Of course there are three warm-up
matches to come, two of them at Twickenham. In real terms, though, this is the
side that has the opportunity to lay down a marker ahead of the Rugby World Cup
tournament in six months time.
That is the significance of the
selection. These will be the men in possession. These will be the man hailed by
the Twickenham faithful if they manage to navigate a tricky last day and bring
home Six Nations silverware. That ability to nail something tangible, to
withstand the pressure of expectation, will be rather important come September.
He will bring energy and wisdom, important
elements as the watching and injured Wasps second-row, Joe Launchbury will be
aware. The tussle for the starting second-row shirts at the Rugby World Cup
will be intriguing. Parling has a great chance to press his claim given that
Launchbury is expected to have only a few club games at the end of the season
to prove his worth.
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