Jones expecting Aussies ‘to be in our faces’ on tour
EDDIE Jones insists England are ready to hunt down the Wallabies as they prepare for confrontation on and off the pitch during their three-Test tour of Australia.
Sale duo Tom Curry and Bevan Rodd are named in a 36-man squad that also features recalls for number eight Billy Vunipola and scrum-half Danny Care, but counts Joe Marler, Ben Youngs and Elliot Daly as big-name omissions, while Sharks new boy George Ford and Manu Tuilagi are both ruled out through injury.
England’s last visit to Australia in 2016 ended with a stunning series whitewash, but Jones and his tourists were forced to overcome a co-ordinated campaign of disruption off the pitch, including the head coach facing a prolonged search of his luggage at Brisbane Airport.
As a taster of what is to come, the host broadcaster Down Under has produced a trailer to the series in which obnoxious and sunburnt red rose fans drink tea and eat cakes before being interrupted by Wallabies prop Taniela Tupou.
“We’ve got to go after them. We’ve got a whole intention of going after them,” said Jones, who has won all eight meetings with Australia as England coach.
“There will be really hard, flat tracks and abusive crowds. They are in the face, the Australians. The media are going to be in our face – they are aggressive.
“It’s a really aggressive environment. You can learn so much about your players and your squad on those tours and we’ve missed that.
“I’m sure it’ll be fun. For Australians, it’s the biggest tour and it’s going to be huge. It’s going to be fantastic for rugby and it’s going to be fantastic for our squad.”
Vunipola is one of 10 survivors from 2016, but this time around he is looking to re-establish himself in the back row having been frozen out since the 2021 Six Nations.
A combination of his bulldozing form this season, culminating in a mighty afternoon for Saracens against Leicester in Saturday’s Gallagher Premiership final, and injuries to preferred number eights Alex Dombrandt and Sam Simmonds have resulted in his recall.
England have missed his direct carrying and with Tuilagi absent, Vunipola could have an important role to play against the Wallabies.
“Billy can definitely bring power. He’s got that dexterity and subtle hands. When he’s at his best, which we think he’s close to now, he gives you something a little bit different,” Jones said.
“When players have had a lot of success – and all coaches will tell you this – there are some that are continually hungry for success and can’t live without it. Then there are some that sit back a little bit.
“He probably sat back a little bit and sometimes it takes a reminder to get them to sit forward a bit more. He’s had that reminder and we’re optimistic that we’ll see the best of him in the Test arena.”
Care was also involved six years ago and his exile from the England team has lasted even longer as he targets a first cap since falling out with Jones in 2018. Another player in outstanding form, the 35-year-old brings tempo and vision to the attack.