Jones won’t be Sarrie he wielded axe

PAUL GRAYSON Our very own World Cup winner

EDDIE JONES has finally picked a Saracens player at the top of his game and playing regularly.

OK, Max Malins (above, left) is on loan at Bristol, but I really like his selection at fullback, as much for the signal it sends. For too long it has felt that certain England players are undroppable no matter what. That has been most true of the Saracens contingent who have been miles off.

At last Jones has bitten the bullet, axing Elliot Daly (above, right) who has never nailed the fullback position and, having played next to no rugby due to Saracens’ relegation, is out of form.

No one has a divine right to an international jersey and players should know if they don’t deliver there’s somebody else waiting in the wings ready to go.

Until now Jones has ignored this dynamic and England have been the poorer for it. With one rule for one and one for another you lose the reality of what you’re doing. No one can tell me playing no competitive rugby then going straight into an international is the same as being match fit and having your skills challenged in meaningful games.

As for the claim often heard that England compensate by training at a higher than Test-match intensity: absolute nonsense.

England have got it wrong. Overcompeting at the breakdown, taking needless risks, helping the opposition get out of their half – these are largely timing issues.

Well, if you’re not playing competitive rugby your timing is going to be off.

Maro Itoje (above) has been a serial offender, conceding 10 penalties in three games. yet, paradoxically, I would not drop him, I’d give him the captaincy.

My sense is that with the extra responsibility he would feel to the team he would be brilliant and stop conceding what are very often ‘over-trying’ penalties.

I have seen it work for Dylan Hartley and Martin Johnson who, without the responsibility of being a leader, could have been a disaster because at times they did lose their discipline.

As for today, expect England to be better but Shaun Edwards’ defence to still be good enough to cope with their attack.

France to edge it.

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