England v Argentina - Review

Eddie Jones always says that to get the best out of players then they need to be uncomfortable and it’s fair to say that down to 14 men or less for 75 minutes is fairly uncomfortable! 

Naturally teams prepare for periods with a man in the bin but when you are facing almost an entire Test match with a man disadvantage it takes an awful lot of strength to prevail. Strength of fitness, strength of character and strength of mindset and no wonder Eddie Jones was glowing in the praise of his side afterwards:

“I thought that it was a brilliant display today. Flexible, adaptable, courageous. We went out there with a certain game plan and we had to abandon that after 10 minutes and the players did exceptionally well. The senior players regrouped and came up with another plan, played to the conditions and I thought that it was outstanding today.”

What we saw out there on the Twickenham turf was a team that is extremely confident in their processes and trusting of the players around them. It’s fair to say that the match threw pretty much everything at England and yet Eddie Jones’ men remained calm and collected and proved that they can't be easily derailed. This week Tom Wood spoke about how the team are training ‘above Test match intensity so that the Test match almost comes a little bit easier’ and the fruits of their labour showed. Other sides wouldn’t have been able to maintain such a quick line speed and physical defensive intensity, with a player or two disadvantage, yet this England side did. 

For England to prevail it took every single player to play their part from those that played the full eighty to those that came off the bench. As ever a couple of individuals turned our heads as they led the power charged eighty minutes. ‘Outstanding’ was the adjective used by Eddie Jones to describe his flanker as the Harlequin worked himself into the ground with endless energy. Elsewhere Jonathan Joseph showed why his head coach raves about his defensive work and Teimana Harrison’s introduction was smoother than many thought it might have been when Billy Vunipola had to leave the field. The extent of the latter’s injury isn’t yet known and a question mark remains Nathan Hughes’ fitness until he returns to England's camp on Sunday and the medical staff review him. 

Overall Eddie Jones said that his players are a bit bumped and bruised, as you’d expect given the effort that they had to put in, but he’ll be pleased that they went through and passed this test. Elliot Daly's actions weren't malicious it was simply an error of judgement and something that he'll need to park and move on from. Of course there will be a disciplinary hearing and we will reopen the winger selection debate this week! Now the focus moves onto Australia and immediately after the match Eddie Jones took his first opportunity to take a little pop at the Wallabies: 

“We're looking forward to Australia next week now which is going to be a bit of fun! The Australia media in June were very disrespectful to us, so I’m sure that they are going to be at that gain so we will prepare for that. 

We’re very keen to have a chat to the referee about the Australian scrummaging. They’ve got some issues with the way that they scrummage so we need to have a meeting with the referee. We will invite the Australian coaching staff to come along, we’ll submit and agenda and make sure that everything is above board.”

Without question this was England's most impressive display of the autumn series and showcased a defensive display that was akin to 'that' Test in Melbourne. Each week England are building and this 80 minutes against Argentina will have galvanised them more than an easy four or five try victory would have done. The way that those remaining on the pitch adapted and delivered the victory with 14 men will add to this squad's ever growing confidence. Next stop Australia and with the recent history between the two sides, Australia's loss in Dublin and the relationship between Eddie Jones and Michael Cheika as the former says we are in for a 'fun' week! 

England v Argentina Preview

So the next stop for Eddie Jones and England Rugby is Argentina, match three of this four match autumn series and of course it could be win number twelve under Eddie Jones' charge. While I'm sure that deep down the Australian likes to make history he has made it clear that he and the side aren't motivated by breaking winning-records. Instead, their goal is plain and simple and that's 'to become the number one team in the world' and each game now is building towards their goal and Rugby World Cup 2019.

As we all know Argentina present a slightly different challenge to that of Fiji or South Africa and also they are a side that have evolved over recent years. Traditionally it was all about their scrummage and truth be told not a lot else, but now we've seen them develop an impressive style of rugby. Argentina in full flow are lovely to watch with their passion, pace and flair in attack and it's a style that England's head coach certainly appreciated during the recent Rugby Championship:

"We are playing a very good side that we know if they scent any sense of complacency in us, they’ll be all over us like a rash. They’ve got talented players and evolved their game nicely over the last four or five years. They were probably the second best team in the Rugby Championship.

