Although England defended their Six Nations title with a game to spare, they came undone at the last test, confronted by an Irish side making a habit of spoiling winning runs. However, some have argued the defeat was a blessing in disguise. As Eddie Jones said, ‘we are better off having that experience today than in Yokohama stadium at 8pm on 2 November 2019’ – the date of the Rugby World Cup final.
England were far from convincing in much of the tournament. The clinical thrashing of an over-awed Scottish side belying the fact they laboured past France, Wales and Italy, requiring scores at the death to sink the former two and struggling to adapt to the crafty ‘Fox’ of the latter.
The competition also exposed a few positions where, despite England’s vast player pool, their resources look a little thin. England will likely lose a significant contingent to the Lions this Summer while they tour Argentina, and Jones has indicated he will also rest those players for the Autumn Internationals.
Here’s the three positions where I think Jones needs to experiment and find some strength in depth.
Fullback
Mike Brown has started at fullback in 16 of the 17 games under Jones and invariably finished them too (the exception being the experiment with Alex Goode against Fiji). Brown is a vice-captain and clearly trusted by Jones. Despite Brown’s naysayers, he has been tasked with a specific role – be rock solid in defence and catch and return the ball, taking contact and setting up the next move.
However, Mike Brown is 31. Will he still be in top form in two years or what should happen if he gets injured? There are also questions from fans – Brown’s style is commendable but should England not want to find a bit more creativity and flair at the back, given the fullback enjoys more space than any other player. Look what George Ford started when Jonathan Davies miss-kick fell to him against Wales in the Six Nations. Head up, run into space and throw the pinpoint pass to Farrell who then sent Elliot Daly into the corner and won the match. Would Brown have done the same had he fielded the kick?
Daly and Watson have been mooted as possible alternatives but both have yet to be given a chance there, while Mike Haley is the emerging prospect. Alex Goode, the reigning Premiership player of the year, for all his creativity doesn’t seem to fit in with Jones plans. Beyond them the ground looks a little thin.
Another issue is that Brown is far from certain to make the Lions tour, while both Watson and Daly are more likely to make the plane. If Brown is still left out of New Zealand, will Jones try other options? At the very least, Mike Haley should be given a chance in Argentina to press his claims in one of the games, and there would be serious value in backing him as starter for both tests.
Scrum half
This may be a surprising position of worry – England have two top class scrum halves in Ben Youngs and Danny Care. Both are almost identically extensively capped (Youngs 70 England, plus two Lions; Care 71 England) and produced exceptional performances recently. Youngs offers the control and kicking game (as well has having an eye for a break) while Care relishes the open space provided as the game breaks up in the final period.
But should England have to rely on a combo of two players at scrum half? Also both have been known to suffer when their pack is not dominant. This may be common with many scrum halves, but Rhys Webb, Connor Murray and Ali Price have recently shown real composure and ability behind a struggling set of forwards.
I am hoping at least one of Youngs and Care will make the Lions, so Dan Robson, and his Wasps teammate Joe Simpson for that matter, get a chance in Argentina. Robson has the skillset to be the complete number nine for England, but only gametime will show if he can deliver.
The backrow
England missed Chris Robshaw during the Six Nations more than any other player. His workrate and composure was noticeably absent against the Irish, where England’s backrow was outplayed – Peter O’Mahoney delivered exactly the kind of performance for Ireland that Robshaw does for England.
Maro Itoje was deployed on the blindside all championship, and although he did well, he was a way off the sublime performances he delivered at lock and the general balance of the backrow felt wrong. England also restored James Haskell and Billy Vunipola to the side the second they were declared fit by the doctor. Consequently, although playing well, they underwhelmed compared to their world-class displays in 2016.
Part of the reason for their immediate return was because the replacements didn’t cut it in comparison. Tom Wood, Teimana Harrison and Jack Clifford have all featured at various points over the autumn series and Six Nations but none have come close to matching the displays of the six-and-a-halfs, Robshaw and Haskell, last year.
