Eddie Jones' England selection no nearer to addressing wider issues with squad
With England still licking their wounds from their lacklustre display in the defeat to France in Paris on Sunday, head coach Eddie Jones has named a starting XV with five new faces for the challenge of Scotland in the Six Nations.
The opening 40 minutes in Paris were among the worst in England’s recent history, as they conceded 17 unanswered points to a French side who were inspired and invigorated by their new coach and new combinations on the pitch. The second half was not much better for England, albeit for two individual moments of brilliance from wing Jonny May.
The tests keep on coming for England, however, who are now set to face a fired-up Scottish team for the Calcutta Cup in Edinburgh on Saturday. Gregor Townsend’s side weren’t at their best in Dublin in their tournament opener, although they certainly showed more than England did in Paris and their recent form against England has been solid, recording a memorable draw at Twickenham in 2018 and a win at Murrayfield in 2017.
Scotland won’t lack for motivation, either, with England back row Lewis Ludlam having come out prominently over the past week, citing the two nations hatred of one another and that it is going to be “war” when the two sides meet at Murrayfield on Saturday. You can’t fault Ludlam’s enthusiasm, although coming off the back of England’s display on Sunday, it’s not coming from a position of strength. Based on that showing, Scotland will not lack for confidence coming into the game.
Ludlam will be a focus for plenty of attention on Saturday, too, as he is one of the five changes to the starting XV, where he will join Tom Curry and Sam Underhll in the back row. The other new arrivals in the team are Mako Vunipola, George Kruis, Willi Heinz and Jonathan Joseph, the first three of whom have come in as tactical switches, whilst Joseph replaces the injured Manu Tuilagi.
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Watch: Owen Farrell and Eddie Jones face the press after the loss to France
It’s a proactive selection from Jones, who is clearly looking to address the issues that England had with a lack of ball-carrying and contestable kicking on Sunday against France. The return of stalwart Vunipola to loosehead will certainly help provide some much-needed go forward, although the spotlight will fall heavily on Ludlam, who previously announced himself to international rugby with some potent ball-carrying last year.
Whilst Curry and Underhill have thrived with their ability to run incisive lines and penetrate defences in the open space, they struggled against France to make that ground closer to the ruck. Given England’s tendency to go to one-out runners in that game, the personnel was not built towards succeeding at that goal. With Vunipola and Kruis back into the tight five and Ludlam’s almost violent style of ball-carrying added to the mix, it could be a more profitable approach for England up in Edinburgh.
If that success at the gain-line can be achieved, England’s tempo and ability to negate Scotland’s defensive line speed will both be positively affected as a result and players like Owen Farrell and Joseph will be given the space and time to prosper in. They will miss the physical presence of Tuilagi, whose opening two carries against France promised a lot, but if the pack can shoulder the burden of getting England moving forward, it’s a midfield and back line built to thrive on the back of that.
Five changes to the starting XVhttps://t.co/7o0WavNHkU
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 6, 2020
The other notable change is 33-year-old Heinz coming in at scrum-half for long-term starter Ben Youngs. The Leicester Tiger did not have his best game against France, where his box-kicking largely over-kicked the English chase and he struggled to instil the tempo he would have liked to had England’s forward pack been able to consistently get over the gain-line. Heinz’s arrival in the second half did prompt a noticeable improvement in both of these facets and he has been rewarded with a starting role as a result.
Jones has certainly moved to address the weaknesses that his side showed in their tournament opener and has gone a significant way to dispelling notions of his stubbornness. That said, these are plasters for bullet wounds that are readily available to him in the current squad, and do not deal with the wider issues regarding England’s reliance upon the Vunipola brothers and two veteran scrum-halves, at least one of whom is very unlikely to play through to the next Rugby World Cup.
England are no closer to working out whether or not Ellis Genge can carry the burden of being a primary ball-carrier for the side and maintaining the side’s strengths at the scrum from the start, whilst there is no like-for-like replacement for Tuilagi being groomed in the midfield. Vunipola and Tuilagi are unique players and there’s no simple solution for replacing what is lost when they don’t play, but England are no closer to discovering what those replacements look like over the next few years.
The @johnbarc86 column:
The loathed 'Valiant Losers' tag ?
The welcome ill-feeling betwixt England/Scotland ?
What he texted Hogg after THAT drop ?#SixNations #SCOvENG https://t.co/736yr3fW0X— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 5, 2020
The story is the same in the back row where Billy Vunipola’s injuries invariably leave England struggling to create the platform they need for the rest of the team to succeed. With heavy duty carriers like Mako Vunipola and Kruis brought in for the Scotland game, that deficiency will be lessened, but again, nothing has been done to find an alternative to the skills the younger Vunipola brother brings at No 8. Nathan Hughes has not been recalled, Alex Dombrandt has not been called up and Ted Hill remains in the squad but not involved in the match day 23.
No one doubts the ball-carrying ability of Ludlam, Earl, Zach Mercer and Sam Simmonds, although all have seemed either surplus to Jones’ requirements or not fitting the exact Vunipola mould, despite England’s attempts to consistently play as though they have a player in that mould in their back row. Curry is one of the best flankers in international rugby currently, but he struggled to pick up the ball-carrying slack against France, not to mention having some struggles controlling the ball at the base of the scrum and seeing his usual proclivity over the ball lessened as a result of his other responsibilities on the pitch.
Likewise, the picture is no clearer at scrum-half. Youngs struggled against France and the answer was to go to a player who will be 37 at the next Rugby World Cup. As a move to get England back to immediate winning ways, it’s a positive one, although as a move to prepare England for going one step further in 2023, it makes little sense. You could not blame Ben Spencer or Dan Robson for a feeling of despondency at this point in time.
On 53 caps and 29-years-old…#SCOvENG https://t.co/750IewEFRv
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) February 6, 2020
The changes that Jones has made for the trip to Murrayfield clearly show his willingness to be adaptable and that is something to be praised. He hasn’t stubbornly forged on with the same composition of the squad that struggled so noticeably in France.
More experimentation will undoubtedly come on the tour of Japan in July, although using the furnace of the Six Nations to forge the next generation of a squad worked out well for France on the weekend and if they back up that performance against Italy this weekend, England will feel they are losing ground to a fast-improving Les Bleus side.
If you’re not moving forwards, you’re moving backwards.
Watch: The Rugby Pod’s live reaction to Stuart Hogg’s drop
Comments on RugbyPass
I’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
19 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
19 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
12 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
19 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
12 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
12 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
19 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
12 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
2 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
2 Go to comments