"They’ve played some fantastic rugby. Any team that stretches the All Blacks for 50 minutes is a really good team and they did that with some wonderful rugby."

While I've no doubt in my mind that Argentina are a very good side I wouldn't be surprised if stating the above so overtly also had one eye on next week's match too because let's face it Australia aren't going to like being put underneath the bottom side in the recent competition that they just took a part in! 

So what must England do in order to counter this evolving side and game plan? Well much can be said for exerting themselves on the game early and really throwing the weight of their winning run and confidence about. Dylan Hartley and his side have an impressive history of matches behind them and that should create a quiet aura that goes with them. Here I'm not talking about arrogance or complacency, instead I'm talking about confidence and self belief. England's form is hot right now and they still have a burning desire to deliver a performance that they feel is more complete than we've seen this autumn. In short England have to use those factors to their advantage and make Argentina nervous from the outset.

In terms of Eddie Jones' key asks that he wants to see from the side at Twickenham Stadium then he has split them into three key areas:

"First thing against Argentina is that it's a test of your manhood. They are physical guys they want to pack you under the scrum, the maul, the breakdown. You go to Argentina, you have a big steak, don't you? It's all about being physical. That's our first test. We've got no issue with that, we know that's coming

"The second part is we've got to be opportunistic because Argentina have a defence that sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't work. We've got to be aware of the space and take that very quickly

"The third thing our defence has to be absolutely suffocating."

England's XV is a largely familiar one as Mike Brown, Jonny May, Tom Wood and George Kruis return into the starting line-up. The large talking point this week has been Semesa Rokoduguni's exclusion (not for the first time) but England's head coach is clear. The Bath winger wasn't his man of the match and has 'areas of his game to work on' and he'll do so back at Bath.  Elliot Daly has retained a spot out wide and he has been given license to roam. If you watched the match against Fiji back then you'll have noticed his ability to pick and choose key moments to come off his wing and the same will be expected of him this weekend. The vision of George Ford and Owen Farrell is such that Daly's endaveour will be spotted and made the most of so I expect the 24-year-old to have another big game.

As ever Dylan Hartley's role will be key for England, his leadership is outstanding and given the amount that Argentina channel through Agustin Creevy England's captain's  strength at the set piece must come to the fore too. Tom Wood returns to add his considerable work rate to the back row and even though George Kruis has been on the sidelines for a short time I don't expect to see him blowing or off the boil because he's such an impressive operator in the second-row.

Argentina have already said that they need to deliver the 'best game possible' in order to try and get at England. We've seen the Pumas do so before at the Rugby World Cup against Ireland, their autumn has been a little more stuttering, but there's no doubt that they can do it. England cannot under-estimate Daniel Hourcade's side however complacency is not a word that you associate with any of the England coaching staff, their captain or these players so that should not be a problem.

This, according to Eddie Jones, is the strongest side that he has selected this autumn and I expect them to show us the same attacking flair that we saw against Fiji while really getting stuck into Argentina's scrummage and set piece. Saturday afternoon will be about delivering on those three key areas that Eddie Jones identified and making another step forwards towards the complete 80 minute performance that we know that they are striving for.  

Eddie Jones on...

England are now holding onto a handsome winning record and in achieving that have been building week on week in terms of their performance levels. Saturday's outing against Fiji showcased the depth of talent housed within the squad and with two matches before the calendar year finishes the possibility of finishing unbeaten remains very much on the cards. Following the match Eddie Jones shared his thoughts on of areas and here's the insight into Australian's views. 

George Ford

First let’s start with Eddie Jones' thoughts on his starting fly-half. As I mentioned at length during my post match review George Ford is flying for England and as you’d expect his head coach is happy with how the Bath player is delivering for his country: 

“Some of George Ford’s alignment on some of the phase ball was absolutely outstanding, the best I have seen for a long time.

“He probably feels a sense of security and I think he enjoys the sort of rugby we’re trying to play. He’s got a beautiful skills-set.

Eddie Jones continued on with his assessment and was fairly open regarding an area that can make George an even better player:

“I just think he’s got a great feel for the game. He sees opportunities. He needs to work on his running game a bit, which we will work on. He needs to be more of a threat himself. He’s actually too selfless. He needs to be a bit more selfish with the ball at times and he will start to develop that in his game.

