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England explain why they have reverted to World Cup back row and kept Ford in reserve

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Eddie Jones has explained his team selection for Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup clash with Ireland, the head coach deciding to recall Tom Curry and Sam Underhill to partner Billy Vunipola in the England back row.

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The trio emerged as Jones’ first choice back row during last year’s run to the World Cup final in Japan and having helped England win the 2020 Six Nations title, they are reunited after Jones last weekend opted to go with a back row of Maro Itoje, Jack Willis and Vunipola in the 40-0 win over Georgia.

“We feel that is our strongest back row for this game, playing against Ireland who are the strongest poaching team in the world, the No1 poaching team in Europe,” said Jones. “We need an aggressive, low to the ground back row and Sam Underhill and Tom Curry are outstanding in that area.”

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Dylan Hartley and Simon Zebo talk about the Autumn Nations Cup

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      Dylan Hartley and Simon Zebo talk about the Autumn Nations Cup

      The recall of Curry and Underhill were just two of the four changes made to the England pack. Props Mako Vunipola and Kyle Sinckler have also been selected to start, but Jones resisted the temptation to tinker with his backline even though fit-again George Ford is now available.

      “We didn’t think he was quite ready to start,” explained Jones about his decision to only choose Ford for the bench. “He has only done two sessions with us so we felt he needs some more but certainly off the bench he will be very handy for us.

      “He is a very, very talented No10. He has been a mainstay of our team. He has played 69 Tests and for him to come on in the last part of the game and add his tactical nous, his tactical kicking, his goal-kicking if needed and his distribution skills are going to be very handy for us.”

      Having defeated Italy and Georgia in recent weeks, Jones declared there was an added energy around his squad this week knowing they will be facing a step-up in challenge versus Ireland.

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      “Our intensity is always pretty good but definitely there is a bit more edge around the place. All the guys know Ireland is a very tough team. Eighteen months ago they were ranked No1 in the world so it shows you the class and the ability of this team and we know we have got to be at our best to get the result we want to get.

      “They are a very well-coached team. I know Andy Farrell very well. They will be well prepared and they will come to Twickenham with a point to prove which always makes them dangerous. It’s the most important game of the year for us and I am sure for them they are treating it exactly the same way. It’s a huge step-up from what we have encountered in the last couple of games.”

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      Comments on RugbyPass

      C
      Cantab 8 days ago
      Teenager Braxton Sorensen-McGee reflects on dream Black Ferns debut

      Although NZ won comfortably enough they weren’t always convincing and a better opposition may well have found them out. If our gun 7s players can translate their skills to the 15s game the team would have the ability to beat anyone. Need to be given the chance though.

      4 Go to comments
      J
      James 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      And how do you see the Wallabies loosehead / Lion’s tighthead battle Nick?

      37 Go to comments
      d
      dw 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      Also interested in your thoughts on A Bell. Haven't noticed many scrum issues recently. He also seems to play 60 or so mins every game. A bit of a fan (even though he’s a tah..) but wondered if the Lions would target his scrummaging

      37 Go to comments
      d
      dw 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      True. And you look at how the European coaches have got so much out of skelton and how much the local fans love him…and then some Oz fans will still say “he played poorly for the tahs I'm 2015!”

      37 Go to comments
      d
      dw 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      Thanks Nick but your headline has just jinxed us and reminded me of that night in 2013!

      I love any analysis of the scrums such as the above. Cheers.


      Allalatoa seems to be in good form and Nongorr appears to be able to hold his own? I think they will pick Tupou regardless of form. After Friday night I am concerned he could be sent off in the first five mins of the test though! He got too pumped up and hit a player high and was carded

      37 Go to comments
      R
      RedWarriors 8 days ago
      'Most complacent selection decision you will ever see': Barrett benching slammed as Leinster knocked out

      I watched the mainstream NZ pundits eg Mils Muliaina and they DID back NZ to win almost to a man.

      Ireland will talk their team up as anyone would with the caveats we are playing the ABs and match was de facto 50:50, That is not the same as dismissing the opposition. EG After the quarter John Kirwan said he was sorry France didn’t win versus SA becuase a ‘France-NZ final would be perfect. (The semis had not even been played yet, England and Argentina completely dismissed! He didn’t even realize his own arrogance) NZ are not even aware of the arrogance they exude. Has no Kiwi politely asked the national team to take down the ‘Superstars and Humble Heroes’ boasting on the AB site? Its cringeworthy stuff. Do NZ really see themselves like this?

      Note all this BS about Irish arrogance started just after NZs defeat in the 2022 series. Not a coincidence.

      Also: this is Irish national TV. We will talk our team up as everyone does. We care too much about judgemental and thin skinned Kiwis getting offended.

      91 Go to comments
      J
      JM 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      Aussie rugby fans are obsessed with players they hate, for whatever reason.

      Michael Hooper is another one, and the hatred only increased whenever he won John Eales medals or the two times he was nominated world player of the year.

      I reckon it is because our forwards are technically and mentally weak they put it all on one player who they think should make way for the messiah.

