Salvi Names The Guy To Take Over As Eddie's 7

ACE groundhog Julian Salvi believes England are missing a trick by constantly overlooking the talents of in-form Wasps back rower Guy Thompson.

- Neale Harvey

England’s lack of a genuine openside has come under intense scrutiny in wake of last week’s defeat by Scotland at Murrayfield, during which their flankers were comprehensively out-hustled by counterparts Hamish Watson and John Barclay.

With a World Cup looming, Exeter star Salvi told The Rugby Paper: “Coaches don’t like being told what to do, but given the way I play, my focus would always be on having a genuine No.7 in the side – a grafter who gets over the ball and gets the job done.

“It’s a question of balance and Scotland showed what can be achieved, but for whatever reason, England have been slow to do it. I guess the question is do you want to do it now, before a World Cup, or wait a bit longer and go with what you have?