It will have been a tough time in the England camp after that Scotland defeat. There has been a lot of talk about the manner of that performance; yes, Scotland were very good but England were comprehensively outplayed at the breakdown, made a number of sloppy mistakes and lacked edge in attack.
The team will be desperate to set the record straight with a dominant, statement-making victory over France. That said, away wins (bar Italy) are always at a premium in the Six Nations and France are arguably unlucky not to be sitting on a clean sweep of wins so far, undone late against Ireland and Scotland.
As for England – I don’t think wholesale changes are needed. They were lethargic and unusually error strewn against Scotland, but there is enough talent and experience within this squad to turn things around.
Eddie Jones is due to name an extended 25-man squad tonight, but in advance of that, here is who I would pick to play France on Saturday
Forwards: 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Maro Itoje, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Sam Underhill, 8 Nathan Hughes
I would keep the same front row that has played so far. I have been very critical of Dan Cole, and I do think he does need to up his all-round contribution, but the French front row held me back from making a change. Alongside Ireland, France have the best scrummaging unit in the Six Nations; Jefferson Poirot, Guilhem Guirado and Rabah Slimani are a match in the tight for any unit in world rugby, and Cole is our strongest scrummaging tighthead. It is time for him to prove his place.
Similarly, Dylan Hartley continues as hooker and captain but time is also running out for him. A huge performance to silence his critics, just a year from the World Cup would be very welcome. Mako Vunipola, meanwhile, has been one of England’s better forwards so far – no question he stays.
The big change is in the backrow. When Eddie Jones first took over England, one of his best decisions was to move Robshaw from seven to six and let him play his natural game. Injuries and loss of form to a few candidates for the seven-shirt, and a prevalence of world-class locks who Jones felt he just couldn’t leave out, have disrupted this and left Robshaw out of position in an unbalanced back row.
Against many teams this unit is still good enough to win, but when faced with proper breakdown specialists – as against Ireland in 2017, Scotland in the previous match, and even Samoa in the last autumn internationals – it is found wanting. Reinstate Robshaw at six and bring in Sam Underhill at seven. Underhill’s yellow card against Scotland may have killed momentum just as England seemed to be starting to click, but it was a rash one-off incident. He noticeably improved England’s breakdown work when he came on and has the potential to be England’s long-term answer at openside.
At eight, I was tempted to bring Sam Simmonds back for Nathan Hughes – who despite starting brightly after such a long lay-off, faded as the game went on – but opted to retain the big man. Hughes has had another week’s gruelling training to get him closer to full fitness and will be vital at generating go forward ball. With a proper eight on the bench, Hughes can run himself into the ground and then the explosive Simmonds can exploit the space in the final 30.
With two proper flankers, it becomes a case of three locks going into two. For me, Joe Launchbury has been one of England’s best players so far, with a work rate second to none and some wonderful link play. He stays. Maro Itoje has been surprisingly quiet in the last few games and it was a tough call between him and Courtney Lawes but I feel Itoje has the edge in the tight, which is where France and their enormous pack will test England the hardest.
Backs: 9 Danny Care, 10 George Ford, 11 Jonny May, 12 Owen Farrell, 13 Elliot Daly, 14 Jack Nowell, 15 Mike Brown
No change in the half backs, with Care the starting nine and Ford at flyhalf. Ford had a tough time against Scotland, with his opposite number Finn Russell stealing the limelight, and he will be looking for a big performance. Outside him, Farrell has been England’s most consistent player. He is playing some brilliant rugby right now; as well as his all-round distribution and kicking game he seems to have vastly improved his attacking lines, cutting the opposition defence more frequently.
The big decision for me would be to drop Jonathan Joseph for Elliot Daly. This is a bit of a gamble: Daly is only just back from injury and usually plays on the wing for England, while Joseph is a defensive lynchpin for England. That said, Joseph had been disappointingly quiet in both attack and defence so far and England need a change. I would opt for Daly’s pace and eye for a gap over Ben Te’o’s physicality – the key to beating barrel-chested Mathieu Bastareaud is with speed and trickery rather than sheer force.
Although Mike Brown endured an uncharacteristically error-strewn match against Scotland, he was fantastic against Wales and his leadership and solidity at the back is vital to the way England play.
I also think Jack Nowell has looked dangerous whenever he has come on as a replacement. Lively, aggressive and a nightmare to defend, he actually reminds me a lot of Mike Brown a few years ago, refusing to accept he has been tackled. A question of who makes way out of Jonny May and Anthony Watson is difficult – I swapped my mind a few times, but I think May has been the slight better of the two so far. His pace worries opposition and fixes defenders, opening space elsewhere. Ford and Farrell have also had a lot of success targeting May with cross-field kicks, turning the opposition and backing his speed to beat opponents. Watson is a real weapon to have on the bench, however, and will be lethal against tiring opponents.
Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Courtney Lawes, 20 Sam Simmonds, 21 Richard Wiggleworth, 20 Ben Te’o, 21 Anthony Watson
England’s replacements have had noticeably less impact this tournament than in previous games. However, with the likes of Lion Kyle Sinckler and Sam Simmonds returning, not to mention a benched Courtney Lawes, there is certainly more aggressive ball carrying threat and power to come from the bench. There are also two more Lions in Anthony Watson and Ben Te’o to bring on in the backs – hopefully this looks more like the game-changing set of finishers who made such a difference for England so often last year.
Who would you pick?
By Henry Ker
agreed with no debate from me. Which is rare.
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I would largely agree with you but, I would make a few changes.
I would start with Farrell at 10 with T’eo and Daly in the midfield. The only thing with leaving JJ out is I think he’s better in defence than Daly but, he has not been good enough in the last few games. I did think about having Nowell at 13 but I think T’eo and Daly would make a more balanced pairing.
I know a lot of people won’t like it or agree with it but, I would start with Wigglesworth. Him and Farrell play and train together at 9 and 10 so much it’s almost instinct. He also has a better kicking game and will help keep France pinned in their own half with better box kicking.
The other change I would make would be to bring Simmonds in at 7 and have Underhill on the bench. Simmonds will do all the chasing and tackling that Underhill does but will also carry lots of ball. When Hughes tires, bring on Underhill and move Simmonds to 8.
Geoerge, Marler, Sinckler, Lawes, Underhill, Care, Ford and Watson on the bench.
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The issue for me lies with the gameplan, not with the selection of Wigglesworth to carry it out. England have kicked away a lot of possession and, whilst it gains territory, it gifted Scotland far too much possession which they returned with interest. The french have equally dangerous backs who could do damage to England. I would much rather England keep hold of the ball, go through the phases and build from there.
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I fully agree re Simmons. Underhill great defender but poor in attack.Hartley got to go after 6N
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If we’re going to see any boldness from Eddie I still feel it will be on the South Africa tour than in these last two games here, but the team really could use a freshen-up. Evolving has been put aside in the constant search for wins – understandable given the nature of international rugby – but there are a few players who could improve the team who have been sat on the sidelines and now time is running out. For some a freshen-up however literally just means a rest – Mako, Itoje, Lawes and George all look bushwhacked, and a few weeks off would do them the world of good. The clubs need to start protecting their own in this regard, rather than running them into the ground, and Eddie’s training regimen could perhaps have been a bit more sympathetic to them – there’s a reason the entire team looked heavy-legged last week, and it’s because they were ragged from pillar to post for two weeks in training. It might be worth it come the World Cup so it’s possibly a worthwhile risk, but it backfired against a much fresher and well-rested Scotland team.
As for selection, if you asked me right now to pick a team for South Africa it would look considerably different to the one I’d name here, given squad constraints and all that, but I ‘d still be more experimental with selection here than you’ve been. I’d be tempted to swap Mako and Marler over, but not fussed either way. George comes in for Hartley, making Farrell captain, and Williams in for Cole. Hartley and Cole are picked for their set-piece work but England haven’t dominated any opponent at the scrum so far (although the line-out’s been pretty solid), and not just in this 6N but pretty much for Eddie’s whole tenure (and interestingly the toughest scrummaging opponents England have faced were Argentina back in the summer, and the rookie props more than held their own there). You do not gain enough of an advantage at the scrum to justify picking both any more and therefore losing effectiveness around the park, so at least one has to be moved on soon. Launchbury and Itoje in the second row and Robshaw and Underhill on the flanks, but ‘d bring in Mercer at 8. He’s a more intelligent all round player than Hughes, who also needs some game time to get back up to speed, plus he offers a line-out option that is otherwise lost by dropping Lawes to the bench. He may not be a bulky carrier but whenever takes the ball standing still, has excellent handling skills, runs great lines and constantly shifts the point of contact; he’s a nightmare to tackle, he just doesn’t run over or through opponents. Cowan-Dickie, whichever of Mako or Marler that doesn’t start, Sinckler, Lawes (tempted by Ewels to give Lawes a rest though) and Simmonds make up bench forwards.
