England pick inexperienced back row for Wales game
london — Jack Clifford has been recalled to an inexperienced England back row in place of Tom Wood for Saturday’s Six Nations international against Wales in Cardiff.
Clifford, fit following a chest injury, has been called into the starting side by coach Eddie Jones while Wood, who has been struggling with a chest injury, is demoted to the bench. The only other change announced by Jones on Thursday to the England XV that started in the Grand Slam champions 19-16 tournament-opening win over France at Twickenham is on the right wing, with Jack Nowell replacing Jonny May after the latter was sin-binned against the French.
May, like Wood, is now on the bench. England could find themselves up against a vastly experienced Welsh loose forward trio comprising three British and Irish Lions in Taulupe Faletau (62 caps), Justin Tipuric (47 caps) and Sam Warburton (70 caps).
Clifford, Maro Itoje — best known as a lock — and Nathan Hughes have just four back-row starts between them, while Wood has 46 caps.
Clifford’s lone Test start came in a 27-13 win over Wales at Twickenham in May, a match in which the 23-year-old Harlequins backrow scored a try. “Jack Clifford also deserves his starting role. He is a hard-working, young player,” Jones said in a Rugby Football Union statement.
“He has got a good record against Wales, he had a superb game against them in May, he knows what he is going to expect from Wales and we’re looking forward to him making an impact to our backrow play. “Tom Wood will also play his part later in the game off the bench as a finisher,” the Australian added. Nowell impressed after coming on as a 69th-minute replacement against France, his strong carry forward helping pave the way for the decisive try by fellow replacement back Ben Te’o.
“Jack Nowell starts this week, with Jonny May changing to a finisher,” Jones said. “Jack has an excellent work-rate and he’s a guy that carries through the line, which will be important for us.”
Jones took the blame for what he said was England’s “awful” performance against France, where the bench played a key role in preserving his perfect record as Red Rose boss. This week has seen Jones trying to explain why England are “petrified” of playing Wales in Cardiff, even though the record in the Six Nations era is four wins apiece.