Eddie's latest 'hybrid-player' asked to provide multi-role cover for England
Ben Earl has emerged as Eddie Jones’ latest hybrid experiment after being picked as a multi-role replacement for Sunday’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham.
Earl will supply back-row and three-quarter cover for a game England must win if they are to remain in title contention after being picked on a bench that shows a six-two split between forwards and backs for a second successive match.
In a curious team selection, Jones has named five locks across the 23-man squad, given Jonathan Joseph his first start on the wing and restored Elliot Daly at full-back, thereby revisiting an experiment that had previously been abandoned.
But Earl’s presence is the most intriguing with the 22-year-old Saracen set to win his second cap having made his debut against Scotland a fortnight ago.
Jones previously saw wing Jack Nowell as a player who could also cover flanker, but the tackle-busting Exeter Chief has rarely been fit and misses the entire 2020 Six Nations because of an ankle injury.
Now Earl, whose presence comes at the cost of Lewis Ludlam’s demotion, is seen as having the athleticism and ability to provide additional flexibility.
“Ben is on the rise at the moment. Lewis has probably flattened out a little bit but that’s common with young players,” Jones said.
“Ben Earl gives us that dynamism. He’s that hybrid-type player who can play back row with pace and skill but also play in the back line with pace and skill.
“His debut against Scotland was positive. Very positive. A lot of dynamism.”
Relegated @Saracens were thrashed 60-10 as hosts @WaspsRugby demolished the reigning @premrugby champions.https://t.co/uk1pJF3PqZ
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Jones is happy that his revamped back three are ready for the aerial bombardment and acrobatics awaiting in the round-three game at Twickenham.
Daly was exposed under the high ball during his most recent outing at full-back in last autumn’s World Cup final, but George Furbank’s mysterious groin injury created a vacancy in the position.
Jones initially stated that Furbank would not be risked because of the long-standing medical issue, yet the 23-year-old will be at Twickenham in the capacity of reserve.
Hear what Eddie had to say ahead of our first home match of the #GuinnessSixNations ?#WearTheRose #ENGvIRE pic.twitter.com/DzTCWG7kn2
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And although Ollie Thorley is available and is a specialist wing, Joseph gets the nod out wide.
“Elliot has played a lot of Test football at 15, so he welcomes the opportunity. We don’t feel he has got a deficiency (under the high ball),” Jones said.
“Jonathan is one of our best defenders in space, competent under the high ball and has great running skills. With the resources we have available he’s the best guy for that spot.
“Ollie’s progressing well. He’s still got some work to do on his game before he’s ready, but we’re in the process of getting him ready to play Test rugby.”
The unprecedented array of second rows – Courtney Lawes returns at blindside flanker while Joe Launchbury and Charlie Ewels cover for Maro Itoje and George Kruis – is born out of necessity, according to Jones.
“We’ve all played against him numerous times and we know the type of player he is and how good he is" #ENGvIRE #GuinnessSixNations https://t.co/4glfGFjYGA
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“The forecast is for it to be wet and rainy and it is going to be an attritional game,” the Australian said.
“Coming back from the World Cup where we played some really good rugby, we got caught against France probably assuming that part of that was going to continue.
“We’re into the third game now – it’s a whole different game. The contest is hard, there’s less space, the conditions are difficult so at the moment six-two suits us.”
Manu Tuilagi recovers from a groin strain to return at outside centre while Henry Slade is picked on the bench having overcome an ankle problem.
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Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
51 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
51 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
51 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
51 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
51 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’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.
51 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.
51 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 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.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to comments