Peter Winterbottom wants to see England play a more expansive game

Peter Winterbottom is regarded as one of the finest flankers to have ever played the game and wore the England no.7 jersey 58 times.

Back row battles

Much has been said about England's back row and their lack of a genuine openside flanker. However the man who wrote the playbook when it comes to this position believes that the role of a no.7 has evolved and the combination of the back row is more important. "The role of the no.7 has always caused a lot of debate and arguments," added Winterbottom who played for Harlequins, Hawkes Bay in New Zealand and Tranvaal in South Africa. "It all depends on the combination. If you have one that is real quality then you are able to build your back row around him, but it's not then be all and end all. "Chris Robshaw does the role of a no.7 - he is a good tackler, he is good over the ball and he is a good runner. He is not an outstanding tackler, outstanding over the ball or an outstanding runner - but he is a very good all-round player. "A player like David Pocock is outstanding over the ball but he is not as good a runner as Robshaw. "South Africa have never really gone for an out and out 7 - I think Heinrich Brussow was the last one they had. Francois Louw is your typical South African flanker from 20 years ago - big, strong and tough. He's not an out and out 7 but they do pretty well don't they?" "So finding that 'perfect no.7 depends on your game plan and what combinations you are going to have making up your back row." Peter Winterbottom was speaking at London's Rugby Business Network event. For more information on The Rugby Business Network and upcoming events go to: http://www.therugbybusinessnetwork.com