Extrapolate, please. Too bland? Other than real Ringwood (which we can't get) what would you use?
I'll be tempted to do a split batch and compare.
Fullers is considered to be a gold standard for English beer by Americans because most have never experienced a fresh English bitter on cask (which is also why we have Americans brewing English-style ales that contain large amounts of caramel malt). Due to the UK's gravity limiting tax laws, English bitter relies on yeast cultures that have a lot of character. Many of the more flavor positive English strains have either not made it to our shores or have been purged from the Wyeast and White Labs lineups in favor of more neutral strains due to American taste preferences. Wyeast 1968/WLP002 is fairly neutral when it comes to British yeast strains. Alan Pugsley put it best when he stated that Americans consider Ringwood to be a strong flavor producer when it is actually fairly neutral compared to many British strains.
With that said, if you want to use a beautiful strain with a lot of British character that is acceptable to the American palate, push Wyeast to release 1768 English Special Bitter or White Labs to release WLP033 Klassic Ale. Those offerings are the Young's Ram Brewery culture. It has a unique, but pleasant ester profile that screams, "I am British." If either of these cultures does get released, for heaven's sake, do not strangle the fermentation by starting it at 15C or 16C (59 to 61F), let it breath.
By the way, like Wyeast 1450 (BrewTek CL-50), we can thank Maribeth Raines for Wyeast 1968/White Labs WLP002 and Wyeast 1768/White Labs WLP033. These cultures were first introduced to the home brewing community as BrewTek CL-160 (Fullers) and BrewTek CL-170 (Youngs).
BrewTek CL-160 British Draft Ale
One of our (Brewtek's) favorite Ale yeasts, gives a full bodied, well rounded flavor with a touch of diacetyl. This yeast has a way of emphasizing malt character like no other yeast we've used. Highly recommended for Porters and Bitters.
BrewTek CL-170 Classic British Ale
Like CL-160, produces a beautiful draft bitter or Porter. This yeast leaves a complex ale with very British tones and fruit like esters, it also produces a classic Scottish Heavy and plays well in high gravity worts.
For those who question the White Labs WLP033 Klassic Ale link, look at White Labs' description for this strain:
"WLP033 Klassic Ale Yeast
Traditional English style, single strain yeast. Produces signature ester character, and does not mask hop character. Leaves ale with a slightly sweet malt character. Best for bitters, milds, porters, and stouts. Also good for Scottish style ales."
BrewTek CL-170 was my house ale strain for five years.