England's selection battles for Italy

Having enjoyed plenty of success since Eddie Jones arrived as head coach, England have developed the core of their side in a winning environment.

If they were in a Rugby World Cup final tomorrow, Jones would know the majority of his 23, irrespective of form or the opposition to be played, but there are still a few spots where competition rages on for places.

Throw into the mix a handful of significant injuries and there are some interesting position battles going into England’s Six Nations opener against Italy.

We’ve picked out the five key battles within the squad which could still go either way before the team is announced to take on the Azzurri in Rome.

Sam Simmonds vs Zach Mercer

With Billy Vunipola and Nathan Hughes injured, this may be the most open position battle within the squad. Mercer is no longer an apprentice and has a wealth of good form with Bath to fall back on, whilst Simmonds is the (slightly) elder statesman, having picked up three caps with England in the autumn and also has impressive club form to call upon.

Can Simmonds hold off the challenge of Mercer?

The pair are actually very similar players and it’s unlikely to be a need for a certain style of play that will separate them in Jones’ eyes. Mercer offers more at the lineout than Simmonds, but with a plethora of lineout options already available in the forms of Maro Itoje, Courtney Lawes, George Kruis and Nick Isiekwe, it is unlikely to be something decisive in the competition.

Advantage: Simmonds. That extra year or two of experience could shade it for Simmonds, with Mercer an explosive option off the bench.

Mike Brown vs Anthony Watson

Watson will feature in the England back-three barring injury, but a knock to Brown has opened the possibility of the Bath man starting at full-back, a position that many think he should be playing regularly for England, regardless of Brown’s fitness.

Watson has been training in the position this past week, with Denny Solomona and Jonny May occupying the two wing berths. Could Italy present an opportunity to give Watson an entire game at the position at Test level?

Advantage: Brown – if fit. Jones loves what Brown brings as an aerial competitor, one-on-one tackler and strike runner, so if he’s fit, he likely starts.

Alec Hepburn vs Lewis Boyce

A contest that is similar to the one between Simmonds and Mercer, with two young, physical and dynamic players going head-to-head and one boasting just a little bit more experience.

Hepburn toured South Africa with the Saxons two years ago and looked to be on the track for a full senior cap, only for injury and the form of Mako Vunipola and Joe Marler to deny him the opportunity. Boyce, meanwhile, has been beginning to catch the eye with Harlequins and has made the most of the absences of Marler, Ellis Genge and Matt Mullan.

Advantage: Hepburn. The Exeter man is more experienced and a more seasoned scrummager at this point, which could prove the difference, with both players capable of making bench impact in the loose.

Joe Launchbury vs George Kruis

Itoje and Lawes will be favourites to start, with one in the row and one at blindside, and Isiekwe has been training at six, too, leaving one second-row spot to be contested by Launchbury and Kruis.

In the form debate – one that Jones not always pay heed to – Launchbury would seem to be the front-runner, especially with plenty of defensive and lineout leaders already available to England, the areas where you would usually give Kruis the edge over Launchbury.

Advantage: Launchbury. In addition to his form, Launchbury is a very proficient carrier and support-runner, something England will likely be in need of with Vunipola and Hughes out.

Ben Youngs vs Danny Care

Could this be the contest where form finally forces Jones’ hand?

Has Care done enough to start?

Care has been in sparkling form this season, dissecting opposition teams with the tempo he brings and an intricate kicking game which seems to always find space. Youngs hasn’t performed badly, but he has certainly not shone in the same way that Care has. The Leicester man’s control of a game is what has previously seen him take ownership of England’s nine jersey, but will it be enough to keep him there?

One thing worth remembering is the success Care had against Italy’s “fox” tactics in last season’s competition. We are unlikely to see it as prevalently again, but who knows, it could be something lingering at the back of Jones’ mind.

Advantage: Youngs. Jones seems to be a fan of the dynamic that the one-two punch of Youngs and Care brings and with no third scrum-half selected, would he get that same dynamic with Youngs coming off the bench to spell Care? It seems unlikely.