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Why Eddie Jones deserves credit for changing his ways - Andy Goode
Eddie Jones’ England squad announcement has made waves again but, with one notable exception, he has picked on form and we should be applauding him for that. Clearly, Owen Farrell, who hasn’t played since mid-November, is the man with the special dispensation and is treated differently because of his leadership credentials.
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Farrell’s inclusion was expected but it is the addition of another fly-half, almost exactly ten years younger than the England captain, that has stolen all the headlines. It’s no reflection on Orlando Bailey because he is a youngster with a fair bit of talent and hopefully a very bright future in the game but I’m as bemused as everyone else about his inclusion ahead of certain other players.
There are other fly-halves who could have got the nod as well but, of course, George Ford is the name on everybody’s lips. He is 28-years-old, has 77 caps to his name and is in the form of his life. I understand the need to regenerate the squad but it is a bigger squad now with 36 players included and I was convinced that Ford would be recalled because of that.
The one thing I would say is that Marcus Smith will perhaps benefit from not having the pressure of a bang in-form Ford breathing down his neck. Everyone has been clamouring for him to be given the keys to drive this England side forwards and now he very much has.
I just hope Jones hasn’t backed himself into a corner if Smith and Farrell both pick up injuries because that was the case against Tonga in the autumn (Smith only trained fully at that week’s captain’s run and Farrell was a false positive test issue) and we saw George Furbank starting as the England No10. If that happens during the Six Nations, Ford should be getting a phone call.
"I can go through them each individually if you like…”
– @heagneyl ??? was on deck for @RugbyPass when Eddie Jones explained the reason why he included each of his six new England squad picks #England #SixNations https://t.co/1iPcoD1VNk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 18, 2022
Clearly, as well as being a bigger squad, this is a more fluid squad than the ones picked over the past couple of years when there was a reluctance to bring players in and out because of Covid. “We think this 36 for the first training week reflects a good balance of experience and up-and-coming talent,” Jones said.
Don’t be surprised if this squad changes a fair bit in the weeks to come and the likes of Sam Underhill and Elliot Daly have already been namechecked as players who may come back into the fold at a later date.
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Billy and Mako Vunipola’s names are going to be mentioned every time an England squad is named as well but the harsh facts are that they aren’t in the top two in their position anymore, with Ellis Genge, Joe Marler, Alex Dombrandt and Sam Simmonds ahead of them.
Ben Earl and Adam Radwan can count themselves more unlucky to miss out, having been involved in the international setup more recently, but Alfie Barbeary and Ollie Hassell-Collins have been on fire for their clubs recently so it is great to see them picked.
Barbeary hasn’t just been picked on his performance against Toulouse but it was a hell of a time to put in quite such a dominant display against the European champions and Hassell-Collins has made more linebreaks than anyone else in the Premiership this season.
At 6ft 4ins and around 100kgs, the London Irish man also has all the physical attributes to make the leap to international rugby. I commentated on an Irish game at the start of the season and I was taken aback by how big he was up close.
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Ollie Chessum is one inclusion that will have shocked a fair few people but I have been so impressed with him for Leicester and I’m really glad to see him in there. Jones likened him to Courtney Lawes himself and he does fit that mould as a really good lineout option who can carry and tackle all day.
He has started at blindside, number eight and second row in the last couple of months for Tigers and that versatility is definitely something that Jones is looking at with the World Cup not far around the corner now.
There are only a couple of Six Nations, a summer tour and an autumn campaign between now and the main event that Jones will be judged on and the likes of Chessum and Bailey, who can play ten, twelve and 15, become even more valuable when you are naming a 31-man squad.
Jones, of course, wants to win the Six Nations with England but there is no doubt that he has one eye on the World Cup because that is his end game. He is not going to lose his job if his team has a bad Six Nations, as we saw last year, but mixing things up now might help him in France next year.
You always look at who is not in the squad as opposed to who is actually in it but, with just a couple of exceptions, this is definitely an England squad picked on form and Jones deserves credit for changing his ways in that respect.
Comments on RugbyPass
Eye gouging seems like such a strong term for what can only be described as a poke in the eye. When I think of eye gouging I think of someone trying to intentionally pop someone’s eyeball out. it’s like calling a high-tackle attempted decapitation.
3 Go to commentsGreat article. No insights to add, just wanted to say that. :)
1 Go to commentsLeinster are going to win the world cup.
13 Go to commentsSuper Rugby desperately needs to lose at least 2, but up to 4 teams. Rebels quietly going bankrupt would have made that a bit easier. Teams like the Rebels and Force serve only to weaken Australian Rugby and Super Rugby more widely. In 13 years in the comp the Rebels are yet to win more games than they lose in a season, have never finished in the top half of the competition, and have come dead last a number of times. The Western Force, barring a brief stint of mediocrity under John Mitchell from 2007-2009 have been even worse. Sadly it’s hard to see a future for Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. Likewise I think the writing is on the wall for the Highlanders, it’s hard to see how NZ rugby can continue to support 5 SR teams, and population distribution suggests one team in the south island would make the most sense.
42 Go to commentsNice that Connor Evans is happy to stay on here, that JD Schikerling is returning and Steven Kitshoff. Dobbo is careful to bring back just anybody but having a new financial lease of life, it has made the Stormers a more attractive club. On top of being good quality, having the financial backing helps a lot
1 Go to commentsEngland-qualified too, I believe.
1 Go to commentsThis might turn out to be emblematic of a real issue in Irish rugby. Ireland have one of the best -if not the best - senior sides in the world, and one of the best under 20s sides as well, but don’t seem to be giving graduating under20s players many opportunities to break through into URC starting lineups. There is a risk that a lot of the junior talent they are developing will either be wasted, or lost to other nations.
1 Go to commentsYou ask good questions, Nick. The group who have put together the proposal to play out of Tarneit and participate in the growing of the ground’s capacity are not a bunch of white knights who have been dragged in post-crisis; they were around whilst the Rebels accummulated $23m in debt. Why do we come up with ideas that might make the franchise affordable after it’s broke and not when it might have prevented the trainwreck this offseason was? As for Gordon/Kellaway v Lolesio/Wright, they are both good options. I think the former are better rugby players but the goal kicking of Noah may be decisive when Schmiddy makes his choices. I know Harry Jones has the hots for Edmed but I think it’s one of his few poor choices and he and Jorgensen aren’t close to the other pairs. By coincidence, the wife and I went into town over the weekend to watch Brian Cox and Patricia Clarkson in Long Day’s Journey into Night. Beautifully acted but it was 3.5 hours in the chair and very hard work. Like the Rebels, there were only small bursts of joy to go with a lot of bad news and a depressing story line. In the end, I was hoping it would end and I could give my sore butt a break. Again, familiar.
42 Go to commentsGood decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
6 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
42 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
6 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
6 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
13 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
6 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
42 Go to comments