Ireland Test will be best barometer for England's RWC preparations
After answering a number of questions about his overall 31-man England Rugby World Cup squad in the back-to-back fixtures with Wales, Eddie Jones is finally about the find out where his first XV is ahead of jetting out to Japan next month.
Unfortunately, niggling injuries have shaped the selection in the back row over the last couple of week, but the group set to take the pitch against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday is certainly more reminiscent of the side that Jones recently opted for in the Six Nations.
Owen Farrell returns to the XV, albeit at 12 with George Ford retaining the 10 jersey, while Jonny May, Manu Tuilagi and Ben Youngs all return in the back line. The familiar pairing of Maro Itoje and George Kruis starts in the second row, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler are back in the front row and both Tom Curry and Sam Underhill are over their recent injury issues.
Mako Vunipola is also back, albeit on the bench, with Mark Wilson overcoming a rib injury and joining him. One notable absentee is Henry Slade, who hasn’t featured for England since the Six Nations finale against Scotland.
Likewise, Ireland have brought in as many of their first-string players as possible, with the likes of Conor Murray, Rob Kearney and Jacob Stockdale all coming into the back line following the win over Italy two weeks ago. Tadhg Furlong, Rory Best and Cian Healy are all recalled in the front row and there are spots in the back row for Peter O’Mahony and CJ Stander.
No Joey Carbery or Jonny Sexton means Rory Byrne assumes the duties at 10 and wins only his third cap, while there is another opportunity for Jean Kleyn after an encouraging debut. But it is, for the most part, the strongest side that Joe Schmidt can currently call upon.
With some familiar combinations back in play for England and a formidable opponent, this game is set up to be the best barometer yet for where England are going into the tournament and particularly for how well prepared they are for the tests of France and Argentina in Pool C at the finals.
To progress in the World Cup, teams need an effective 31-man group. England certainly won’t be taking the USA and Tonga lightly, but it is how their first XV performs against France and Argentina that will almost certainly decide if they make it through to the knockouts, whether they do that in first or second place, and what sort of momentum they take into those potential fixtures.
Today marks exactly 1 MONTH TO GO until England's opening #RWC2019 match against Tonga ?
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— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 22, 2019
England have a good recent record against both of those sides and will be confident going into the pool, although France’s superb dismantling of Scotland last Saturday and flashes from Argentina, such as their 40-minute display against New Zealand and the general form of their Jaguares’ core, will have Jones and England cautious.
A return to the Ford-Farrell combination this Saturday, however, gives England a good opportunity to re-examine if that partnership can work again after having stuck with it so vehemently through Jones’ first two seasons in charge. Coupled with Tuilagi at 13, Saturday will be a strong indication of how well the unit is gelling, not only in terms of attacking fluency, but also in defensive understanding. As a group, they will be tested by Bundee Aki and Garry Ringrose, not to mention Stockdale’s proclivity for looking for work off of his wing.
There is a lot riding on Tuilagi playing an integral role in the midfield and staying fit, with the Toulon-bound Ben Te’o now ineligible. If Tuilagi goes down injured, England’s number two option at 12 – assuming Farrell were to move back to fly-half – currently seems to be Piers Francis who, despite impressing in both games against Wales, offers a different dynamic to the one Tuilagi brings and thus a potential adjustment in England’s game plan.
As a group, the trio will need to show their capabilities to create opportunity in attack, as well as prevent Ireland from being able to turn the corner on them in defence. There’s only so much that can be learnt from and replicated in training, so a return to the 13 jersey – while unexpected – is something which England need to try now rather than at the Rugby World Cup.
Similarly, the return of Mako Vunipola to the matchday 23 gives Jones a look at how game-ready he is, as he could lock horns with Furlong in the scrum should he arrive before the Irishman departs. England went well against Wales at the set-piece, particularly in the first test, so Joe Marler and Sinckler will need to be sharp against Ireland, in what is an all-British and Irish Lions encounter between the six players involved.
Vunipola’s conditioning and ability to help England get over the gain-line will also be under the microscope. With England just taking one pure number eight to Japan, they will need other ball-carriers to step up over the coming weeks, to assuage any concerns there might be should Billy Vunipola pick up an injury at the tournament.
The combination of Curry and Underhill in the back row, in a unit that looks more mobile than the one that got outplayed by Wales at the breakdown last Saturday, is something that many have been clamouring for. The way the two balance their responsibilities at Twickenham will be interesting to watch, as well as if one of the two is used as a lineout option.
In the George, Itoje and Kruis triad, England have their tried and tested lineout formula that works at both club and international level, but if O’Mahony and his almost peerless defensive set-piece work begins to harry England, will they mix it up with a third jumper?
Wilson, like Mako Vunipola, gets a chance to prove his fitness from the bench and it would be no surprise to see him replace Billy Vunipola, with the number eight in line for a reduced workload. This would also provide a glimpse into what the England back row may look like if brawn is swapped for mobility, with Wilson, Curry and Underhill all on the pitch at the same time. Can England still successfully get over the gain-line without their talismanic number eight?
There are still questions to be answered, but with the majority of the incumbents returning to the starting XV this weekend, and those coming back from injury at least making the bench, the 80 minutes at Twickenham for England will be their best World Cup barometer yet.
WATCH: Eddie Jones talks to RugbyPass about “fish and chips rugby”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
1 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
2 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
2 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to commentsWhen Beauden Barrett signed his contract before the 2023 RWC to play in Japan in 2024, it was NOT part of a sabbatical agreed to with NZRU prior to his signing, as was Ardie Savea and Sam Cane. Barrett changed his mind after the fact and negotiated his return to NZ Rugby and he was given permission to be eligible for All Black selection straight away once he signed a new contract to return to the Blues in 2025. Therefore, why would anyone argue against Whitelock returning to the All Blacks straight away after his season is France is finished if he signs a new contract with NZRU which includes a Super Rugby contract in 2025? If Barrett can, Whitelock should be allowed too.
10 Go to commentsThe All Blacks will select 5 locks this season. Scott Robertson will most likely want to select 2 veteran locks who can start right away in 2024 and 3 young promising locks who he would like to be pushing hard for selection in the starting XV in two years time- 2026. Scott Barrett is a world class lock. Who would you rather start beside him this season against England, South Africa, Ireland, and France- Sam Whitelock or Patrick Tuipulotu? I would choose Whitelock over Tuipulotu all day, every day.
10 Go to comments