Is this the squad that can win the World Cup for England - player-by-player analysis
The England rugby team landed in Tokyo early on Monday morning, with their Rugby World Cup campaign truly set to begin this week.
Eddie Jones and his side saw off Italy at St James’ Park in Newcastle on Friday evening and came through the contest relatively unscathed, meaning that all 31 members of the original squad named by the Australian were able to fly to Japan on Sunday.
There are fitness concerns over a couple of players who are set to miss at least the first two games, which see England take on Tonga in Sapporo and the USA in Kobe, but the squad seems to be in an encouraging place ahead of their tournament kicking off on September 22nd.
We have taken a look at every player selected and given a brief review of where they are in terms of form and fitness heading into that opening game with Tonga.
Prop
Mako Vunipola
The loosehead has played very little rugby of late thanks to two injuries and Jones has confirmed that he is set to miss at least England’s two opening games in Japan. There is a risk he’s coming into the tournament undercooked, but his tremendous skill set makes that a risk worth taking for England. Whether he’ll be in the frame to start against Argentina and France remains to be seen.
Joe Marler
Marler has taken again to international rugby like a duck to water after his brief retirement and his return certainly alleviates many of the worries people would have had over Vunipola’s fitness. He scrummaged well in the warm-up games, even getting the nudge of Tadhg Furlong in the Ireland test, and looks in strong form.
Ellis Genge
Not quite the scrum technician yet that Marler is and that showed up in a couple of set-piece penalties during the warm-up games, but Genge has shown his ability to offer genuine impact from the bench. His ball-carrying will be prized by Jones’ as a way of delivering front-foot ball and, as he helped do against Italy recently, he can provide England with momentum when they need it.
Kyle Sinckler
The Harlequins tighthead is certainly in form and is currently playing some excellent rugby, both at the set-piece and in the loose. Long gone are the days of him being vulnerable at the scrum and his ball-handling, carrying and playmaking skills in the loose are a rival for any forward in the world game. He has quietly become one of England’s most integral pieces.
Dan Cole
It was a close contest with Harry Williams for this spot, although looking back on the warm-up games, Cole did seem to have the edge. His scrummaging is strong, if not destructive, and he showed in two of those contests the value he brings as a counter-rucker. He forces teams to commit more men at attacking breakdowns and that helps England’s defence prosper.
Hooker
Jamie George
England’s Mr Consistent, George has made the two jersey his own this past season and nothing has changed in that regard over the summer. The squad’s other hookers have not performed poorly, but George’s contributions at the lineout, as a ball-carrier and in defence are tough to top.
Luke Cowan-Dickie
A solid summer for Cowan-Dickie who, crucially, has been able to maintain the momentum of George when he has spelled the Saracen from England’s bench. His throwing, something which has been critiqued before, has been accurate and he has added a more bullish physical presence close to the ruck.
Jack Singleton
Very little of Singleton has been seen this summer and over the course of the four games, he has played just a handful of minutes, with no lineout throwing to speak of. Indications are that he has gone well in training, although in an ideal world for Jones, he won’t have to lean on Singleton too heavily, as it will likely mean an injury to either George or Cowan-Dickie.
Lock
Maro Itoje
Itoje excelled against Ireland and put down a marker for what could be at the Rugby World Cup. His lineout work, both offensively and defensively, has been sharp and clean, avoiding the ire of the referee. He has also stepped into a more prominent ball-carrying role and that has helped him impress over the last few weeks. One of the automatic names on the team sheet.
George Kruis
Kruis has reinforced himself as the starting lock alongside Itoje, with his set-piece work, defensive communication and organisation, and giving England those one or two metre carries on slow ball. The combination looks effective heading into the tournament and they are both on the same page as George at the lineout.
Courtney Lawes
The Northampton Saint has flashed significantly over the last month with his play and has probably done enough to be seen as the bench option moving forward. There may be scenarios where Jones opts for one of Lawes or Itoje on the blindside, potentially bringing him into the XV, despite the chemistry of Itoje and Kruis as a pairing. There is no denying the form Lawes is currently in.
