Of all the good things on the Eddie Jones CV as England boss, his spotless Australian record has to be most satisfying.
He would love to return Down Under after the World Cup with that streak intact: particularly since winning a semifinal clash with the Wallabies looms as the most likely path to another final.
Flip that around and Dave Rennie won’t wanting to be making more concession speeches to Eddie’s England, having lost at his only attempt last year.
Cue the July tour: text, subtext, plot, subplot, actual plotting and ashy melodrama ensured.
Eddie has survived palace coups, a failure review after the worst Six Nations finishes in history, absence of a coherent attacking style, and sketchy moonlighting gigs, but he faces a tough tour without his best midfielders (Henry Slade and Manu Tuilagi), and now, question marks around dynamic No. 8 Sam Simmonds, whose hip is still not healed.
The big news as he named a training group on Monday for a three day gathering in Teddington was 50-cap tighthead prop Kyle Sinckler will miss the whole tour with a back injury plaguing him since the Six Nations.
England and Bristol medical teams agreed Sinckler will have a summer off to avoid the need for surgery.
With Australia’s prop ranks becoming stronger and deeper, this loss will be felt deeply.
England is shallow at tighthead. Will Stuart of Bath was the Six Nations backup. Relative unknown tightheads Trevor Davison and Biyi Alo are in the 35-man group announced.
Eddie Jones. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
England has plenty on the other side of the scrum (Ellis Genge, Joe Marler, Bevan Rodd, and Mako Vunipola) but they are all still playing semifinals.
The 35-man list does not include any players from the Gallagher Premiership semi-finalists – Leicester Tigers, Saracens, Harlequins and Northampton Saints, except for Luke Cowan-Dickie (knee) and Anthony Watson (calf) who will meet up with the squad to continue injury rehabilitation.
First timers include Alo, Charlie Atkinson (both Wasps), Freddie Clarke (Gloucester), Sam Jeffries (Bristol) and Namibian-born Patrick Schickerling (Exeter).
Almost half (16) of the group is uncapped. London Irish contributes five alone in Tom Pearson, YouTube sensation Henry Arundell, Ollie Hassell-Collins, Will Joseph and Tom Parton.
Wasp’s tackle busting back Paolo Odogwu is recalled, having trained with England for the 2021 Six Nations but not capped.
Jones is often like a dog chasing squirrels but it has worked against the Wallabies. Having beaten the All Blacks well in a semifinal in Japan, his team were unable to handle South African power in the final, leading to a dour form of England (successful) followed by a pronouncement that rugby was all about speed, leading to a woeful Six Nations return, with insipid scoring, and now, he is saying rugby is a game of short bursts with greater power needs.
So, we look for evidence of a plan in this squad; how is Eddie establishing combinations and a coherent attacking style?
Foremost, the return of 32-year old racer Jonny May and muscleman winger Jack Nowell is probably a head-to-head fight for one starter jersey, but I think both will be in the 2023 squad, because England missed May’s nose for a chance dearly and Nowell was a star in the Ireland defeat. Watson is an untouchable Eddie favourite, so the other fliers are fighting for a bolter’s seat on the plane.
Thunder-thighed Henry Arundell gets another shot as does Joe Cokanasiga because his offloading could fit a new plan?
It looks like Eddie is searching for naked speed and will have a look at Ollie Hassell-Collins and Adam Radwan to find that pace.
However, Eddie’s camps are known to blow out hamstrings, so he may be loading up to see what is left after another Hunger Games.
A flyhalf-midfield combination dictates more about style than wings, but here Eddie has lost two of his top four and will likely default back to Owen Farrell at 12 with Marcus Smith and George Ford doing their dance at 10. One senses a lack of firm anointing of Smith by Jones.
Bath’s Orlando Bailey, an England U21 flyhalf is getting a look, along with Wasps youngster Charlie Atkinson. If a young ten can play well at a team like Bath, he has something.
All of England wants Andre Esterhuizen to find his inner Englishness, but he will want to hack Rassie Erasmus’ attention. So, a poor man’s Andre the Giant, Mark Atkinson is fit again and has his best chance ever.
