England Squad Named

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SQUAD IN FULL

Here it is: Eddie Jones first squad as England head coach.

Forwards

Josh Beaumont (Sale Sharks), Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), Maro Itoje (Saracens), George Kruis (Saracens), Matt Kvesic (Gloucester Rugby) *injury replacement for Dave Ewers (Exeter Chiefs), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Matt Mullan (Wasps), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Henry Thomas (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for Kieran Brookes (Northampton Saints), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens)

Backs

Chris Ashton (Saracens), Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Elliot Daly (Wasps), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby) *injury replacement for Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Alex Goode (Saracens), Sam Hill (Exeter Chiefs) *injury replacement for Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Marland Yarde (Harlequins), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Per Sky

beshocked wrote:
I've already said so much on the topic. I think I've made my opinion awfully.

Fixed that for you
I'm not a fan of Hartley and would much rather see George start. But then I'm not an experienced international coach, so I imagine that Eddie Jones knows a bit more about rugby than I do or ever will. If he sees captain material in Hartley then I can only hope that he is right, and the captaincy will be the making of Hartley. I do think England need a stronger and more abrasive leader than Robshaw but I don't see too many contenders at the moment, maybe after a season or two we'll see new leaders develop but until then Hartley may well be the standout candidate and might even go on to make a fine captain.

BamBam wrote:

beshocked wrote:Yes Sgt Pooly. It's because most of the time I am proved to be correct.

Not all the time of course but mostly.

Geordiefalcon yes I am sure he does but he's just one player in the England squad.

no 7 & 1/2 it's a kick in the teeth for George. He'll probably take it in his stride like he did Hartley's headbutt but still it's an unnecessary blow.

Why on earth does George have to keep on having to prove himself off the bench when he's the in form hooker? Just need to pick him to start.


Just feel like England raise my expectations, just to dash them gleefully.

I should probably take more of a detached view to the England selection as it generally frustates me.

Anyone would think Hartley had headbutted your favourite aunt, not a professional rugby player who has probably been hit much harder and hit others much harder himself 

Jamie is a big boy beshocked, what you keep banging on about as a vicious headbutt, he probably views as a little tickle

Howay man.....that's just too much!

We have plenty of young Captains coming through...

Kvesic, Clifford, Itoje etc. But they are young and inexperienced. They need to get into the side and play games first.

Hartley has been given the job for the 6n. And judging by what many are saying he looks after his team very well indeed. He also has a good graps of tactics and games etc...ie winning.

If he proves valuable, then he MAY get it for the summer tour. But others will be challenging aswell.

beshocked wrote:Just feel like England raise my expectations, just to dash them gleefully.

Yep that's the reason the coaches have made their decisions, to take glee in building up your expectations just to dash them.

The reality is that you're as far away from EJ's thinking as could possibly be which is rather useful otherwise we'd just have a 1st XV of Jamie George clones.

GeordieFalcon wrote:I would also say that this really is only for the 6n...9 weeks.

To get the ball rolling he has picked an experience and successful captain. And an experienced good player with the skill set for his position.

After that things may well be different ( The summer tour etc).

Most sensible reaction yet I think.

Jones didn't have a stand-out choice as skipper as all the options were flawed in some way. That given he has selected someone for the short term who has done a good job as a captain before and will get the side to play as the new coach wants.

I'm not a huge fan of Hartley as skipper, mainly because I think George should be starting. It really is neither the atrocity that some are making out or fantastic appointment that others a heralding. It simply is a choice made from a small group of options none of which are currently without faults.

GeordieFalcon wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Long way to go before that first 6N's game. Plenty of things could happen in between.

George will get his chance, if not in this 6N's then definitely in the summer tour

Its next weekend Yappy

That did even occur to me!

GeordieFalcon wrote:

yappysnap wrote:Long way to go before that first 6N's game. Plenty of things could happen in between.

George will get his chance, if not in this 6N's then definitely in the summer tour

Its next weekend Yappy

Ah but it is in Scotland...


I'll get my coat

Seriously it's come about quickly though!

Don't feel ready for it personally.

king_carlos wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:I would also say that this really is only for the 6n...9 weeks.

To get the ball rolling he has picked an experience and successful captain. And an experienced good player with the skill set for his position.

After that things may well be different ( The summer tour etc).

Most sensible reaction yet I think.

