Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Woodward's advice to England after Watson's long-awaited Test return

England's Anthony Watson runs with the ball during last Sunday's match versus Wales (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

After Anthony Watson made his first England appearance since March 2018 on Sunday against Wales, World Cup-winning coach Clive Woodward has said that he needs to be starting. 

ADVERTISEMENT

This comes after calls on social media for the Bath player to play at full-back for England, with Elliot Daly reverting back to the wing. Watson started on the wing in Sunday’s win, looking assured under the high ball and strong in defence. 

Although the 25-year-old primarily plays on the wing for Bath, he was the incumbent full-back for England when he sustained an achilles injury in the final game of the 2018 Six Nations that has since required two surgeries and kept him out for over a year. 

In the meantime, Daly filled in at full-back but is perhaps more comfortable on the wing. While he wore the 15 shirt on Sunday, many want to see him swap with Watson.

Woodward seems less concerned with what position either of them play, as long as they are both on the pitch. Both players bring a huge amount to this England team, and Daly has obviously done enough during his time in the 15 shirt to convince Woodward. 

(Continue reading below…)

The new Saracens signing has a kicking game that is perhaps better suited to full-back, while Watson is probably stronger in the air, but what is important to Woodward is that they both start.

ADVERTISEMENT

With Jonny May surely set to occupy the other wing, this is shaping up to be England’s first choice back three going into the World Cup.

https://twitter.com/CliveWoodward/status/1160881656561111040?s=20

With Jack Nowell and Ruaridh McConnochie also capable of playing at full-back, Eddie Jones has plenty of options. Joe Cokanasiga is the sixth back three player in the squad, which means there is a lot of competition for places. 

Both Watson and Daly were the starting wingers for all three Test matches against the All Blacks in the 2017 British and Irish Lions series and are probably best suited there. 

While England fans want to see Watson wearing the 15 shirt again, Woodward just wants to see both on the pitch after the pair were selected in the 31-strong squad for the World Cup.

ADVERTISEMENT

WATCH: Joe Marler tells RugbyPass that the current England squad is the tightest he has ever been involved with

ADVERTISEMENT

Boks Office | Episode 39 | The Investec Champions Cup is back

Argentina v France | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Men's Match Highlights

New Zealand v Australia | HSBC SVNS Hong Kong 2025 | Women's Match Highlights

Tokyo Sungoliath vs Shizuoka BlueRevs | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

Reds vs Force | Super Rugby W 2025 | Full Match Replay

The Rise of Kenya | The Report

New Zealand in Hong Kong | Brady Rush | Sevens Wonders | Episode 4

The Fixture: How This Rugby Rivalry Has Lasted 59 Years

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

0 Comments
Be the first to comment...

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Tom 43 minutes ago
No definites, but which Wales players could still make Lions squad?

Williams, Faletau, Lake, Morgan are the only ones who have a chance. None of them are guaranteed but I'd imagine they'll pick Williams and Morgan who could get in on merit and will likely be favoured for inclusivity.


Williams is fighting it out with Ben White for 3rd slot behind JGP and Mitchell.

Morgan is up against JVDF, Earl, Curry, Curry, Willis for 4 flanker slots. Morgan is a fantastic player but a huge call to leave any of those boys at home given how much Wales struggled at the breakdown against England. He's by no means solely responsible for that but it will be fresh in the minds of the selectors. Given the amount of hybrid players emerging and the inclination for a 6-2 split, they may be able to find room for a 5th flanker in the squad. In which case may be Ben Curry who misses out or Willis might be excluded given we have such depth in the players who have chosen to play for clubs this side of the channel.


Lake and Faletau are good enough but I'd be surprised if Faletau gets picked over Conan and Lake would be up against Cowan-Dickie which I can't see happening. Blair Murray is probably 4th in the 15 pecking order behind Kinghorn, Heenan, Marcus Smith. He may be a better 15 than Smith but Smith brings versatility so would be ahead of him. Since Smith may go on tour as a 10/15 hybrid, they would already have 3 fullbacks in the squad so Murray won't make it, good player though.


Nicky Smith and Dafydd Jenkins clutching at straws.

3 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Worcester Warriors return to play statement imminent Worcester Warriors return to play statement imminent
Search