Jones adopts Saracens model

England coach changes approach to get best out of four key clubmates, writes Daniel Schofield

Possession is overrated

They rely on the same core group of players – Owen Farrell, Maro Itoje and the Vunipola brothers – and in the past two years England and Saracens fortunes have mirrored each other.

Both suffered a dip early last year but have since improved and it has been noticeable how Eddie Jones has adjusted his approach to rely more on Saracens’ traditional template. They are largely the same as those introduced by Brendan Venter 10 years ago and rely on two founding principles: play for territory and trust in the defence.

This went against the grain of a lot of conventional thinking at the time and did not make them particularly pretty on the eye. Even as Saracens expanded their horizons, these core principles still underpin everything they do.

England, too, are now adopting a far more pragmatic approach towards playing the percentages. Against Ireland, they had 40 per cent possession to 47 per cent territory. Against France, the ratio was 47-54. Much of this is based on a willingness to use kicks on the front foot. According to statistics expert Simon Gleave, of Gracenote Sports, 70 per cent of England’s 10 tries have come from moves which featured a tactical kick.

That is partly because Ireland and France did not select a specialist full-back, leaving opportunities to exploit in the back field, but it is still a striking difference from 12 months ago, when England’s attack would kick as a last resort.

Bombs away

In his final club match before heading into camp with England, Leicester scrum-half Ben Youngs had a wretched performance against Ulster, with his box kicks consistently too long for his chasers to contest.

Against Ireland, Youngs was transformed, outkicking the master of the art, Conor Murray. Much of that was due to England’s ball carriers consistently getting over the gain line, but it is also attributable to a box-kicking strategy that is closely aligned with Saracens. Through Richard Wigglesworth, Saracens consistently aim their box kicks between the touchline and 15-metre line. If the ball is not recovered they will have the opportunity to put the catcher into touch or present an awkward kick for the opposition. This is what England are now executing so well.

As accurate as Youngs has been, the kicking is only as good as the chase, led by the back three, which is probably the area in which England have improved the most.

Many of Saracens’ kick-chase principles derive from their coaches’ visit to Australian rules club Hawthorn six years ago, while England’s improvements have coincided with the arrival of former Aussie rules coach Neil Craig as director of performance.

Celebrate little victories

Another key part of Saracens’ philosophy is to take energy from all the little victories, such as a dominant tackle or maul turnover. While some people may find it grating to see Itoje celebrating a scrum penalty like a World Cup win, Saracens’ coaches’ actively encourage such behaviour.

Since Farrell has assumed the England captaincy, we are now seeing more and more England players adopting this approach.

Go back to England’s 44-8 victory against France. Jonny May scores a first-half hat-trick, but his most raucous celebrations were reserved for when he tackled Damian Penaud into touch from Farrell’s up-and-under. “I think the team almost appreciates that more sometimes,” May said. “When you can get the ball back for the team that’s a big moment.”