Jones didn't have a stand-out choice as skipper as all the options were flawed in some way. That given he has selected someone for the short term who has done a good job as a captain before and will get the side to play as the new coach wants.

I'm not a huge fan of Hartley as skipper, mainly because I think George should be starting. It really is neither the atrocity that some are making out or fantastic appointment that others a heralding. It simply is a choice made from a small group of options none of which are currently without faults.

All the positive attributes you just awarded Hartley are the same things you could say about Robshaw as his most positive qualities.

The difference is Robshaw has the common sense not to bite, Gouge, call refree's cheat, punch, elbow, head butt or do any of these things when it will most effect his international team.

Nearly every single England fan on here wanted Hartley in their RWC squad. But his idiotic temperament let you and your team down.

I am surprised he is now a shallow saviour.

I think a good coach has been poorly advised to select Hartley as captain. Time will tell, I may be completely wrong.

But I find it very hard to accept a player who represents all that can be bad about contact sport.

beshocked wrote:Yes Sgt Pooly. It's because most of the time I am proved to be correct.

Not all the time of course but mostly.

Geordiefalcon yes I am sure he does but he's just one player in the England squad.

no 7 & 1/2 it's a kick in the teeth for George. He'll probably take it in his stride like he did Hartley's headbutt but still it's an unnecessary blow.

Why on earth does George have to keep on having to prove himself off the bench when he's the in form hooker? Just need to pick him to start.


Just feel like England raise my expectations, just to dash them gleefully.

I should probably take more of a detached view to the England selection as it generally frustates me.

And more of a kick to Simpson, Cipriani etc theres too much quality to fit every form player in let alone every option. For every player in theres a player just as good but offering something a little different out.

I see it as more of a kick in the teeth for a long serving senior player to be dropped for the 'current flavour of the month', than it is for the 'current flavour of the month' to have to wait his time to prove that he can sustain his club form over a period of time and take his opportunities at the higher level off the bench.

Not that I think George is just a 'current flavour of the month' - I think time will show that he is a genuine talent.  Hooker has to be one of the more difficult positions for a young player to establish themselves - if a lineout is missed then the hooker can't throw (Youngs), lose a scrum or two and the hooker can't scrummage (Mears), etc - and I don't see a problem in trying to ease him in gently.  I think we have seen too many players rushed into the team and then summarily dumped when they have had a difficult time.

Hartley has the bonus of being a 'relatively' risk free choice at captain.  If England play badly then he can be moved on with few tears shed and the alternatives will have another 6 months experience.  If things go well, it is a genius appointment.  Robshaw is not an option to captain the team as he is too much associated as being Lancaster's man.

Hartley selected as captain?  I am shocked, nothing was ever leaked or hinted at prior!

Eddie Jones wrote:English rugby is indebted to Northampton to have produced such a fine player. Dylan is an honest, hardworking bloke and I admire his aggressive and uncompromising approach to playing rugby.

Together with Steve Borthwick and Paul Gustard, we think he has all the qualities needed to lead this group of players. We look forward to working very closely with him to build a successful England team.

Very nice thoughts by our head coach.

Its all a bit down in the dumps! despite pretty much none of us getting exactly what we wanted for Christmas theres too much paddying, stamping feet and bottom lip protrouding sillyness for what still is a pretty exciting squad.

I think Hartley is a good choice at this moment. Eddie has picked him to be part of a robust pack and even if Hartley does something the Cat media or opposition fans don't like I expect Eddie will stick by him. Its the SH way. In the NH we have been affected by so called 'bad press'. Eddie won't give a shlte unless it is something off the scale.

There are as many positives as negatives about Hartley to be honest. Lets see where he goes.

When I think of George I still remember what LT had to say about him in the run up to the RWC, that he was not as fit as some of the alternatives. He's still going to be there or there abouts and will get game time from the bench. He can still prove he should be the 1st choice.

Sgt_Pooly wrote:You don't need to just throw them in though. If Clifford was totally pulling up tress I'd be tempted to throw him in, but he's not. He's playing well and looking like a good prospect but at this moment in time Haskell is the better player with bags of experience.

Bring Clifford on from the bench, give him a start against Italy. Let the lad grow into International rugby rather than throwing him in to possibly fail. Imagine if he has stage fright and plays a shocker only to be dragged off at half time. There's no rush with these lads, it's not a race.