“I think he can be better than Beauden Barrett – no doubt about that. People rave about Beauden Barrett but I don’t.”

Japan and Wales' approach

By now we all know that England's head coach often says exactly what he thinks and doesn’t toe the party line for the sake of it. This time a simple question regarding Japan’s close call against Wales delivered a fairly strong view regarding the home nation's approach to the fixture alongside an insight to the Japanese feelings after:

“There will be some tears. The Japanese cry when they win and they cry when they lose, so there will be plenty of tears. It’s a fantastic result for them and Wales were obviously complacent again. You look at the side they put out, they shouldn’t be winning by three points against a Japanese team that has seven or eight new caps and those guys are coming out of company rugby. You or I could play company rugby.”

Potential Lions assistant coaches

Leading on from Wales the man that was in charge of their fate until late, Lions head coach Warren Gatland, should now be in full flow regarding selecting his assistant coaches. The Kiwi will announce his team in Dublin on 7th December and has openly said that he will be looking for a blend of continuity with some fresh faces in there. Once again Eddie Jones has reiterated the positive nature that having one or two of his coaching team on the Lions tour could have for England Rugby and of course for the individual or individuals themselves:

“I am happy for all of my coaching team except me to be involved in the Lions and if they are offered a job I will encourage them to take the job and get down there and work out how to beat New Zealand because that is one of our aims. 

“They can help us and the Lions. What a great opportunity to spend ten weeks in New Zealand on the Lions tour. Ten weeks of hearing “Bro” seven million times and getting to understand everything about New Zealand rugby and ultimately if they are No1 when we play them they will be the side to beat but we are not sure they are going to be No1 then.”

Selection...

Clearly a number individuals came into the mix for the Fiji match and the question on everyone’s minds now is whether any have done enough to continue and gain another start against Argentina? Eddie Jones never definitively comments on selection but quietly said that he thinks that he has a XV and 23 in mind…. of course that means he 100% does! That said some players have pushed themselves further into his thinking:

“Well, a few players today may have clouded it [my thinking] a little bit. I thought Daly was good on the left wing. Whether that is his best position, I’m not sure, but it certainly worked. I was pleased with him and with JJ – his defence was absolutely outstanding.”

George Kruis is also now fit to return to England’s camp, let’s take Joe Launchbury’s citing out of this one for a minute because we don’t know what will come of that, and focus on that area of the field. Eddie Jones would have no qualms about throwing Kruis straight into the international mix and openly said that before any judicial review arrived. Both Jonny May and Mike Brown are competing for selection and as I mentioned in the match review Eddie Jones simply said Alex Goode ‘did some good things’ but didn’t rant and rave about him further so you expect Mike Brown may be returned to the starting 15 jersey. 

The balance for Argentina & their winning run 

The Pumas this weekend now presents an altogether different challenge and one that will have been England’s head coach’s focus as soon as he opened his eyes on Sunday morning. The tactics and plans will be put in place immediately, with a great amount of detail, and he shared a top line view of what’s required:

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“Argentina is a tricky side, not an easy side to play against and we’re going to have to prepare really well to beat them. It’s about finding the right balance between playing structured and unstructured. We need to get an advantage in the set piece which is difficult against them, so we’ve got to find ways to do that, and then make them play unstructured rugby from situations they’re not great in.”

Of course now England continued on their unbeaten run under Eddie Jones and the Australian is well aware that even if he, and his players, may want it to continue indefinitely sometimes you do get beaten in professional sport:

“It’s always fun when you are winning. Our big test is when you lose a game. We’re not frightened of losing, we don’t want to lose a game, but we know if we do we will learn a lot from it. It’s all part of sport, it’s all part of developing a team. No one wins at 100 per cent, not even the All Blacks, the Chicago Bulls didn’t, Barcelona don’t, Real Madrid. It’s impossible with sport because you are dealing with people. You are going to have days when you are a little but off and the other mob is a little bit on - so you are going to get beaten.”

England v Fiji - Review

Ahead of this second Test Eddie Jones asked for a a number of things. First and foremost a conclusive victory, second keeping the match structured and not playing into Fiji’s hands and third seeing individuals take their opportunities. By all accounts his England side achieved all three and as a result continue on with purpose on their unbeaten run. 

