To formidable... became the Six Nations
real international quality. He has the the man who lends the balance that was missing to the English back row. The images of his bloodied face against France only added to the sense that Curry is the warrior willing to put his head in where it hurts. England haven’t seen his like since Neil Back.
THE CUTTING EDGE
If you get the chance, have another look at England’s first try against Ireland in the first game of this year’s tournament.
I’ll wager you won’t see a finer example of a modern Test try from any other side this year.
It was hard, physical rugby played at pace that carved up a usually watertight Irish defence to create a score for Jonny May.
Boring England? Not these days. Some complained that they kicked too much against France, but they did what they had to – and 44-8 tells its own story.
England can play it both ways. If defences rush up on them Farrell will plant kicks into the right spaces. If they hang back England have the weaponry to hurt them anyway.
Even in Chris Ashton’s absence, May is on fire, there is Jack Nowell and the thrust and Rolls Royce boot of Elliot Daly at full-back.
SHRINKING SICK-LIST
Suddenly, Eddie Jones has most of his best players fit and on form. It makes an enormous difference.
Sure, Mako Vunipola going lame is a genuine blow, as is Ashton and Maro Itoje’s absences. But so many others are now back and in rude health.
And when you consider that, with Itoje out, Jones has people of the calibre of Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury and George Kruis to choose from, the blow of losing the Saracens lock is softened substantially.
England have always had depth, but not always been able to call on it. Now that they can, they look as formidable as their opponents always feared they would be.
EDDIE’S REBOOT
When England stuttered in 2018, Jones faced accusations of being a two-season wonder. His critics pointed to how sides he has governed in the past have fallen away once his tenure had lasted that long.
But if the sign of a top coach is longevity and the ability to reconstruct his side intermittently then Jones is answering those critics. He’s backed Farrell in the pivotal role, he’s shown faith in Curry. He’s eased out the likes of Dylan Hartley, Chris Robshaw and Jonathan Joseph.
Jones’ challenge after events of last year was to unearth something new. He appears to have done so.
Were his former misfiring charges coming to Cardiff next weekend then Wales would have far less to fear.
A different proposition now awaits Warren Gatland’s men. This is England, 2019.