Two new additions can't thwart Eddie's Six Nations selection masterplan
England have made two changes to their team to face Wales this weekend in the Six Nations from the one that beat Ireland two weeks ago.
Both Anthony Watson and Mark Wilson are set to play their first game for England since the Rugby World Cup final in November, after recovering from calf and knee injuries, respectively.
The Bath winger replaces his club teammate Jonathan Joseph, and the loose forwards comes in for the injured Sam Underhill on the flank.
It was thought that the return of these two players would force a positional reshuffle in the squad, with Elliot Daly moving to the wing and Tom Curry moving to his preferred position at the side of the scrum.
The debate as to who should start at fullback for England between Daly and Watson is one that has simmered for the past 18 months, with the Saracens man being Eddie Jones’ preferred option. This is despite many fans feeling Watson as better suited to the 15 shirt, albeit England did reach the RWC with this back three combination, and Daly perhaps receives undue criticism.
However, the debate regarding the back row is a fresh one, as Curry has only been trialled at No8 this Six Nations. This despite being nominated for World Rugby player of the year in 2019 primarily as a flanker, and there being an apparent abundance of natural No8s in the Gallagher Premiership.
Wilson has deputised for Billy Vunipola at No8 well in the past, and is a slightly more imposing ball carrier. Curry is growing into the role though, and his performances in his new position have improved week on week, which shows Jones’ plan is coming to fruition.
However, while his decisions have been questioned, this is the coach that many have grown accustomed to, and it would be out of character for the Australian to make such changes.
https://twitter.com/JFitzpatrick92/status/1235520223148732416?s=20
https://twitter.com/jp_1985/status/1235519925109825538?s=20
https://twitter.com/PerrettBen/status/1235532788561936384?s=20
In fairness to Jones, whilst the merits of putting Curry at 8 at the start of the tournament are questionable, now he’s done it, he has to stick with him for the tournament so he has an opportunity to develop in the role. And I really love the way Daly attacks from fullback…?
— Charlie Rhodes (@charlierhodes18) March 5, 2020
Some have called this stubbornness, but it is equally about the coach backing his players. Reversing decisions that he has stuck by throughout the Six Nations Championship at the first opportunity would show a profound lack of trust in certain players, regardless of whether they are better suited to the role.
He has backed Curry at the base of the scrum, and abandoning that approach when the first chance arises would not fill the player or England supporters with a lot of confidence.
Of course, not as much trust was shown in Jonathan Joseph on the wing, who Jones singled out for a standout performance against the Irish, but Watson was always going to return to the team when fit.
Had Underhill not been injured, the back row may have taken a different complexion, but even then it is more likely that Courtney Lawes would have been moved elsewhere than deposing Curry from holding the eight shirt.
It will be interesting to see the roles assigned to Curry and Wilson this weekend at Twickenham, as No8 is one of the most distinguishable roles to identify in the loose, particularly as to who will drop into the back field.
Ultimately, Jones is always going to back his players, and England fans are used to that by now.
Comments on RugbyPass
I like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
8 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
8 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
8 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
8 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
3 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to comments