Five inexperienced players to put England back on course with their stars away with the Lions
It has been a long time since England put out a representative side with the ability to capture players, but that is the reality – and the opportunity – that is facing Eddie Jones and his coaching staff this summer. While plenty of attention will be firmly focused on the British and Irish Lions and their tour of South Africa, an England A side will be entertaining fans at home with a three-match series against Scotland A (Welford Road), the USA and Canada (both Test games at Twickenham).
With eleven English players involved with the Lions, there is scope for Jones to freshen up his side and experiment with some new faces and combinations before preparations for the 2023 World Cup begin to ramp up in the 2021/22 season.
Although reticent to make wholesale changes in the past, it is inevitable that there will be some fresh faces in Jones’ squad and we have shortlisted five players whose selection – and significant involvement – could be pivotal for the continued development and evolution of the England senior side.
MARCUS SMITH (Harlequins)
If there is one player who picks himself for England at this point, it is Smith. His form has been sublime over recent months, although the reason to pick him goes beyond that and revolves around his technical class which will not ebb and flow as form can tend to.
He has become the heartbeat for the high-tempo, expansive and space-seeking attacking game that Harlequins have displayed of late and that is a credit to his vision on the pitch and his speed of thought as a playmaker. His composure and execution in attack have set the standard in the Gallagher Premiership of late.
Danny Care didn't make the Lions last week and the veteran Harlequins scrum-half has now mentioned a different trip he might like to make… #Lions2021 #MLR @therugbynetwork
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 11, 2021
His kicking game – at goal and from hand – is also impressive and although he will never bang in defence like an Owen Farrell, it is an area of his game that is much less of a concern now than it was a couple of years ago when he was still fresh out of school. With Farrell on the Lions tour, this is the perfect opportunity for Jones to cast his eye over Smith and have him go up for the starting England jersey against a veteran international fly-half like George Ford.
OLLIE LAWRENCE (Worcester)
Lawrence got a taste of the Guinness Six Nations earlier this year, although it must have been as frustrating as it was tantalising as the centre went largely unused during the tournament. England have consistently sought power and incision in their midfield during the multiple injury-enforced absences of Manu Tuilagi and that is something that Lawrence can bring.
Where both Ford and Smith have prospered before is when they have a direct threat in the centres that can run hard and straight, or even back against the grain, to tie in a defence’s width before quickly recycled ball brings big gains in the next phase. Again, this is something that Lawrence can bring to the mix for England.
The Worcester centre also has the footwork and acceleration to stand up defenders and then beat them on the outside, as well as distribution skills which are being refined and proving clinical at the club level. No Lions call for Henry Slade means there is still plenty of competition for a starting spot in England’s midfield, although a pairing of Slade and Lawrence could be just the kind of dual-threat that England need to get the most out of Smith at No10.
FREDDIE STEWARD (Leicester)
The rangy full-back could make the most of Elliot Daly’s call up to the Lions and put down a marker as to why he should be England’s incumbent No15 moving forward. With a booming boot, long frame and good aerial game, Steward is more than capable of taking on the game management and defensive duties at the back for England while his mobility is also an asset covering across and in scramble defence situations. If you were building a physical prototype for the position in the modern game, it would look a lot like Steward.
When you then integrate his attacking skillset into the mix – powerful carrier, good link play, smart offensive instincts – you get a player that could, if handled in the right way and gets his fair share of luck in terms of injuries, nail down the full-back spot for the next decade. As far as talents to mould into international players go, there are few as exciting as Steward across both hemispheres currently.
BENO OBANO (Bath)
Obano not might be as young or new on the scene as the players mentioned previously, but it is sometimes easy to overlook the fact he is still only 26 and coming into his prime as a front-rower. A strong scrummager who has made a number of technical improvements over the past couple of seasons, as well as become a physical force in the loose, Obano offers England an alternative option to the livewire Ellis Genge.
As a pair of competing props behind Mako Vunipola, England’s depth at loosehead is extremely talented even if it is a bit inexperienced at the international level currently. Obano’s conditioning has also come a long way over the last few years and despite having been critiqued as not able to live with the intensity of Test rugby in the past, he now looks more than ready to make his mark in that arena.
As Vunipola is set to be in South Africa with the Lions, this is a great opportunity for Obano to go head-to-head with Genge and jostle for a position in that England loosehead hierarchy.
ALFIE BARBEARY (Wasps)
Hooker? Blindside? Inside centre? It really doesn’t matter, just get this guy involved in the set-up. Jamie George, Luke Cowan-Dickie and Tom Curry are all away with the Lions, so resources will be more stretched than usual in the front and back rows, something which should pave the way for Barbeary to start his international career.
A remarkably physical ball-carrier and tackler, the versatile forward did look as though he might be in the frame for a role during the Six Nations, only for injury to deny him that shot. If he can translate his terrific club form from Wasps on to the international stage, there is no reason why he can’t give Jones plenty of headaches moving forward, whether that is as a hooker, a back row or even a versatile weapon off the bench in a 6/2 bench split.
Getting Barbeary used to this environment and acclimatised could be one of the most important things Jones does over the next couple of seasons as his power, energy and general violence in his play are all things that England were missing when they succumbed to their 2019 Rugby World Cup final defeat to South Africa.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS
Among those who could be on Jones’ mind, depending on how experimental he wants to be with his side, are Exeter Chiefs quartet Marcus Street, Joe Simmonds, Josh Hodge and Richard Capstick. Hodge has been included before in a senior England team while Street has been unlucky with injuries thus far and would add significant talent to the pool of available tightheads.
The London Irish back three trio of Ben Loader, Ollie Hassell-Collins and Tom Parton have been ticking boxes this season, as has Northampton Saints wing Ollie Sleightholme. With both Anthony Watson and Daly on the Lions tour, there could be spots up for grabs, something Max Malins will also have his eye on.
Perhaps Josh Bayliss could be convinced to turn his back on Scotland, while Ewan Ashman and Louis Lynagh might be two others that Jones is keen to keep away from Scotland and Australia, respectively. George Martin could be set to build on his burgeoning international career as could Ted Hill, with the Worcester captain having slipped back under the radar with the abundance of options Jones has available to him in the back row.
Joel Kpoku could also be knocking on the door, as could the Sale pair of Bevan Rodd and Raffi Quirke. With Smith and/or Simmonds involved, it could well be overkill, but there would also be value in an apprentice role for a promising fly-half, such as Fin Smith or Charlie Atkinson.
“I spoke to Rory Best and he got everything fixed…They look after you very well in Ireland. I was very impressed by how they looked after him, let him get everything he needed to get fixed and helped him rehab and get looked after. We don’t do that over here." pic.twitter.com/db0yee7rf5
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 9, 2021
Comments on RugbyPass
Jordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
21 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
5 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
5 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
10 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
38 Go to comments