Will Ireland be able to exploit Joseph’s rare run-out on the wing?
With Nowell and Anthony Watson still absent, England’s back-three reshuffle could lead to us seeing more kicks than in any international in history.
People may not appreciate how quick Jonathan Joseph is, though. He is winning his 50th cap, so experience is hardly a problem, and he has filled in on the wing
regularly in training and when there have been injuries.
Whenever I played against Ireland, you prepared for your back three to receive a lot of ball. Jones has praised the aerial skills of Joseph, but Johnny Sexton and Conor Murray will pepper him. Very few of their kicks are wayward or long. The majority give the chasers a chance to contest.
Joseph’s opposite man, Andrew Conway, is in excellent form. He is not the biggest guy, but he gets up well and consistently, as Scotland and Wales found out. Both he and Jacob Stockdale often hit short chips and dinks to turn their rival wings and find space in behind.
That puts Daly’s positioning under the microscope. During the World Cup, that side of his game had improved and very few balls were allowed to bounce.
A key man for England will be Jonny May. He was magnificent in Dublin a year ago, on both sides of the kicking battle. You very rarely see Ireland come out second best in that facet, but May hounded after box-kicks, forcing turnovers and tackling catchers into touch. He was also rock-solid when Ireland tested him.