Odogwu has ‘X-factor’ to increase England threat
Bob Dwyer is most famous for directing barbs in the direction of England sides over the years. And yet this week it appears the influence of the former Australia head coach has helped promote a player who could provide Eddie Jones’s side with a new X-factor for the defence of their Six Nations title.
The inclusion of uncapped Wasps centre Paolo Odogwu at the expense of former Lions centre Jonathan Joseph was the standout selection in Jones’s 28-man squad for the championship unveiled last night.
And the England head coach revealed that Dwyer, his former coach at the Randwick club in Sydney, had been in his thoughts when making the selection.
“I was lucky enough to be coached by a guy called Bob Dwyer and one of the things he always taught me about selection: look for those players that can be world class at something – and he [Paolo] can be world class in terms of line-breaking, and that’s the thing that’s caught my attention all the time.”
The 23-year-old, who replaces Joseph as the squad’s centre/wing option, first came to Jones’s attention during a conversation with former Sale Sharks director of rugby Steve Diamond before his move to Wasps, where this season he has been revelation, topping the statistics for the league in terms of the number of metres gained and clean breaks, and lying second in the try count with five.
Diamond highlighted his power and potential and now Jones has been tempted by the fact “there is something about him”. “Paolo’s a bit of a guy we saw at the end of last sea
son,” Jones added. “He’s got power, got a bit of an X-factor in power. We’re looking for another centre or winger who has that and he’s been consistently dynamic in being able to break lines.”
Whether Odogwu will have enough chances to demonstrate to Jones that he is the right option to start against Scotland at Twickenham on Feb 6 is not yet clear, but the fact that England must develop their attacking game from their autumn campaign suggests he has a chance.
The inclusion of Harry Randall, the Bristol Bears scrum-half who also qualified for Wales, was the second tip of the cap from Jones to the need to broaden his side’s attacking prowess, increasing the pressure on incumbent Ben Youngs.
That it could be seen in a Covidreduced squad of 28 that three scrum-halves is something of a luxury, suggests that Randall, like, Odogwu, has seriously caught Jones’ eye.
“We’ve been watching Harry for a long time now, at least two seasons,” Jones said. “He continues to develop his game and his running and his initiative in attack is the thing that’s really caught the eye. We’re really pleased with his development.”
The problem for Jones is that the first forming moments for this squad will be taken without his presence, given that he is currently self-isolating in a hotel room at the Lensbury because his forward coach Matt Proudfoot tested positive this week for Covid-19.
“We will make do with what you can,” Jones added. “You are only judged by your performance. There
is no use talking about the things you can’t do or the things you would like to do, you can only worry about the things you can do.”
In these trying times, the absence of Kyle Sinckler, the Bristol prop who has been suspended until after the opening game against Scotland, is arguably the most significant omission. Sinckler is named in a 12-man “shadow squad” who remain with their clubs, but are able to move up to the senior squad as they are in the same testing regime.
The return of a fit-again Courtney Lawes, however, ensures that Jones should still be able to field the most formidable forward unit in the championship.
The challenge now is to evolve his side’s game from one dominating by kicking to one that is more comfortable with the ball in hand.