How Eddie can improve his winners
1 GET PHYSICAL IN DEFENCE
England conceded 10 tries in their three Tests in Australia in June — which is on the high side even in a winning team — and Eddie Jones has clearly been placing a big emphasis on defence this autumn.
Against some teams you must win the ‘hits’ and South Africa would come into that category. Win the physical battle and you will beat them. Except it is 10 years since England have done that against the Boks.
The judo sessions England have been having are all about that physical battle and dominating the contact area. Eddie has also brought in Jason Ryle from the Melbourne Storm on a short-term contact to tighten things up defensively and to work with Paul Gustard.
Everything points to England taking their defence up another level. Strap yourself into your seats, they will be very physical this autumn.
2 CONVERT MORE TRY CHANCES
England possess enviable firepower these days but must start converting a larger percentage of their chances. They lagged behind Wales and Ireland in terms of tries scored in last season’s Six Nations.
To achieve this, England need to play with more pace as well as precision and to execute top skill at high speed requires a high level of fitness. England still have a way to go yet on the fitness front. New Zealand invariably turn the wick up in the third and fourth quarters to win their matches.
Every man in the England squad should make it a point of honour that they are fit enough to play a full 80 minutes every week. Eddie (right) should never have to sub them for physical reasons other than injury.
Will we ever see again the same starting XV leave the field at the end? If we do, I can guarantee that a) England will have won and b) England will have
3 FORWARDS HANDLE LIKE BACKS
outscored the opposition in the last 20 minutes.
I suspect most England forwards have the talent but in the past our forwards haven’t always been given the freedom and licence.
Mako Vunipola has great hands, brother Billy has improved his handling beyond recognition, Joe Launchbury is very comfortable in possession and Jamie George has the handling instincts of a centre. Off-loading is now massively important and in the warm-ups you see the guys going through their offload routines as much if not more than traditional passing. Bring these skills to the game and you can sometimes by-pass slow rucked ball, which is the easiest ball to defend against. But the England forwards must still remember their priority up front is the Holy Trinity of scrums, lineouts and restarts. That must never be sacrificed.