Slam disaster will not scar us says Eddie
RUGBY CORRESPONDENT EDDIE JONES is a hard man to keep down and 48 hours after England were comprehensively outplayed by Ireland in Saturday’s Grand Slam game he was proclaiming from the Twickenham rooftops that his side would win a rematch.
The England coach had spent the intervening period chewing over the Dublin damp squib that cost him his 100 per cent record with the side.
His conclusion was unsparing – he had failed to instil the right mindset in his men to cope with the Irish assault and his men had failed when it had come down to delivering the quality lineout ball and possession needed to win such a match.
Yet he was in no mood for frowning. Quite the opposite with a second successive championship in the bag.
“To me you’re putting too much significance on the loss. I sit here today and I think we’re in a much better position than 12 months ago,” said Jones.
“Having a winning record and an undefeated record is fantastic but it’s unreal in world rugby. You’re always going to get position where we could create a record in the Six Nations next season.”
Onwards and upwards for the would-be history boys, although the complication for Jones is that the next time he sends out his full team will not be until November.
The squad he assembles for the two-Test tour to Argentina in June will not only lack a hefty Lions contingent but also other senior players who Jones has decided to rest.
“It will be a case-by-case basis and one of the things that keeps coming back is everyone wants to play for England, no one wants to give up their shirt so we’ll balance that out. But Argentina presents the opportunity for a few steaks and red wines for young guys,” said Jones.
“Last count there was two of the England Under-20s side in with an asterisk next to a third one. We will see where players are and whether or not in two years’ time they are ready to be exposed at a World Cup.
“For me, 2017 has always been about increasing the depth of the squad. I’d like to think at the end of 2017 we’ll have players in most positions, three options available to pick.”
The shortages he identifies are at tighthead, scrum-half and full-back. He could also do with unearthing some back-row fliers, hence the likely call-ups for Zach Mercer, who led England to the Under-20s Grand Slam, and Sam Underhill, of the Ospreys, who will join Mercer at Bath next season.
In Chris Robshaw’s absence, Maro Itoje has done a muscular job at No6 and an effective enough one to be shortlisted for player of the tournament yesterday, but Jones sees his best position as second row.
“At this stage he is essentially a lock who can fill in at back row. Courtney Lawes is the same,” he said.
“We still need to revise the back row and see how we can improve it.”