In his post match assessment England's head coach highlighted the next step that he wants to see from this side. Now it's time to develop the type of ruthless intensity that we see from the very best teams in the world. It’s about England putting themselves into winning positions and then ceasing to let up their intensity:

“So I am really happy with aspects of our game today. Collectively the 23 put in a good effort, there was good intensity – we dropped off at certain times but it is always difficult when you get a big lead, to maintain that intensity. But that is the next step of a team going forward – that is what we want to achieve.”

“If we want greatness in our team we have to maintain that intensity after racing into an early lead. There were some great individual performances but there are obviously areas we have to improve on against Argentina which is going to be a tricky game.”

So what of the game at hand? As mentioned the performance, as a whole, had the type of structure that was required. England's framework stayed strong and as a collective they exploited the weaknesses in defence that were present. Fiji did put some good points on the board but by in large England controlled the match and delivered what was required. 

In terms individual performances then a few definitely need commenting on and the first is the outing of George Ford. There's plenty of talk about his club future at the moment but as you'd expect from the consummate professional that he is, he doesn't let any of this outside noise faze him. Each week we are seeing his natural skill-set light up the Twickenham stage and despite men twice his size looking to take his head off the fly-half played as flat to the line as he always does. This ability and the decisions that he makes while doing that makes England's attack tick and alongside the ever present and ever brilliant Owen Farrell  and Ben Youngs who is showcasing outstanding form England are blessed with their decision making axis.

On the wing Elliot Daly showed exactly the type of versatility that the coaches want to see from him. Despite little game time there the Wasps man looked at ease in the 11 jersey. He came off his wing at the right times, turned on his speed and outside break and generally looked top-notch. Eddie Jones is really looking to develop Elliot as a utility back and a key weapon in his armoury to ensure that England can cover across the back field with ease. 

Semesa Rokodugni’s performance will also have given England's head coach something positive to think about too. The Bath winger put aside the nerves that Eddie Jones said were there and played with passion and his trademark intensity and spark. Out there on the park we saw the fruits of good man management from Eddie Jones to find the right match to re-introduce Semesa back into the mix and without question there’s an argument to hand the Bath winger another start on Saturday. 

In terms of the next step Argentina present an altogether difference challenge to South Africa or Fiji. The Pumas’ single-point loss to Scotland will galvanise a side that can deliver some outstanding rugby and Eddie Jones was clear about their recent development:

“They have gone from being a very structured team, strong at the set-piece and very good at the kick and chase game, to a side that still has remnants of that but they’ve added to it the ability to play unstructured rugby. They’ve got an unbelievable running threat off nine, so it makes you defend tight around the ruck, and they have the ability to play off 10 as well with Sánchez. 

“Unlike most teams they have two distinct threats so it really tests your defensive line - you have to make sure you’re tight enough around the ruck to worry about the nine, but you can’t be too tight or give them too much space on the outside. It’s a really good defensive challenge for us this week, not dissimilar to playing against the All Blacks, in a latin way.”

Selection wise England's head coach said after he has some ‘good questions to answer’ but in all honesty I believe that he has a XV and 23 inked down on paper already. The question is are those that had starting opportunities against Fiji, Alex Goode, Semesa Rokoduguni and Teimana Harrison, in his thinking?

If I was a betting lady I’d say that perhaps only the Bath winger may truly be in the selection mix for a start against Argentina. Why? Well because Mike Brown seems to remain strongly in the forefront of Eddie Jones’ plans - Alex Goode's performance was assessed as 'he did well' alongside the word 'good' but reading between the lines it didn't light the fire of the Australian. Also I believe that Tom Wood’s outing was stronger than his club counterpart while Elliot Daly and Jonathan Joseph should duel for the 13 jersey with Jonny May arriving back. In the case of the 13 jersey the latter’s ‘first-class defence’ and ‘very good’ performance against Fiji (Eddie Jones’ words not mine) may see him prevail. 

For now it's time for this England squad to rest and recover ahead of another big week. With two Tests down and two to go the side will continue to seek improvements and I've no doubt that their head coach and his coaching team will ramp up the intensity and focus again to look to maintain their unbeaten run together on Saturday. 

England v Fiji - Preview

“While we were satisfied with last week’s result against South Africa, there was plenty to improve on. We want a much more complete performance on Saturday – we want to be in total control of the game and tidy-up the things we didn’t do well enough last weekend. We’re looking forward to it.”

