Fresh England bench excites fans despite drop in experience from 160 caps to just 41
After their warm-up match against the Barbarians was cancelled last week, it is understandable why Eddie Jones has refrained from being too experimental with his starting England XV for the decisive Guinness Six Nations clash with Italy this Saturday, the coach instead largely keeping player inexperience confined to the bench.
There are some noticeable XV tweaks when accounting for injuries to regulars like Courtney Lawes, George Ford, Manu Tuilagi and Elliot Daly, but the team is full of familiar faces.
In the absence of Lawes and the Japan-bound George Kruis, Exeter Chiefs’ Jonny Hill is the only uncapped starter, which is richly deserved. Elsewhere, moving Henry Slade to inside centre and starting the two-cap George Furbank are decisions that may have been unexpected.
But Jones has shown faith in Furbank, whose first two caps against France and Scotland in this year’s championship were a grim introduction to Test rugby. The 24-year-old has now been backed to show what he is really capable of in more favourable conditions.
While there are seven changes to the starting XV from last March, it is the England bench where Jones and his coaching team have taken a more radical approach. The ‘Finishers’ consist of three uncapped players, Tom Dunn, Ollie Lawrence and Ollie Thorley, and only two players with more than ten caps, Ellis Genge (18) and Charlie Ewels (15). Will Stuart and Ben Earl only have three caps each and Dan Robson two – a grand bench total of 41 caps.
Here's the reason why Jones has this fella primed to sow it into the Italians on Saturday https://t.co/6cLQDHQoMD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) October 29, 2020
Yet, while the replacements bench may not be steeped in experience, the potential of the eight players has been much-discussed online since the England team was announced on Thursday morning. Of all the replacements, it is Lawrence and Thorley that have attracted the most attention. With the power the 21-year-old Worcester Warriors centre possesses, he looks to be a natural replacement – and long-term successor – to Tuilagi in the midfield.
Meanwhile, Gloucester’s Thorley has been the subject of a two-year campaign by many fans calling for him to earn his first cap. If anything, there is still disappointment that he is not starting.
The divide between the starting XV and the bench seems to be one of experience and form. That is not to say that none of the starting XV is in form, but the ‘Finishers’ seem to be those that have caught the eye since English club rugby’s restart in August and although some may warrant a starting berth based on the last few months, Jones has turned to those he trusts given the lack of Test preparation.
When comparing this bench for Rome to the 160-cap ensemble that faced Wales as replacements in the final match of the Six Nations before the Covid-19 break, Ellis Genge, Will Stuart, Charlie Ewels and Ben Earl feature in both.
Stylistically, and at this stage of their Test careers, both Genge and Earl perfectly suit the role of impact players. But the most noticeable difference is that the Matt Proudfoot-inspired 6/2 forwards/backs split that was a popular option earlier this year has been replaced by a more conventional 5/3 split.
Moreover, with Slade and Furbank in the starting XV, a replacement fly-half has not even been chosen on the bench, affording Jones the opportunity to pick both Lawrence and Thorley. In a game where amassing points may be crucial to England’s chances of winning the championship, having those two – as well as Robson – as the backline replacements has promise.
In terms of players who are at their peak currently, Jack Willis’ name has been mentioned a lot as someone who has missed out. Although he is arguably the most in-form player in the 36-man autumn squad, Jones can be forgiven for offering him a rest after the Gallagher Premiership final last weekend knowing there is plenty more Test action to come next month.
Would have been more excited with Watson at Fullback and Thorley starting. But it could be fun once Eddie empties the bench…
— Mat Youkee (@matyoukee) October 29, 2020
would have loved to see Lawrence start, hopefully he’ll get a good 30-40 to make his mark
— SkeleJon Ryves ???? (@Knight_2359) October 29, 2020
Control the first half tire the Italians out then bring on a lot of pace and power from 60 mins
— jonathan young (@_jonathan_young) October 29, 2020
The impact of that bench is another level. https://t.co/MGrqOZuQCh
— Sam Verralls?? (@the_Verralls) October 29, 2020
So pleased for Thorlo, hope he gets a good amount of time off the bench. https://t.co/0n05ku5wRT
— Russ Brookes (@RussBrookes1981) October 29, 2020
Great to see Hill, Robson, Thorley and Lawrence getting chances here https://t.co/YXJZZbK55r
— Alfie Steer (@AlfieSteer) October 29, 2020
Not sure how Eddie can leave out Willis… But super excited for @thorlo! https://t.co/ZZmckg9U2B
— matt (@dvtavfc) October 29, 2020
https://twitter.com/NOpenside/status/1321773857158647808?s=20
I wouldve put Earl at 8 and have Willis on the bench. Watson or Malins at 15 with Thorley as 14 on if Watson played 15.
