Jeremy Guscott Q&A

Former England and Lions star Guscott is a BBC rugby union pundit

The autumn internationals are in full swing, and it's been a depressing start for the northern hemisphere with both England and Wales falling to defeat in their opening matches.

With seven defeats from 12 Tests, England boss Martin Johnson and his coaching set-up comes in for particular scrutiny, while Wales' latest near miss is also up for discussion.

Other topics include former Australia star Lote Tuqiri's arrival in the Premiership, the absence of Saracens players from the England squad and the perils of signing autographs.

If you have a question for Jerry, you can submit it by using the form in the top right-hand corner of the page. He will answer as many as possible next week.

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Do you feel the experiment of appointing Martin Johnson as manager and allowing him to surround himself with coaches who have singularly failed to deliver has run on long enough?
Russell Hart, UK

Given England's recent win/loss ratio, and the complete lack of dynamism of our forwards, what exactly do (defence coach) Mike Ford and (forwards coach) John Wells do?
Duncan Morley, UK

There is obviously a problem with the England coaching system failing to set any pattern or structure. England paid a lot of money to get (attack coach) Brian Smith from London Irish so why's the team not playing with a clear vision?
Philip Rowberry, England

Do you think that England's backs lacked creativity/direction? Why does this keep happening in this England side?
Paul Sheppard, England

Guys, I think it makes sense to answer all of these together. Rob Andrew, the RFU's director of elite rugby, appointed Martin Johnson, so if Johnson fails then Andrew should lose his job. How do we measure failure and success? For me, it is simply winning and losing, along with the development of performance.

Johnson has a record of seven defeats in 12 Tests

Johnson took on this role believing he could make a difference but after one year nothing appears to have changed.

I said at the very beginning that he didn't posses the qualifications to do the job but I would still give him until the end of the Six Nations to start making a difference before even thinking of sacking him: remember England finished second in last season's Six Nations championship.

The England pack possess very little explosive power, their willingness to smash opponents out the way is sadly lacking. The forwards' dynamism around the tackle area, the mauls and in general play is missing.

The backs appear to lack a leader or the ability to follow the example of their best player, Jonny Wilkinson. I can't remember a backs move of any significance on Saturday. Brian Smith has been in his job for a year and there doesn't appear to be any improvement in the backs play. To be very honest few players in the England team on Saturday appeared to know what they were being asked to do.

You're clearly not a fan of Martin Johnson's coaching style or that of his coaching staff. I was wondering if you have ever considered going into full time coaching and if so, would you ever like to coach England?
Chris, England

I have never considered any kind of coaching at senior level, let alone full-time. I would relish the opportunity to have a session or two with the England players but you need to be involved in that area of the game already.

But I do think the England players would benefit from some kind of input from the likes of Will Greenwood, Austin Healey, Lawrence Dallaglio or Richard Hill.

Who would your forward pack be to face Argentina? I think the backs should be given another chance, but given the challenge the Pumas will pose up front, are the likes of Louis Deacon, Steve Borthwick, Jordan Crane and Tom Croft the right guys for the job?
Joe, UK

Joe, I thought Steve Thompson and, particularly, Lewis Moody played well against Australia, Dave Wilson appeared to do OK at prop and Dylan Hartley and James Haskell had an impact when they came on.

My England pack to face Argentina would be: Payne, Thompson, Wilson, Lawes, Kennedy, Croft, Moody, Haskell. Martin Johnson has pinned his colours to Steve Borthwick as captain, so realistically Nick Kennedy is unlikely to play, although if he does he will be replacing Deacon.

Despite a good performance against New Zealand, do you think Wales are becoming a 'nearly' team? We have come close against New Zealand and South Africa several times.
Lloyd Griffiths, Cardiff, Wales

In my opinion, not all the Welsh team and management really believed they were going to win; it appeared to be a case of hoping rather than truly believing.

Wales saw another chance to beat New Zeland pass them by

A backline of Gareth Cooper, Stephen Jones, Tom Shanklin, Jamie Roberts, Shane Williams, James Hook and Leigh Halfpenny has enough skilful players to test any defence; unfortunately for Wales these guys were not in the right positions to exploit their undoubted abilities.

The key to attack is quick ball and the Welsh forwards provided very little for the backs to use. I would look at some changes in the backline, with Scarlets' Jonathan Davies to outside centre and and Cardiff Blues flyer Tom James on the wing.

Davies is in outstanding form and James gives you many options in attack to use as a strike runner or decoy. Wales should win the rest of their matches so long as Warren Gatland doesn't mess around in selection.

The game between NZ and Wales saw a lot of "kick tennis", how would you combat this problem?
Jonathan Walters, Lancashire

Jonathan, I would definitely look at changing the laws and bringing in the following: if a player kicks the ball from outside his 22 and the opposition catches it on the full without a challenge then the team catching the ball can opt for a scrum from where the ball was kicked.

Jeremy, why are southern hemisphere teams so superior at the breakdown? Man to man, they are not physically bigger - but the All Blacks bullied our players. Is it technique? Are they physically stronger? Or do they just want it more?
Phil McGrath, Wales

Phil, the Kiwis are technically very good, South Africa are physically stronger than anyone else and the Aussies are nowhere near as good as those two! For me it's about technique, commitment and knowing what you have to achieve.

A lot northern hemisphere players approach contact without taking into consideration the team-mates following. A lot depends on the ball-carrier taking contact on their terms and not being dictated by the tackler. If the ball-carrier loses that initial contest, you can be assured the ball will be slow or lost.

Many northern hemisphere players go into contact isolated, and if you do that against any opposition then you should expect to get turned over or have a penalty against you for holding on.