Eddie Jones’ message is clear, the England side that he has selected this weekend must press on from their opening outing against South Africa. Yes, there are changes in personnel and yes, there have been a few injury concerns but neither should derail the side. 

The threat that Fiji pose is a strong one. We all saw in their meeting at the start of the 2015 Rugby World Cup the ability that Fiji have to rattle and push England and since then John McKee has continued to layer on further detail onto their game plan. The side’s set piece has improved out and sight and we know that in attack their backline can produce magic. As a collective Fiji are a powerful side that will challenge England physically and keep the home side's extremely solid defence on its toes. 

Naturally England’s focus is different to this time last week, now it’s about all about Eddie Jones’ side playing their own game and not being sucked into the type of unstructured Test match that Fiji would thrive in. As a result a focused start will be required with all of the key foundations in place, from there England can build as opposed to flying out too excitedly and not cultivating a lead sensibly. 

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In my honest opinion the danger of England becoming too unstructured is limited due to two key factors. First the intensity of the expectations set on them by Eddie Jones and secondly the personnel that remain at the heart of the side. While changes have been made Ben Youngs, George Ford and Owen Farrell remain in their respective positions and all manage games with distinction and should not let England’s organisation stip. 

While Eddie Jones has been clear that he isn’t handing out caps willy-nilly this match does present an opportunity for a him to have a look at individuals. Alex Goode, Semesa Rokoduguni and Elliot Daly are a fresh back-three and the first two especially have points to prove. Elsewhere there will be a large focus on Teimana Harrison after his previous short Test outing in Australia. The Northampton Saint has the shoes of Tom Wood and James Haskell to fill and must be physically robust and dominant out there on the Twickenham turf. 

Eddie Jones has been very clear that this England side has huge potential to succeed but maintains that their achievements to date have only been the start of something much greater:

“I don’t think we’ve achieved anything. We want to be the number one team in the world. We’ve got a group of players who are committed to be the number one team in the world. They want to do something that hasn’t been done for a long time in England. We’ve got the talent to do it. So all we’ve done is put down the foundation at the moment.” 

This weekend presents another chance to progress forwards towards their goal and as a result add to their winning-record. The key disappointing areas against South Africa - like a high penalty count early on - must be eradicated and as a collective England have to showcase a ruthless mentality.

The standards that Eddie Jones demands of his side are such that this week will have been as intense, if not more, than last. Control, focus and match intensity will have been key buzz words for this second Test and if the home side deliver their own game plan to a T then their head coach should be able to increase his assessment higher than the mere six out of 10 that he gave them last Saturday afternoon. 

England: 15 Alex Goode, 14 Semesa Rokoduguni, 13 Jonathan Joseph, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford, 9 Ben Youngs, 1 Mako Vunipola, 2 Dylan Hartley, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Courtney Lawes, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Teimana Harrison, 8 Billy Vunipola Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Charlie Ewels, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Danny Care, 22 Ben Te’o, 23 Henry Slade

Fiji: 15 Metui Talebula, 14 Benito Masilevu, 13 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 12 Albert Vulivuli, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Josh Matavesi, 9 Seru Vularika, 1 Campese Ma'afu, 2 Sunia Koto, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Api Ratuniyawara, 5 Leone Nakarawa, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 7 Peceli Yato, 8 Akapusi Qera (c) Replacements: 16 Tuapati Talemaitoga, 17 Peni Ravai, 18 Leeroy Atalifo, 19 Nemia Soqeta, 20 Naulia Dawai, 21 Eremasi Radrodro, 22 Nikola Matawalu, 23 Kini Murimurivalu.

Premiership Rugby Round 8 Preview

A warm welcome to the first of three bumper weekends of international and domestic rugby. Naturally these few weeks will present an interesting challenge for a number of Premiership squads while others will see them as a opportunity. Round 8 starts with three Friday night fixtures before a solitary Saturday match and a duo on Sunday finish off the weekend. With so much going on I might take the opportunity to mix up the Out On The Full coverage with some audio bulletins and reviews so watch this space!!