There is the same issue with Robshaw and Haskell as with Mike Brown – they are the wrong side of 30 and it is a gamble to expect them to still be at their best in two years time.
Harrison and Clifford are both comparatively young and may still fulfil their potential – however they are not there yet. Sam Jones and Mike Williams were included before injuring themselves earlier in the season, and while Sale’s Josh Beaumont has featured at the England camps, Jones apparently considers him more as a lock.
I think we need to look outside this group and at the two young sevens, Sam Underhill and Will Evans. They are both the traditional style opensides that England have lacked for so long, and although they may still be young come 2019, but both have already shown they have the talent to be future internationals.
Blindside is trickier. Mike Williams will likely get another chance but is he (or Sam Jones for that matter) really a world class player in waiting? Eddie Jones could do worse than looking at Newcastle’s Will Welch. Welch likely suffers unfairly in selectors’ eyes because he plays at the Falcons, but I think he has serious potential and would fill the workhorse role of Robshaw better than the other options in the EPS.
I would also take the immense Zach Mercer and fast track him into the squad. Much like another former Under 20s captain, Maro Itoje, before him, he looked a class above the other players during the Under 20s competitions. Although an eight by trade he is not a physical specimen in the mould of Billy and instead I could see him doing a very impressive job for England at six down the line.
The backrow is perhaps the most critical area that needs addressing. It may be a sweeping generalisation, but for me, if a side cannot win the backrow battle, they cannot win the match.
It’s definitely not all negative – in some positions, England have an embarrassment of riches. The selection dilemma at lock, for example, will be one every coach wished they had – simply, four don’t go into two. Between Launchbury, Lawes, Kruis and Itoje, whoever you drop can feel rightly aggrieved. But England need depth like this across the board. They need to take the opportunity presented by the Lions to build options in these three key positions if they are to lift the trophy in 2019.
Where do you think England need to build strength in depth? Who should Jones test out in Argentina?
By Henry Ker
“if a side cannot win the backrow battle, they cannot win the match.”
Something England have had to do many times during the 18 games run with a considerable ratio of success
Still good article, not sure i want to rush some of the young guns like Mercer of Haley straight into the first team but the time is well past due to look at other options at 9 and depending on form Underhill might warrant some tine off the bench
I may have my rose-tinted specs on, but I thought over the past year England have been fairly dominant in the backrow? The ‘Harrison-early-sub’ incident against Australia aside, this year’s Six Nations (France and Ireland in particular) was the first time I felt they struggled or were distinctly second best.
I think at full back we don’t need to look elsewhere until we see how both Daly and Watson get on there. Both look to have the skills sets and we already know that both are test match quality. It’s unfortunate that we probably won’t see either of them play for England again this year if Jones sticks to his guns on not playing the Lions players in the AIs.
Robson definitely warrants a look, but I still think that Youngs and Care are our best two options. I like the mix of Youngs strong kicking game for an hour followed by Care’s speed at the breakdown.
On the backrow, Underhill looks like he could be the one to come in and fill the 7 shirt. Robshaw is our 6 and I don’t think his age is a problem. Between him and Haskell they can be the options at 6 going into the next WC comfortably.
For fullback I would definitely have a closer look at Haley, but I think Daly is the most rounded back we have and would fill the role best. Watson looks comfortable at full back for Bath, but not sure if he would be so comfortable at top level.
To be honest though we have three guys in Daly, Watson and Nowell who have all played at fullback for their clubs. If we played the three of them together I think it would work out nicely.
Robson looks like the best prospect for me at scrum half, but I wouldn’t mind seeing Harrison given a shot. Plays a good back up for Youngs at Tigers and has a real ability with ball in hand.
Spencer needs more game time either at Sarries (rumour has it he’s leaving!!) or somewhere else, but he is a good player.