And if we were talking Kvesic etc at 7, I agree. I wouldn't start Clifford or Itoje straight off, I was just saying that not being tested under pressure can't be a real reason not to start them for England as that seems to be the main concept of pressure used! I also just think we can't say that the breakdown and backrow was all wrong and then play the same backrow... Maybe if Hughes was in there as he is good there, maybe if Itoje or Slater started, but now with Youngs (rightly) out there is even LESS work at the breakdown there and no change in the backrow! And Haskell is to my eyes the same player, talented yes but sometimes inconsistent, that he was before. I don't see what has changed from te old pack. Form for a couple of players but is that what the issue at the breakdown was? Hard to know but the general opinion seemed to be that it was deeper seated than that.

I also don't see the point in not starting any new players, as a policy, against Scotland. They look improved but realistically are matches vs Wales, Ireland, France, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, going to be any easier or lower pressure. No. Will we likely learn anything from how they do vs a declining Italy or will yhat test them under pressure? Probably not. Is the recurrent approach whereby England chuck a second team full of tyros in for a one off match vs Italy and Fiji constructive to anyone? Probably not. What's te point in that policy? If we end up with Ford at 10, Farrell 12 because "we can't start rookies", then I'll be upset. Farrell is clearly the starting 10

Conversely, I am fine with Hartley as captain. George will be great off the bench. If things change, we can reevaluate captains

I also think with a 23 with Hartley, George, Marler, Cole, Launchbury, Itoje, Kvesic/Haskell, Clifford, Care, Robshaw, Youngs, Farrell, Brown in it, we start to look more like a decent number of leaders and potential leaders throughout

Well I'm confident.

1 Mako
2 Hartley
3 Cole
4 Launchbury
5 Kruis
6 Robshaw
7 Kvesic
8 Billy

That's a good pack ,covers all the bases (breakdown, tackling, workrate, carrying, set pieces) Then with itoje and Clifford coming off the bench to open it up. Both potential future captains..

No more doom and gloom. Lets smash this 6n!

So why is Kvesic only an injury replacement if he is Jones' planned starting 7?

My main issue with Hartley is that by making him Captain he'll probably have to start all the 6 Nations games, almost no matter how much better George might play than him e.g. that our best hooker is guarenteed not to start. However, maybe Hartley will rise to the occasion.

I have a similar isue with Brown being named vice-Captain. Goode is simply playing better than him at present.

No 7&1/2 wrote:What is the form team at the moment would we say?

Vunipola George Hill
Launchbury Kruis
Robshaw Kvesic
Beaumont
Simpson Cipriani
Lewington Mallinder Daly Yarde(?)
Goode

I'd say:

Vunipola George Hill
Launchbury Itoje
Robshaw Kvesic
Beaumont
Simpson Cipriani
Short Williams Daly Yarde
Goode

I reckon 5 of them have a decent chance of starting (Vunipola, Launchbury, Itoje, Robshaw, Daly). Nowell would have been a 6th, and Slade a 7th if not for injury.

Nlplp how long must George sustain his club form for? He's been the form hooker at club level in England for at least a year. Whilst in comparison Hartley has been pretty mediocre/ poor.

Wait his time....sure... If Hartley can be picked when he's unfit/ in poor form it makes him practically undroppable.

George's so called waiting his time was in the RWC and that was foolish.

Need to play players at the right time.

No 7 & 1/2 As for cipriani, he's still got so much to prove himself. He's not playing as well as Farrell either.

Simpson - still so many flaws. Plus youngs and care clearly better.

maestegmafia wrote:

king_carlos wrote:

GeordieFalcon wrote:I would also say that this really is only for the 6n...9 weeks.

To get the ball rolling he has picked an experience and successful captain. And an experienced good player with the skill set for his position.

After that things may well be different ( The summer tour etc).

Most sensible reaction yet I think.

Jones didn't have a stand-out choice as skipper as all the options were flawed in some way. That given he has selected someone for the short term who has done a good job as a captain before and will get the side to play as the new coach wants.

I'm not a huge fan of Hartley as skipper, mainly because I think George should be starting. It really is neither the atrocity that some are making out or fantastic appointment that others a heralding. It simply is a choice made from a small group of options none of which are currently without faults.

All the positive attributes you just awarded Hartley are the same things you could say about Robshaw as his most positive qualities.

