“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.
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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| (C) Paler Images |
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.
