Four out of five experts agree: It's high time to drop Jonny

Michael Lynagh, Australia's former world points record holder, is calling for two other Premiership fly halves to be selected against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday — Charlie Hodgson at No 10 and Danny Cipriani at full back.

As Ashton and his fellow coaches picked over the bones of their Calcutta Cup calamity, Lynagh issued a damning verdict on a defeat which has set alarm bells ringing at the RFU.

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'That's probably the worst I have seen England play,' he said. 'There was no ambition whatsoever, to the point where they didn't look like scoring. Scotland are a fairly limited team but they were made to look like the Harlem Globetrotters because England did nothing. I'm finding it hard to fathom what was supposed to be happening.

'There didn't seem to be any plan out there. Now, these are not bad players. I see them regularly in the Premiership, an exciting, skilful competition with lots of tries. You pick the cream of that Premiership for England and they don't play.

'The immediate post-World Cup criticism from Mike Catt and Lawrence Dallaglio was dismissed as coming from a couple of blokes trying to sell their books. A few really good wins, particularly against Australia and France at the World Cup, has plastered over the yawning cracks.

'The question Ashton needs to ask is whether he takes Jonny out and replaces him with Hodgson or Cipriani. It would be reasonable to say that Jonny should not play but, my goodness, does that mean he has to carry the can for a lot of other non-performances as well?

'Now that he no longer has worldclass players around him, you have to say that he is not bringing out the best in his team-mates. Before last Saturday, I thought picking Cipriani at full back was the answer rather than replacing Wilkinson.

'Now I'd put Cipriani back there and Hodgson at 10. I'd take Lesley Vainikolo out at left wing, put James Simpson-Daniel there and I'd look to change Toby Flood at 12. I'd have Jonny on the bench. Being worth 19 points per game to England at Twickenham is a pretty good reason to keep him around.'

Jonathan Davies, one of the Welsh greats of both codes, recommends Cipriani's introduction at No 10. He said: 'It's the best position to have when you are on the front foot behind a dominant pack but decision-making hasn't been Jonny's strength when his team doesn't have that platform.

'England are low on confidence and they need other people to stick their hands up but, unfortunately, the buck stops with the outside half when it comes to controlling the game. That hasn't been one of Jonny's strong points since before the World Cup.

'He's not been bossing the game, Cipriani's playing well and deserves his chance against Ireland. Brian Ashton's job is on the line and, whether it's Jonny's fault or the fault of others, someone has to carry the can.'

Paul Grayson, England's second-highest scorer behind Wilkinson, believes the time has come for Hodgson to take over. 'I'm a big fan of Charlie's,' says Grayson, backs coach at Northampton. 'His game management is as good as anyone's, not just in the Premiership but anywhere.

'He's consistently been the best fly half in the country. He might have shown defensive frailty on occasion and missed a few goals but his attacking game is brilliant. He's had the thin edge of the wedge at times.

'Jonny's open-field kicking over the years has been questionable. That is one of Charlie's major strengths, which is why I'd pick him with Cipriani at full back.'

Tony Ward, an Irish and Lions superstar of the Seventies, expects Ashton to grasp the nettle. 'Nothing lasts forever and maybe time is beginning to catch up on Jonny,' he said. 'The one aspect of his game which I have always questioned is his tactical kicking out of hand. It has never been particularly good and certainly not in the same league as Ronan O'Gara's.

'With no championship or Grand Slam at stake, this is a heaven-sent opportunity for both teams to throw some younger players in. Both coaches are under pressure and this is a chance for both to experiment with intent.'

Wilkinson at least has one defender in former Scotland Lion Gregor Townsend. He said: 'Most of that England team will be thinking: "We'll be lucky to get a second chance". You can't drop 12 of the 15 but there were probably 12 who performed poorly. I really rate Charlie Hodgson but Jonny bounced back after a lot of stick over the Welsh game with two very good performances. I'd be surprised if they left him out.'

JONATHAN DAVIES - 'The buck stops with the outside half when it comes to controlling the game. That hasn't been one of Jonny's strong points since before the World Cup. Cipriani's playing well and deserves his chance.

Verdict: Out

MICHAEL LYNAGH - 'A few really good wins, particularly against Australia and France at the World Cup, have plastered over the yawning cracks. I'd put Danny Cipriani back there at full back and bring Charlie Hodgson in at 10.

Verdict: Out

TONY WARD - 'Maybe time is beginning to catch up on Jonny. His tactical kicking out of hand has never been particularly good and certainly not in the same league as Ronan O'Gara's. This is a chance to throw young players in.

Verdict: Out

PAUL GRAYSON - 'Jonny's open-field kicking over the years has been questionable. That is one of Hodgson's major strengths, which is why I'd pick him with Cipriani at full back. Charlie's consistently been the best fly half in the country.

Verdict: Out

GREGOR TOWNSEND - 'I rate Charlie Hodgson highly but Jonny bounced back after a lot of stick over the Welsh game with two very good performances. There were probably 12 who performed poorly but I'd be surprised if they left him out.

Verdict: In