The difference is Robshaw has the common sense not to bite, Gouge, call refree's cheat, punch, elbow, head butt or do any of these things when it will most effect his international team.

Nearly every single England fan on here wanted Hartley in their RWC squad. But his idiotic temperament let you and your team down.

I am surprised he is now a shallow saviour.

I think a good coach has been poorly advised to select Hartley as captain. Time will tell, I may be completely wrong.

But I find it very hard to accept a player who represents all that can be bad about contact sport.

 Didn't he call you first Maes ? Plainly Jones doesn't know what he is doing.

DaveM wrote:So why is Kvesic only an injury replacement if he is Jones' planned starting 7?

My main issue with Hartley is that by making him Captain he'll probably have to start all the 6 Nations games, almost no matter how much better George might play than him e.g. that our best hooker is guarenteed not to start. However, maybe Hartley will rise to the occasion.

I have a similar isue with Brown being named vice-Captain. Goode is simply playing better than him at present.

I agree. But I also think that will be reversed at top level, such is the nature of each player's game. Also, on that basis, you simply cannot pick a captain. Anyone you pick could be outplayed by the other player in their position

If your captain/vice captain is not playing well enough and taht aspect of their job can be replaced, drop them and explain why to everyone involved openly and making it clear what has to be done to come back in

Nobody think Farrell is the form 10?!

Cips and Simpson are like George in a lot of ways,have the form but need to listen what Jones wants and be able to implement it. But alas you're right form can only take you so far if someone deems you an inferior player.

I'm either going on just the last game cj or including end of last season as well!

DaveM wrote:

No 7&1/2 wrote:What is the form team at the moment would we say?

Vunipola George Hill
Launchbury Kruis
Robshaw Kvesic
Beaumont
Simpson Cipriani
Lewington Mallinder Daly Yarde(?)
Goode

I'd say:

Vunipola George Hill
Launchbury Itoje
Robshaw Kvesic
Beaumont
Simpson Cipriani
Short Williams Daly Yarde
Goode

I reckon 5 of them have a decent chance of starting (Vunipola, Launchbury, Itoje, Robshaw, Daly). Nowell would have been a 6th, and Slade a 7th if not for injury.

Vunipola George Hill
Launchbury Kruis
Robshaw Kvesic Vunipola
Simpson (just. Maybe. But Care not far behind at all) Farrell
Nowell pretty-much-nobody-fit Daly Lewington Goode

8 1/2 (Care) reasonably likely starters
That's not bad for a form only based calculation

What do we count as form? Is the adage "you are only as good as your last game" true? Surely form has to go a bit further back, but how far?

Sorry no 7 &1/2 but that's rubbish. Neither Cipriani or Simpson are playing as well as you think.

Youngs and care are head and shoulders above Simpson who still lacks the overall game management they have.

Cipriani is perhaps unfortunate not to take the out of form ford's place but Farrell is in better form than Cipriani plus has the experience.

George just needs to be trusted at international level. Pretty straightforward.

Even if you think that Hartley is a saint who can do no wrong, England still need another hooker who is comfortable starting for England.

Maybe George will never be as good as the saintly Hartley but the lack of game time means his opportunities to prove whether he is worthy at international level are slim.

A scrap here or there isn't enough.

Picking Hartley as captain puts him on a undroppable pedestal. You tie your fortunes to him. It's risky regardless of whether you think he's a saint or not.

Good job no one thinks Hartleys a saint. Simpson and Cipriani were great last year Simpson again so far buy you don't rate them so ignore their claims. What about Beaumont then? Form 8,even better than Billy. etc. Will Jones be making another big mistake not picking him?

ChequeredJersey wrote:What do we count as form? Is the adage "you are only as good as your last game" true? Surely form has to go a bit further back, but how far?

I would tend to go back a touch further. Just trying to get an example for beshocked but despite his claim of wanting form he really just thinks only his choices are ever justified while shhoting others down with exageration and taking things out of context.

Sorry for pushing one of my own, but Ben Youngs is currently in the best form of his life.

beshocked wrote:Sorry no 7 &1/2 but that's rubbish. Neither Cipriani or Simpson are playing as well as you think.

Youngs and care are head and shoulders above Simpson who still lacks the overall game management they have.

Cipriani is perhaps unfortunate not to take the out of form ford's place but Farrell is in better form than Cipriani plus has the experience.

