Eddie Jones will once again rely on Tom Curry in the No.8 position for England’s Six Nations clash with Scotland, saying he’s the right player for the position.
A defiant Eddie Jones is persisting with Tom Curry’s conversion to No.8 for England’s Six Nations clash with Scotland, believing he is the long-term answer in the position.
Jones once again opted against selecting a specialist eight in an unchanged 34-man training squad, denying the in-form Alex Dombrandt or Fijian-born powerhouse Nathan Hughes the chance to press their claims.
With Billy Vunipola ruled out of the entire Six Nations by a broken arm, Curry was shifted across the back row for Sunday’s comprehensive 24-17 defeat by France but made little impact.
The 21-year-old was a star of last autumn’s World Cup but on Sunday’s evidence he is a more influential player at blindside or openside flanker.
The absence of a specialist for the trip to Murrayfield points to Curry continuing in his new role and Jones is convinced he will eventually flourish.
“I think Tom can be a (All Black) Rodney So’oialo-type player – a mobile, hard-running eight who has ball skills,” Jones said.
“We want this team to be a great team. To do this we need to have the ambition to make players great players.
“Tom is one of those players we feel can be an absolutely outstanding number eight, but it will take time.
“I am prepared to accept some mistakes for him to learn and become a better eight. We don’t have a one-game selection policy.”
Vunipola was sorely missed at the Stade de France, especially during lengthy spells when England’s forwards pounded the whitewash but lacked the brute strength to make the final breakthrough.
“That sort of attack has become a power game and we weren’t good in that area,” Jones said.
“In the World Cup final we weren’t good in that area and we weren’t good there against France. It’s an area we need to improve in.”
Another urgent task heading to the Scottish capital is restoring the confidence of George Furbank, the 23-year-old Northampton Saint who endured an error-ridden international debut in Paris.
Jones said: “Coaching is about helping players get better. What do you think I’m going to do? Say: ‘George you’re absolute rubbish get out of here, go back to Northampton, work in the shoe factory?’
“What am I going to say to him? Of course I’m going to help him become a better player, and I thought he was good against France.”
Harry Jones
Expert
Eddie has dropped 4 from Paris; yet kept Tom Curry as his eighthman. Also, he’s retained Furbank. Might break him.
Harry Jones
Expert
He was properly sized for 8. A short lock. Fast. Rangy. Hard.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Dylan Hartley who, surprisingly to me at least, offered great value as a commentator mentioned that they hadn’t carried from the base once in the match and that meant they lacked variety and this threat. Curry isn’t an 8 and his career will suffer if EJ is stubborn about this selection
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I don't know how a good who basically played all his big games at lock is a "proper 8". He basically made the reserve lock jersey his own across his career.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I don’t think it is the size and weight. He is 185cm and 109kg.Faletau is only 187cm and 110kg. I think the bigger problem with Curry is that England want a Billy-like ball carrier at 8. Curry cannot perform that role and he also isn’t that dynamic running in the wider channels like Faletau.
Englishbob
Guest
This is rapidly getting out of hand. He complained that Sam Simmonds is too small for an international 8, Curry is the same size and not as quick. Eddie is having a melt down, his other coaches need to have a word but they won't. Scotland are 3/1 at any good bookies to beat this tripe England team at home, they may not be favourites but that's good value.
They will call it “Blooper”
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
England will play three open sides.....Beyond Pooper!
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
By the time I was in my 20s, players at 8 had to be at least 1.90m. And that was a long time ago. I am surprised that Isa is "only" 1.88 but the Pumares back rowers are all quite tall. Taller than Toulon's Isa. I played number 8 until I was 18, then I stopped growing. 1.82m was not enough. And my body type was rangy, not muscle built. Flanker I became.
Harry Jones
Expert
Danie was very versatile. But he was a proper No 8. 6 foot 6 and 115 kg or so; faster than he looked, great hands. Tom Curry is too short and light for 8.
Harry Jones
Expert
Hahaha!
Harry Jones
Expert
????‼️
AC
Guest
As if all coaches aren't going to experiment in the first cycle out of RWC. I just pray Rennie has the balls to do the same.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Nice analysis mate and i agree 100%. I think Jones is just refusing to acknowledge he made a mistake
Pete
Guest
No way Curry is not a number 8 caught out and never had an effect on the game...hardly ever heard his name called by the commentators...as long as Eddie plays him at number 8 when they play the AB's I'm happy.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Parisse at 1.96 and 122kg is pretty similar to Dombrandt at 1.93 and 120kg. By his own admission he's still carrying his Uni physique, (which is changing), but even now is remarkably mobile and runs great lines, with great hands.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Never met a Curry I didn't like Harry. Someone should take him for a night out in Sale. Shark Curry?
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes. By “cup” I meant any trophy (RC, 6N). Just seems like that “spine” is one of the keys. I do think you can put two “tweeners” at flank and still win. Kolisi and McCaw and Louw and Cane and the Welsh flanks are like that. I just don’t see any cup winners who don’t have a real 8.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Boks won in 2007 with Russouw who is more of a lock. I don’t think there’s any real hard and fast rule, other than you need a certain set of attributes spread across your pack to succeed.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Yeah but using that logic every World Cup winning team has a big blindside flanker. Whereas we saw in the last World Cup that 3/4 of the semi finalists got there by playing two open sides. That said, I still don’t see the logic behind playing Curry at 8.