Robshaw will react, he likes to be written off - Easter
ENGLAND’S performance against Ireland will have sent shock waves through their World Cup rivals, says former Red Rose No.8 Nick Easter.
Easter believes England boss Eddie Jones now has the best-balanced team of his three-year tenure at his disposal, particularly in the back row where Mark Wilson’s omnipotent display will make it hard for Chris Robshaw to battle his way back.
Easter told TRP: “That’s the best England performance I’ve seen under Eddie. He had the 18-game winning streak but given the nature of the opposition and how well looked after Ireland’s players are, England blew them away.
“Ireland were ranked second in the world – arguably first after what happened against New Zealand in November – but England were magnificent.
“I’m going to sound cocky here, but I can’t say it was a great surprise to me. Perhaps the margin of victory was a surprise, but I really liked the look of that team and after all the issues at back row and centre, the balance was very good.”
Easter added: “Mark Wilson has been outstanding for England so far. He does all the mucky, nittygritty stuff in the trenches, sticks his head in where it hurts and allows others to do their jobs very well. He’s going to be hard to drop.
“Tom Curry has potential to be a world-class No.7 and with the Vunipolas, Billy and Mako, in tandem and Manu Tuilagi back properly for the first time in four years, there’s so much power there that will make the world take note.
“I’ve always liked Henry Slade as well and with that relationship he’s forged with Owen Farrell, along with Ben Youngs and his experience, England are in really good shape.”
Can former Harlequins colleague Robshaw rise from the canvass to depose Wilson or Brad Shields?
“He’ll embrace the challenge – he’s always been that way inclined,” Easter added. “He likes being written-off so he can respond and it’s been a testament to his character through the years. Eddie Jones always wanted competition and he’s got that now – across the park from one to 15!”