'Is Eddie trying too hard?' - Jones' England tactics panned after Paris loss

Eddie Jones’ England may have gone down fighting in Paris, but the tactics on show in Saint-Denis haven’t won the Australian any reprieve from the criticism he’s been receiving of late.

England fell to a 25 – 13 at the Stade de France.  Despite plenty of resilience from England, their tactics at times appeared to garbled to the casual observer.

England have once again seemed to have run out of ideas in attack – at least any good ones – instead opting to become a kick-heavy team, one that now struggles to cross the whitewash.

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Pre-game, many had predicted that England would boot the leather off the ball – and they didn’t disappoint. Flyhalf Marcus Smith repetitively kicking to the out of position Freddie Steward on the wing became a leitmotif for England throughout the ill-fated Six Nations decider in Paris.

Moreover, there’s a sense among many pundits that Jones is trying to be too clever with his tactics.

“Is Eddie trying too hard to be the cleverest guy and ‘innovative’ all the time? So many extra people are in and around camp. What’s the value? I don’t see much,” wrote Mike Brown in his Mail on Sunday column. “The only tactic seemed to kick and hope Steward could get it back!”

“There were also some bizarre calls like cross-kicking to Jamie George on the wing. What is the point in that other than if the player is totally unmarked? Jamie is a great player, but he’s one of the smallest on the field and not good in the air. It wasn’t a good percentage decision.”

Brown wasn’t the only one perplexed by England’s tactics.

Journalist Chris Jones questioned the wisdom in using prop Ellis Genge to run the ball back from deep like some sort of 117kg NFL punt returner. “So instead of picking Dombrandt to run those kicks back EJ gets England Rugby’s best scrummager Genge to run himself into the ground. Seems a waste of energy that could be better used.”

So instead of picking Dombrandt to run those kicks back EJ gets @EnglandRugby best scrummager Genge to run himself into the ground. Seems a waste of energy that could be better used @FranceRugby

— chris jones (@chrisjonespress) March 19, 2022

“Do you reckon Eddie Jones has said every time we get into or near France’s 22m we must kick it?!” Andy Goode observed wryly.

Do you reckon Eddie Jones has said every time we get into or near France’s 22m we must kick it?!

— Andy Goode (@AndyGoode10) March 19, 2022

Commentator and journalist Nick Heath questioned Jones’ use of the bench, or lack thereof. “Eddie Jones in microcosm there. Youngs out on his feet, kept out there, loses concentration and Dupont benefits. Youngs only then replaced with Randall. Stuart Lancaster dreamt of being ahead of the global curve on rugby strategy. Jones is behind the curve on an 80 minute game.”

Eddie Jones in microcosm there. Youngs out on his feet, kept out there, loses concentration and Dupont benefits.

Youngs only then replaced with Randall.

Stuart Lancaster dreamt of being ahead of the global curve on rugby strategy. Jones is behind the curve on an 80 minute game.

— Nick Heath (@nickheathsport) March 19, 2022

Writing in The Rugby Paper, Jeremy Guscott said England’s attack had not evolved under attack coach Martin Gleeson. “England have not threatened enough in attack over the course of the tournament, and it raises important questions.”

Fans were getting in on the action, with one irate Tweeter branding Jones’ approach as ‘pathetic’. “England’s tactics here are frankly pathetic. Pick a big guy on the wing and just boot it up in the air. Then stick the big prop at the back and get him to run straight back in a straight line.
No wonder they barely score any tries.”

https://twitter.com/gordonp93/status/1505280519038193664

Jones has now called for patience as he looks ahead to the World Cup next year. The question is has the RFU’s run out.