      Same for the general team performance and the hate put on players like White, Lolesio, and Foley who should be pulling rabbits out of the hat every play.

      I reckon, if we had of had 5 players with Hooper’s desire and drive spread across the team (and especiallythe forwards), we wouldn’t have woken up in the bottom of the ditch.

      37 Go to comments
      R
      RedWarriors 8 days ago
      'What he’s given to this club is nothing short of incredible'

      He shouldn’t have been picked. Not physically able for the most intense matches notably in Twickenham last year. Giving him the captaincy was also a very short sighted decision then after RWC 2023. Ireland have a tendency to be a little too loyal, which can mean the team ages and the rebuild is bigger than should be.

      Plenty of lads out there to fill that squad.

      4 Go to comments
      O
      OJohn 8 days ago
      Geoff Parling returns to Leicester as head coach

      Hooray

      0 Go to comments
      C
      Carlos 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      He was also a YC magnet.

      37 Go to comments
      C
      Carlos 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      Windsor-Faulkner-Price. 😊

      37 Go to comments
      S
      Solenn Bonnet 8 days ago
      Leinster cleanse palette with record URC scoreline against Zebre

      My name is Solenn Bonnet, and I am a single mother navigating the challenges of raising my two-year-old child while trying to make ends meet. I came across a trading platform that promised astonishing daily profits of 18%. The allure of such a high return on investment was too tempting to resist, and I found myself drawn into cryptocurrency trading. Excited by the prospect of financial freedom, I invested a significant amount of my savings, totaling over 5.7 BTC. However, what started as a hopeful venture quickly turned into a nightmare. The platform was a scam, and I lost everything I had invested. The emotional toll of this loss was immense; I felt devastated and helpless, struggling to provide for my child and keep up with my bills. In my desperate attempt to recover my funds, I sought help from various recovery experts. Unfortunately, I encountered numerous fraudulent individuals who claimed they could help me retrieve my lost money. Each time I reached out, I was met with disappointment and further scams, which only deepened my despair. Last year was one of the most challenging periods of my life, filled with anxiety and uncertainty about my financial future. Feeling overwhelmed and at a loss, I confided in a close friend from church about my situation. She listened compassionately and shared her own experiences with financial difficulties. Understanding my plight, she introduced me to Tech Cyber Force Recovery, a group of skilled hackers known for their expertise in recovering lost funds. Skeptical yet hopeful, I decided to reach out to them as a last resort. Their services came at a higher cost, but my friend generously offered to help me with a partial payment. I was amazed by how quickly they responded and began the recovery process. Their team was professional, efficient, and incredibly supportive throughout the entire ordeal. To my relief, they successfully recovered more than I had lost to those heartless scammers. This was truly transformative, and I felt a sense of relief and gratitude that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I strongly encourage anyone who has faced similar challenges or fallen victim to scams to reach out to Tech Cyber Force Recovery. If you’ve invested in a fraudulent platform like I did, they are highly capable of helping you reclaim your hard-earned money. Don’t lose hope; there is a way to recover what you’ve lost.

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      0 Go to comments
      M
      Mzilikazi 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      Ah, the Pooler front row ! Most legendary in the history of the , I would think. Max Boyce helped…”Here we. here we, here we go, with the Pontypool front row.”

      37 Go to comments
      M
      Mzilikazi 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      Would not go as far as whole house in our family, but for me, yes, W1. Loved playing in the scrum, love watching now😀

      37 Go to comments
      M
      Mzilikazi 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      Yes, I see that article here on RP, Nick. That is good news that Schmidt is going to look at the o’seas players.


      Yes, I would think you are right that LAR will qualify. On the same points as MP, but surely they are too good not to win this crunch game….could be tEnse for ROG in the stands though.

      37 Go to comments
      B
      BC 8 days ago
      Who would make it into a Women's British and Irish Lions starting XV?

      I would pick Oifa Wafer at 6, put Aldcroft in the second row with Ward. I think Wafer is one of the few non-England players mentioned that would contend for a Red Rose shirt, the others being King and possibly Neve Jones. Conversely there are two English players mentioned, Sing and Venner, that probably won’t even make the Red Rose WC squad, let alone a Lions Tour. Still a lot can change in two years, watch out for Millie David.

      1 Go to comments
      O
      Otagoman II 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      Great article NB, thanks. I would like to know what is the reasoning why so many things are penalties in the scrum. Is it to do with safety or something else?

      37 Go to comments
      N
      NB 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      👍

      37 Go to comments
      N
      NB 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      Always the same at the other place. Some of those perceptions of him at the Tahs - lazy, overweight and slow - were impossible to shift!

      37 Go to comments
      N
      NB 8 days ago
      'Whisper it, but the Wallabies could out-scrum the British and Irish Lions this summer'

      Hang on to Miz Carlos!

      37 Go to comments
      LONG READ
      LONG READ ‘Money is pouring into the All Blacks, yet the more they spend, the less return they get’ ‘Money is pouring into the All Blacks, yet the more they spend, the less return they get’
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