Curry backed to become gr-eight
EDDIE Jones will persist with Sale star Tom Curry’s conversion to number eight for England’s Guinness Six Nations clash with Scotland in the belief he is the long-term answer in the position.
Jones has opted against selecting a specialist eight in an unchanged 34-man training squad, denying the in-form Alex Dombrandt or Fijian-born powerhouse Nathan Hughes the chance to press their claims.
With Billy Vunipola ruled out of the Six Nations with a broken arm, Curry was shifted across the back row for Sunday’s comprehensive 24-17 defeat by France.
The 21-year-old was a star of last autumn’s World Cup but on Sunday’s evidence he is a more influential player at blindside or openside flanker.
The absence of a specialist for the trip to Murrayfield points to Curry continuing in his new role and head coach Jones is convinced he will eventually flourish.
“I think Tom can be a (All Black) Rodney So’oialo-type player – a mobile, hard-running eight who has ball skills,” Jones said.
“We can’t find another Billy so we won’t go down that track. Instead we’ll find a different sort of player.
“We want this team to be a great team. To do this we need to have the ambition to make players great players. “Tom is one of those players we feel can be an absolutely outstanding number eight, but it will take time.
“I am prepared to accept some mistakes for him to learn and become a better eight. We don’t have a one-game selection policy. “Just look at players like Ellis Genge and how long it has taken him to be a Test player – four years. They have to go through this apprenticeship and sometimes they go through some pain at the start of it.”
Manu Tuilagi, meanwhile, will miss Saturday clash with a ‘lowgrade’ groin strain, but Jones is confident the centre’s tournament is not over.
The Leicester man retained in the 34-man training squad on Monday to prepare for this weekend’s game at Murrayfield despite having limped off 16 minutes into Sunday’s 24-17 defeat to France in Paris.
Jones confirmed yesterday that Tuilagi will not be available in Edinburgh, but is hopeful the 28-year-old will be back for the rest of the championship.
“Manu had his MRI scan (on Monday night) and he has a slight, low-grade adductor strain,” said Jones. “We’re hopeful he’ll be fit for Ireland. It’s very good news, outstanding news.”
Jonathan Joseph came on as Tuilagi’s replacement in France and is competing with Ollie Devoto to deputise at outside centre.
Tom is one of those players who we feel can be an absolutely outstanding number eight Eddie Jones