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No reprieve for Mako as uncapped Rodd gets the England call up

(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Uncapped Sale loosehead Bevan Rodd has been called up to the England squad following the positive Covid test that will keep Joe Marler, a replacement in last weekend’s win over Tonga, in isolation for ten days. It was Tuesday morning when the RFU confirmed that Harlequins prop Marler had failed a test on Monday evening which resulted in a further round of testing for everyone in the camp. 

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This follow-up testing confirmed that Marler did indeed have a positive, unlike what happened last week when it was ultimately determined that the test result produced by skipper Owen Farrell was a false positive. That determination came too late, though, to make Farrell available to take his place versus the Tongans. 

With Marler now definitely ruled out, it left Eddie Jones with just two looseheads available for selection in his squad, vice-captain Ellis Genge, who started against Tonga, and Trevor Davison, the 29-year-old who won his sole Test cap as a sub last July versus the USA.  

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There was speculation that Marler’s misfortune could prise the door open for Mako Vunipola, the starting loosehead in the 2019 World Cup final, to earn a recall to the squad. However, Jones has instead opted to look elsewhere despite Vunipola’s recent improved form with Saracens. 

Rodd was part of the England training squad that assembled in London for a mini-camp at the end of September and having missed out on the Autumn Nations Series squad announced on October 18, he is now in the mix for the remainder of the November schedule versus Australia this Saturday and the following weekend’s clash with the Springboks. 

England newcomer Rodd, 21, is a Scottish-born front-rower is a 21-year-old who has developed a reputation for celebrating Sale victories by dancing naked in the dressing room. Sharks boss Alex Sanderson explained last June: “I’m not allowed to talk about him getting naked because his grandma had a go at him about that post-match. But he doesn’t mind, he doesn’t mind getting his kit off and he is quite a good mover with it. He is quite handsome for a big lad. He is a bit of a talent. He is a rare talent for someone being as young as he is and being able to hold that side of the scrum up but it is his work around the field that sets him apart for front-rowers, for looseheads. 

Whereas last week, Jones cut his squad from 34 to 28 on the Tuesday evening, releasing the likes of Sam Simmonds back to Exeter for weekend club duty, England have decided to keep all 34 players with them for the whole week leading into the match with the Wallabies in an attempt to limit any further setbacks with their safety bubble. The RFU confirmed on Wednesday morning that the latest round of test results have all come back negative.

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ENGLAND SQUAD (vs Australia)
FORWARDS:
Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 3 caps)
Callum Chick (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 34 caps)
Trevor Davison (Newcastle Falcons, 1 cap)
Nic Dolly (Leicester Tigers, uncapped)
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 2 caps)
Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 24 caps)
Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 31 caps)
Jamie George (Saracens, 60 caps)
Jonny Hill (Exeter Chiefs, 10 caps)
Maro Itoje (Saracens, 49 caps)
Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 88 caps)
Lewis Ludlam (Northampton Saints, 10 caps)
George Martin (Leicester Tigers, 1 cap)
Bevan Rodd (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps)
Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 45 caps)
Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 13 caps)
Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby, 25 caps)
BACKS:
Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, 1 cap)
Owen Farrell (Saracens, 93 caps)
Tommy Freeman (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
George Furbank (Northampton Saints, 5 caps)
Max Malins (Saracens, 8 caps)
Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 6 caps)
Jonny May (Gloucester Rugby, 67 caps)
Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints, 1 cap)
Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks, uncapped)
Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons, 2 caps)
Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 41 caps)
Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 3 caps)
Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 3 caps)
Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks, 44 caps)
Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 110 caps)

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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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