James Haskell Q&A: ‘I would not have Jerusalem as England's anthem'
After every weekend of the 2025 Six Nations, James Haskell and Mike Tindall have been answering Telegraph readers' questions.
With the championship in the balance going to into Super Saturday, James Haskell returns to answer your questions about Ellis Genge at hooker, imagining Finn Russell in an England shirt and whether Jerusalem should be England's anthem.
You can leave questions for the hosts of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast at any point in the final week of this year's championship.
'He drives Harlequins' attack'
Peter Godwin asked: If the Marcus Smith fullback experiment is not to be abandoned, should the England management be able to require Harlequins to field him at fullback to maximise the prospects of the plan succeeding?
I don't think you can ever ask a club to do that. It might be an idea but he is obviously still a very good No 10 and he drives Harlequins' attack. Ideally you want him to get more time at full-back but I'm not sure asking Harlequins is realistic.
'It is not rocket science'
Bob Trouser: Have England finally got a decent 9 and 10 pairing?
Firstly, what a negative spin on it. England have always had a number of good nine-ten combinations. They have played three consistent games together, they play at club level together, they have a rapport. It is not rocket science why it is working. Other guys - Marcus Smith, Ben Spencer - have been good.
'You need a battering ram'
Simon Keegan: Are we really convinced about the centres? Personally I would love to see Freeman at 13 and a proper 12. Wonder if this is why our attack is misfiring?
With Lawrence out, you could have Dingwall and Slade. You do need a bit of a battering ram in there. Slade and Freeman might be interesting. I'm not sure who the next cab of the rank would be. Oscar Beard is in the squad but Wales away would be a big ask.
'Ruthlessness is making the right decisions'
Chine Meniek: If the World Cup was next week, can this squad bring it home?
No, I don't think so. They are moving in the right direction, very competitive. They could one day build into that side but I don't see a consistent level of ruthlessness, particularly in that last 20 minutes. Ruthlessness is not just throwing the ball around, it is choosing when to offload, making the right decisions. You put people to the sword by getting that balance right. When you get your tails up, forcing things can become a bit of an issue.
'He has that stockiness'
Chris Amstrong: I think Genge would make a brilliant hooker. Thoughts? (And does a hooker have to throw in to the lineout or could it be?)
I could see why you might think that. I'm not sure he would want to be, but he could be if wanted to. I'm not sure what his throwing is like. But he has that build, that stockiness, to be a dynamic hooker.
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