In the back row I think there are players that have been overlooked for some time. I know I’m slightly biased but I can’t see why Jackson Wray has never been given a shot. A great all round back row player who has never let Sarries down whichever number he’s got on his back. More effective at 6, but has developed a good ability to play at 8 when Billy’s been out.
Armand is another good player who has covered all back row options with aplomb for the Chiefs.
It is a real shame we don’t have the Saxons anymore because it was a great way of giving these guys a chance to show what they can do and basically providing a back up squad you could pick and choose players from when senior squad players got injured.
Wray is an interesting one, he’s always looked like a good player but he’s never really nailed down a Sarries spot. When everyone is available does he get a look in? Even in the 23?
Ewers was one that I thought was going to really come through but he didn’t ever really kick on after some initial good form.
I still think Sam Jones will be right in the mix when he comes back from injury, he looked like he was really coming into his own at the start of this reason. Again, I’m slightly biased here.
On Wray, when everyone is fit he rotates with Billy and Rhoades in the 8 or 6 shirt respectively. When Billy is away he starts at 8 every game. An absolute work horse off the ball, and an accomplished carrier as well. Much in the mould of Robshaw to be honest.
I guess that’s what I mean, to be England quality should be not be a guaranteed starter over the likes of Rhodes in the big games?
The one that I think might take the 6 shirt over the next 18 months or so is Zach Mercer. What a player he looks to be.
We have three generations of Under-20 world cup winners yet very few are even playing regularly for their clubs, let alone at a higher level. Its something I have always considered the ABs to do better than everyone else – identifying talented players in their early 20s and making them internationals quickly. Instead we give them a taste of success early on and then leave them to drift for years.
I’m not sure that’s true.
The 2013 team for the final was:
J Nowell; A Watson, H Sloan, S Hill, B Howard (H Purdy, 68); H Slade, A Day (C Braley, 53); A Hepburn (D Hobbs-Awoyemi, 56), L Cowan-Dickie, S Wilson, T Price (H Wells, 68), D Barrow, R Moriarty (D Sisi, 48), M Hankin (S Spurling, 70), J Clifford (capt).
4 of that group are England senior internationals (and Moriarty is a Welsh one), and a further 4 (at least) are getting regular AP gametime.
For 2014, we have:
Aaron Morris (Bedford), Howard Packman (Northampton), Nick Tompkins (Saracens), Harry Sloan (Harlequins), Nathan Earle (Saracens), Billy Burns (Gloucester), Henry Taylor (Loughborough University); Danny Hobbs-Awoyemi (Northampton), Tom Woolstencroft (Bath), Paul Hill (Leeds), Maro Itoje (Saracens, captain), Charlie Ewels (Bath), Ross Moriarty (Gloucester), Gus Jones (Wasps), James Chisholm (Harlequins)
Leaving aside Moriarty and Sloan, who were in the 2013 squad, Hill and Itoje are internationals and a further 7 are playing regular AP rugby.
The 2015 squad had a lot of returnees from 2014, and added Max Clark and Ellis Genge to the mix.
The 2016 vintage was:
ENGLAND U-20: Max Malins (Saracens); Sam Aspland-Robinson (Harlequins), Joe Marchant (Harlequins), Johnny Williams (London Irish), Matt Gallagher (Saracens); Harry Mallinder (Northampton Saints) (capt), Max Green (Yorkshire Carnegie); Lewis Boyce (Yorkshire Carnegie), Jack Singleton (Worcester Warriors), Billy Walker (Saracens), Stan South (Harlequins), Huw Taylor (Worcester Warriors), George Nott (Sale Sharks), Will Evans (Leicester Tigers), Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons).
I make it 6 who are playing regular rugby – which isn’t bad for 20 year olds. You also have to add in 18 year old Theo Brophy-Clews, who was injured early in the tournament but was and is regularly starting for London Irish.
In the current England squad you have Marler, Mako, George, Sinckler, Launchbury, Itoje, Billy, Clifford, Ford, Farrell, Joseph, Watson, May and Nowell who all came through the U20s at various times.