For the backs, Eddie’s screwed the pooch at 9. Wigglesworth is a starter or nothing so for that reason alone he’s in the XV, but the abdication of responsibility to develop the pool properly in Youngs’ absence goes down as a major black mark on Jones IMO. A poor selection, although with bad weather forecast and me breaking up to two playmaker axis his boot will come in handy. Faz moves into 10, Te’o comes in at 12. One, I want to see how Joseph plays outside a bigger carrier who’s likely to create more space for him, and two, it’s a placeholder for South Africa, where I’d like to see a Tuilagi/Slade combo tried, as both could interchange between inside and outside and offer a good blend of power, pace and creativity. Watson to 15, Nowell on the right and Daly on the left, although Daly should come in and help Faz control the game. Care, Ford and Solomona make up the bench backs. Tempted by Lozowski over Ford for reasons of versatility and given the flexibility of the starting back three you could argue for him to take the final bench spot too, but being pragmatic if Faz went down with an injury in the opening 10 minutes it’d be silly not to have Ford in the 23. Solomona over May on the bench because I just feel he has a higher ceiling – May’s never quite transferred his lethality at domestic level to the international stage and while his kick chase and defence have improved out of sight I still don’t feel he offers enough all round in attack if he’s not scoring regularly (He only has 12 tries for England from 32 caps, not a great strike rate for a try scoring winger). Solomona has improved on the areas he was shown up in in the summer and is still a finisher to boot – I feel he’s earned a chance. May certainly isn’t out of the picture though, and I’d not be disappointed to see him in the 23.
Marler/Vunipola, George, Williams, Launchbury, Itoje, Robshaw, Underhill, Mercer.
Wigglesworth, Farrell, Daly, Te’o, Joseph, Nowell, Watson.
Replacements: Cowan-Dickie, Marler/Vunipola, Sinckler, Lawes, Simmonds, Care, Ford, Solomona.
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Sorry about the essay!
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Question for you, would you bring Billy back in once he’s fit and had some game time? Mercer on the bench in place of Simmonds?
I like the idea of having a different 8 option on the bench to change the dynamic. For me if Billy is fit I would always start him, but with either Simmonds or Mercer on the bench instead of Hughes.
I also wouldn’t mind seeing a back row of the three of them together in the future. 6. Mercer, 7. Simmonds, 8. BV.
As we saw at the weekend, both Mercer and Simmonds are not quitters and, are intelligent players with or without the ball in hand.
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Yes, would have Billy back in the side immediately once he’d proven his fitness; he’s pretty much the most vital player in the team. The back row is going to change quite a bit I fancy over the home stretch to the RWC, but Billy will be the constant if he can get and stay fit.
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Personally I’d keep Daly on the wing, and I certainly wouldn’t be dropping our best back three player (Watson). I would move him to full back through, where he can get involved in the game more. I know Brown is solid, but that doesn’t cut it for an international full back. His Wales form was a one off, not his Scotland form.
Mako, Hartley, Cole, Launchbury, Itoje, Robshaw, Underhill, Hughes, Care, Farrell, Nowell, Te’o, JJ, Daly, Watson
George, Marler, Sinkler, Lawes, Simmonds, Wrigglesworth, Ford, May
I would definitely consider Wrigglesworth over Care too, based on style, but I can’t help thinking that Care is just so much better than Wrigglesworth that it makes no sense. Robson, Simpson and even Spencer are better options than Wrigglesworth.
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Don’t underestimate Wiggy. He can control the game excellently from 9 which would take some pressure off Farrell at 10. After 55-60 minutes, Care, Ford and whoever come on and up the pace for the last quarter.
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Think you have nailed the team here; though I am a big Ford fan i think the combination of JJ and Teo in midfield would be a very complimentary one.
May hasnt been strong enough defensively for me so should make way for Daly. Nowell has also shown he offers a lot in terms of a carrying, clearing rucks and in his defence in general.
Although, just read that he hasnt trained this week so is doubtful -_-
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Disagree about Watson who was poor against scotland. When moved to fullback his positioning was bad and he missed a couple of straight-forward high balls. I don’t think he’s an international quality fullback defensively. And being able to trust your fullback is paramount.
Brown rarely plays poorly 2 matches in a row and to look at his record with England and suggest that the Wales match was the one off rather than Scotland is just bizarre.
Couldn’t agree more about Wigglesworth but someone needs to remind Care to still play his natural game. He’s not threatening defences in the way he did from the bench making him so effective at finishing games. It seems to me that he’s too concerned about proving he can manage a game and kick well – he’s forgotten his natural flair
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Re comments on Care – totally agree. By no means has he been poor, but not playing his natural game. Important he does control the game and kick well, but if that is all he does and drops the more attacking elements of his game, we might as well pick Wigglesworth
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Completely disagree on Brown – pre-Wales, when was hit last great game? In Paris, in the rain, perhaps my selection of him would change. But if Japan on dry tracks, we won’t win a WC with “safe” backs like him in the side.
I’m always a bit more lenient on those in the pack that are a bit more “safe”, particularly in the front three. But at full back? No chance, we’ll need game changers, which he hasn’t been at test level for years.
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Changes I’d make:
Marler for Mako – MV off the bench. Marler fresh and the better scrummager
Lawes for Itoje – Itoje looks knackered.