Youngs given its his centenary cap I’m happy with but IMO Robson should be the first choice.
— Boo-manona ? (@LumaNona) October 29, 2020
If COVID-19 has taught us anything it’s; don’t worry about the small things. Good luck all, quality team, youth and experience. Exciting bench, great to see Lawrence in.
Eddie’s got a (barmy) plan, moaning about xyz is pointless, it’s a game of rugby.— Robbie Hart (@RobbieH34965857) October 29, 2020
Comments on RugbyPass
Ben Smith Springboks living rent free in his head 😊😂
67 Go to commentsGood to hear he would like to play the game at the highest level, I hadn’t been to sure how much of a motivator that was before now. Sadly he’s probably chosen the rugby club to go to. Try not to worry about all the input about how you should play rugby Joey and just try to emulate what you do on the league field and have fun. You’ll limit your game too much (well not really because he’s a standard athlete like SBW and he’ll still have enough) if you’re trying to make sure you can recycle the ball back etc. On the other hard, you can totally just try and recycle by looking to offload any and everywhere if you’re going to ground 😋
1 Go to commentsThis just proves that theres always a stat and a metric to use to justify your abilities and your success. Ben did it last week by creating an imaginary competition and now you did the same to counter his argument and espouse a new yardstick for success. Why not just use the current one and lets say the Boks have won 4 world cups making them the most successful world cup team. Outside of the world cup the All Blacks are the most successful team winning countless rugby championships and dominating the rankings with high win percentages. Over the last 4 years statistically the Irish are the best having the highest win rate and also having positive records against every tier 1 side. The most successful Northern team in the game has been England with a world cup title and the most six nations titles in history. The AB’s are the most dominant team in history with the highest win rate and 3 world cups. Lets not try to reinvent the wheel. Just be honest about the actual stats and what each team has been good at doing and that will be enough to define their level of success.
19 Go to commentsHow is 7’s played there? I’m surprised 10 or 11 man rugby hasn’t taken off. 7 just doesn’t fit the 15s dynamics (rules n field etc) but these other versions do.
7 Go to commentsPick Swinton at your peril A liability just like JWH from the Roosters Skelton ??? went missing at RWC
14 Go to commentsLike tennis, who have a ranking system, and I believe rugby too, just measure over each period preceding a world cup event who was the longest number one and that would be it. In tennis the number one player frequently is not the grand slam winner. I love and adore the All Blacks since the days of Ian Kirkpatrick when I was a kid in SA. And still do because they are the masters of running rugby and are gentleman on and off the field - in general. And in my opinion they have been the majority of the time the best rugby team in the world.
19 Go to commentsHaving overseas possessions in 2024 is absurd. These Frenchies should have to give the New Caledonians their freedom.
21 Go to commentsBell injured his foot didn’t he? Bring Tupou in he’ll deliver when it counts. Agree mostly but I would switch in the Reds number 8 Harry Wilson for Swinton and move Rob Valentini to 6 instead. Wilson is a clever player who reads the play, you can’t outmuscle the AB’s and Springboks, if you have any chance it’s by playing clever. Same goes for Paisami, he’s a little guy who doesn’t really trouble the likes of De Allende and Jordie Barrett. I’d rather play Carter Gordon at 12 and put Michael Lynagh’s boy at 10. That way you get a BMT type goalkicker at 10 and a playmaker at 12. Anyways, just my two cents as a Bok supporter.
14 Go to commentsThanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
9 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
9 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
19 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
19 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
86 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
9 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
19 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
14 Go to comments