George just needs to be trusted at international level. Pretty straightforward.

Even if you think that Hartley is a saint who can do no wrong, England still need another hooker who is comfortable starting for England.

Maybe George will never be as good as the saintly Hartley but the lack of game time means his opportunities to prove whether he is worthy at international level are slim.

A scrap here or there isn't enough.

Picking Hartley as captain puts him on a undroppable pedestal. You tie your fortunes to him. It's risky regardless of whether you think he's a saint or not.

Don't think ive seen anyone say that Beshocked? People are just giving their opinions.
Theres no need to be so patronising?

LondonTiger wrote:Sorry for pushing one of my own, but Ben Youngs is currently in the best form of his life.

He'll need to be with Farrell at 10 ....

Billy has been in good form this season, was England's best player in the 6 nations and RWC. Yes Eddie Jones should drop him! Put in Beaumont instead.

I don't think Cipriani was playing as well as ford or Farrell last season - no. 3rd choice 10 - sure. Simpson - distant 3rd choice 9.

Think all 3 of Youngs Care and Simpson have been good LT but if we're really talking who deserves a chance Simpson is 1 of them. I know full well he's up against quality players though.

beshocked wrote:Billy has been in good form this season, was England's best player in the 6 nations and RWC. Yes Eddie Jones should drop him! Put in Beaumont instead.

I don't think Cipriani was playing as well as ford or Farrell last season - no. 3rd choice 10 - sure. Simpson - distant 3rd choice 9.

Beaumont has been a shade better so picking Vunipola would be a bit of a kick to him. You'd presumably have Cips on the bench though if you had the choice. Simpsons form counts for nothing?

beshocked wrote:...I don't think it's a good start to a tenure to step backwards. As an England fan I want to be optimistic but how can when I have no faith in Eddie Jones' selection as captain...

Well, you supported the appointment of Eddie Jones, and now you are (be)shocked that he is coaching and selecting along exactly the same lines he has demonstrated throughout his career. That does rather suggest you supported him without actually looking into what kind of coach he is.

I hope the RFU did a bit more due diligence, although I'm not especially confident they did.

The plain truth is you only ever get so worked up for Saracens players. You have some fantastic lads there but there are others right up there as good as them or with great form, if they lose out its not a travesty just as it isn't thatCips will watch on tv.

I think its a bold move from Jones and I guess he is hoping a few things will happen - firstly that Hartley will provide the impetus for a harder edged England. Secondly that the responsibility will do Hartley himself good in that he will have to be more responsible and curb his temper and also he must see leadership qualities in Hartley

I don't think its a stupid or bad move - but I do think its both brave and risky. In a few months time we will know whether is was a stroke of genius or a daft move

I think it could go either way. But I ain't the coach - Jones is and he has put his reputation on the line on this. I like coaches that take risks.

I think a lot of people are over-thinking this appointment. Mind you, there are a heck of a lot of very stupid (and variously educated) people on 606.

Cyril wrote: Mind you, there are a heck of a lot of very stupid (and variously educated) people on 606.

Can I put my hand up for the very stupid category please?

(If for no reason other than to show that being highly educated, and highly certificated means squat).

LondonTiger wrote:Sorry for pushing one of my own, but Ben Youngs is currently in the best form of his life.

Yes, it's good to actually have our top two scrum halves both playing excellent rugby again, and that makes life harsh on the much improved and in form Simpson.

Scrum half isn't going to be an issue, further down the line there's some talent in Spencer too, plus Chudley etc

The good form of Youngs and Care can also hopefully see an element of rotation to allow both a chance without burning either out. This might be more prevalent for the summer tour rather than the 6 Nations but is still very important to manage.

Between the 2013 Lions, 2014 NZ tour (which Youngs featured in all 3 tests) and RWC he could do with some time off at some point.

A few guys will need a break by the time the summer tour runs around so hopefully we see that used as an opportunity to give a few currently injured guys like Slade, Brookes and Slater a chance.

king_carlos wrote:The good form of Youngs and Care can also hopefully see an element of rotation to allow both a chance without burning either out. This might be more prevalent for the summer tour rather than the 6 Nations but is still very important to manage.

Between the 2013 Lions, 2014 NZ tour (which Youngs featured in all 3 tests) and RWC he could do with some time off at some point.

