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Why 'little bit of anger' from Jamie George delighted Eddie Jones

(Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)

Eddie Jones has taken great delight from the angry reaction in recent weeks of Jamie George, the originally axed 31-year-old hooker who has fought his way back into England contention and is now one of the two hookers in the squad of 28 ahead of team selection for Saturday’s Autumn Nations Series opener versus Tonga.  

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A Lions tourist for their July trip to South Africa, George was omitted from the England squads announced on September 21 and October 18 despite improved club form with Saracens following their return to the Premiership following a season in the Championship. 

In the end, an injury to Luke Cowan-Dickie restored George to the England mix and he is now in a position to add to his haul of 59 England caps as the only two hookers remaining in the squad are the Saracens front-rower and Newcastle’s Jamie Blamire, the 23-year-old Test rookie who earned his first two caps in the summer series versus the USA and Canada. The uncapped Nic Dolly was released back to Leicester on Tuesday evening. 

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Dan Biggar – Why the Autumn Nations Series is the most brutal of all

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Dan Biggar – Why the Autumn Nations Series is the most brutal of all

The overall response of George after his axing has pleased England boss Jones who had wanted a reaction. “He has responded well,” enthused Jones. “A player who has been dropped, particularly an established player, you have got two choices: one you can sulk and blame everything around you or you can get on with it and prove that the person who didn’t select you in the first place is wrong and then put in even stronger performances.

“I have been really delighted by Jamie’s attitude. He has come in and has worked hard, been helping the two young hookers Jamie (Blamire) and Nic Dolly and really added to the squad and for a player like him, what he has gone through is fairly normal. 

“If you look at when he first came into Saracens he was second choice behind (Schalk) Brits. He had to fight hard, got second choice, career went up, came into England, Dylan (Hartley) was ahead of him, had to fight hard to get the opportunity and then his career went up again and he has probably plateaued a little bit as was seen by the Lions tour.

“Now he has got the opportunity to go up again and he wants to go up. He doesn’t want to plateau, he doesn’t want to finish his career on not being involved in the Lions tour and he wants to be selected and be a member of this new England side going forward.”

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Asked about the rapport he has with the player following the initial decision to exclude him, Jones added: “Firstly I gave him the reason why he wasn’t included and when you tell that to players they never really hear you the first time, so there were some follow-up conversations. 

“He responded well for his club. I really enjoyed the way he played with a little bit of anger for his club and you can see it means a lot to him. That is the sort of response we want because as a team, the longer you are together and you have had some success the harder you have to work. Sometimes you just forget how hard you have to work to be good and he wants to be good and I am sure he is going to get there.”

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Hellhound 7 minutes ago
What has happened to Aphelele Fassi?

Willie will always be the most missed player for me once he retires. He wasn't interested in scoring tries. The ultimate team player. Has the most assists in tries in the Bok team, and his kicks always spot on, at least 95% of the time. He reads the game like no other player can. He wasn't flashy, and people didn't notice him because of that. Great rugby head and knowledge. He should be catapulted into an assistant coach in the rugby system. He should really consider coaching.


Damian Willemse is an excellent fullback and he is the number 1 fullback. He can play the entire backline positions, except maybe 9, but I'm sure he would be able too if he wanted. No one is taking that away from him, only stand in while he is injured. He is world class and you don't swap that out. He also got wicked dancing feet, great eye for openings, and reads a game like few can, like Willie Le Roux. Also very strong on his feet, with absolute great hands and his kicking game is just as good.


As for Aphelele Fassi. What a great find and he has exceptional talent that Rassie will mould into a world class player. Yet.... He is nowhere even close to Damien Willemse. He has a long way to go to get there, but he is surrounded by great team mates from who he will gain lots of advice and support. He can play wing and fullback and Rassie may just try him out as a flyhalf or centre too. He has the abilities to expand his game. He is for sure a future star, but not yet at the stage to take away Damien Willemse's spot. However, DW start and AF on the bench, that is an awesome replacement. Between the 2 they cover all positions in the backline once AF gets that training. The Boks could go 6/2 permanently if they wanted. 6 forwards, a scrumhalf and AF. I may be wrong, but Rassie will spread AF around.

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R
RedWarrior 48 minutes ago
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

I think Italy were always targetting this match and intended to win. They needed to exorcise the 2023 RWC. I think they could have done with a bit more help from other 6Ns particularly from Ireland to knock more holes in NZ and their confidence.

Mentioned before the Italy Argentina match was a virus that ripped through the Italy camp early that week. In general play Italy were competitive albeit with a high error count and crucial missed tackles.

Ive said it before the era of NZ turning up unprepared for all comers and triumphing is definitively over. If a Tier1 team target NZ and NZ do not prepare accordingly they are in with a major chance of losing. It used to occur the odd time in RWCs against France, now it can occur v any Tier1. The competition has improved. NZ can still be at the top but their talents must be deployed sufficiently into dismantling teams as with their attack then allowed to exploit.

They dismantled Ireland pretty well in Dublin which went largely unnoticed. That allowed them scoreboard advantage and attacking opportunities of which one was enough.

That Italian team beat Wales and significantly Scotland last year. They used the loss to NZ in the most positive way possible. No doubt NZ prepared but I would assume it was similar to versus Argentina: 3/4 arsed at best. These test matches are rare and this was another chance to practice dismantling a determined and prepared opponent which was lost. If Italy had scored a 7 pointer at 17-6....an Italian win was on.

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