CAN ENGLAND TAKE CARE?
Danny’s World Cup is in doubt as he’s axed for Aussie showdown
DANNY CARE joined the rapid exodus of Harlequins veterans from the England squad yesterday, to raise doubts about his World Cup prospects and expose the dearth of options at scrum-half.
The 31-year- old was the most significant casualty as Eddie Jones delivered another ruthless selection overhaul ahead of the autumn finale against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday.
Care was jettisoned, along with Saracens centre Alex Lozowski and rookie Bath back row Zach Mercer, on the back of England’s first-half ordeal last weekend — when they were given the runaround by Japan.
Wasps No 8 Nathan Hughes was recalled after serving a ban for punching, while there was also a surprise summons for Northampton playmaker Piers Francis — who can play fly-half or inside centre.
But the most eye- catching feature of the 28-man squad named yesterday was the absence of Care. Having been rested from the summer tour of South Africa in June, the assumption was that he would resume his perennial tussle with Ben Youngs over the right to wear the No 9 shirt.
Although Leicester’s Youngs has been the dominant figure in that position in recent times, he and Care have been spurred on by their rivalry. England have been blessed by the presence of two such highcalibre contenders.
But despite his early try against Japan, Care was unable to impose himself on proceedings in the third of four Quilter Tests this month and now he has been dispatched back to his club.
He joins another Quins stalwart, full back Mike Brown, in wondering whether this is a temporary fall from grace or a sign that the World Cup is a fading prospect.
Jones was matter of fact when asked about the decision to leave out Care, Lozowski and Mercer, saying: ‘ We’re just changing the squad, to see how we can improve it. Selection is always a response to performance.’
The man brought in is 35-yearold Richard Wigglesworth of Saracens. His kicking prowess and overall control were positive factors in the closing stages against Japan and his inclusion suggests England are planning an aerial assault on the Wallabies this weekend.
Asked to explain why he had chosen him as Youngs’s understudy, Jones was again very succinct, saying: ‘ We just think he’s the right guy for this week.’
But the decision to pick Wigglesworth, while recognition of his own enduring class, is an indictment of England’s lack of emerging talent at scrum-half.
Another Saracen, Ben Spencer, went to South Africa but Jones has suggested that he hasn’t kicked on this season.
Dan Robson of Wasps was ignored during long periods of fine club form, then suffered a major injury as soon as he did force his way into the England squad. Other alternatives have not come through.
Meanwhile, Jones sought to play down renewed fears about Manu Tuilagi’s injury jinx, after stating that the Leicester centre is destined to miss out on selection again as he toils to overcome a groin problem.
‘We are just being patient,’ he said. ‘He could potentially be something a bit different for us and we want to make sure he’s 100 per cent right. The World Cup’s when? September. There’s plenty of time.’
England’s Australian head coach will be hoping that his team can claim a sixth successive victory over his home country on Saturday.
But he expressed a degree of support for his former team-mate and Wallaby counterpart Michael Cheika, who has endured a year of bad results.
‘He will be hurt by the team’s non- success and will be doing everything he can to make sure the team are at their best for our game,’ he said.
‘He is a good guy — passionate about Australian rugby doing well — and I’m sure there will be better days for him. Let’s just hope it is not Saturday.’