A few guys will need a break by the time the summer tour runs around so hopefully we see that used as an opportunity to give a few currently injured guys like Slade, Brookes and Slater a chance.

Yeah, I really hope we can keep continuity whilst making our strength in depth a strength rather than a weakness, if that makes sense?

ChequeredJersey wrote:

king_carlos wrote:The good form of Youngs and Care can also hopefully see an element of rotation to allow both a chance without burning either out. This might be more prevalent for the summer tour rather than the 6 Nations but is still very important to manage.

Between the 2013 Lions, 2014 NZ tour (which Youngs featured in all 3 tests) and RWC he could do with some time off at some point.

A few guys will need a break by the time the summer tour runs around so hopefully we see that used as an opportunity to give a few currently injured guys like Slade, Brookes and Slater a chance.

Yeah, I really hope we can keep continuity whilst making our strength in depth a strength rather than a weakness, if that makes sense?

Recognising its an issue is the first challenge. Eddie needs to pick a 23 and stick with it and i expect to see a lot less trial and error than under the last guy

Gwlad wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

king_carlos wrote:The good form of Youngs and Care can also hopefully see an element of rotation to allow both a chance without burning either out. This might be more prevalent for the summer tour rather than the 6 Nations but is still very important to manage.

Between the 2013 Lions, 2014 NZ tour (which Youngs featured in all 3 tests) and RWC he could do with some time off at some point.

A few guys will need a break by the time the summer tour runs around so hopefully we see that used as an opportunity to give a few currently injured guys like Slade, Brookes and Slater a chance.

Yeah, I really hope we can keep continuity whilst making our strength in depth a strength rather than a weakness, if that makes sense?

Recognising its an issue is the first challenge. Eddie needs to pick a 23 and stick with it and i expect to see a lot less trial and error than under the last guy

I'd say we need at least 35 top players to be set by the cycle into the next world cup, as injury is inevitable, but agree we don't want many more people involved than that

ChequeredJersey wrote:

Gwlad wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:

king_carlos wrote:The good form of Youngs and Care can also hopefully see an element of rotation to allow both a chance without burning either out. This might be more prevalent for the summer tour rather than the 6 Nations but is still very important to manage.

Between the 2013 Lions, 2014 NZ tour (which Youngs featured in all 3 tests) and RWC he could do with some time off at some point.

A few guys will need a break by the time the summer tour runs around so hopefully we see that used as an opportunity to give a few currently injured guys like Slade, Brookes and Slater a chance.

Yeah, I really hope we can keep continuity whilst making our strength in depth a strength rather than a weakness, if that makes sense?

Recognising its an issue is the first challenge. Eddie needs to pick a 23 and stick with it and i expect to see a lot less trial and error than under the last guy

I'd say we need at least 35 top players to be set by the cycle into the next world cup, as injury is inevitable, but agree we don't want many more people involved than that

Consistency is key. Find the right combinations early on - they dont have to be the next best player. However England's challenge is managing expectations of success when you have so much to choose from…if a player's form dips its easy to say ok we'll try so and so instead. That is fatal to building a team. There has to be the flexibility to pick new talent where its exceptional but building base takes time and Eddie has to avoid Stewie's mistakes. I think he will because i think with hindsight it is clear Lancaster wrote the book on how not to do it.

Its going to be fascinating to see how this translates on the pitch v Scotland!

Gwlad wrote:

ChequeredJersey wrote:Yeah, I really hope we can keep continuity whilst making our strength in depth a strength rather than a weakness, if that makes sense?

Recognising its an issue is the first challenge. Eddie needs to pick a 23 and stick with it and i expect to see a lot less trial and error than under the last guy

Eddie Jones is more inclined to trial and error than Lancaster. In many cases, Lancaster only made changes because injuries obliged him to.

It's the dream of every coach to pick a squad and get it right first time, but few are lucky enough to do so. If results don't come, you can either stick with your first choice, and hope they deliver what you originally expected, or swap out some players. Lancaster is more in the first camp, while Jones leans the other way.

The main reason Jones will change players is if he finds they don't respond to his coaching. That's been a feature all through his career, and it would be a miracle if all the England players click with him. I'm not talking about personality clashes, just whether they can do everything he asks of them. The other reasons Jones changes players is if he wants a different strategy or different dynamic. Again, he might be lucky and find everything straight away. It's more likely he'll shake things up if it doesn't feel right.