England rugby union head coach Stuart Lancaster is set to select his Six Nations squad today and it can only be assumed that he is very confused.

In an interesting juxta-position it has reported that he is struggling because of injuries, yet other pundits deem him to be so well off for talent that he could make the mistake of leaving some form players out.

Certainly there is no doubting that his options have been cut this weekend alone with the Northampton second row Courtney Lawes having an operation on a ankle injury that will see him miss the opening two games of the tournament at the very least and Leicester’s Manu Tuilagi failing to make a comeback as he struggles to overcome a long-term groin problem.

Add in the fact that Wasps back-row Joe Launchbury had already been counted out of the whole tournament with a neck injury, and the situation does not look bright.

However, others are arguing that players showing form for their clubs may not make the cut.

While Tuilagi is missing, the battle for centre berths is certainly hot, with Huddersfield-born Luther Burrell no doubt on tenterhooks to see if he has done enough with Northampton to justify his call-up.

However, Gloucester’s Billy Twelvetrees has to be in the hunt among others, and in the shadows are lurking the likes of cross-code convert Sam Burgess, with the new Bath signing being touted for selection, while the likes of Jeremy Guscott have been pushing the claims of another Recreation Ground servant in Jonathan Joseph.

Sam Burgess of Bath

There also continues the wrangling over who takes the No10 shirt and the fear in some quarters that another Spring Gardens player – George Ford – may be overlooked despite having a strong claim.

And then there is the posted overseas argument, with Lancaster under pressure to ease up on refusing to select those who have decided to play their trade in France.

The big issue is whether an in-form Steffon Armitage deserves his place in the England set-up and whether Lancaster is willing to overlook that his strong performances are being made in the colours of Toulon.

There are almost bound to be some surprises, and a few very disappointed players, too, given that this season’s Six Nations will be very much the proving ground for the World Cup in the autumn.