Joe Launchbury
Almost the odd one out, Launchbury hasn’t performed badly of late, he’s just been somewhat in the shadow of Itoje and Lawes. Few nations will have a fourth option at the position as effective and consistent as Launchbury and he will be hopeful of featuring in Japan, even if the starting combination seems set for the crunch games against Argentina and France.
Back Row
Mark Wilson
Finished the summer strongly after a rib injury ruled him out of the back-to-back games with Wales. His versatility will be key for England, with the 29-year-old the only experienced deputy for Billy Vunipola at number eight, should the Saracen go down with injury at all. Could well still be one of the two starting flanks, too.
Tom Curry
Is Curry now a blindside? Jones’ desire to see him and Sam Underhill in the same back row might suggest so, although it’s roles on the pitch, not numbers on the back, that really matter. He had a solid summer and is continuing to mature into a talented international. Probably impressed more with his ball-handling and carrying, than he did at the contact area.
Sam Underhill
With Curry taking on a more prolific role in attack away from the breakdown, Underhill’s inclusion against Ireland brought promising results in the back row. It’s still unclear whether it is Underhill or Wilson who will partner Curry in the crunch games out in Japan but both combinations have worked so far, giving Jones a welcome selection headache.
Billy Vunipola
Well-established as England’s starting number eight, Vunipola has played well over the four matches this summer. He wasn’t quite as explosive as some may have hoped, but he did the basics very well and was key to keeping England on the front-foot, moving forward and generating quick ball to attack with.
Lewis Ludlam
Flashed real promise against Wales in the summer opener and was then solid in the return fixture, before a week off to ensure he met his mandatory offseason rest period. The returns to fitness of Underhill and Wilson scuppered any hopes he might have had of featuring prominently in Jones’ first-choice 23, although his inclusion in the larger squad is certainly warranted after an excellent breakout season.
Scrum-half
Ben Youngs
After struggling somewhat against Ireland, Youngs looked back to his precise best against Italy, as his box-kicking provided plenty of opportunities for England’s chasers, whilst his distribution, particularly early in the second half, was incisive as England’s ball-carriers began to torment the visitors. He will need to maintain that form, as he is one of just two scrum-halves in the squad.
Willi Heinz
Heinz was a surprise selection earlier this summer, although he took his chance well against Wales in the opening warm-up game. His tendency to mirror Youngs’ technique of taking a step or two from the breakdown to see if any space opens up should see him fit in seamlessly as a starter if necessary, although he is not the most contrasting option from the bench if England need to change their approach at all.
Fly-half
Owen Farrell
Probably outshone a little by George Ford in the warm-ups, although there is little doubt Farrell will be in the starting XV for the crunch games over the next couple of months. He impressed at 12 alongside Ford and Manu Tuilagi and the prospect of him playing at inside centre has been resurrected, though his play at 10 has been a big part of England’s success over the last year.
George Ford
A controversial selection over fans’ favourite Danny Cipriani for many fans, although it shouldn’t have been surprising given Jones’ trust in the playmaker and his equally impressive 2018/19 season, albeit in a struggling Leicester Tigers side. He looked dangerous again this summer with Farrell operating outside of him.
Centre
Manu Tuilagi
One of, if not England’s most important player out in Japan. Tuilagi was effective at inside centre in the Six Nations and then reminded everyone of his game-breaking ability at outside centre against Ireland. His ability to square-up defences by running back against the grain or stepping and using his acceleration to beat them on the outside, can’t be replicated to the same standard by any of Jones’ other centres.
Henry Slade
We are yet to see Slade in competitive action this summer, as the Exeter Chief has struggled with a toe injury that ruled him out of all four warm-up games. He was the incumbent in the 13 jersey earlier in the year, although both Tuilagi and Jonathan Joseph have since impressed in their opportunities. It will be interesting to see if Slade comes straight back in or not.
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Jonathan Joseph
A minor leg injury prevented Joseph from finishing the summer with the same flourish that he started against Wales, but with Slade still out, he has a chance to start at 13 against Tonga, especially if Jones goes back to his 10-12 combination of Farrell and Tuilagi from the Six Nations. His outside break is still devastating, and England have the carriers up front now to allow him to prosper.
