Tell Eddie it’s time to bring in new blood
TODAY’S game is make or break for England. Their words not mine. But let me echo them.
I give England (training, above) five out of 10 for their Six Nations campaign to date. They are miles off their best.
More than a year into this World Cup cycle I am still trying to work out what they are trying to do with the ball, what they are brilliant at, what their identity is as a team.
It’s hard to put a finger on and that comes down to what they’re being asked to do. Eddie Jones (below) has made a big play about physicality and set-piece dominance, yet where is it? They were exposed by Scotland and it’s been an age since they pulverised anybody.
Let’s not pretend Wales have been great either. There are certainly no open-top bus parades being planned in Cardiff.
Yet they are two from two, top of the table and relishing the thought of kicking a team that is down.
Because, make no mistake, if England lose this one change will be needed, either in coaching philosophy or personnel. When you have 800-odd caps in your team and that experience isn’t translating into performances and results there comes a time to trade in a few for new blood and fresh ideas.
Lose this and England will be out of the title race and halfway down the road to the World Cup with a squad and a game that have not developed since Japan.
All of which might play to England’s advantage this evening. They will be fostering an ‘everybody hates us’ siege mentality, which is a powerful driver.
It gives them an emotional hook and, with no crowd to quieten, they can focus on what is purely a technical exercise.
It’s about taking away the opposition’s strengths. Keeping the ball away from their potent back line, forcing Wales into a game they don’t want to play. England will look to play set-piece to set-piece, keep structure in the game and pin their hosts down with the accuracy of their kicking.
This is almost a free hit for Wales as they know England are under pressure while they are unbeaten, yet still they are underdogs with the bookies.
It is set up for a backs-to-the-wall England win, but with Courtney Lawes out and Billy Vunipola short of form I take Wales to edge it.