Daly told to clean up against the Azzurri
pulsating game, it was Owen Farrell who drove the dagger home by putting Elliot Daly in for the killer try.
Farrell, captain for the last 33 minutes after Hartley was withdrawn earlier than at any previous time under Jones, is fast assuming the mantle of England leader-in-waiting.
For the coach, it was a sweet moment at the ground where he was sacked as Wallaby coach after England’s team bus was greeted by a single-finger salute from Wales supporters.
“When you come here with the Wallabies they’re normally waving. I thought I’d give them a sign back but then thought I’d better not,” said Jones.
Outplayed at the breakdown where Jones admitted his wildcard selection Jack Clifford had a “difficult” time, England also badly missed the thrust of the Vunipola brothers against a ferocious Welsh defence.
“It’s hard for us to blow away teams at the moment because we’re lacking a bit of firepower,” said Jones. “We’re not smashing over the gain line and getting quick ball.”
The elder bruise brother, Mako, should be back for the Italy game at Twickenham in a fortnight and England have not given up hope of ‘little’ Billy MATCHWINNER Elliot Daly is set to be switched to full-back against Italy as Eddie Jones prepares a personnel and style overhaul aimed at taking the Six Nations whipping boys “to the cleaners”.
Daly, who scored the 76th-minute try which brought a dramatic victory over Wales in Cardiff, is in line to be moved off the wing to make way for the return of Anthony Watson a week on Sunday at Twickenham, in what could be a glimpse into England’s long-term future.
“I want to do something a bit different against Italy. I want to play differently against them; experiment a bit in how we play – and maybe the team might be different,” said Jones.
“Elliot has got gas and he has a bit of X-factor about him and that’s why we like him. I don’t necessarily think wing is his best position.
“I want to keep developing the team. My job is to keep doing that. This is all about building a plan for the World Cup and it will be a bit of fun. But we’ve playing a part in what should be a Grand Slam shot on the final weekend of the championship.
“He might get back for Ireland. He’d be pretty useful off the bench at 150kg,” said Jones.
WALES – Try: Pens: ENGLAND – Tries:
Pens: Con:
got to win against Italy to win the Six Nations. It’s important we beat Italy – and we’ll make sure we do. It’s a big game for us because we want to take them to the cleaners.”
Mako Vunipola is also in line to make his return from a knee injury against the Azzurri if he comes through Saracens’ Premiership game at Gloucester on Friday, while club-mate Jamie George could get a rare start at hooker ahead of captain Dylan Hartley.
“Maybe – I’m looking at it all,” said Jones, who is also considering moving Owen Farrell to No10 to accommodate a first Test start for Ben Te’o and a first bench involvement for Alex Lozowski. The Saracens back-up stand-off, who was a Chelsea triallist and turned down an approach from Italy to keep his England options open, has caught Jones’ eye since his squad call-up.
“I’m so pleased with the way he’s going at training for us. He needs some game-time so we’ll let him play for his club next week,” said Jones, who views Lozowski as a No12 at Test level.
The rest of England’s squad will decamp from their normal Surrey base this week to train in central London for a change of scene, with one run-out planned for Hyde Park. “We’ve got a line-out session,” said Jones. “Prince Harry might come out and have a look.” Each week of the Six Nations championship our rugby writers bring you their first-choice line-up for the Lions Tour to New Zealand in the summer. Here is their selection following the second weekend’s action:
Hogg Gilroy Ringrose Farrell Daly Biggar Webb Healy Owens Furlong Launchbury Lawes Warburton Stander Moriarty