Piers Francis
Francis looked good against Wales, defending his channel physically and providing a direct carrying option to stop the England back line from crabbing and eating up space. Despite that, he still seems the least likely to start in the midfield, with Farrell and Tuilagi both capable of playing 12 and Francis’ best hope will be that Jones sees them both starting elsewhere in the back line.
Back Three
Elliot Daly
A solid, if unspectacular warm-up period from Daly, who didn’t play badly but also didn’t dispel the desires of a lot of England fans to see Anthony Watson in the 15 jersey, with Daly utilised on the wing instead. Teams opted not to kick too frequently against England this summer – or kicked and chased well – denying him too many opportunities to showcase his counter-attacking.
Jonny May
May’s consistency and energy and execution on the kick-chase have singled him out as England’s most influential player in the back three. His chemistry with Youngs shows up in particular and his eagerness for work can never be doubted. One of the certainties in Jones’ back line selections.
Anthony Watson
Flashed moments of his ability throughout the summer and very much looks to be in contention for the starting XV. He probably didn’t do enough to displace Daly at full-back, which has become one of Jones’ go-to selections, although he will be in the mix with Joe Cokanasiga to start opposite May.
Joe Cokanasiga
Cokanasiga added an interesting dynamic to England over the summer, regularly popping up as first receiver or taking the ball in pick and go situations, adding his considerable bulk to England’s carrying options in the pack. He got moved about a bit by Wales in the game in Cardiff, although he looks to be in with a good shout of starting the game against Tonga in Sapporo.
Jack Nowell
Like Mako Vunipola, Nowell is set to miss at least the first two games of the tournament and, having not played since the Gallagher Premiership final, has very little rugby in his legs at this point. If the likes of Daly, May, Watson and Cokanasiga impress early at the tournament, it could be difficult for Nowell to break into the XV, although his versatility makes him an intriguing bench option.
Ruaridh McConnochie
The former England 7s player finally made his international debut in Newcastle, although opportunities to show what he could do with ball in hand were few and far between in a disjointed first half. He dealt well with aerial balls and tackled efficiently, though he would seem to be in a similar position to Ludlam, Francis and Singleton, in that it may take injuries for him to play a larger role in Japan.
Watch: Eddie Jones confirms that Vunipola and Nowell are set to miss games in Japan
Comments on RugbyPass
well remember the blues had a guy called jed rowlands for a season. remember scott took his coaching team with him give him time
13 Go to commentswell maybe he needs to be introduced to darcy swain then who never got anything much and put a cheifs ands allblack player out injured and made him miss a season recovering
12 Go to commentswell maybe the match offficals should sort it out if they are worried about it and stop the clock
3 Go to commentsI totally agree. I also believe that minor injuries unless dangerous must be treared OFF the field of play and the game continue with a temp replacement if necessary.
3 Go to commentsSend the bill to McLennan.
3 Go to comments2 out of 3 were perfect. TMOs love jumping in on anything outside the law. The fact they saw nothing wrong speaks volumes. You want to see what a late blindside hit looks like, watch Kepu take out Carter in the 2015 World Cup final. Completely different to the Tah’s tackle.
12 Go to commentsverkeerde kant van die gereg lol
5 Go to commentsJust like John Plumtree at the Sharks he has had a poor start to this season’s coaching gig, but now it looks like he is starting to pull them back also having won 1 game in the first Eleven games they played. It obviously helps that 11 of his fifteen are Springbok players. But now they are starting to improve. No ways they can make it to the playoffs this year but they probably used this season as a way to figure out their game plan. One query I have and I think quite a few people have is: Are they playing better simply because of their international players are back or is it the team strategy led by Rob Penney that is starting to tick? Well I guess we wait and see. Also if it doesn't work out this season, it might be that Rob Penney is using this season as a way to organize himself for next season. Getting all his combinations sorted, his team strategies sorted and figuring out who is best is which position. Now I don't follow Super Rugby any more having now a full focus in the URC but I was surprised about the current Crusaders stats.
13 Go to commentsIf I’m a little bloke, who’s just had possession of the ball, I should expect to get cleaned up by Samipeni Finau if he’s opposite me and I do nothing to avoid him. FTFY You’ll need to rewrite the rest of your article now Hamish Bidwell. I’m not sorry for having missed reading this one. I find it hilarious it’s only the static aussie 10s, just waiting there, that are getting smashed. Move on your feet guys, haven’t you watched DMac and Mounga play for the last decade ffs. Chin up, at least your smiles should return when BB returns to SR next year and there’s more 10s to the fodder.
