Right balance between form and potential
I SPENT most of my career trying to undermine and pick holes in Eddie Jones’s Australian squad — even when I knew deep down how good they were — but I can say a big well done on this one. I believe it ticks just about every box after the disappointment of farcical selections for the World Cup and shows Eddie is still very clear in his thinking. He’s a coach who has been there and got the T-shirt and I loved his demeanour at yesterday’s press conference — relaxed and smiling but also focused and sharp. He is in full-on business mode. Eddie is clearly determined to fix the problem at openside and the lack of pace in the back row, both of which highlighted the failings of the previous regime. He has given himself two options at No 7, Matt Kvesic or young Jack Clifford. Both fit the bill for me. If others out there like Will Fraser consistently perform, I have no doubt he will consider them as well. Kvesic has done well for Gloucester over the last two seasons but he never came into the equation because England decided very early on to go with three big ball-carriers in the back row. It was totally the wrong call. Test rugby at the highest level is about pace, always has been, always will be. Clifford definitely has something about him. He is a very good athlete and competitor who is beginning to hit his straps. Harlequins haven’t rushed him since he captained England to a Junior World Cup three years ago. He is versatile and can play No 8, but seven is where he can make the biggest impact. Josh Beaumont is also very mobile and although Billy Vunipola will probably start at No 8, Beaumont potentially adds another dimension to England’s back-row options. I also applaud the retention of Chris Robshaw, who is playing very well at blindside for Quins. There is always room for a massively strong, durable Robshaw-type player in the back row — but only when the overall balance is correct. Elsewhere I sense that Eddie is going to take the bull by the horns and pick a second playmaker at inside centre, England’s other seemingly perennial problem position. It’s what he always did with Australia when he paired Steve Larkham with either Matt Giteau or Elton Flatley. For me, it’s the way forward. So don’t be surprised if you see Owen Farrell at 12 rather than 10, or Henry Slade when he gets back from injury. Ollie Devoto is also that kind of player and I find his elevation, albeit as an injury replacement for Manu Tuilagi at present, very exciting. People are assuming that when Tuilagi is fully fit he will come straight in at 12 but I think that will only happen if Manu works on his distribution skills. That’s the big challenge for him and he should be excited, not intimidated. The selection of Maro Itoje has been well signposted and, looking ahead, what country wouldn’t be happy having three young locks like Joe Launchbury, George Kruis and Itoje in the squad? Hopefully that will help bring out the best in Courtney Lawes again. I’m a big fan of Elliot Daly and am delighted with his selection. I hope he gets significant game time which, in his current form, seems long overdue. The midfield has been such a problem area of late but between him, Joseph, Tuilagi and then Farrell and Slade it could be an area of real strength under the right coaching. Tom Youngs is probably the biggest casualty but his line-out throwing was letting him down. He is still young and it’s up to him to return a better player. Part of me was hoping to see Eddie bang doors down and insist on picking the players playing in France. There is no doubt the squad would look even stronger with Steffon Armitage and David Strettle on board but maybe Eddie is mellowing in his old age. To me, this now looks like a squad packed with what is needed at the top level with some real quality players to come in. What Eddie has done very well with his first squad is ensure the right balance. There are some big hints at the future but he is also assembling a team of in-form players to take on Scotland in the opening match of the Six Nations. They can get into the details in camp but with a clean slate they must now play without fear of losing. There is everything to gain.
He’s tackling the issues at No 7 and No 12