The England 23 to play Australia at the RWC: Twist or stick?
Whilst uncertainty has blighted the Rugby World Cup over the last week due to the arrival and aftermath of Typhoon Hagibis, England’s preparations for their quarter-final with Australia have gone relatively smoothly.
They may have had their game with France cancelled but it was done so well in advance, England were able to get out of Yokohama before the typhoon hit, they retained their spot at the top of Pool C and were able to depart for Oita and begin preparing for the challenge of the Wallabies. There are valid concerns that not playing in 13 days will leave the team rusty, though they have upped the intensity in training to help replicate for that lost match.
With no new injuries, no short turnaround and no travel disruption due to the weather, England are not in a bad place heading into the game at Oita Stadium on Saturday. Eddie Jones’ players should be fresh and there will be no concerns over fatigue or workload when he selects his side.
We have taken a look at what that side might look like, as England attempt to improve on their record of three wins and three losses against Australia at Rugby World Cups, with the two nations set to meet for the seventh time in the competition’s history.
Front row: Joe Marler, Jamie George and Kyle Sinckler
There will definitely be a temptation to go with the fit-again Mako Vunipola on the loosehead, although he is one of the bigger losers from the game against French being cancelled, as it has denied him an opportunity to get back towards total match fitness. Marler has been playing well and the impact that Vunipola could offer from the bench is potentially a factor that could swing this game.
The selections of George and Sinckler are rather straightforward, as George’s set-piece work has been excellent out in Japan and Sinckler has anchored the scrum proficiently, as well as offering his trademark playmaking ability in the loose.
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Watch: Eddie Jones speak to the press after England’s win over Argentina in Pool C
Second row: Maro Itoje and George Kruis
Itoje may well be the first name on any teamsheet for Jones and he has backed that up with good form at the tournament so far, particularly with his defensive lineout and breakdown work, where he has been a thorn in the side of opposition teams. The value Kruis brings, particularly as a banker ball at the front of the lineout when under pressure from the opposition and as a defensive communicator and general around the fringes, has not been overly needed given the relative ease with which England have won their three games so far, but it could be crucial against Australia.
Back row: Tom Curry, Sam Underhill and Billy Vunipola
This selection could potentially go a different way with both Mark Wilson and Lewis Ludlam having done very little wrong so far, although you get the feeling that Jones has become particularly enamoured with this trio as a combination. The mobility and contact area skills of Curry and Underhill give England a genuine counter to Australia, should Michael Cheika opt to play both David Pocock and Michael Hooper.
As for Vunipola, he is the obvious call at No 8, despite not setting the tournament alight just yet. He has generally been involved closer to the ruck and has got through a real workload of carries, even if seemingly not given the freedom to roam that the likes of Sinckler, Itoje and Underhill have been of late.
Half-backs: Ben Youngs and George Ford
This axis has worked well so far and unsurprisingly so, given the amount of time they have spent together at club and international levels over the last four years. The only way this would seem to change is if Jones were to move Owen Farrell back to fly-half, in order to crowbar in one of Henry Slade or Jonathan Joseph alongside Manu Tuilagi in the midfield. It’s potentially an interesting change of dynamic from the bench, though it is unlikely he opts to go in that direction with his starting XV.
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Centres: Owen Farrell and Manu Tuilagi
Why change a wining formula? This pair have done well so far as a combination and the creativity and array of passing that Ford and Farrell provide seems to get the best out of Tuilagi as a direct threat and a player capable of utilising the outside break. Jones is a big Slade fan and Joseph has looked like a genuine ‘finisher’, as England like to term it, coming from the bench, but it would be surprising to see a change here, especially as Tuilagi has arguably been England’s standout back so far in the tournament.
Back three: Anthony Watson, Jonny May and Elliot Daly
This is perhaps the most intriguing area of Jones’ side moving towards the announcement of his team later this week, as both Jack Nowell and Joe Cokanasiga offering interesting dynamics and the competition for spots is so fierce. Watson has looked electric in the moments he has been able to get his hands on to the ball and although May has been kept quiet by his own industrious and free-scoring standards, he has continued to excel in the aerial game and as a gunner on the kick chase. They both helped England tick along well during the group stage.