Bath’s Max Ojomoh is a second specialist inside centre. I see this as another head-to-head for Eddie: is it Mark or Max to pretend to be Tuilagi?
Jonathan Joseph’s brother Will is just 19. He has looked good as a versatile 13 (Eddie’s type of 13) for London Irish. He is a long shot.
The most curious position for England during Eddie’s tenure has been a lack of a defined scrumhalf backup, and may have contributed more to their loss in Yokohama than the early loss of Sinckler in the final.
Harry Randall and 30-year old Dan Robson (14 caps from the bench) are in the training group.
The battle in the second row is key. Australia has tied Rennie’s hands in overseas selection (only three) which may cost him Rory Arnold and Will Skelton.
England has curiously skipped excellent tight five stalwart Joe Launchbury, a curious call given Charlie Ewel’s continued inability to tackle low (yet another card this weekend). Instead, 29-year old Gloucesterman Freddie Clarke has been picked for his mobility. British and Irish Lion lock Jonny Hill is back from injury and most likely has the inside track to partner Maro Itoje.
Loosies Alfie Barbeary and Jack Willis now have a shot for the July Test bench, with Simmonds crocked and Sam Underhill (wrongly, in my view) sometimes undervalued. Barbeary’s ability to get over the ball in a series where that will be vital may be key. But the twice-capped Ted Hill also has a lane: if England has lacked anything in the last two years it has been a big abrasive back row ball carrier.
ENGLAND TRAINING GROUP
FORWARDS
Biyi Alo (Wasps, uncapped)
Alfie Barbeary (Wasps, uncapped)
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 6 caps)
Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Freddie Clarke (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 40 caps)
Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 30 caps)
Will Goodrick-Clarke (London Irish, uncapped)
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
Ted Hill (Worcester Warriors, 2 caps)
Sam Jeffries (Bristol Bears, uncapped)
George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Tom Pearson (London Irish, uncapped)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, 2 caps)
Patrick Schickerling (Exeter Chiefs, uncapped)
Jack Singleton (Gloucester Rugby, 3 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 20 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 28 caps)
Jack Willis (Wasps, 3 caps)
BACKS
Henry Arundell (London Irish, uncapped)
Charlie Atkinson (Wasps, uncapped)
Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Orlando Bailey (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Joe Cokanasiga (Bath Rugby, 11 caps)
Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish, uncapped)
Will Joseph (London Irish, uncapped)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 69 caps)
Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 39 caps)
Paolo Odogwu (Wasps, uncapped)
Max Ojomoh (Bath Rugby, uncapped)
Tom Parton (London Irish, uncapped)
Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 6 caps)
Dan Robson (Wasps, 14 caps)
Waspie
Roar Rookie
I agree - he's only started 2 or 3 Prem games, ever....I'd pick May, the lad is terribly naïve - I'd like to see him play a season before international prospects!
Waspie
Roar Rookie
Harry - England's wins have more often than not been with Joseph at 13 as Manu has rarely been fit. BUT - the selected teams had pace out wide - in May and Watson most often, and had the Vunipola brothers in the pack amongst a forward selection that could break the gain line and offload/pass - Itoje amongst them. The last time England picked that team, (or similar) and it went well was vs France in 6Ns 2021. What happened the rest of that season in 6Ns is hard to explain, beyond Sarries players perhaps being off pace but this 6Ns. we looked terrible, even in winning vs Wales. It's rumoured there's a plan...I guess we'll see on this upcoming tour!
SDHoneymonster
Guest
I'd pick Cokanasiga and a fit Watson over both of them.
SDHoneymonster
Guest
Willis is an effectively rangy carrier too, he's all elbows and knees and really awkward to tackle. His brother Tom should also be in and around the squad and it's odd that he's not: it's probably only the Vunipolas who are better at making yards in congested spaces on the field in the Prem.
