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The position that Eddie Jones forgot to select?
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
https://twitter.com/AvOpJGA/status/1219229597612625921?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
How has Sam Simmonds not been picked
— MJH (@MatthewJHolmes) January 20, 2020
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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
Where is an 8?…….Dombrandt next cab off the rank surely?
— Lee Garner (@LeeGarn95261232) January 20, 2020
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
Can’t believe no @samsimmonds_ he been on fire this season or drombrant bit worried who will play at number 8
— Rob smith (@robchiefs4life) January 20, 2020
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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Comments on RugbyPass
It’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
2 Go to commentsCale certainly looks great in space, but as you say, he has struggled in contact. At 23 years old, turning 24 this year, he should be close to full physical maturity and yet there exists a considerable gap in the power and physicality required for international rugby. Weight doesn’t automatically equate to power and physicality either. Can he go from a player who’s being physically dominated in Super rugby to physically dominating in international rugby in 1 or 2 years? That’s a big ask but he may end up being a late bloomer.
28 Go to commentsIf rugby wants to remain interesting in the AI era then it will need to work on changing the rules. AI will reduce the tactical advantage of smart game plans, will neutralize primary attacking weapons, and will move rugby from a being a game of inches to a game of millimetres. It will be about sheer athleticism and technique,about avoiding mistakes, and about referees. Many fans will find that boring. The answer is to add creative degrees of freedom to the game. The 50-22 is an example. But we can have fun inventing others, like the right to add more players for X minutes per game, or the equivalent of the 2-point conversion in American football, the ability to call a 12-player scrum, etc. Not saying these are great ideas, but making the point that the more of these alternatives you allow, the less AI will be able to lock down high-probability strategies. This is not because AI does not have the compute power, but because it has more choices and has less data, or less-specific data. That will take time and debate, but big, positive and immediate impact could be in the area of ref/TMO assistance. The technology is easily good enough today to detect forward passes, not-straight lineouts, offside at breakdown/scrum/lineout, obstruction, early/late tackles, and a lot of other things. WR should be ultra aggressive in doing this, as it will really help in an area in which the game is really struggling. In the long run there needs to be substantial creativity applied to the rules. Without that AI (along with all of the pro innovations) will turn rugby into a bash fest.
24 Go to commentsSouth Africa rarely play Ireland and France on these tours. Mostly, England, Scotland and Wales. I wonder why
1 Go to commentsIt was a let’s-see-what-you're-made-of type of a game. The Bulls do look good when the opposition allows them to, but Munster shut them down, and they could not find a way through. Jake should be very worried about their chances in the competition.
2 Go to commentsHats off to Fabian for a very impressive journey to date. Is it as ‘uniquely unlikely’ as Rugby Pass suggests, given Anton Segner’s journey at the Blues?
1 Go to commentsSad that this was not confirmed. When administrators talk about expanding the game they evidently don’t include pathways to the top tier of rugby for teams outside of the old boys club. Rugby deserves better, and certainly Georgia does.
2 Go to commentsLions might take him on if they move on Van Rooyen but I doubt he will want to go back, might consider it a step backwards for himself. Sharks would take him on but if Plumtree goes on to win the challenge cup they will keep him on. Also sharks showing some promising signs recently. Stormers and Bulls are stable and Springboks are already filled up. Quality coach though, interesting to see where he ends up
1 Go to commentsAnd the person responsible for creating a culture of accountability is?
3 Go to commentsMore useless words from Ben Smith -Please get another team to write about. SA really dont need your input, it suck anyway.
264 Go to commentsThis disgraceful episode must result in management and coach team sackings. A new manager with worse results than previous and the coaching staff need to coached. Awful massacre led by donkeys.
1 Go to commentsInteresting article with one glaring mistake. This sentence: “And between the top four nations right now, Ireland, France, South Africa, and New Zealand…” should read: And between the top four nations right now, South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand and France…”. Get it right wistful thinkers, its not that hard.
24 Go to commentsHow did Penny get the gig anyway?
3 Go to commentsNice write up Nick and I would have agreed a week ago. However as you would know Cale & co got absolutely monstered by the Blues back row of Sotutu, Ioane and Papaliti and not all of these 3 are guaranteed a start in the Black jumper. He may need to put some kgs before stepping up, Spring tour? After the week end Joe will be a bit more restless. Will need to pick a mobile tough pack for Wales and hope England does the right thing and bashes the ABs. I like your last paragraph but I would bring Swinton, Hannigan into the 6 role and Bobby V to 8
28 Go to commentsThe Crusaders can still get in to the Play Off’s. The imminent return of outstanding captain Scott Barrett and his All Black team mate Codie Taylor will be a big boost.There are others like Tamaiti Williams too. Two home games coming up. Fellow Crusader fans get there and support these guys. I will be.
2 Go to commentsCant get more Wellington than Proctor.
2 Go to commentsWhy not let the media decide. Like how they choose the head coach. Like most of us we entrust the rugby system to choose. A rugby team includes the coaches. It's collective.
14 Go to commentsHi NIck, I have been very impressed with him and he seems a smart player who can see opportunities which Bobby V _(who must be an international 6_) doesn’t see or have the speed to take advantage of. If he continues to improve and puts on 5kgs then he could be a great 8. He is a bit taller than Keiran Reid at 1.93m and 111 kgs, so his skill set fits his body size and who knows where it will lead. I hope the spate of Achilles tendon issues have been dealt with by the S&C people. It’s been a very long time since Mark Loane and Kefu stood out at 8. The question is will we be able to hold onto him, if he does make it he will be pretty hot property. I disagree with the idea of letting them go to the Northern Hemisphere and then bring them back.
28 Go to commentsBilly Fulton 🤣🤣🤣🤣 garrrmon not even close
14 Go to commentsDoes the AI take into account refs? hahaha Seriously why not have two on field refs to avoid bias?
24 Go to comments