Players need to stand up and challenge Eddie Jones – Andy Goode
Ireland’s domination at Twickenham on Saturday and throughout the Six Nations showed how far they’ve come in the past year and a half and just how far England have to go in the next 18 months.
Winning the Grand Slam and beating both France and England away from home is a monumental achievement by Ireland. They thoroughly deserved the success they had and you could see the hard work that went into it but also that the players were physically, mentally and tactically primed to give them the best shot at winning the title.
They have been quietly going about their business very well for a while now but this puts them firmly on the map as the second best team in the world and it’ll be interesting to see if they can kick on even more from here.
Ireland and the other teams have improved but England, having won the title for the past two seasons, have regressed. Eddie Jones says we’re making progress but it looks like we’re getting closer and closer to the next World Cup but getting further and further from being able to win it.
It was England’s worst campaign for 31 years since the 1987 Five Nations and the first time they’ve lost three in a row in the Six Nations since 2006 when I started against Ireland, so at least I can say this team is worse than ours now!
We lost away to Scotland and France and then at home to Ireland as well 12 years ago but that’s where the comparisons end really. There were a lot of stop gaps in that side, including myself, and this current crop should be in a much better position.
However, England went on to reach the World Cup final in 2007 and there were players like Matt Dawson and Lawrence Dallaglio who could challenge the coach and that’s what was needed at the time under Andy Robinson.
There is absolutely no need to throw the baby out with the bath water and start to question Eddie Jones’ position. That would be ridiculous with the record he still has but he’s autocratic and I’m not sure there are the leaders in this playing group that can stand up and challenge him if necessary.
I think Eddie Jones is the only person in the country who thinks Dylan Hartley should be starting at hooker and, as a result, I don’t think Hartley’s likely to challenge his coaching methods and even though you can clearly see they’re out on their feet.
I’ve seen how hard these England players train and they go hell for leather at an intensity over and above that of a game but, even if you haven’t seen it up close, it’s clear for all to see how tired they are.
Ireland’s players do get regular rests during PRO14 weeks but they are working hard in training too, it’s just that they’re being smarter.
Dean Benton, who can often be seen sat next to Eddie Jones, is the RFU’s Head of Sports Science and he was our Head of Strength and Conditioning at Leicester for around six months many years ago but he didn’t last long.
He came from rugby league in Australia but didn’t understand the rigours of a Premiership season and now he has popped up all these years later as one of Eddie Jones’ right-hand men.
The physical state of the players is one factor but selection can’t be swept under the carpet either and Jones has suggested himself that some players might have played their last game for England.
There are a lot players in this squad who have got over 50 caps, so if there aren’t enough leaders when they have that much experience, then there’s something wrong with how they’ve developed off the field in terms of trying to harness some leadership potential.
Some players are clearly still in the squad because they have credit in the bank from what they’ve done a couple of years ago as well and that sets a dangerous precedent. Nobody should be cast aside, but England need to start picking players on form.
Chris Robshaw, for example, does work hard but he hasn’t had a positive impact on the team. When Billy Vunipola is in that side and doing all of the carrying, it allows him to be more effective but he’s been exposed without having one of the best players in the world alongside him.
Dan Cole came on against Ireland and did well in the scrum but he hasn’t been offering enough around he park and George Ford had an impact off the bench as well but has been found wanting in this tournament.
Rugby’s a hell of a lot easier on the front foot and a major reason England’s attack has failed is that they haven’t had Billy Vunipola to get them over the gainline but you can’t rely on one man.
They need to be more creative in attack. Eddie Jones looks after that area and is fairly autocratic in the way he operates but does he need someone else in there as another pair of eyes? I think he does.
The fact that Jones has signed a two-year contract extension and has proved himself with the record he has had over the past couple of years means that there are rightly no question marks over his position and that enables him to still rest some of his British & Irish Lions for the summer tour to South Africa, despite the fact that they’ve had a disastrous Six Nations campaign.
The Springboks will be better under Rassie Erasmus, but they’re not the force they used to be and he can still afford to rest the likes of Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and others who have played too much rugby.
The likes of Dylan Hartley and Mike Brown are likely to be on the phone to Eddie Jones badgering him to go on the tour though as if you’re left out, you may never get a chance again.
If his job was under threat, he’d be taking his strongest squad but it isn’t and I’m sure that’ll allow him to stick to his guns and rest some of the big names and give some fresh faces more of a chance in South Africa.
If there’s ever a chance to make changes and have a look at different leaders, then it’s a summer tour. Poor old Jamie George didn’t play brilliantly when he started against France but it must be hard for him, knowing he was considered the best hooker in the British Isles but can’t get in the England team.
He surely has to be given a run in the side and Luke Cowan-Dickie is in the form of his life just behind him in the pecking order as well.
The make-up of the squad will be fascinating when it’s announced but, whichever way Eddie Jones decides to go, a worst campaign since 1987 means changes are inevitable and he has to follow through with his threat that some players have played their last games.
Eddie Jones faces media after England lose third game in a row
Comments on RugbyPass
The strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
8 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
2 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
2 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
8 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
8 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
8 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
8 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to commentsJacobsen will definitely be in the 23
8 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
8 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
6 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
6 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to comments