomes the new team's bold approach

"I'm not saying England will lose but [2.54] on Scotland is worth taking because I expect them to come in between now and kick-off. Lock in some profit before the match begins."

Will Greenwood is in an upbeat mood as a new era of responsibility and optimism sweeps through the England rugby team. He also explains how a hangover almost cost him his own call-up.

Wow. What a squad.

Change is inevitable following a World Cup but I applaud Stuart Lancaster's bold selections for his England Six Nations squad. All young English players should be very excited because the RFU is signalling that they will give youth its chance. The national team manager has a responsibility to give emerging players hope and on that count Lancaster gets top marks. This is a team for the future, which partly explains why England's Six Nations odds have drifted to [4.8], but that's also due to injuries to key men. Manu Tuilagi will bring genuine bite into the attack and Toby Flood will add experience when they return to fitness .

Talk of new caps gets me reminiscing about my own call-up. Clive Woodward was a notorious insomniac but when the phone rang at six o'clock one autumn morning in 1997, I was busy sleeping off a bit of a bender. Whoever wanted me could wait. I eventually learned of my selection later that day and I felt then that I'd crossed a threshold into a new stage of my career. I was nervous, excited, my mum phoned and my club team-mates teased me on the training ground. It's a special moment to savour and seize.

Owen Farrell deserves his call-up because he's been terrific for Saracens this season. I expect him to start at 12 at Murrayfield on February 4. Charlie Hodgson should be at fly-half but, in the absence of Flood, Farrell will take on kicking duties. Even with several thousand screaming Scots trying to put him off, he can handle the pressure. But Scotland will relish playing against this young England side at home. I'm not saying England will lose but odds of [2.54] on a Scottish win are worth taking because I expect them to come in - possibly to evens - between now and kick-off. It's a chance to lock in some profit before the match begins.

There's probably no way back for the older English players who have been omitted. Mike Tindall and Nick Easter have achieved enormous things with England. Of those who missed out, Easter is the most unlucky. Is he a better number eight than Phil Dowson? Yes, but the Saints man is three years younger and England are thinking about 2015.

The long/short term distinction is actually something of a straw man. England want to succeed when they host the World Cup but earning pool points that are up for grabs now - so that they avoid the likes of New Zealand and Australia in the early stage - is part of that. For every team, the 2012 Six Nations represents a fresh start and it's wrong to think that a modern, international rugby team can sacrifice short term results and focus entirely on the future.

For the England captaincy, I anticipate a straight fight between Chris Robshaw and Tom Wood. Both men encapsulate the integrity that the RFU are keen for England to develop. As for Lancaster's chances of getting the manager's job permanently, a month ago I would have said he had very little chance. Now I'm not so sure. He will be judged by results but I'm loving what I've seen so far.