Sixways will open its doors for a set of Friday night lights and Carl Hogg’s side welcome Northampton Saints. The Saints’ most recent victory on the road was back in Round 2 but they have lost just one of their last seven matches against Worcester. The home side will be looking to prey on the slightly shaky early season form of Jim Mallinder's side and welcome back Ryan Mills and Cooper Vuna into their starting line-up. Northampton Saints’ Ben Foden makes his 200th appearance for the club in a side that will be controlled by Lee Dickson and Stephen Myler in the half-backs. Of course Saints will be working without the firepower of Louis Picamoles and the question is how much will this affect them? 

The Recreation Ground will be set for its first Premiership Bath versus Bristol derby of the season as old acquaintances are finally renewed in England's top domestic competition. Bath have lost just once at The Rec since February and are able to name Taulupe Faletau in their starting line-up! I can hear the Bath fans' cheering from here!! However, they are without their outstanding half-back axis of Kahn Fotuali’i and George Ford so the onus will be on Darren Allison and Rhys Priestland to take charge. For the first time this season Bristol have the confidence of coming off the back of a victory and will have taken plenty of encouragement from their recent Challenge Cup meeting with Bath. Acting head coach Mark Tainton has said that his players are ‘playing without fear’ and are ready to ‘embrace the occasion’ and they'll need to do just that. Conditions are likely to play a factor with rain falling fairly heavily in Bath ahead of kick-off and I'm sure that ground will be rocking for this big derby clash. 

Newcastle Falcons’ last three fixtures have all been won by the home side on the day but they haven’t won successive matches at Kingston Park since February. Exeter Chiefs have lost their last three Premiership rounds and haven't had a start of the season to remember. It’s an interesting match up as the Chiefs’ confidence isn't rock solid right now and we all know that Newcastle have the potential to frustrate sides at Kingston Park. After injures Vereniki Goneva and Opeti Fonua are both returning to Falcons’ bench and it’s fair to say that together they provide plenty of firepower. Rob Baxter has said that now it is time for his side to ‘put their foot down’ in the competition and in order to do that nothing less than a victory will suffice. Gareth Steenson will be hugely important, as captain and as their fly-half, for it will be up to him to keep order and orchestrate the game. Exeter’s only Premiership loss to Newcastle in ten previous meetings was back in October 2014 but this time there are likely to be a few more nerves than usual.  

Gloucester Rugby have won just once in the last eight rounds of Aviva Premiership Rugby and have lost their last four at home in the competition. The start to Wasps’ season has been more impressive but interestingly they haven’t won away from home in any competition since 24th September. The Cherry and Whites come into this match off the back of a number of positive contract extension announcements but are without captain Greig Laidlaw who makes them tick. James Hook slots in at full-back with Willi Heinz and Billy Burns in the half-backs. Wasps have won on just three of their last 10 Premiership visits to Kingsholm but have shown the type of form required to deliver another victory on Saturday. Wasps’ XV is an impressive showcase of their squad depth and with a backline containing Dan Robson, Danny Cipriani, Christian Wade, Kyle Eastmond and Jimmy Gopperth Gloucester will have a lot to think about defensively. 

Sale Sharks have lost only one of their last four Premiership matches and we all know that their record at the AJ Bell Stadium is a strong one but they are meeting the reigning champions. Saracens’ own record speaks for itself with one loss in their last 14 Premiership fixtures and their squad is such that Mark McCall’s XV remains a head-turning one even without the like of Owen Farrell, Alex Goode and the Vunipolas. Andrew Fenby will make his Premiership debut for the club at full-back and Alex Lozowski will take the reins at 10. Sale will be up for the encounter as they have captain Josh Beaumont, Will Addison and AJ MacGinty all returning to their starting XV. Sam Tuitupou is making his first start and Rob Webber could finally get a home debut after an early season injury. Sale are a confident tea, at home and will be relishing the opportunity to have a go at Saracens but I expect the leaders of the pack to show plenty of resilience in Manchester. 

Leicester Tigers’ form at Welford Road has helped promote them into their promising position in the table and this match will be about continuing in that manner. Harlequins also are best at home because they have only won once away from The Stoop in their last ten trips in Aviva Premiership Rugby. John Kingston’s side are without their key international players  across the park and we know historically that usually means a dip in form. The visitors will be thankful to have Marland Yarde back in their backline and Aaron Morris is making his first start at full-back. Meanwhile in the forwards James Horwill captains the side and Dave Ward slots into the seven jersey after getting re-acquainted with the position in the Anglo-Welsh Cup. For the Tigers Tom Croft is set for his first league appearance of the season with Ellis Genge back from England’s camp and starting in their front row alongside Tom Greg Bateman. 