Whilst Daly will have had more influential attacking games for England, his performance in defence, in the air and in terms of his positional play against Argentina was one of, if not his most reliable outing in the 15 jersey at international level. Those are areas of his game that have been critiqued over the last couple of years, especially when comparing him to Mike Brown or even Watson at full-back, but that game was a nerve-settler for even the most ardent of Daly critics.
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Replacements: Luke Cowan-Dickie, Mako Vunipola, Dan Cole, Courtney Lawes, Lewis Ludlam, Willi Heinz, Henry Slade and Jack Nowell
Most of the bench is self-explanatory, with Cowan-Dickie and Lawes both having provided valuable impact so far in the tournament, whilst we touched on Vunipola earlier as he bids to get back to 100%. Ludlam over Wilson is a form call, with the Northampton Saint having provided great physicality as a ball-carrier off the bench and should Billy Vunipola go down with injury, Ludlam is the most proficient way of replacing the Saracen’s lost carrying impact.
It’s a bench that leans the way of Exeter Chiefs, with Slade and Nowell, rather than Bath, with Joseph and Cokanasiga, and that is a call based purely on Jones’ decision to select them both in the 23 to play Argentina. Joseph and Cokanasiga arguably offer a greater ability to change the style of England, should the side be struggling, but Jones have shown a proclivity to double down with player types on his bench and reinforce what the XV are capable of doing, rather than going in a different direction.
Watch: Mike Tindall and Matt Giteau on whether or not England or Australia can win the Rugby World Cup
Comments on RugbyPass
The World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
1 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
1 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
2 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to commentsBold headline considering the Canes and Blues are 1 and 2 and the Brumbies were soundly beaten by the Chiefs and Blues. Biggest surprise is Rebels 4 Crusaders 12 - no one saw that coming. If Aus are improving that’s great 👍
1 Go to commentsAnna, You are right, we need to have patience whilst the others catch up to England and France. Also it is the PWR that has been the game changer for England. the RFU put money into that initially at the expense of the Red Roses. I was sceptical at first but it has paid off in spades.
1 Go to commentsI think Matt Proctor became a 1 test AB in the same fixture. Cameron is quality and has been great this season, can’t believe’s he only 27. Realistically how would he not be selected for ABs squad this year. Only Dmac is ahead of him as a specialist 10. With Jordan out, it will come down to where and when Beauden Barrett slots back in, and where they want to play Ruben Love. Cameron seems an absolute lock in for the wider squad though. Added benefit of TJ-Cameron-Jordie combination at 9, 10, 11 too.
1 Go to commentsFarcical, to what end would someone want to pay to keep this thing going.
1 Go to commentsHavili, our best 12 by a mile, will be in the squad, if he stays fit. JB is the most overrated AB in the last 50 years.
61 Go to commentsWe had during the week twilight footy, twilight cricket, tw golf plus there was the athletics club. Then the weekend was rugby 15s plus the net ball, really busy club scene back then but so much has changed and rugby has suffered. And it was all about changing lifestyles.
6 Go to commentsIn the 70s and 80s my club ran 5 Senior sides plus a Vets. Now it is 2 sides with an occasional 3rd team. Players have difficulty getting to training now, not sure why and the commitment is not there. It seems to me more a problem of people applying themselves and not expecting to turn up and play whenever they want to.
6 Go to commentsROG’s contract is until 2027. The conversation about a successor to Galthie after RWC 2027 may be starting now. We can infer that Galthie’s reign stops then. He is throwing the Irish Coaching Job angle in because he is Irish. The next Irish coach MUST be Leo Cullen. As well as being the best coach available, coaching the vast majority of Irish Internationals week in week out, he has shown incredible skill at recruiting the best coaching staff for the job in hand. That was a failing in France. Cullen is a shrewd guy and if there is a need for foreign coaches underneath him he won’t hesitate. Rightly so. Ireland does need to start to bring Irish coaches through. Not just at the professional level but we need to train coaches to man new pathways for developing kids from schools/clubs up through the divisions.
8 Go to commentsNo Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
19 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
6 Go to comments