SIX NATIONS IS ENGLAND’S TO LOSE – AND HERE IS WHY
IT’S Six Nations time, for which we all give thanks, and once again the title is England’s to lose, especially with the advantage of two home games to start. But the challenges will start right from the off with a tricky match against a Scotland side capable of claiming a big scalp. With Finn Russell back at the helm, Scotland are going to be unpredictable and dangerous.
It’s England for me, however, even if it doesn’t feel like a Grand Slam year. England are still the strongest and most consistent side in Europe.
Furthermore they will be facing their toughest rivals, France, at home.
Eddie Jones and his team must address the quality and execution of their performance, raise their aspirations and start fulfilling their potential. England must kick on as their major rivals up the ante. I’ve highlighted the increasing threat of France but others are on a mission as well.
In New Zealand, rugby league star Roger Tuivasa-Sheck has just come over to union and I have no doubts this guy will galvanise the All Blacks and take them to another level. He is their Jason Robinson, he is that good. Check out his highlights reel on YouTube and brighten your day.
There is still much to enthuse over with England, not least their hard-edged winning mentality. In a 2020 of enormous confusion and logistical difficulty, they found a way to win the Six Nations and Autumn Cup. Now that is admirable and on reflection I didn’t give them the credit they deserved for the latter, with much being made of the fact that France sent a third XV for the finale at Twickenham.
As it happened, I thought France were robbed by a couple of very poor refereeing decisions late on, which confirms my view that even the top referees unconsciously favour the home side at this level, but England found a way. There is a real doggedness and bite to this team and some of the characters in it.
My big worry is that England are not playing at the tempo and with the ambition they are capable of, which I find odd given the tempo and innovation Jones brought to the Japan team.
Their style of play is not giving sleepless nights to their rivals, regardless of who they select. They seem to have got lost in the science of the game and not the beauty of the game.This is compounded by the fact they are struggling to settle on a first XV.
Take the midfield, for example. George Ford or Owen Farrell at No 10? Or do you include both? If Farrell plays 12, it denies you the dominating figure of Manu Tuilagi, alas injured again, in that position or his possible replacements Ollie Lawrence and Paolo Odogwu. Additionally, if Farrell plays 12 — the classic second receiver — it limits the scope of
Henry Slade, who is also a playmaker and high-class tactical kicker.
For me it keeps coming back to the key crunch selection at 10. These are the huge calls and Jones has to get it right.
The best England combination I have seen in recent seasons is Farrell at 10, Manu at 12 and Slade at 13, with Ford coming off the bench. In the absence of Manu, England need to trust in Lawrence or Odogwu.
This week’s selection will be a big clue as to England’s plans for the future. For me it would be Farrell, Slade and Jonathan Joseph at outside centre. Is Joseph currently a far better player than Lawrence or Odogwu? Yes!
Bring in young players but only if you are totally sure they are better than those in possession. Joseph is playing in a poor Bath side but to leave him out and put him in the development team is something I would not have done.
England are also in a state of flux out wide, which should be a position of strength with so many dangerous runners to choose from. Jonny May is a given on the left wing but is Elliot Daly a wing or a full-back? Is Anthony Watson a wing or a full-back?
What I do know is that neither Watson nor Daly were put on this earth to chase endless box kicks and aimless long kicks downfield. I have great sympathy for both.
Up front, England have a chance to demonstrate their strength in depth. Not many teams could absorb injuries to Joe Launchbury,
“There is a real
doggedness to this team”
“Russell has
matured in his time at Racing”
Mako Vunipola and Sam Underhill, plus the absence of Kyle Sinckler through his ban and the withdrawal of Joe Marler.
But as one door closes, another opens. Courtney Lawes is some operator to have returning, Jack Willis is a major talent to call up, Ellis Genge might get the run he deserves and Jonny Hill has been doing great things for Exeter and looks a proper Test forward to me. England still have firepower up front.
What I want is for England to create the excitement we are seeing in New Zealand around Tuivasa-Sheck by the selection of the team or by the way they are playing. They need to take their game to a whole new level.
As for Scotland, I am convinced they are on an upward curve. They have most of their key players fit and Russell’s return is key.
Scotland have to ‘commit’ and go with this maverick bag of tricks at fly-half. It will be an occasionally bumpy ride — and that makes coaches and fans nervous — but it is the way forward.
I believe Russell has matured in his time with Racing 92. He is more consistent and communicates better with his back division.
Watching Russell combine with Cameron Redpath, who I really rate, and the likes of Stuart Hogg is going to be very entertaining.
We are all in for a treat.