What’s Mike Haley’s form been like this season? I haven’t really noticed him. Has he been injured?
I’d throw Ben Spencer in the ring for consideration at scrum half as well as the Wasps guys.
Interesting that you’ve picked out Will Welch – I would have said, just looking at Falcons, Mark Wilson could offer more and deserves the chance. I can’t quote any now but his stats are a bit silly aren’t they?
As Eddie seems unconvinced by Roko and Wade, perhaps he’ll take a look at James Short as a wing option? He’s been very effective for Chiefs for a couple of years now.
What about at tighthead? Cole and or Sinckler have a reasonable chance of Lions selection – Brooks and Hill would be next in line but have they been that convincing for Saints? Henry Thomas, if fit?
Haley’s form has been a bit up and down from the games I have seen (bit like Sale to be honest). It is perhaps more gut feeling and how he performed for the Saxons.
Mark Wilson is a good shout – I have just been really impressed with Welch on the occasions I have watched the Falcons. I also like the fact, as a their current captain, he will bring some leadership to the group. Something Robshaw offers and we were missing at times in the 6N
Tighthead is the position that worries me most for depth. Regardless of Cole’s participation in the Lions tour Sinckler and Hill need plenty of game time.
Fullback is my second concern as the back up options EJ has in mind aren’t regular club fullbacks.
SH and backrow we have some exciting options to try, but need to try them!
I suppose it’s just a matter of balancing the need to win matches and allowing players continuity and game time in position, with the need to blood players and have 2nd/3rd choice players as back ups.
Every game EJ has coached so far has been a must win for what ever reason. I’d say the summer tour is the first chance he’s had where winning actually isn’t that important. I’d almost rather we lost to Argentina but came away discovering that Robson should be our starting SH or should be discarded.
I don’t think jack Clifford has had a fair rub of the green, Harrison has and is not at all a decent international player.
Clifford needs a couple of starts and a real work out.
Can I add a question mark over Fly Half too? a load of eggs being loaded in the George Ford basket if he is injured I don’t think Farrell will be moved across.
Will Lovendowski (sorry on the spelling) be given a chance or dare we mention Cipriani?
Or Slade of course
Pablito – Yes sorry forgot about Slade, thank you.
Woodward wrote in the Daily Mail two weeks ago that he’d play Wade tomorrow if he were coach.
Perhaps he needs to go and persuade EJ on the matter. He’d certainly make a good strike winger that’d score tries (more than both Nowell or May do being intermittent). Something England have not had since Cueto, Cohen and R Underwood.
Makes sense Woodward would say this as he has more than a passing semblance to Jason Robinson.
Wade is a little on the defensively light side but i’d have him as an impact player from the bench.
Woodward of Bristol for fullback perhaps?
Also if we’re looking specifically at the Argentina tour, lock may actually be an interesting conundrum because of so many potential Lions call-ups. Launchbury, Itoje, Kruis, and even Lawes all in with a shout methinks, so who does EJ then take South?
Ewels, Attwood, Symons, Beaumont, Lees, Day, Barrow, Slater, Kitchener. Even Mark Wilson seems to be doing a stint at lock
Pretty amazing depth at lock! Assuming none of the 4 mentioned above hink EJ would take Ewels, Attwood, Beaumont (who he apparently sees as a lock) and one from Symons and Lees
England have 2 top class scrum halves who are they not Youngs and Care that’s for sure
I would say tight head is easily our biggest concern in terms of depth. Dan Cole on his day is (or certainly was) very good. However, he doesn’t seem to have his day as often as he did. And outside of him, we really don’t have a great choice. Sinkler is getting there, but isn’t the best scrummager. But otherwise… Let’s hope someone surprises us soon in the premiership to sure up a scrum that used to be so dominant.
I still feel Alex Goode deserves another crack at FB.He clearly possesses a better passing game and is more elusive than Brown