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'The worst trap you can fall into is trying to second-guess what Eddie Jones is thinking'
Jonny May insists attempting to predict Eddie Jones’ selection plans is futile as England’s head coach prepares to announce his World Cup squad on Monday.
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Almost a month before World Rugby’s official deadline, Jones will unveil the 31 players who will travel to Japan in the hope of emulating the success of Martin Johnson’s 2003 global champions.
Leicester wing May is a certainty for inclusion but, as an ever-present under Jones since his appointment in late 2015, he has learned that untangling the wily Australian’s squad permutations is a route to insomnia.
“I’ve been here for a few years now and the worst trap you can fall into is trying to second-guess what Eddie’s thinking,” May said. “That will definitely keep you up at night and you’ll certainly never get it right, either. Just get on with it. Trust what he’s doing. Focus on yourself.”
Sunday’s opening warm-up win over Wales will have served as a distraction, but even the line-up for that will have set minds racing. “If he picks you this weekend, it could be the best or the worst thing. It’s uncomfortable, but that’s the nature of our job,” said May, who was overlooked for the clash with the Grand Slam champions.
A fully-loaded Wales side failed to conquer an inexperienced England unit, but @OwainJTJones believes there were crumbs of comfort ahead of next Saturday's Cardiff rematchhttps://t.co/X2syFLCdKD
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) August 12, 2019
Jones’ decision to announce his World Cup squad far in advance of the deadline and before all his rivals except France is curious, but the break with convention is welcomed by players.
Four years ago, under Stuart Lancaster, selection went down to the wire, with the choice between rugby league convert Sam Burgess and the more established Luther Burrell for the final midfield slot disturbing squad harmony as England 2015 fast approached.
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“I can only speak from previous experiences, but I believe that naming the squad early is definitely the right thing,” veteran scrum-half Ben Youngs said. “The earlier you name it, the more you can tighten up as a group and continue to work, so for me it makes perfect sense. It’s hugely beneficial for us as a squad to know that, from past experiences.
"It was a great 80 minutes of preparation. I learned more about the squad so it was useful."
Eddie Jones pleased with today's England performance: https://t.co/B65eAAvW54 pic.twitter.com/0wPT0rMRqQ
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) August 11, 2019
“You want to know and the longer you leave it the more the elephant in the room appears. ‘What’s happening? Am I in or am I out? Who’s going?’. People talking about it, people wondering, people questioning every time, ‘How did I train? Do you think that has helped? Has it impacted?’.
“Once you know the 31 you can crack on. If you leave it longer I don’t think it benefits the cohesion of the squad. I don’t think it benefits guys’ understanding of their roles and where they are at, so for me I think it makes perfect sense that it is named early.
“But everyone knows the selection process has to happen. You respect it, you have to just wait and see what decisions are made. We are all men.”
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https://www.instagram.com/p/B1BxzxYA3Bv/
Youngs is another certainty to depart for the Far East on September 8, but beneath him the scrum-half hierarchy is unclear with either Willi Heinz or Ben Spencer – or both – available to provide support.
It is unknown whether Jones will gamble by taking only two options in the position, believing George Ford can offer emergency cover, and the question of five or six props will also be answered on Monday. If just five are favoured then either Dan Cole or Harry Williams will miss out.
Jack Nowell will feature among the five back-three players if he overcomes his ankle issues, but if he misses out then the door opens for Ruaridh McConnochie. Brad Shields’ foot injury clouds the make-up of the back row.
– Press Association
WATCH: Debut-making England scrum-half Willi Heinz tells RugbyPass about this first day on the job at Twickenham
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments