'Dinosaur tactics': Eddie Jones' tactical substitutions under the microscope after loss

Marcus Smith’s first start in the Six Nations as England’s flyhalf looked on course to be a successful one after he had scored all 17 of his side’s points with a quarter of the game to go.

A penalty goal to take the lead out to 17-10 would be Smith’s last involvement in the match, as Eddie Jones took off his starting 10 in favour of George Ford finishing the match.

The decision was just one of a few puzzling substitutions, with Smith a proven match-winner in the Autumn after he orchestrated one last England possession into kicking range before getting the penalty to kick the winning goal against South Africa.

RugbyPass Offload | Episode 19

RugbyPass Offload | Episode 19

Eddie Jones also left reserve scrumhalf Harry Randall on the pine and substituted Jack Nowell into the game just for the final play, which confused fans.

When Luke Cowan-Dickie was in the sin bin, prop Joe Marler had to make a lineout throw without reserve Jamie George yet the pitch, who was brought onto the field once a scrum was required.

With Ford on the field, England turned down a longer range three point attempt that would have drawn the game with three minutes to go from 40-metres out near the touchline. Instead, the kicked to touch around the edge of the 22 and lost the ensuing lineout contest.

On the final scrum which had to be reset multiple times, a final penalty wasn’t forthcoming forcing England to play with the ball. It was turned over quickly by Darcy Graham and kicked into the Murrayfield stands to end England’s chances of coming away with a draw or last chance win with a try.

England fans were perplexed with the management of the bench in the aftermath, calling Jones’ decisions ‘dinosaur tactics’ with ‘weird ideas’. Another fan said the decision to substitute Smith with Ford had ‘zero logic’.

#eddieout needs to start trending. I’ve had an absolute belly full of his dinosaur tactics and weird ideas about using players out of position. Why the hell did he replace Marcus Smith with the game so tight? 🤷🏾‍♂️#SCOvENG

— Wayne Crewe (@wayne_crewe) February 5, 2022

Fraud on, Smith off.

Zero, zero logic. #SCOvENG

— | Josh Ward | (@jward67) February 5, 2022

Didn’t get taking Smith off or not bringing Nowell on until the clock went red 🤷‍♂️ #SCOvENG

— Tom Blackwood (@tblackwood23) February 5, 2022

Is it me, or did we take Smith off pretty much at the stage he would have been MOST useful? Then we get a trike move in their 22? FFS … #SCOvENG

— John 'Max' Maxwell AKA RuckinRugby (@RuckinRugby) February 5, 2022

Is there a player on the planet that has scored more points in the dying minutes than Marcus Smith? Eddie just can’t stand being told what to do can he? #scoveng #6nations #planeteddie

— AGR9 (@WotnotCloCo) February 5, 2022

Scotland deserved to win, however Eddie has no idea what he’s doing, taking smith off, no introduction of Randall and Nowell?! #eddieareyouok #SCOvENG

— Nathan Dallow (@Dallow23) February 5, 2022

Somehow England snatch defeat from the jaws of victory, Scotland poor. Eddie subs didn’t work, why take Smith off, two poor kicks from hand from Ford. #6nations #SCOvENG

— Ben Abell (@agronomist_ben) February 5, 2022

Really don’t understand the Smith for Ford substitution.

Also don’t understand Nowell coming on so late and Randall not coming on at all.

Strange decisions. #SCOvENG

— Tight Five Rugby (@TightFive_Rugby) February 5, 2022

Not sure why Smith was taken off so early, England were running that game. Impressive implosion from England and reversal of momentum. #SCOvENG

— Jon A (@JonA0999) February 5, 2022

On the decision Eddie Jones explained that he thought a fresh George Ford could lift England at that point in time.

“We just thought George could lift the game a little bit. Marcus played well and we’re really happy with his performance but it is a 23-man game,” he said.

“We are massively disappointed we have lost,” he added, adopting a more serious reflection on the round one loss.

“Scotland deserved to win but I thought we dominated a lot of the game… but if you dominate you have got to get points and you have got to get enough ahead of the opposition.

“The result is the result. It is tough for us to start the tournament like that. We had a really good preparation and played with a lot of purpose, a lot of drive and a lot of determination.”