Five questions for England after a tumultuous year
A disastrous Six Nations, Jones’ team made a successful fresh start in autumn, but some issues still need to be addressed
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Who joins Steward in back three? Eddie Jones has fielded 59 players in 2021, of whom 23 have been debutants. One of those he has introduced is Freddie Steward, and the 20-year-old full-back has promptly seized one of the positions up for grabs down England’s spine.
His assured performances for Leicester Tigers hinted that he might acclimatise quickly to the Test arena. But few could have predicted an autumn this convincing, capped by tries against Australia and South Africa.
The biggest compliment one can pay Steward’s reliability is that when he did spill a couple of bombs in the second half against South Africa, it came as a surprising reminder of how hard it can be to regain momentum when the aerial battle is being lost. Jones had clearly been keen on using Steward and Max Malins, a rounded footballer, together.
Jonny May is valuable for his communication, experience and positioning nous, but the 31-yearold endured scruffy and uncertain moments at the weekend.
With that in mind, does the slippery Adam Radwan come back into the equation?
Joe Marchant might not always stay in midfield. Elliot Daly could well return to the left wing. Anthony Watson will be back in spring.
Jack Nowell’s low-slung power provides something different, as does the offloading and heft of Joe Cokanasiga. Both need to sustain fitness, of course.
Is Smith-slade new Ford-farrell?
One Anglo-centric benefit of Henry Slade missing the British and Irish Lions tour this year was that he could be involved in England’s summer schedule and develop his relationship with Marcus Smith. The pair have now started together for five Tests in succession.
It would be brave to travel to Murrayfield without at least one of Owen Farrell, pending his recovery from surgery, and George Ford. Then again, Smith and Slade have earned the right to occupy England’s midfield. Empowering them must be a priority.
Would another scrum-half give England a higher ceiling?
Saturday represented a return to Eddie Jones’s proactive use of replacements. He whisked off Ben Youngs with half an hour left and gave a second cap to Raffi Quirke, who vindicated that faith.
Having blooded Alex Mitchell and Harry Randall since the Six Nations, England are actually well ahead of where their scrum-half selection was in the last World Cup cycle. Willi Heinz was the only integrated deputy on the eve of the tournament. Ireland are benefiting from prioritising the speed of Jamison Gibson-park’s pass at scrum-half. France have a sorcerer in Antoine Dupont. Youngs has not had a bad year, but Quirke could be an effective energiser for England.
What about the penalties?
England splurged 18 penalties against the Springboks. One or two seemed avoidable, such as Marchant chasing Smith’s first-half kick from an offside position, but the superior technique, power and aggression of South Africa’s forwards at scrums, mauls and breakdowns was the biggest factor.
Besides expanding his team’s attacking repertoire, Jones was keen to re-establish a dominant setpiece. That did not happen. An injury list featuring Ellis Genge, Luke Cowan-dickie, Jamie George and Joe Launchbury was always
likely to impede Jones. Facing up to the world champions was a baptism of fire for the plucky trio of Bevan Rodd, Jamie Blamire and Nic Dolly. All the while, England were readjusting to life without the Vunipola brothers, two go-to carriers.
Jones joked on Saturday that touchlines are brought in 10 metres for the Six Nations.
Troops are sure to return, but England will have their work cut out – particularly if they do not improve before facing the dynamic packs of France and Ireland.
Which positions need new blood (or a familiar face)?
While Ford and the Vunipolas, plus players such as Daly and Nowell, wait to see if their club performances merit a return to the Six Nations squad, Jones will be mindful of upsetting what looks to be an upbeat and lively squad dynamic. That said, he is also fond of a bolter.
Alfie Barbeary is nearing fitness for Wasps and, provided he stays healthy, will be in the mix for 2023.
Max Ojomoh is another exciting midfielder. Tommy Freeman, a large athlete with plenty of potential, has been in camp. Joe Heyes is making waves in the East Midlands, if England do not fancy sending an SOS to another in-form Leicester tighthead prop, Dan Cole.