I don't really get the hate for Carter. To me he comes across more as 'inconsistent' than 'ineffective'. I think our big problem last year in the 2nd row was that we didn't get the right balance. The Simo/Carter combo doesn't quite work for me. I think you need at least lock who is 120kg+ who can play the enforcer role, and another that is your workhorse. I'd take 2 of each to England. I'd go with Simo (115kg) and Carter (110kg) as my workhorses. Skelton (135kg) is an obvious choice as an enforcer. I'd be looking at either Coleman (122kg) or Arnold (127kg) for the final spot.
One of the things I liked about BS's team is the size/weight of the pack. I'm no scrum expert, but I'm a big believer in having as much weight as possible packing behind our front row. Some people on this forum have espoused the theory that the weight of the pack has little impact on the strength of the scrum. From what I've observed over the years I'm not sure that's completely accurate. Obviously the scrummaging technique and strength of the props (and perhaps to a slightly less extent the hooker) seems to play the biggest role in deciding which scrum dominates, regardless of pack weights. However, from what I've gathered, having a strong 2nd row pairing behind the props, and plenty of drive from the Backrow plays a big role in allowing the props to dominate their opposition. I think this is important for us because, due to our relative weakness in this area, we need to be looking at every way possible that we can maximise the strength of our scrum. At full strength, our front row will match up pretty well against the likes of England but if we play a substantially lighter pack, I believe our scrum will struggle hold its ground. We need to be looking to put out a pack that is 900kg+, no less, more if possible. I genuinely believe that our world cup campaign will live and die on how we scrum against England and Wales, and it's little things like this that we need to consider.
I was not the only one shaking my head when Cheika chose a lightweight pack against England last year (from memory it was less than 890kg). I believe England's 8 was about 920kg. Granted our biggest problem was that our 8 didn't scrum well as a unit (which is the most important area of focus), but when you give away such a significant weight advantage against a team that intends to drive you backwards in the scrum you're asking for trouble.
We are kidding ourselves if we think England aren't going to keep to ball sitting in the scrum as long as possible on their own feeds, and the NH refs will let them do it.
The pack that BS named would weigh in somewhere around 935-940kg. If that 8 could scrum well as a unit, with the likes of Slipper and Kepu at prop I'd say England will have some difficulty moving us backwards.