RUTHLESS EDDIE AXES ROBSHAW
WHEN it came to making the most ruthless selection decision since he became England coach, Eddie Jones simply put sentiment aside, trusted the evidence of recent form and concluded that Chris Robshaw no longer deserved to be picked.
Robshaw had gone out of his way to help integrate newcomer Brad Shields since he arrived here 11 days earlier. Yesterday, he was dropped from the match-day 23 to make way for the Kiwi recruit to start at blindside flanker in tomorrow’s pivotal second Test against the Springboks in Bloemfontein.
Robshaw’s form had been poor in the latter part of the domestic season and that slump extended to England’s defeats by the Barbarians late last month and against the Boks last weekend.
Jones said: ‘They are all tough decisions. Picking a 23 for a Test match is a complex situation. It is not easy and there is a lot of noise around at the moment, so you are trying to cope with the pressure, then pick a side that can do the business for us. Unfortunately, Chris is not part of that 23.’
Asked if sentiment had to be removed from the equation, Jones added: ‘My job is to pick the best 23 for England each week and he is not in the best 23. Robbo has been slightly off his game over the last couple of weeks and we feel that he’ll benefit from a rest.
‘Chris was obviously very disappointed but not overly surprised. He realises that he hasn’t been in great form.’
Demotion for the Harlequins veteran will raise doubts about his prospects of being involved at next year’s World Cup in Japan.
But Jones fully expects Robshaw to force his way back, saying: ‘He’ll come back from this. The door hasn’t been closed. At times, form drops off a little bit. Chris accepts that and accepts that he’ll have to do some work to get back into the side. I’m sure he’ll do that.’
Shields has been chosen for his work-rate and lineout prowess, according to Jones. Wasps’ new signing from the Hurricanes made his Test debut off the bench last weekend in Johannesburg.
He qualifies for England through his parents, who were born in Essex and Hull, and yesterday emphasised his new allegiance, having tried in vain for years to win recognition with the All Blacks.
‘I’m 100 per cent committed,’ he said. ‘I really want to take my skills to the next level and England is a perfect fit for me because of my family and my heritage. My grandparents were very English and they made sure we knew where we came from. The way we were brought up, there was a lot of English heritage — teaspoons on the wall and chip butties. I’m honoured to be part of this group.’
Danny Cipriani is selected on the bench and Jones said: ‘He’s been excellent. He came in with a difficult reputation but he’s worked hard, fitted into the squad well and he deserves his opportunity.’