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Coming off the back of three-straight losses in the Six Nations, England’s squad announcement earlier today for their tour of South Africa was one of the most eagerly anticipated of Eddie Jones’ tenure as head coach.
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Would the losses force Jones into giving untested players opportunities? Or would it push him towards giving the incumbents a chance for redemption?
There were also player burnout issues to consider, with many of England’s regulars having spent last summer in New Zealand with the British and Irish Lions and preparing to spend the next one in camp getting ready for the Rugby World Cup.
Time is running out before England jet off to Japan and try to banish the demons of their home RWC three years ago, so the composition of the squad to tour South Africa is not only telling on where England are right now, it could also have a significant impact on the squad Jones ultimately opts for next year.
Your England squad for next month's three-Test tour to South Africa ?
Full story ? https://t.co/guOlP28hAb pic.twitter.com/jOxKFX7Tgw
— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) May 10, 2018
We have picked out five key talking points from the squad announcement and delve into what they could mean for England out in South Africa and heading into 2019.
Prodigal son returns
If we thought Chris Robshaw’s return to grace following Jones’ comments about him during the last RWC was an impressive journey, the scale may need to be re-evaluated now that Danny Cipriani has worked his way back into the squad.
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His last appearance for England came in the RWC warm-up games in 2015 against France and since then he has been in the international wilderness, with Jones having previously stipulated that Cipriani is either a first-choice fly-half or not in the squad.
That choice of words has certainly created a rod for Jones’ back.
Either Jones stays true to his word and envisions Cipriani as the starting fly-half out in South Africa with, presumably, Owen Farrell, who was named as captain, outside him at 12, or he backs down from his earlier comments. It would not be the first time that Jones has said something with the express purpose of eliciting a certain reaction from his players.
"Once more it's Cipriani, the chief engineer."
"He is too good!"
Danny Cipriani take a bow, that is just class ? pic.twitter.com/I15Lg5yFOs
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) May 5, 2018
Instead of putting too much weight into that comment one way or the other, it certainly looks as though Farrell will be at 12, given that he has been named captain and Jones has opted for two specialist 10s in Cipriani and George Ford.
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That itself is an appetising position battle to watch.
Ford could well have first crack at keeping the jersey, with Leicester’s lack of Aviva Premiership playoff rugby ensuring he’s set to go against the Barbarians on May 27th, but if Wasps fail to upset the odds and see off Saracens in the semi-finals, it’s a fixture that Cipriani could also be available for.
England move swiftly to avoid second Bannockburn
If there was anyone particularly disappointed with the England squad today, it could well have been Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend, with highly talented youngster Redpath taking another step towards tying himself to England at international level.
The son of former Scotland international Bryan Redpath, Cam was raised and schooled in England, has signed professional terms with Sale Sharks and has recently represented England at both U18 and U20 level, but his future at the senior level remains open.
RugbyPass understands that Townsend had been keen to cap Redpath in the near future and envisioned the young centre being a part of his RWC squad next year. Even as someone who may well relate to being English more so than being Scottish, that is quite the enticing offer for an 18-year-old rugby player and it seems as if Jones has taken proactive steps to ward off Scotland’s interest.
Could a debut cap come in South Africa?
It’s a big, big ask.
In terms of touring destinations, it’s a rigorous test of a player’s abilities and the Springboks, despite their recent dips in form, will ask plenty of physical questions of England and that could be demanding for an inexperienced player.
He has ability, he is physically-gifted for his age and seems to have a composure and maturity which bely that age, so don’t rule a debut out, but there’s also a chance this tour is an apprenticeship for Redpath, with opportunities against the Barbarians beforehand and the visit of Japan in the autumn deemed more manageable first steps in international rugby.
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How do you solve a problem like England’s scrum-half depth?
The loss of Ben Youngs to injury early in the Six Nations this season highlighted just how dependent on him England have become. Without him, the team looked directionless at times and Danny Care struggled to fill his role as the starter and Richard Wigglesworth, likewise, struggled to bring the impact off the bench that Care usually delivers.
It has prompted Jones to take both Dan Robson and Ben Spencer with him to South Africa and though Youngs will likely start against the Boks, it does give Jones a prolonged look at both players.
England have a good impact scrum-half in Care, but should Youngs go down with injury again, it would be beneficial for Jones to have alternative options he can turn to in the nine jersey and given the durability and consistency of Youngs and Care for most of his tenure so far, that is not something he has had much chance to experiment with.
Between the Barbarians game and the three-test series in South Africa, hopefully Jones can get 60-80 minutes of rugby out of at least one of Robson or Spencer and have a better idea of their suitability moving forward.
That feeling when your overworked tighthead gets a summer off…
Cole has got through a mountain of rugby in the last 24 months, going on the Lions tour of New Zealand, being an ever-present for England and staying fit and healthy and representing Leicester Tigers frequently throughout the seasons.
England’s stocks at tighthead are not in bad shape, with Kyle Sinckler also touring with the Lions and Harry Williams having shown he is capable of stepping up to international rugby this season, but there is certainly not the abundance of alternatives that there are at many other positions. Cole is also still the most consistent option among those players.
If he were to be injured, it would be a loss to England that would come close in severity to the ones they suffered when Billy Vunipola and Youngs both went down this season.
Allowing him the summer off to refresh and rest ahead of a season culminating in a RWC is a good move and also allows Jones an extended look at Sinckler and Williams and an opportunity to see if either is ready to challenge Cole for the three jersey next season.
Let’s get ready to ruuuuummmmble
Putting aside Vunipola for the moment, England’s back-row competition feels as wide open as it has been at any time under Jones’ stewardship. It’s a free-for-all.
The big No 8, when fit, picks himself in that back-row, such is his ability with ball-in-hand, at the breakdown and in the defensive line, but beyond him, positions feel up for grabs.
Chris Robshaw has been extremely consistent for England under Jones but with the arrival Brad Shields, the continued emergence of Tom Curry and Nick Isiekwe proving his worth on the flank with Saracens, competition is intense for the spot, as well as the quiet grafting of Mark Wilson threatening to beat Robshaw at his own game.
Likewise, the seven jersey is – and has been for a while – open. Curry is also a potential option there, as is breakout star Jack Willis, who has shone brightly for Wasps. Ben Earl, who has excelled at U20 level and is beginning to force his way into Saracens’ regular matchday 23, is also included and, honestly, is ready for an opportunity like this, even if his Premiership experience is still minimal.
"He's improving with every game he plays"
"Now we've unleashed him"
Dai Young was full of praise for Jack Willis in his post-match interview… and ruined Martin in the process ? pic.twitter.com/bBa8E3bFI8
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) February 11, 2018
Throw into the mix players not included but who are on the periphery of the squad and/or injured, such as Don Armand, Sam Underhill, Jack Clifford and James Haskell, and you have two positions in the squad that you could not currently accurately predict ahead of the RWC.
If you stand up in South Africa, playing against a physical Bok pack, then that is going to stand you in great stead moving forward into next season.
Jones is no cavalier coach, but he is running out of time to identify his preferred back-row and it would not be surprising to see a changing cast of players either side of Vunipola next month.