12 Go to commentsFinau is not leaving a lot of room for error that’s true, but he committed to 3 out of four tackles when the player had the ball so that’s all legal. (And incredibly entertaining)
12 Go to commentsHow does the size of the ‘bloke being hit’ factor into this? If you’re on the opposing team you are fair game. Is Finau the first person in history to target the first five? It seems like this is a great strategy to interrupt your opponents attack. As far as I’m aware, of the four excellent hits on Aussie first fives this year only one of them was ruled late. So if crying about legal tackles isn’t whingeing, then what is it?
12 Go to commentsThings I want to pay attention to this series. 1) Nothing against the other teams in 6 nations, but apart from Irelands loss to england, I dont feel they got tested, So I think this might be tight. 2) Rassie wants to build depth, and would rather do it before a world cup, but I am sure deep inside, he will be reminded that we have not beaten Ireland in years. 3) Will our new coaches plans be sound abd organised in time for the Ireland series? Remember our warm ups might only see our second or third string players available (When are we going to have one universal calander year?) 4) I see Ireland have moved on from Sexton, but what will Farrels plans be for SA? I am sure he will go for a full strength squad. 5) I think the test for the springboks will be the Durban game, it will be in winter, so not too hot for the Irish,no altitude, and it rains allot, might remind them of home. Loftus, if the springboks play the right game, I feel altitude like with most games before, can cause some challanges. 6) Off topic, but who is both Anxious and excited about what the Abs are coming with? A whole new coaching team and different style of play.
123 Go to commentsMost underrated player in world rugby.
2 Go to commentsHow many fans will travel to Qatar to watch these games ? because if they dont, it will be played in front of a few disinterested unknowledgeable Qataris and then just becomes media ‘content’. Thats what Test rugby will be reduced to.
1 Go to commentsSo as long as the playmaker still has the ball IN his hands, its OK. Otherwise the timing is wrong and he’s a liability. No grey line there. Thats the rule he is advocating ? Got it.
12 Go to commentsWrite them off at your peril
13 Go to commentsJust fantastic that the professional game is finally being taken to the Pacific islands. Not before time. It justifies the mere existence of Moana as a club, hopefully they can start to get some positive results too. Check out the sheer joy of the crowds in Fiji and the buzz that having a home team creates. Tonga always had (has ?) issues with their ground not complying with International rugby standards, which NZ always used as an excuse for many years not bringing the All Blacks over. Hopefully this match is the first of many. Would be great to see some tourism grow on the back of it. I once went to the Cook Islands Sevens in Rarotonga - tiny island nation but man did they turn it on. Tonga and Samoa will too given half a chance.
1 Go to commentsQuite right. Punish the time wasters. Its BS these time delays for non-injuries. The Boks have been using it for years now to slow down opposition and now its a scourge on the game. Put players like DeGroot on the sideline and restart play immediately. Watch how 5-6 min to fix your boots quickly becomes 1-2 minutes. Better still how about some personal professional management and you check the conditions/turf beforehand and get yourself better prepared. It might even help your team.
3 Go to commentsWhat drivel. Rugby as a contact sport should not be further diminished by crying over legal hard tackles. Take on the line? Be ready to take the hit. This is PC nonsense.
12 Go to commentsGregor Paul is going to be proved totally wrong. The Crusaders will get in the top 8 and are capable of winning this comp. The return of magnificent captain and player Scott Barrett on Friday was huge. There are a number of players returning and Ethan Blackadder showed huge progression in only his third game back. Christian Lio-Willie has added a new dimension , these two’s combination with Cullen Grace was fantastic. This builds depth when you have outstanding players like Tom Christie and Dom Gardiner also available. The tight five improved ten fold and this is with Tamaiti Williams and Codie Taylor being back.Others are set to return. Johnny McNicoll on his return home has been a revelation. Paul can dismiss Fridays win by the Crusaders as much as he likes and he will prove very popular in this country in doing so. But he will be proved wrong , Rob Penney and his coaching team will have the last laugh.
13 Go to comments