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The position that Eddie Jones forgot to select?

By Josh Raisey
England Squad Announcement – Twickenham Stadium

Eddie Jones has named his 34-man England squad for the upcoming Six Nations, and, as expected, there has been a significant overhaul of players.

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While it may not be on the same level of France’s mass influx of 19 uncapped players, Jones has still picked eight new faces, while dropping ten players that were part of the Rugby World Cup squad.

While this squad has largely been based on form, with 16 players coming from Exeter Chiefs, Northampton Saints and Saracens, the three Champions Cup quarter-finalists, there are questions being raised about one position.
Billy Vunipola’s broken arm on Sunday would have thrown Jones’ selection policy into disarray, as the Saracen would have undoubtedly been picked and probably would have played every match.
Just like he did in the RWC, the Australian may have opted to forgo another No8 specialist in the squad for this Six Nations. However, with his injury, the question has been posed by England fans “Who is playing 8?”

https://twitter.com/CallumCouch/status/1219228688421720064?s=20

Vunipola’s uncapped Saracens teammate Ben Earl seems the likely candidate now to start in the eight shirt come the Six Nations, and the 22-year-old deserves to after the season he has had so far. But only Northampton Saints’ Lewis Ludlam is a contender to play at the back of the scrum, although he is more comfortable as a flanker. Both these two would probably have been in the England squad prior to the 51-cap No8’s injury, raising questions as to who has actually replaced him in the squad.

What is most surprising to many about this back row selection is the wealth of in-form No8s England have at their disposal. Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt and Exeter’s Sam Simmonds both looked to be shoe-ins to make the squad, while Bristol Bears’ Nathan Hughes and Northampton’s Teimana Harrison were also contenders for recalls. The fact that none of these players made the squad, particularly given Vunipola’s injury, seems to be the most surprising selection call of all.

https://twitter.com/HadleyTRavenall/status/1219229266489106432?s=20
https://twitter.com/BJeffrey_/status/1219228900053671944?s=20

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Both Dombrandt and Hughes would provide the weight and ballast England are possibly lacking at the moment, although the explosive Earl could provide England’s pack with unparalleled dynamism. He could become the newest addition to the ‘Kamikazee Kids’, alongside Tom Curry and Sam Underhill on either flank.

https://twitter.com/stoffason/status/1219230639809015808?s=20

Then again, if Jones is looking to play at the intensity and power that blew the All Blacks away at the RWC, then Simmonds would be a prime candidate to feature, as he has already displayed his searing pace before in an England shirt.

https://twitter.com/cole_elz/status/1219231733880688640?s=20
https://twitter.com/TAGorman89/status/1219232168221839360?s=20

Earl looks like he will be a key player in the new four-year cycle ahead of the 2023 RWC, and he will thrive behind a strong English pack in the same way he does with Saracens, but there are some huge calls in the back row in this new-look England.

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Trevor 5 minutes ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 4 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

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