Eddie Jones’ England regime has “started with a bang” as the new head coach begins preparing his team for their Six Nations tournament opener against Scotland.
Former Wallabies mentor Jones has three uncapped players on course to make their international debuts at Murrayfield on February 6 after back rower Jack Clifford, prop Paul Hill and centre Ollie Devoto were retained at the squad’s Surrey training base.
Lock Maro Itoje was among the 10 players sent back to their clubs for this weekend’s English Premiership matches and Jones opted for Jonathan Joseph at outside centre, releasing Elliot Daly.
Daly has been in outstanding form for Wasps and was named man of the match after scoring an electric try against Leinster on Saturday, but Jones has looked to Joseph’s greater experience for his first match in charge.
Previously rivals for the five eighth role, George Ford and Owen Farrell are thought to be favoured at five eighth and inside centre respectively, so Devoto has been retained to provide cover for the number 12 jersey from the bench.
In total there are 12 survivors from the match day squad toppled 33-13 by Australia at the Rugby World Cup in October, a result that sealed England’s demise in the pool stage.
England’s squad assembled on Sunday night and following a day of meetings and administrative obligations, Jones oversaw his first proper training session.
“It was good. It started with a bang, as might have been expected,” said back rower James Haskell.
“I didn’t know what to expect. Eddie’s very straight talking – he has demanded high standards and the understanding is that winning is the most important factor in everything we do.
“It’s a different mindset and implementation to what has gone on before. Eddie is a very straight-talking guy, likes a bit of banter and has shot me down a couple of times.
“He is a constant presence, which I think is great. There is a big focus on attention to detail, everything is well thought out, well planned and well presented.
“The need for a massive re-build is not the case. Eddie is not trying to start afresh – he’s brought some boys in, he’s got boys that he wants to play and has picked people who are on form.
“He wants to seize the day and that’s what we all want to do, but the first and only goal is Scotland.”
Controversial hooker Dylan Hartley has been appointed captain for the Six Nations and Haskell insists his presence has already been felt.
“Dylan has only been in charge one day but he’s demanding accountability from players and putting the onus back on the boys to win,” Haskell said.
“He was vocal in training and led things from the front when required. He’s quite good at that and that’ll build up more and more.”
nickoldschool
Guest
NB do you know if Courtney Lawes was in the mix for captain? I Reckon he ticks many boxes, is a near certain starter at 4 or 6 (in my england XV at least!) and like Hartley has a very confrontational style that EJ seems to like. Plus he is still young and have at least another rwc ahead of him if all goes well. Haven't seen much of him at club level though so dunno if he's a leader?
Not Bothered
Guest
Itoje is 6 foot 5 and 116 kgs and is not too small. Lawes is taller but no bigger and at 21 Itoje is bigger than Sam Whitelock. If you are worried about him being too short then his lineout skills should put that to rest. At 25 he will probably be around 120 kgs, the same size as Rettalick and as tall as Brad Thorn. Etzebeth is 117 kgs and Itoje is 116 kgs.
Not Bothered
Guest
They get flogged by who? You dont watch rugby do you? Under Lancaster they were 2-2 against Australia.
cuw
Guest
11 , becoz mr rugby league went back to auzzy :) lot of criticism in the press, becoz he dropped Itoje and Daly. however, imo itoje is not big enuf to play at 2nd row at test level - the likes of brodie and ebenezer will eat him alive :) if he is to play 6, then jones has to drop robshaw. he will do that eventually, but for now robshaw is there as a leader. one issue i feel jones will have is managing the press as a foreigner, if he does not win a lot. the cricket coach is doin fine becoz england have started winning and really playing well all round. it was Hitler who said "victory has many fathers but defeat is an orphan!"
cuw
Guest
the worrying thing imo is that since that incident, he has been banned in each of 2012 , 2013 , 2014 , 2015 !!! whats the bet he will make it a Michelle ? :P
Squirrel
Guest
They just don't have rugby nous hence why they get flogged
Ken
Guest
Haskell is a powder puff..Put him in the ring with one of these old pommy players so they can smash some mongrel into him .. Mike Teague Dean Richards Danny Grewcock Martin Johnson etc etc
Ken
Guest
You also have a brain the size of a squrirel i suspect..
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Quite possibly Richard. But the truth is, even under Woodward when his team was beating everyone, you wouldn't find anything that stood out in comparison to the soundbites coming from the camps of those they were about to beat - or from a team going through the same run. Unfortunately too many people on here are more interested in a lazy stereotype than forming a considered opinion.
Bakkies
Guest
Jones can only change 10 players in his squad per the agreement with the axis of evil at PRL
richard
Guest
I found the England team under Lancaster to be very humble.A reflection of their coach,perhaps.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Jones has shown his inbuilt style very early. He is basically very, very conservative. Picking 12 of the 15 who got done by us easily is hardly a new broom. He steps into roles where he can get some action without making hard decisions. He did that with Australia riding McQueens team into the ground and bailed on Qld when it was obvious he had to make hard decisions that could affect his CV. The guy gets little respect from me. Look at what McQueen or Cheika have done and compare it to Eddie-the-eye. No comparison, if he gets put into a tight corner he will bail rather than take the hard decisions. Politically astute but as far as a coach who can change things, it ain't him.
Machooka
Roar Guru
NB... and that would be an 'allblack kettle' yeah? :)
Bakkies
Guest
http://www.sportsjoe.ie/rugby/dylan-hartley-the-definitive-rap-sheet/8333 It was more than one player and he was also done for biting Stephen Ferris. He gave away a stupid costly yellow card against the Boks in the 2014. That was another game England blew by making schoolboy errors.
Squirrel
Guest
The players are clueless. I was at the World Cup
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Tell you what. Why not reproduce a fraction of the 'incredible' amount of hubris coming out of the 'English camp' you refer to for us. And while you're at it, give us some of the unique specifics you obviously have in mind pre RWC. I honestly hadn't realised how uniquely immodest and lacking in humility the braggarts Lancaster and his coaching and playing group had been.
Not Bothered
Guest
Nick, its truely sad and frustrating.
Not Bothered
Guest
I think hes pointing out that the pot is calling the kettle black.
Not Bothered
Guest
Gym junkies?! Try watching rugby.
cuw
Guest
The 23 players retained by England are: Forwards Dan Cole (Leicester Tigers), Jack Clifford (Harlequins), Jamie George (Saracens), Dylan Hartley (Northampton Saints), James Haskell (Wasps), Paul Hill (Northampton Saints), George Kruis (Saracens), Joe Launchbury (Wasps), Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints), Joe Marler (Harlequins), Chris Robshaw (Harlequins), Billy Vunipola (Saracens), Mako Vunipola (Saracens). Backs Mike Brown (Harlequins), Danny Care (Harlequins), Ollie Devoto (Bath Rugby), Owen Farrell (Saracens), George Ford (Bath Rugby), Alex Goode (Saracens), Jonathan Joseph (Bath Rugby), Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs), Anthony Watson (Bath Rugby), Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers).