Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
JONES UNLEASHES BIG DON
Exeter’s Armand called up by boss Eddie to fill No.8 spot and add his extra muscle
DON ARMAND is set to be thrown in at the deep end by England – days after being called-up at the swimming pool.
England face Grand Slam-chasing Ireland on Saturday and Exeter’s Armand has started only two matches at No.8 all season.
But Eddie Jones knows his forward pack needs a power surge after back-toback defeats, particularly with Nathan Hughes and Courtney Lawes ruled out by injury.
Sam Simmonds is first cab off the rank for No.8 selection but his clubmate Armand, two stones heavier, is poised to go straight into the Twickenham 23.
“He’s a good solid player who keeps on playing well for Exeter,” said Jones, who capped him in Argentina last summer but had ignored his outstanding club campaign until now.
Supporters of Armand, who was out swimming with his daughter when England called, asked what else the 29-year-old had to do.
Former Red Rose prop Dave Flatman tweeted: “Right, some reverse psychology. Don Armand is crap.” Two days later he got the nod.
On arrival at camp, the powerfully built son of Zimbabwean farmers was given his instructions and confirmed: “Eddie wants me to bring energy and enthusiasm.” Jones then explained why power was such an issue.
“Our stats show current Six Nations games have 20 per cent more rucks than previous internationals and that the intensity of the rucks has gone up by 15 per cent,” he said.
“So you have a much more violent contest for the ball now.”
Armand has proved himself a more than able competitor since his family were bullied out of their farmland by Robert Mugabe’s henchmen and forced to flee Zimbabwe when he was 13.
Despite the extra muscle, England continue to have worries, with wing Elliot Daly a major doubt because of a foot injury.
Dylan Hartley, who lost the captaincy to Owen Farrell when a calf strain sidelined him in Paris, did run yesterday, but Jones remains cautious. “We’ll wait and see,” he said. “If he’s fit he’ll be playing.”
As will Maro Itoje, who appeared to indicate he had been bitten on the left arm at Stade de France.
England did register a complaint but Jones said: “I’m not really here to talk about biting.”
England’s Aussie boss knows the deposed champions have bigger worries if they are to avoid a hat-trick of defeats.
He is looking to appoint an attack coach but insists spirits remain high – except those of his mum. He said: “My mother rings me up and says,
‘What’s going on?’ She hasn’t a great knowledge of rugby, she just gets upset.”