David Paice London Irish, hooker
Consider, for a second, what England are searching for at hooker: a combative, mobile presence who can throw into the lineout with unerring precision. Mark Regan has been a fantastic servant but, at 36 later this month, he cannot go on forever, particularly if England want to play the game at a quicker tempo. At some point, if not this week, the 24-year-old Paice will come into the equation. Born in Darwin, Australia but English-qualified, he and his Exiles' team-mate Nick Kennedy have consistently led the way in terms of lineout stats in the Premiership.
"Paicey's been one of our stand-out players this season," says Irish's forwards coach, Toby Booth. "He's certainly durable enough and did more than hold his own against Perpignan and Leicester recently. He's fairly hostile when he needs to be, he's getting the better of his opposite numbers and he's played for England Saxons for the past two years. I'd like to see him make the next step. Even if he is only the third-choice hooker it would be good for him to get an inkling of what the next level entails." Booth is not a huge fan of the Northampton hooker Dylan Hartley - "He can't throw" - and reckons Paice's temperament is better suited to England's needs.
Danny Cipriani Wasps, fly-half
Too soon for the wunderkind? Well, they capped Jonny Wilkinson at the age of 18 and Cipriani's club coaches are convinced that the 20-year-old's time has come. "You get to a point with young players where you can only say, 'They need their next opportunity'," shrugs the Wasps director of rugby, Ian McGeechan. "It's not a case of development, it's about someone seriously sticking their hand up and playing rugby which could contribute at a higher level. He's still learning but sometimes you've got to be brave."
Cipriani's magical first-half display against Clermont Auvergne last month has even prompted speculation of a starting role against Wales. McGeechan, one of the club game's wisest gurus, sees no reason why not. "We've been talking about his game management since the two Clermont games and he's been focused and serious about what he's doing. As a coach you can't ask for more than that. I genuinely believe he's got tremendous international potential. In the past 12 months he might have only grown up one year chronologically but it's been about four years in maturity. I'd be very surprised if he doesn't come into their thoughts. They've got to consider him."
Tom Croft Leicester, back row
They know a decent back-row forward at Leicester when they see one. Jordan Crane is strong and willing but the most powerfully athletic newcomer is undoubtedly Tom Croft, a 22-year-old who can pack down at either flanker or lock. The pace he showed in scoring a try in the EDF Energy Cup final against the Ospreys at Twickenham raised eyebrows and his club captain, Martin Corry, is a confirmed fan.
"I'd love to see him in the set-up," he said. "People look at back-rowers going forward and they see James Haskell but it would be really interesting to see Tom involved. England have never really had his sort of player. He looks lean but he's very strong, very quick and very skilful. The sevens circuit has been fantastic for him."
Croft, who stands 6ft 6in tall and weighs 16½ stone, also scored a good try to help England Saxons to topple the New Zealand Maori last summer and was an influential member of England's Under-21 grand slam side in 2006. Born in Basingstoke, he played for Newbury for five years before joining the Tigers' academy. As yet he has started only 14 first-team games for Leicester but his star is rising rapidly. Significantly he is in the starting line-up at Harlequins tomorrow.
James Haskell Wasps, back row
There are other dynamic back-row options out there, not least Gloucester's Luke Narraway. If Dan Ward-Smith and James Forrester could ever stay fit they would offer a fresh attacking dimension. Nick Easter is the man in possession at No8, but Haskell, equally comfortable at No6, sits at the front of the queue of young pretenders in the post-Dallaglio era. His omission from the World Cup squad has simply made him hungrier.
"He works hard and he's making a big impact on games," confirms Ian McGeechan. "He's not the same character as Lawrence but he's a player with tremendous attributes. Lawrence has spent a lot of time helping him because he knows what is potentially there. For Lawrence to do that is a huge mark of respect."
Talkative, confident and self-aware, the 22-year-old must now take the daunting step out of Dallaglio's shadow. "At the moment James has only got two caps but I thought he acquitted himself really well when he had to move to No8 at short notice against Wales last season," continues McGeechan. "His work-rate's really high, he's a big lad and he's quick. His game involvement is very high which is one of the qualities you look for in an international player."
Richard Wigglesworth Sale, scrum-half
Shaun Perry's fractured windpipe and Harry Ellis's continuing recuperation from major knee surgery have opened the door at No9. Leicester's Ben Youngs will play for England one day but he is only 18. Wigglesworth, by contrast, has played more games for Sale this season than anyone else, has helped to win a Premiership final, can kick goals and does not seem remotely fazed by the big occasion. The Blackpool-born farmer's son is only a tweaked hamstring away from being on the bench against Wales.
As a former wiry Lancastrian scrum-half himself, Brian Ashton will not be fooled by the 24-year-old's relatively slender physique and has been impressed by Wigglesworth's efforts for the Saxons. When Peter Richards' bad back caused alarm during the pre-World Cup warm-up games, Wigglesworth was the man summoned as cover and Sale's trip to London Irish tomorrow offers both players the chance to make a timely point. Richards will start on the bench behind Paul Hodgson but Ashton will still be watching the half-back duel intently and the Sale and England fly-half, Charlie Hodgson, also has a direct interest in the outcome.
