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England give Mako injury update, size up back row selection battle between Wilson and Earl

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Defence coach John Mitchell has given an update on the fitness situation surrounding Mako Vunipola while also giving a reflection on the Guinness Six Nations battle brewing between Mark Wilson and Ben Earl to take over in the England back row this weekend from the injured Sam Underhill. 

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With Joe Marler having pulled out of the original England squad due to personal reasons and Vunipola still rehabilitating the injured achilles that ruled him out of the December 6 Autumn Nations Cup final win over France, Eddie Jones has been left somewhat lightweight in terms of experienced looseheads to choose from.    

Ellis Genge, who is expected to start at Twickenham against Scotland, has been a replacement when winning 15 of his 23 previous caps, while expected sub Beno Obano is uncapped as is Tom West, who was called into the squad as Marler’s replacement.  

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Uncapped England prop Beno Obano guests on RugbyPass All Access

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Uncapped England prop Beno Obano guests on RugbyPass All Access

That has placed a focus on whether Vunipola, who has played 63 times for England, can eventually get himself right and into the selection mix in the coming weeks. He has been with the England in a training rehabilitation capacity, but Mitchell expects he will at some stage of the championship be considered for selection. 

“Mako did that achilles niggle in November and he is still rehabbing that,” explained Mitchell. “To sum up simply, he is going good but he is probably one stage behind the return to training, he is probably at that level. If I look at it from a positive point of view, there are really good signs there. To be one stage from a return to training is a good sign.”

Switching the back row selection ahead of Thursday;’s team announcement, Mitchell dwelt on how Wilson and Earl have been going in the back row contest to take over from the injured Underhill who was last week replaced in the squad by Jack Willis following a hip injury.

“It’s a bit unfortunate for Sam,” said the assistant coach who earlier on Tuesday confirmed a contract extension had been signed taking him through to the 2023 World Cup in France. “He is very fortunate that the injury can be loaded which is really good for him mentally. It’s very clear where he sits. 

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“As for Ben and Mark Wilson, Mark is an experienced back rower and Ben is an exciting young back rower who every campaign is making progress. It’s awesome to see these guys as people get better as back rowers as they go through each of the campaigns. 

“If, for example, you look at Tom Curry and Sam Underhill from the World Cup they are just streets ahead in terms of their maturity and the way they have evolved their games as well. It’s really good signs and there is really good competition in this group. They are extremely helpful to each other as well in aspects of their game.”

Wilson last started for England last March versus Wales, packing down at openside in a back row that had Curry picked at No8 and Courtney Lawes at blindside. Earl, meanwhile, has yet to start a Test match having earned all eight of his caps off the bench.  

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Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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