A CRUSADE FOR GLORY
England aiming to get even better — starting with win over France then world domination ANDY HOOPER
ENGLAND will launch their crusade for Six Nations glory at Twickenham this afternoon with the monumental task of trying to build on the perfect start to Eddie Jones’ reign.
Captain Dylan Hartley outlined the two primary mantras which will drive his injury-hit team in this 2017 edition: ‘We’re striving to be better. We never look back.’
Sounds simple, except that 2016 will be a tough act to follow, even if the England players are determined not to dwell on their recent CV entries.
What began with lingering recriminations about a World Cup calamity — and eighth place in the World Rugby rankings — ended with 13 consecutive wins and a surge to second in the global chart.
England earned a first Grand Slam since 2003 and a first series whitewash of any of the southern superpowers by beating Australia 3-0 Down Under. They followed that with a first win against South Africa for a decade.
Now they want more firsts and more improvement. Those lining up against France today will be fired up to maintain the pursuit of rugby’s pre-eminent nation, New Zealand — and ultimately usurp them. It is such a shame that the countries will not meet this year due to squabbles over revenue, but that is for another day.
In this Six Nations championship, the headline England will target is a repeat of the clean sweep of a year ago — but this time with bells on in the form of enhanced attacking rugby.
As ever, many awkward hurdles lie in front of them, although today’s game is unlikely to be their most taxing challenge of the next seven weeks.
Improvement on this occasion will be tricky, given that Stuart Lancaster’s side amassed a halfcentury of points in this fixture two years ago.
By mid-March, two notable landmarks could be within the grasp of Jones’ team, who are pre-tournament favourites despite all their injuries.
Another Slam would make them the first country to do so back-toback during the Six Nations era. That achievement would also clinch a world-record run of 19 consecutive Test wins.
These are pots of gold at the end of the rainbow, which are being steadfastly ignored by the England camp. The focus is always short term — at least among the players — while Jones and his assistants keep one eye on building towards the 2019 World Cup.
With that in mind, the need to reshuffle the pack, due to the absence of the Vunipola brothers, Billy and Mako, Chris Robshaw and George Kruis, is regarded as a valuable scenario.
What England must do in this contest with the powerful French is make light of a ball-carrying deficit.
The Vunipolas are forces of nature and, without them, the hosts will look to No 8 Nathan Hughes to lead the charge, aided and abetted by Courtney Lawes and Joe Marler.
By switching Maro Itoje to the back row, the coaches will expect to claim aerial supremacy in the lineout, while not missing a beat at the breakdown. Time will tell.
The Saracens sensation has a vast array of talents and is equipped to provide the defensive clout and work rate that Jones and Co expect from their blindside flanker.
Selection has left others in the spotlight, not least Elliot Daly. The Wasps centre was picked ahead of Jack Nowell on the wing, and this game presents him with an early chance to banish the demons of his ill-fated last Test appearance against Argentina, which led to an early red card.
He is a versatile asset and electric runner but Nowell will be straining at the leash on the bench.
Another man who must hit the ground running is Hartley, who has been backed by Jones as captain despite a six-week ban which leaves him short of game time.
The hooker knows he has Jamie George, the outstanding Saracen, breathing down his neck so he will be expected to play with legitimate aggression, resume his effective line-out alliance with Lawes and lead with distinction again.
Hartley is taking a pragmatic approach to the new bonus-point system.
‘First and foremost, we want to win games,’ he said. ‘Obviously, if you win every game, that should set you up OK. We are prepared.’
England will also be prepared for the marauding France No 8 Louis Picamoles, who has made such a strong impact for Northampton this season. It will be a good early test of the home defence, having to stop such a dangerous carrier and snuff out his off-loading threat.
Elsewhere, England must pay close attention to French centre Gael Fickou, who is the man most likely to provide the odd dash of flair following the loss of Wesley Fofana.
France will be committed, ferocious and dangerous in the scrum but, as yet, there is no sign that they have it in them to scorch the earth.
England have superior fitness and a formidable line-up of finishers in reserve, who should close out the game or twist the knife, as required.