Eight players that could thrive under John Mitchell as England defence coach
The arrival of John Mitchell as England’s new defence coach has been one of the worst kept secrets in rugby over the last few weeks and the addition of the Kiwi was finally completed and announced on Tuesday.
The former New Zealand and USA coach, who was also an early part of Sir Clive Woodward’s coaching staff with England, left his role with the Blue Bulls in South Africa, after the RFU reportedly forked out £200k in compensation to the Pretoria-based side.
Eddie Jones has already talked up Mitchell’s ability to add to the current England side, focusing specifically on transition rugby. That is, basically, the ability to win turnovers and then immediately launch a counter-attack, playing on the break against a disorganised defence.
Jones has not always agreed, in terms of selections, with his assistant coaches and in those instances the Australian’s word has been law. Although we expect that to continue even with Mitchell in the fold, there are a number of players who could be hoping that Mitchell’s arrival heralds a revitalising or kickstarting of their international careers.
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Here are eight players who Mitchell could well bang the table for, ahead of the upcoming autumn internationals.
Matt Kvesic, Exeter Chiefs
Kvesic has been in rip-roaring form to start the season in the south-west and although his game looks to be more balanced than it arguably was at Worcester or Gloucester, he is still a real threat over the ball. If Mitchell wants to cause havoc on the counter-attack, he needs a semi-regular source of turnover ball and that is something Kvesic could help provide.
Luke Wallace, Harlequins
Although Wallace isn’t quite the limpet over the ball that Kvesic is, it’s still an area he can make a valuable contribution in. Throw into the mix Wallace’s mobility and effectiveness as a support-runner and ball-handler, and you have a player that will not only help create transitions, but also prove valuable in turning them into points.
Brendon O’Connor, Leicester Tigers
The New Zealander was predicted to have a bright future with England when he made the move to Leicester in 2015 but for one reason or another, that breakthrough at international level has not happened. His 18 turnovers won last season in the Premiership were the second most in the competition and like Kvesic and Wallace, he fits the mould of a team looking to steal ball and spring offensively in the same moment.
Don Armand, Exeter Chiefs
Turning over ball on the deck isn’t the only way to win possession, it can also be won by stealing opposition lineouts and Armand gives you a value in both areas. As with the other back-rowers mentioned, he also has the handling skills to take those turnovers and keep alive the subsequent attacking phase, attempting to stretch an already disorganised defence. He is in the top three for turnovers won and lineout steals after three rounds of competition this season.
Dan Robson, Wasps
The scrum-half is often floating near the ball in any defensive line and if a steal is made, they are regularly one of the first players on hand to spark the counter-attack. Robson’s speed, work rate in support and awareness of passing and offloading options make him an excellent transition threat.
Alex Goode, Saracens
Could a recall for Goode be on the cards? Teams are usually able to get set well defensively when they kick ball away, so it’s not quite the transition threat that a turnover or lineout steal can be, but Goode brings incision and a playmaking game beyond the initial line-break. If Jones sees Elliot Daly as his new 15 moving forward, after the South Africa tour, then this is made less likely.
Christian Wade, Wasps
This is a longshot, but a good transition game is built on speed, ability to create space and finishing. In those three facets, there is probably no player as skilled in the Gallagher Premiership as Wade. When given an inch, Wade regularly takes a yard and with defensive and aerial games that haven’t been the Achilles’ heel they have been made out to be for a couple of years now, he could certainly add a new dimension to England’s play.
Manu Tuilagi, Leicester Tigers
You sense Tuilagi will work his way back in regardless of Mitchell’s calls, as long as he can stay fit, but again, he adds to what we guess Mitchell will be trying to mould the England defence into. He is adept over the ball and often tackles players or joins breakdowns in the wider expanses of the pitch, where there can be less support players for the attacking side. Adding turnovers in the back line certainly won’t hurt England.
Comments on RugbyPass
I 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.
1 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…
4 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.
23 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.
23 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 commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to commentsIs Barrett going play full back??? They already have all the centers…
16 Go to commentsForgive my ignorance, I might not fully understand so would appreciate clarification: Didn’t the Bulls have to fly with three different carriers, paid for by the South African Rugby Union, whilst Edinburgh got a chartered flight sponsored by EPCR? Also, as far as I understand it South African teams don’t yet share in the revenue from the competition and are not allowed to host Semi-finals or Finals at home. Surely if everyone wants South Africans to “take the competition seriously” then they must make South Africans feel welcome, allow them to share in the revenue, and give them the same levels of access as the teams from the other countries. Just a reminder that South Africa has a large and passionate Rugby audience. Just by virtue of our teams being a part of these competitions means that more of us are likely to watch the knockout games, even if our teams haven’t qualified. It would be silly to alienate such a large audience by making them feel unwelcome.
23 Go to comments