Jones challenges Armand to step up his work rate

England head coach Eddie Jones has challenged Don Armand, the uncapped Exeter flanker, to prove he has the work rate required for international rugby.

Armand is one of 17 uncapped players included in the squad who travel to Argentina for a two-test series next month. Man of the match in the Aviva Premiership final against Wasps, Armand has long been ranked by many as among the finest back-rowers in England, and was voted into the Premiership’s team of the season.

Yet the 28-year-old received his chance only on account of James Haskell’s Lions call-up, Tom Wood’s likely suspension and Josh Beaumont’s concussion.

As with Dan Robson, Alex Goode or Christian Wade, Jones recognises defects that most observers find hard to detect and pays little attention to eye-catching feats that linger long in the minds of others.

“He has got to improve his work rate for us,” Jones said. “That’s something we will be talking to him about. He is a good, strong player, good line-out skills, but we would like to see a higher work rate.”

With his headband and wild hair, Armand is hardly inconspicuous on the pitch, frequently finishing near the top of the tackle and carrying charts but, again, Jones has a different definition as to what constitutes work rate.

“It’s involvements in the game,” he said. “The funny thing about rugby is that the roles have not changed. The back row are the link between the tight five and the backs, and their ability to stop the opposition from attacking, or their ability to create opportunities to attack, has not changed. The seven, six and eight have to work together on that.

“Nothing has changed in that regard. And that’s what you judge work rate on. Instead of getting up from a tackle and going here [close to the ruck], you need to bounce, run and get here [further away] and stop the next attack. That’s what you want from a back-rower.”

Jones yesterday announced that Sam Vesty would join the tour as skills coach.