Back three’s pace excites boss Jones
Eddie Jones hopes to trouble France with the “enormous pace” of England’s back three in tomorrow’s NatWest 6 Nations showdown in Paris.
Mike Brown has been dropped for the first time in Jones’s 26-Test reign, making way at full-back for Anthony Watson in a back three that sees the return of Elliot Daly on the left wing.
Daly has recovered from ankle and calf injuries to win his first cap since the autumn and completing the jet-heeled trio that Jones expects to exploit any loose French kicking is Jonny May.
“The three of them are genuinely quick. They have enormous pace but they have got to work together,” Jones said.
“France score a lot of their points through attacking kicks, so we need to counter those and take the opportunities and attack when we get loose ball from them. “Mike took the news very well, I’ve been really impressed by him. Obviously the players sense selection changes early in the week. “He’s really given his best, has trained hard and helped Anthony, which is a really good sign for the team.” A further development of significance in a side showing five changes, two positional, following the 25-13 loss to Scotland, sees the power of Ben Te’o preferred to the quick feet of Jonathan Joseph at outside centre.
“This was always the plan – we felt we’d need someone a bit bigger and stronger on a slower track at the Stade de France and this is why Ben Te’o starts,” Jones said. “The French play fairly direct and he’ll enjoying getting a shot on Mathieu Bastareaud early.” The game starts at 4.45pm.
6 England have won six of their last eight meetings with France