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England's experience leap from 2015 to 2019 is evident in caps total

Mike Brown and Owen Farrell (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

A lot has changed for England since their struggles in 2015 at their home World Cup. Much of that evolution is evident in the differences in caps between their 2015 and 2019 squads.

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For all the criticism that went Stuart Lancaster’s way in the aftermath of the group stage exit, the core of his squad in that tournament continues to form the backbone of the side that Eddie Jones has assembled for the trip to Japan next month.

Among the tight five forwards, Mako Vunipola, Joe Marler, Dan Cole, Jamie George, Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury and George Kruis all return from the previous World Cup. As such, it’s not surprising to see the experience in the current group take a considerable leap from the previous tournament.

The front row accounted for 202 caps in 2015 at an average of 25 per player, with that jumping to 283 caps in 2019 at an average of 25 caps per player.

Just as Jones has done this year, Lancaster also opted for three hookers, although he split his props as three tightheads and two looseheads, rather than the loosehead-heavy selection of the Australian.

There has been a similar increase in the second row, where the 97 caps of 2015 – at an average of 24 per player – has moved on to 190 caps at 48 per player. The only change in the engine room is Maro Itoje replacing Geoff Parling, with the other three locks having all added to their wealth of experience over the past four seasons.

The back row bucks this trend, though, with England’s haul of 185 caps in 2015 – 37 per player – far exceeding the tally of 74 in 2019, with each loose forward only now averaging 15 caps. The disparity between the two only increases further when you factor in Nick Easter’s late inclusion as an injury replacement for Billy Vunipola.

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Vunipola, in fact, is the only crossover between the two squads, with the replacements of Chris Robshaw, James Haskell and Tom Wood having left somewhat of an international experience vacuum in the back row.

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Caps have increased in the half-backs, however, with 2015’s total of 168 caps falling short of the 2019’s squad tally of 213. One difference between the two squads is that Lancaster opted for three scrum-halves in 2015 while Jones has selected just two this year.

The average of 34 caps in 2015 has jumped to 53 in 2019, something which is unsurprising given that Ben Youngs, Owen Farrell and George Ford all feature in both squads and have been central to England’s plans under Jones for the past four seasons.

Henry Slade and Jonathan Joseph feature in both squads and help take the caps in the centres from 39 in 2015 to 101 in 2019. That has been further bumped by the return of Manu Tuilagi in the place of the relatively inexperienced Sam Burgess. The average has jumped from 10 caps per player to 25 caps.

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Finally, the back three sees yet more continuity with Anthony Watson, Jonny May and Jack Nowell all coming back for their second shot at the World Cup. The loss of Mike Brown does diminish the increase in experience somewhat, as 2015’s total of 93 caps was good for 19 per player while 2019’s 149 caps equates to 25 per player.

Jones has used the extra spot he crafted out for himself by selecting just two scrum-halves to bring in an extra wing, with the uncapped Ruaridh McConnochie making the cut.

That 2015 campaign may have ended in disappointment, but it is clear that the foundations of this year’s group were laid in that tournament with so many of them now returning as more experienced players.

Lancaster opted for a more cautious approach by selecting a third scrum-half, as well as a tighthead prop in David Wilson, who could cover loosehead in a pinch. It remains to be seen if Jones’ more aggressive approach to selection will reap greater rewards in Japan.

WATCH: Eddie Jones talks to the media at England’s World Cup squad announcement in Bristol

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O
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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