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England plot thickens with the training roles adopted by Earl and Thorley

By PA
(Photo by Alex Davidson /Pool/AFP via Getty Images)

Eddie Jones’ drive to create hybrid players comfortable operating in either the forwards or backs will equip England to face all eventualities, according to defence coach John Mitchell, during a week where Ollie Thorley, the Gloucester wing, has been running as a flanker in training while versatile back row Ben Earl is seen as an option at centre.

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Jones has floated the idea of deploying nine forwards in Saturday’s Autumn Nations Cup opener at Twickenham, name-dropping Earl as a possible England back during a recent media conference where he outlined his wariness of Georgia’s forward power.

Mitchell sees versatility as highly valuable. “It’s something that’s really important. It actually helps players within the squad understand that at any point in time, you might have to be adaptable,” he said.

Video Spacer

Eddie Jones on the possibility of selecting nine forwards to start with England

Video Spacer

Eddie Jones on the possibility of selecting nine forwards to start with England

“It does obviously create permutations, should you get a good acceleration and learning in that particular area when you do that. You can go to a six-two split on the bench or you can create that hybrid position in your starting selection.

“To me, it’s just something that our players accept and embrace with all arms because it’s just another way of learning that you might be called upon in a different position.

“You only have to look at the number of cards that were presented in the last Rugby Championship match between New Zealand and Australia. There are so many situations now where you are without players in positions and people have to be adaptable, so it’s important in case that situation occurs for us.”

Elliot Daly is closing in on a first-team return as he continues to take a full part in training after overcoming a shin problem, placing George Furbank’s place at full-back under threat. Prop Joe Marler is also available having recovered from a knee injury, but fly-half George Ford is still troubled by an Achilles injury and will not be ready until later in the Autumn Nations Cup.

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England will be wearing their alternative kit of a navy top with red trim, navy shorts and socks against Georgia, whose greatest weapon is their scrum. “Georgia is going to be a really tough game. We’re focused on working hard on all aspects of our game, but there are key areas around the scrum and we’re looking forward to that challenge,” Mitchell said.

“The pride and the privilege of playing for England, especially at home, is important and we want to make sure we continue to put smiles on people’s faces during this tough time for the country. We start a new tournament and we want to win it and build on our previous success, but that all comes down to making sure we keep our focus on our basics and looking to get better.”

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O
Oh no, not him again? 1 hour 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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