In four matches time England Rugby could finish 2016 unbeaten however that isn't the thought that is filling the minds England's squad and coaching set up right now. Instead, it's about the prospect taking another step forwards and in doing so writing new history against South Africa.
By this point in time the prior meetings between England and the Springboks have been discussed until the cows come home, 10 years of defeats lie behind England and yet the feeling remains that the Boks aren't untouchable like New Zealand were for a while and especially not now. Some of South Africa's recent Rugby Championship outings were difficult to watch yet they can't be written off today, they will present a strong challenge that England must endeavour to overcome. With the weight of pressure lying on his shoulders to find results, and to find them fast, Allister Coetzee has reverted to type when it comes to selection. The bigger the better in terms of physical size and present and as a result you can suspect the game plan; keep it tight and out muscle England. In doing so I believe that this has played directly into the wealth of understanding that Eddie Jones has about South Africa:
"South African rugby doesn't [change]. You have got to play smart, playing against a physically aggressive side, you've got to play smart," said the Australian.
"We don't want to go toe-to-toe with them because that's what they want to do. You never go into a game of rugby knowing what the opposition want to do, and then do that. Why would we do that? Ireland were brilliant against New Zealand because they gave them no unstructured position. The Kiwis therefore had to play off a structured position and the Kiwis aren't as good off structured position."
Naturally England's head coach chose not to elaborate on the finer details of England's tactics, tactics that he likened to Mohammed Ali's understanding when fighting George Foreman, but the smarts will be there. There's no secret about the fact that England have to win the gain line and make it their own. England's focus and talking point over the last two weeks has been on defence and physicality, as it should be against the most physically demanding side in world rugby, yet England know that they also need their attack to fire in order to exploit shaky South African defence.
Today I expect the outstanding axis of George Ford and Owen Farrell to come to the fore and their partnership will be ably enhanced by Ben Youngs and the left foot of Elliot Daly. Ford in particular should push England into the right areas of the field and, even under the intense pressure of blokes double his size running at him, he should make the right decisions flat to the line with effective tactical kicking and distribution. Alongside his own searing pace Elliot Daly is a player that also brings others into the game and that will be vital to ensure that when the opportunities are created they are taken.
In all areas England's pack have a job to do and various members have points to prove. Tom Wood must go a long way towards filling the large shoes of James Haskell while Courtney Lawes and Joe Launchbury must relish their opportunities back in the starting jersey. The Vunipola brothers' progression towards 'world class' status must continue and I fully expect to see the outstanding leadership of Dylan Hartley come to the fore. Hartley will work himself into the ground for as long as he is on the field and will lead his side by example. A 'lack of game time' should not be an issue because he has said himself that he knows how he needs to feel before a Test match and he's most certainly that point.
This afternoon it will be about starting hard and hitting the intensity that's required - both physically and mentally - in order to answer the questions that South Africa will ask of England. England need to be smart and savvy enough to not be pulled into the type of Test match that they don't want to play because the Boks, as always, will look to bully England into doing things their way. They must be prepared that recent South African performances could belie what they will bring to Twickenham and if the Boks output doesn't jump swiftly up then that will be a bonus for England because they're ready for a greater challenge.
Twickenham Stadium is England's patch and Eddie Jones' side must dominate the way in which the match pans out. The home bench boasts experience and impact, fresh caps could be handed out if Kyle Sincker, Nathan Hughes and Ben Te'o arrive onto the field, but we all know that Eddie Jones won't use players for the sake of it. The game will dictate those that arrive in the second, or even the first half, and to a man they must enhance England's output.
If England dominate the opening quarter then I expect them to press on from there and prevail. Every single element needs to be delivered, from a rock solid set piece and a gain line that is owned by England to superb tactical kicking and attack that creates and finishes opportunities. In dismal conditions today it's about this squad taking another step forwards and pressing from again after a significant series victory in the summer. Can they do that? I believe so.
England: 15. Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 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 Tom Wood, 8 Billy Vunipola. Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Danny Care, 22 Ben Te'o, 23 Jonathan Joseph
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Rudy Paige; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Willem Alberts, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Warren Whiteley Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Lionel Mapoe.
 |
| The monster boot of Elliot Daly could be required! |
 |
| (C) Paler Images |
This afternoon it will be about starting hard and hitting the intensity that's required - both physically and mentally - in order to answer the questions that South Africa will ask of England. England need to be smart and savvy enough to not be pulled into the type of Test match that they don't want to play because the Boks, as always, will look to bully England into doing things their way. They must be prepared that recent South African performances could belie what they will bring to Twickenham and if the Boks output doesn't jump swiftly up then that will be a bonus for England because they're ready for a greater challenge.
Twickenham Stadium is England's patch and Eddie Jones' side must dominate the way in which the match pans out. The home bench boasts experience and impact, fresh caps could be handed out if Kyle Sincker, Nathan Hughes and Ben Te'o arrive onto the field, but we all know that Eddie Jones won't use players for the sake of it. The game will dictate those that arrive in the second, or even the first half, and to a man they must enhance England's output.
If England dominate the opening quarter then I expect them to press on from there and prevail. Every single element needs to be delivered, from a rock solid set piece and a gain line that is owned by England to superb tactical kicking and attack that creates and finishes opportunities. In dismal conditions today it's about this squad taking another step forwards and pressing from again after a significant series victory in the summer. Can they do that? I believe so.
England: 15. Mike Brown, 14 Marland Yarde, 13 Elliot Daly, 12 Owen Farrell, 11 Jonny May, 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 Tom Wood, 8 Billy Vunipola. Replacements: 16 Jamie George, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Kyle Sinckler, 19 Dave Attwood, 20 Nathan Hughes, 21 Danny Care, 22 Ben Te'o, 23 Jonathan Joseph
South Africa: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Ruan Combrinck, 13 Francois Venter, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 JP Pietersen, 10 Pat Lambie, 9 Rudy Paige; 1 Tendai Mtawarira, 2 Adriaan Strauss (c), 3 Vincent Koch, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 5 Lood de Jager, 6 Willem Alberts, 7 Pieter-Steph du Toit, 8 Warren Whiteley Replacements: 16 Bongi Mbonambi, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Lourens Adriaanse, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Faf de Klerk, 22 Johan Goosen, 23 Lionel Mapoe.
