It all points to Robshaw at No 7 for England
LONDON: Chris Robshaw, a man described by coach Eddie Jones as a “six-and-a-half at best,” could be in line for a return to the No 7 jersey as the England coach deals with an injury crisis that has robbed him of all his main openside flank contenders.
Jones will name his squad for the Autumn internationals today and faces a real problem over the key position that used to be Robshaw’s under previous coach Stuart Lancaster.
Jones was singularly unimpressed by Robshaw’s performances in the role, saying during last year’s World Cup that he was “not an out-and-out openside flanker” and “not outstandingly good in any area”.
But Robshaw, without a murmur of complaint having also lost his captaincy role, continued as a starting regular at blindside.
Among the other Premiership opensides, Jones was less than impressed with Teimana Harrison, hauling him off the pitch after 29 minutes of his second international appearance in the third Test against Australia in June.
Jones is not known to be much of a risk-taker so other suggestions such as using either of the uncapped lock/ No 8 pair Nathan Hughes or Josh Beaumont in their debuts in such a dynamic position look unlikely.
Which all points for the safer option of a Robshaw recall, with Hughes, Beaumont or probably Courtney Lawes at six with a more “left and right” approach rather than the traditional ball-winning openside/defensive blindside combination.
◗ Winger Chris Ashton will leave Saracens to join French side Toulon for the next season, the Premiership club said in a statement on Tuesday.
The 29-year-old has spent five years with Saracens during which he became the club’s leading try-scorer and won two Premiership titles as well as a European Champions Cup. – Reuters