Mighty England are contenders again — but what comes next?
IN less than six months since his first game in charge, Eddie Jones has effected an astonishing transformation which has seen England rise from eighth in the global rankings to second. In doing so, Jones has turned a group of players left humbled and under fire by their World Cup exit into a squad with serious aspirations to win the 2019 World Cup in Japan. After nine wins from nine games, including a Six Nations Grand Slam, we look at five steps England can take to finally get back on top of the world tree.
1 BUILD AROUND MARO ITOJE
The 21-year-old Saracens lock has been a revelation in England’s second row. Itoje’s athleticism, world-class breakdown work and precision at the set-piece have helped take England’s game to the next level and, fitness permitting, he will only improve over the coming years. By 2019 he may be the most influential forward in world rugby.
2 CARRY ON WITH DYLAN
The appointment of Dylan Hartley as England captain was greeted with universal negativity over the Northampton hooker’s diabolical disciplinary record. How wrong we were. Hartley has proved an inspirational choice, galvanising team-mates through his meticulous attention to detail, clear communication, outstanding set-piece work and tactical intelligence.
3 SWAP BRAWN FOR BRAINS
The appointment of former Wallaby three-quarter Glen Ella as temporary skills coach has underlined Jones’s determination to transform the footballing levels of England’s players. The simple skill of passing the ball has long been overlooked by English coaches obsessed with the need for brute force and forgetting that clever and accurate distribution can create space far more effectively and with far less effort than relentlessly crashing runners into waiting defenders.
4 BE BOLD IN SELECTION
Jones’ decision to take off Luther Burrell during the first half of the first Test was bold and brutal. The inside centre was struggling to hold England’s defensive shape and Jones moved Owen Farrell to bolster England’s midfield. It proved a turning point in the series. Jones has ignored outside voices to pick what he believes is his strongest 15. There have been calls for Saracens full-back Alex Goode to be selected ahead of Mike Brown but Jones knows his mind and knows the players he trusts.
5 KEEP TALKING THE TALK
Jones’s interactions with the media have been as challenging as they have been informative. From suggesting Johnny Sexton’s parents would be worried about his whiplash injuries, to telling his players they should leave the team hotel in Brighton if they were too tired to tour Australia, Jones has made bold statements, each for a reason. He has dominated the airwaves in Australia, with his counterpart Michael Cheika appearing passive and subservient as a result. The message has got through to England’s players: it’s not about being nice, it’s about winning.