Backrow – 6.Robshaw, 7. Underhill 8. Hughes (should be better for the run out)
Outside centre: Daly for JJ – I still don’t quite get the love for JJ
Wings – Nowell for May – Nowell much the harder more effective worker, May better later in the game on fresh legs
Bench: George, Mako, Sinckler, Itoje, Simmonds, Wiggleworth (wish we had a different option), Te’o, May
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England’s best period of play so far this tournament was the first 15-20 minutes against Wales, and the reason for that awesomeness can be summed up in one word: TEMPO.
The back row and other clearout merchants were quicker to the breakdown than in other games, but the most significant difference was Danny Care at scrum half. The pace he usually injects from the bench was evident right from the beginning. Wales couldn’t live with the quick ball England generated and that is why Mr Care must start again.
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Mako, George, Williams, Launchbury, Lawes, Robshaw, Underhill, Hughes
Care, Ford, Nowell, Farrell, JJ, May, Watson
Marler, Sinckler, Cowan-Dickie, Itoje, Simmonds, Robson, Te’o, Daly
Right I’m fed up seeing underperforming players who wont get ant better cluttering up the side. Time to shift them out, so no Hartley, Cole, Brown and Wigglesworth. Time to cut adrift some dead wood.
Continuity in selection has its merits, but so too dies a major shake up from time to time. Now is the time for a bold selection.
Risky? Probably, but some tough calls have to be made if the side is to advance.
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England’s most threatening centre partnership over the past 3-4 years was Burgess and Slade in that 2015 world cup warm-up game against France. Yes, I am proposing (for the second time in under a week on these esteemed pages) the immediate reinstatement* of Slammin’ Sam at 12, as well as the wholesale change of England’s midfield, with Farrell moving to 10 and Joseph dropped, with Nowell covering 13 from the bench.
*Including begging the Rabbitohs to release him for the final two Six Nations matches.
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That midfield pairing did seem to have near perfect balance, if a little green. Made it all the more infuriating when Lancaster reverted to Barrett during the tournament.
I can see Tuilagi filling the SB void, partnering either JJ or Slade to give a nice blend of power, pace and precision.
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Yes it was infuriating. Lancaster paid too much heed to ill-informed armchair pundits and jealous scumbag journos. For me, this has been the single most pleasing change about the way Eddie Jones conducts business.
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Mercer, Nowell and Underhill all out of the France game – how annoying! Apparently both Hartley and Williams struggling to make it too. Just what does Eddie do to them in training?
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Goddamn…
In which case I would still advocate moving Robshaw to 6, bring Simmonds in at 7 and Hughes at 8.
Will we go back to three locks for the final period when Hughes goes off…? Being reported on the bbc Haskell is going to be recalled to the 23. Would prefer that.
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Needs must if injuries have struck but Haskell would feel like a placeholder now, much like Wood did when Jones recalled him. He’s not done all that much to warrant a recall, although his versatility and physical impact make him a decent bench option for this game. This is why Eddie needs to be braver with selection – every time he looks set to finally lose patience the people he wants to give a chance to get injured!
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6. Robshaw
7. Haskell (with a brief to run himself into the ground, to be replaced around 50’ by Simmonds)
8. Hughes (with a brief to run himself into the ground, to be replaced around 50’ by Mercer)
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Just as well that Daly and Simmonds are back from injury. Haskell on the bench is the more sensible option given his experience. I just hope that Eddie gives Simmonds a go in the 7 shirt and doesn’t start with Haskell!?
Given these new injury problems I would start with T’eo and JJ in the midfield and have Daly on the bench to cover the back three.
I guess this means that LCD and Sinckler will be on the bench!?
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Read a piece about EJ in Japan, saying how he cant stay too long in one place as he wears the teams down mentally and physically after a while – his intensity becomes detrimental. There seems to be a constant stream of injuries in training with England now and tiredness in performance. I wonder if after a long season and Lions tour some of the players are struggling with his methods a little now?
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Intensity doesn’t necessarily mean a lack of longevity – Guardiola is a famously ruthless taskmaster when it comes to training (he’s a big influence on Jones) and he builds dynasties and long term successful teams, so it can be done. I think we’re seeing a team full of players who were already knackered after the Lions that weren’t given a proper rest by their clubs and are now being run ragged by their international coach. Eddie could have been more in tune with that when it comes to training, but at the same time I think he’s trying to get in a lot of the hard work on that front now so they can lighten the load leading into the World Cup.
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I think a few new players would not necessarily be bad against France – rest for regulars and experience/exposure for others. I would really like to see Greg Bateman called up and given a shot – i reckon he thinks he’s a 12 at the moment!
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He’s better than most 12s!
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