England Rugby - Focused despite injury concerns

As is the case during the autumn internationals on Thursday morning we were all set for a team announcement ahead of England facing Fiji. However in a break from the norm Eddie Jones has chosen to postpone his team announcement until Friday due to some injury concerns. England’s head coach stated that he’d ‘rather be accurate in naming the team’ as opposed to naming a side and then having to change it.

In terms of the regulations surrounding the autumn Tests then it is within his jurisdiction to do so. The Rugby World Cup had strict guidelines that teams had to be announced 48 hours prior to matches however under the tour agreement for these matches such a stipulation doesn’t exist. 

So, what are the injury concerns? Well naturally England’s head coach wasn't too specific regarding individual players' injuries. Professional rugby is such that a player never truly runs out 100% fit, unless perhaps it's the opening game of the season, so diving into the specifics of knocks may work in Fiji's favour. What England’s head coach did say was the following:

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“Billy and Nathan are still carrying knocks from the previous game, Elliot Daly is still carrying knocks from the previous game so we're looking to see how they resolve themselves in the next 24 hours before we make a final decision.”

Equally Eddie Jones added that Jonny May ‘isn’t 100 per cent fit to play Test rugby' and that Tom Wood was back at Pennyhill Park but currently suffering from illness. Regardless of the injury issues England’s head coach has been content with their preparation this week:

“We’ve had great preparation. Our training on Tuesday was probably the most intense training we’ve had as a team together. There was really excellent intent, attitude, effort and execution. As a result we just had a light session today [Thursday].”

“I’m not concerned [about injury disruption] but we just need to have clear pictures of who’s fit and who's not fit and we don’t have that at the moment. Once I’ve got that clear picture we’ll name the team and get on with it. The players know who is going to play and who is not going to play and who is going to play if people are injured so we’ve got great clarity in what we’re going to do.”

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One individual that could be a part of Saturday's fixture is Northampton Saints' Teimana Harrison. We all remember that the Northampton Saint, as well as his club teammate Luther Burrell, received the shepherd’s crook in Australia and one can only imagine that, that treatment hurt. Eddie Jones highlighted that taking off the back row forward so early in Australia wasn’t a difficult decision and now he believes the back-rower has come back stronger as a result:

“It wasn't difficult because it was the best thing to do for the team and he realises that. Like any player he's got to go away and work on his game and he's done that.  He's bounced back very well. He's got a bit more oomph and his tackling's got a bit more oomph, so has his ball carrying. He's built himself up considerably so if he does play on Saturday he deserves his opportunity.”

Of course we won’t know until Friday if Teimana Harrison will be playing a starting role or coming off the bench, that perhaps depends on the fitness of those around him as much as his form? However you can guarantee that if he does play a part then he will throw himself no holds barred into a physical Fijian side to prove a point to himself and to his England 

In terms of facing Fiji as a whole then the onus is on England to play their own game and not work into the hands of John Mckee's side as Eddie Jones indicated:

“You can't join the party. They want to have a kava party. We don't want to have a kava party, we want to eat fish and chips, so we will be making sure we eat fish and chips on Saturday.

“You just don't want to open the game up too much. You go anywhere in Fiji, kids are playing with the ball, they are throwing it around. At the age of 10, kids can throw 15-metre torpedo passes through their legs, so we've got to play a very structured, controlled, positive game.”

The term fish and chips was Eddie Jones’ way of saying that his side need to focus on playing ‘English rugby’ - rugby that emanates from a strong framework and thrives from there. England want to ensure that they play their game on Saturday afternoon and not a game that Fiji wish to play. We see it all the time when Premiership teams when try to play against Saracens at Saracens' own game and get royally punished as a result. 

This weekend's England’s focus must be about upping their performance level again, regardless of whatever the final injury picture is, and delivering. At the end of the day these things happen in professional sport and as they work towards their wider goal of 2019 the experience of weeks like this will be banked and help strengthen the side for the moments that matter.