Neil Back
Roar Rookie
Skelton was a key component of the La Rochelle power game that did for Leinster (basically an Ireland international side) in the final. I I'm pretty sure he played the whole 80. If he was slotted into the right game plan, Australia have no one like him. Few teams do. Some prejudices on here run deep and unalterable.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Ya mom has every right to complain... the SCG is not a good place to watch Test rugby. Unfortunately the new stadium, next door, isn't quite ready yet so that's why it's being played there.
pm
Roar Rookie
I think they missed real wingers last season. That dual playmaker bit might work better with a real finisher back like May. They just seemed to have a whole bunch of centres and no wings around Smith. Better minds than mine - Squidge rugby, for instance - describe that as an intentional chaos. I don't imagine that's Farrell's cup of tea.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Agreed, he’s a mighty presence in that team. I’m just not sure the two playmaker idea works at test level. If Eddie can’t leave Owen out, he may need to bite the bullet and get rid of Smith and load up on some power and pace in the centres.
pm
Roar Rookie
As an individual player i can see why Farrell isn't an auto-selection any more,but they look a lot better structured with him out there. No one else seems to tie the backs together the way he does
Francisco Roldan
Roar Rookie
Apparently, and so far, we are facing a "Tuilagi-centric" model :shocked: :rugby:
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
Alfie Barbeary and Willis are also massive impact guys. Alfie can sniff a try and when he gets low, he’s hard to stop. Willis was a turnover machine before his knee got ruined - like 3 times as many as next best in GP. Eddie has pressure but he has a big pool of talent
Harry Jones
Expert
I think Henry would struggle against NZ + SA wings. I’d pick May over him
Harry Jones
Expert
He is. Definitely. It helps that he is an excellent exit kicker.
Harry Jones
Expert
I agree on your back row; Curry come on at 55 for whomever is tired
Harry Jones
Expert
Yes, I just don’t know if he’s selected (or even has) enough power ball carriers to go through Phase 3-10 traffic.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
Hey! My mom has been complaining that she’s driving down from Port Stephens to watch the game in Sydney! She says terrible parking, no public transport and poor field visibility. Why can’t they play at the pretty Leichardt? Last time they played England I was with her watching two of the matches at her kiwi friends house. The b#$&ard was rooting for England!
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
We? Who is we ? ..Not me ... I’m a big Will Skelton fan . Jonty is also right , he is in great form right now . Has a role to play and does it brilliantly.
Francisco Roldan
Roar Rookie
Excellent review Harry...! I wonder if the depth that Eddie Jones aims to achieve before RWC2023 will affect the consistency of his game. One fact is undeniable: he should gain more aggressiveness as a consequence of a more expansive game and proper coordination of the 9-10-12-13 axis.
SDHoneymonster
Guest
One of the reasons Manu is so missed IMO is that in his absence far too much of the hole-punching ability is put on the tight five. Think they need to find a way to get at least one of Ted Hill or Barbeary into the starting back row to add a bit more oomph in that regard (and that probably involves moving Lawes back into the second row), and get Cokanasiga into the back three along with getting the ball into Steward's hands a bit more. A back row of Curry, Willis/Underhill and Barbeary, with one of Ludlam, Hill or Dombrandt on the bench and behind a second row of Itoje and Lawes, looks a good blend to me.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I think Eddie's biggest problem is 13. I think he's committed (although I acknowledge your point that there is a sense of reluctance) to Smith/Farrell as 10/12. Tuialagi at 13 gave them the power required to supplement the ball playing of that combination. His best combination is Smith/Tuialagi/Marchant but he won't leave Farrell out. And Farrell has been playing well for Sarries since the last injury so he can justify that call. That said, building a game plan around Manu is like Waiting for Godot. They have to move on. I'd suggest their best back row is Lawes/Dombrandt/Underhill but the quality alternatives are immense. I prefer Underhill to Curry but I don't think it's a popular view with both England fans or the selectors. Their problem at TH is real and a lovely irony for any Oz rugby fan. Their depth at lock isn't what we've come to expect either. What I wouldn't give for us winning the series off a dominant scrum.