No evidence of innovation from Eddie's England - Andy Goode
Eddie Jones says he’s an innovative and forward-thinking coach but, despite there being nothing but pride on the line in Dublin, we still aren’t seeing much change.
England were fantastic against France last week but I’m not sure when we’re going to see fresh faces if it isn’t at the end of a Six Nations campaign in which the title chances went up in smoke weeks ago.
The one change to the team this week is enforced with Elliot Daly coming in at outside centre to replace Henry Slade and it’ll give him an opportunity to showcase his versatility ahead of the British & Irish Lions tour this summer.
The Saracens man clearly hasn’t been in Lions worthy form or he wouldn’t have been dropped last week but Eddie is giving his trusted lieutenants as many opportunities as possible to play their way into form and show Warren Gatland what they can do.
Daly’s selection in the number 13 is a strange one when you consider that his only previous international start there was his very first start for England back in November 2016 and Ollie Lawrence, Joe Marchant and Paolo Odogwu have all shone in that position this season.
Lawrence started for England against Scotland in Round 1 but hasn’t been seen since apart from for eight minutes off the bench last week and Paolo Odogwu will return to Wasps next week richer financially but surely questioning why he hasn’t been given a shot.
He was absolutely flying for Wasps but he hasn’t played a game of rugby since 8 January when he scored two tries against Bath and dominated his personal duel with experienced England centre Jonathan Joseph.
People have questioned Daly’s defensive capabilities at full back and outside centre is the hardest position on the field to defend in. There’ll be big pressure on him but Elliot’s the sort of character who can certainly rise to that.
It’s absolutely Jones’ prerogative to pick who he wants and he’s remained loyal to a key group of players but he hasn’t taken any opportunities to be innovative since England’s chances of winning the tournament were ended by Wales last month.
? Ireland vs England predictions
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In stark contrast, Andy Farrell has made six changes. Admittedly, a handful of those have been forced on him by injuries but Jacob Stockdale is back on the wing and Conor Murray has been recalled to the starting XV, which is probably an indication of the type of game Ireland are expecting.
England have won the last four meetings between the teams and done so by imposing their power game and controlling territory. Murray is about as tactically astute as they come in terms of the kicking game so that’s why he’s been included.
It’s very hard to imagine the game will be anything like the one we witnessed at Twickenham last week and England fans understand that, they just want to see progress.
Jones took aim at the media this week by saying that “rat poison gets into players’ heads” from the press and, while that smacks of a diversionary tactic to place the focus on him and not the players again, there is a serious point to be made around it.
People in the media are paid to give their opinions and Eddie Jones and the England players are paid to perform on the pitch so it’s part of their job not to let it affect them, whether the media attention is good or bad.
On the pitch, I think we’ll see England reverting to type but that’s proven effective against Ireland in recent years since the men in green won the Grand Slam at Twickenham in 2018 and I think England will have too much power again and I’m going for an eight-point win in Dublin.
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
1 Go to commentsJordie 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.
24 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 ! 😂
6 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
6 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 comments