Eddie Jones expects 'a great competition' for England's no.8 shirt
Eddie Jones has not included 2017 British & Irish Lion Billy Vunipola in his latest squad while Bristol’s Nathan Hughes and Montpellier’s former Bath favourite Zach Mercer are also seemingly names from the past.
But despite this England’s boss still anticipates a keenly-fought, three-way contest for the no.8 shirt at his newly-named 34-strong squad’s pre-Autumn Series training camp in Jersey.
“Alex Dombrandt, Sam Simmonds and Callum Chick are different types of player and it’s great competition between those three,” he said.
“Chick is a more traditional gain-line no.8 who is a strong defender round the ruck.
“Simmonds is more of a hybrid no.7 or no.8 who has developed his game nicely especially in the defensive area. He’s got great acceleration and good pace and power. His time with the Lions has put a few finishing touches on his game.
“Dombrandt is a hybrid no.8-come-back who’s got great running skills in the open. He’s worked really hard on his defensive game – I thought his defence against Sale a week ago was outstanding so he’s adding to his game.”
BREAKING: Heartbreak for some as big-name stars omitted from England team #EnglandRugby https://t.co/xEPga4sJ5v
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With Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes both able to cover lock and no.6, Sam Underhill and Tom Curry able to play across the back-row and a range of players comfortable at full back and wing Jones has covered plenty of bases.
“We’ve got to name a squad which gives us the flexibility to cover a number of positions,” he said.
“Moving towards the World Cup squad of 33 we are using every campaign as a dress rehearsal so players who can operate in multiple positions are very important.”
Jones has included four uncapped players plus a further eight who made their debuts during the summer and he believes a few will make their mark.
“I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen from Tommy Freeman over two seasons,” he said.
“He’s a big, strong strapping lad with good pace and a good feel for the game and he can play full back or wing.
“Nic Dolly has just come into the Premiership this year. He’s an industrious player who has been impressive for Leicester and we feel he can make the jump to test rugby.
“This is a training squad for Jersey from which the Tongan 23 is picked. Everyone is in the mix and has the chance to out their hands up in Jersey.”
“What we have done is add some youth and enthusiasm and the opportunity for the squad to get better" ???????https://t.co/QGqrIBI7HM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 18, 2021
Many believe fly half Marcus Smith could ignite England, but if Jones shares this view he is intent on ensuring Smith does not get ahead of himself.
“First of all he’s got to get in the side – he’s one of 34 players who’ve got to get into 23,” he said.
“If he does that then there’s an opportunity for him to add his own flavour to the team.
“The role of the no.10 is to be the bus driver and the conductor. He’s got to create a route for the team then be able to get the team to play to that beat. It’s a combination of being a team player and an individual and every no.10 I’ve coached is different.”
Jones also gave encouragement to a second young Harlequin, winger Lewis Lynagh, who narrowly missed out on the squad.
“Lewis Lynagh has done very well,” he said. “I spoke to him this morning and he knows what he needs to work on. He’s a young guy who has played 16 or 17 Premiership games and is at the start of his career.
“He’s done very well to make the wider squad and although he hasn’t made this squad he was very close and he just needs to keep improving. There are various areas of his game he needs to tidy up a little bit – he understands that – and I’m sure he’ll do it.”
Comments on RugbyPass
pure fire
1 Go to commentsA very well thought out summary of all the relevant complications…agree with your ”refer the Cricket Test versus 20/20 comparison”. More also definitely doesn't necessarily mean better!
1 Go to commentsMust be something when you are only 19 y.o and both NZ and France want you. Btw he wasn’t the only new caledonian in french U20 as Robin Couly also lived in Noumea until 17. Hope he’s successful wherever he chooses to play.
7 Go to comments“Several key players in the Stade Rochelais squad are in their thirties” South Africans are going to hate the implications of that comment!
5 Go to commentsI know Leinster did a job on La Roche but shortly after HT Leinster were 30-13 ahead of them and at a similar time Toulouse were trailing Exeter. At 60 mins Leinster were 27 ahead but after 67 mins Toulouse were only 19 ahead before Exeter collapsed. That’s heavier scoring by Leinster against the Champions. I think people are looking at Toulouses total a little too much. I also think Northhampton are in with a real chance, albeit I’d put Leinster as favourites. If Leinster make the final I expect them to win by more than ten and with control.
5 Go to commentsHey Nick, your match analysis is decent but the top and tail not so much, a bit more random. For a start there’s a seismic difference in regenerating any club side over a test team. EJ pretty much had to urinate with the appendage he’d been given at test level whereas club success is impacted hugely by the budget. Look no further than Boudjellal’s Toulon project for a perfect example. The set ups at La Rochelle and Leinster are like chalk and cheese and you are correct that Leinster are ahead. Leinster are not just slightly ahead though, they are light years ahead on their plans, with the next gen champions cup team already blooded, seasoned and developing at speed from their time manning the fort in the URC while the cream play CC and tests. They have engineered a strong talent conveyor belt into their system, supported by private money funnelled into a couple of Leinster private schools. The really smart move from Leinster and the IRFU however is maximising the Irish Revenue tax breaks (tax relief on the best 10 years earnings refunded at retirement) to help keep all of their stars in Ireland and happy, while simultaneously funding marquee players consistently. And of course Barrett is the latest example. But in no way is he a “replacement for Henshaw”, he’s only there for one season!!! As for Rob Baxter, the best advice you can give him is to start lobbying Parliament and HMRC for a similar state subsidy, but don’t hold your breath… One thing Cullen has been very smart with is his coaching team. Very quickly he realised his need to supplement his skills, there was talk of him exiting after his first couple of years but he was extremely shrewd bringing in Lancaster and now Nienaber. That has worked superbly and added a layer that really has made a tangible difference. Apart from that you were bang on the money… 😉😂
5 Go to commentsNot sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
25 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
2 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
25 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
25 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to comments