I have never heard an explanation that made sense for the massive effect home advantage seems to have on rugby (particularly club rugby). Is it just the partisan crowd? What is your take on it?
Mark Kelly, Cardiff

Mark, it's all about familiarity. I assume it you prefer living in your home and sleeping in your bed rather than anyone else's.

Teams prefer the build-up to a game to be at their training facilities with all their backroom staff, the game to be played on the pitch they know, with the majority of supporters cheering them on.

A lot of it is psychological: being taken out of your comfort zone and performing is, for the most part, difficult if you're not used to it. I hope that makes sense to you.

Simple question Jeremy. Should Ugo Monye play full-back for England?
David, Ireland

Simple answer: if everyone was fit, no, Delon Armitage would play. Currently it's a dangerous selection because he cant kick very well. Personally, I would have gone for Northampton's Ben Foden.

Given the opening weekend of the autumn internationals and the Lions Tests, how many northern hemisphere players (if any) would make it into your "World XV"?
Matthew Helfet, England

Matthew, the players who would be close or in my XV would be Gethin Jenkins, Brian O'Driscoll, Jamie Roberts, Rob Kearney, Mike Phillips and Simon Shaw.

Do you think that Johnson is trying to create an England side in Leicester's image in terms of personnel and style of play (Crane, Deacon and Dan Hipkiss) and could that be why he continues to ignore creative players like James Simpson-Daniel, David Strettle and Mathew Tait? If so, do you think his strategy will ever work against serious opposition?
Trevor Wilkinson, UK

Trevor, Martin Johnson understands international rugby and knows a club model doesn't fit Test teams. Selection is very subjective, Martin's selections are all down to him, the buck stops with him and if he gets it wrong he will lose his job.

If England had won on Saturday it would have been an amazing accomplishment. What was your favourite match you won where you were underdogs before the game?
Tim, England

Hi Tim, I would have to say 1997 with the Lions in South Africa. We were massive underdogs to win the first Test and we gave them a good spanking!

Jerry, do you think that Martin Johnson is being reasonable in not selecting England players on the basis of their attitude?

Obviously as rugby develops and comes more into the public eye, this trend of players being idolised/scrutinised by the media will only increase. My question is, is it acceptable for a national team coach to dictate how another man lives his life?
Tom Scanlan, England

Ultimately, if the way a player is living his life is having a negative effect on his rugby, then, yes, it will be an issue for the England management.

But I really don't think that Martin Johnson pays too much attention to that side of things. He goes purely on his own instincts of who is and isn't a good player.

From what I know of Martin, he is a very "black-and-white" character. If you are producing the goods on the pitch, on a consistent basis, he will pick you.

Having read your comments on both the Magners League and Premiership (which I agree with, they both have their strengths and weaknesses), do you think there will come a time where the boards come together and combine both leagues, with the top four teams from each nation playing in a Super League-type competition?
Neil, Wales

Neil, I don't really see this scenario coming true. The Guinness Premiership is a strong competition in its own right and the Magners League is growing every season.

We already have the Heineken Cup and the Anglo-Welsh Cup in terms of "cross-border" competitions and they are big enough prizes to stand on their own.

What do you think of the signing of Lote Tuquiri? Personally I feel he will be a great asset to Leicester.
Chris White, England

Tuqiri could be one of the stars of the Premiership for Leicester

I agree, Chris. I think he's a great signing for Leicester. He's got 60-odd caps for Australia and huge experience and will be available throughout the international breaks. As far as I can see, he can only enhance the Leicester squad.

He may have had his contract with Australia cancelled for reasons that have not been publicly disclosed, but he will be judged on his performances on the pitch and I can only see him being a success.

Jerry, for you to say you in last week's Q&A that have not noticed Alex Goode just shows how very little attention/interest you take in the Premiership. He has been the form full-back bar none in the form team. A defensive rock, quick, brilliant kicker and outstanding counter-attacker.

I think the exclusion of Andy Saull, Brad Barritt, Noah Cato or Goode from the England set-up in favour of players who are out of form or playing in losing teams shows a clear bias, or perhaps, as you say, England don't like winners.
David, England

David, I have nothing personal against Alex Goode but he just hasn't caught my eye so far this season. If you look at the stats - and I accept that there's more to the game than just numbers - he doesn't show up prominently in terms of assists, metres gained or defenders beaten.

For you as a Saracens fan, he may well be a shining star but he just hasn't broken away from the pack for me yet. That said, I'm more than willing to hold my hands up if he comes through over the rest of the season to prove me wrong.

Maybe England don't like winners, but good players will always come to the fore. If England have a bad autumn series then there's every chance the players from Saracens that you mention will get a look-in but until then, they have to get on with it.

Jerry, two completely unrelated questions! Firstly, if you could turn back the clock, would you rather have won a World Cup with England or the 1997 Lions Tour? Secondly, do you think Billy Twelvetrees can make it as a international centre?
James Mc, UK

I really don't think there's anything that I would swap the 1997 Lions for. I'd have desperately, desperately loved to have won the World Cup with England but it wasn't to be. The 1991 final was the closest I ever got to it, but I wouldn't swap 1997.

Jeremy, when I was about 10 you were signing autographs outside Twickenham. You borrowed my pen but then handed my pen back and left without actually writing one for me. Then, last week, I sent a question to your Q&A, and you didn't answer it. I'm fast coming to the view that you have some sort of personal vendetta against me. Can you explain yourself...?
Tom, England

Tom, I'm not that kind of person! I'm very sorry if I didn't sign the autograph but, looking on the bright side, at least I gave you your pen back! And I am answering your question this week...

If our paths ever cross again, then let me know and I'll sign anything you want!