Curry can be one of best in world – Jones

EDDIE Jones believes Tom Curry will have established himself as one of the best players in the game by the time the World Cup starts in France next year.

The Sale flanker is set to start on the openside in England’s Six Nations opener in Scotland next week with Sam Underhill omitted from the squad to get himself match fit.

“Tom has the ability to play anywhere in the back row really well, like George Smith,” said Jones. “He adjusts his play accordingly, although the difference between 7 and 8 in open play is insignificant. There are set-piece responsibilities and he is learning how to play at No.8, but 7 is his preferred position and if it suits the way we want to play we will pick him there.

“He has to be the best player he can be and we hope that Sam will come back fit during the Six Nations, someone capable of playing at the highest level of Test rugby. Lewis Ludlam has been outstanding for Northampton and Tom (below) has to keep developing his game.

“It is all about consistency. The great players never go below seven out of 10 and get to eight or nine. They always add value to a team. Tom occasionally has a four or a five and the next step for him is to become consistent. It is not about the talent players have but their ability to be consistent.”

Jones has spent the time since the autumn watching club matches and examining the methods of other coaches. He visited RB Leipzig in Germany and spoke to their manager Jesse Marsch, who has since been sacked, and went to Aston Villa to get to know Steven Gerrard.

“It is all about picking brains and getting information on how you can do things better,” said Jones. “Gerrard is very impressive

for a young coach. He is very mature and you can see in the way he conducts himself that he will become a very good manager.”

The visit to Germany was part of England’s connection with Red Bull. “We are fortunate enough to use their communications system during matches and it has been a big help,” said Jones. “I hope we can develop the relationship with Red Bull. I went to the Formula 1 headquarters in Milton Keynes and was impressed by their attention to detail.”

Jones has also hired the forensic psychologist Nashater Deu Solheim whose latest book, the Leadership PIN Code, is about how to get the best out of those you are in charge of.

“Nashater is helping improve our communication skills as a coaching team and communicating with the players,” he said. “If there is a frontier of rugby to get the most bang for your buck from, it is creating the right mindset of your team and the edge information and data can give you.

“It is hard to get an advantage in a game now and you are looking where data can be more specific in the areas you are prioritising. It is about working on the mindset of the players and getting consistency of that mindset.

“It was important after the Autumn Series that the young guys went back and played like international players for their clubs and kept developing. The players we are looking for have a real growth mindset and an appetite to keep getting better.

“I think the 2023 World Cup will be the most competitive we have seen, like the Six Nations this year, with five or six countries competing hard for the top four spots. You need players wanting to improve and striving to be their best.”

Jones said he had identified the base he wants England to use in the World Cup.

“We have done a recce there,” he said. “Japan offered 60 spots

and you could visit as many as you wanted before making up your mind. France offered three. We know which one we want and we are waiting to hear back.

“While I was there, I went to Castres. By chance, they were playing Montpellier and it gave me the chance to catch up with Zach Mercer

(the 24-year old back rower capped by Jones in 2018). I was really impressed by him.

“He is a young player who took the initiative to develop his game in another country and that is outstanding. I hope he will come back at the end of the season and fight for a spot in the World Cup squad.”