On Thursday morning Eddie Jones announced a 34-man squad that will prepare for England's first Test against Argentina on November 11.
As always the head coach was open an honest about a wide range of different topics and while my other Out On The Full article focuses on the head coach's overarching ambitions and thoughts regarding this autumn, here the spotlight turns on a few specifics.
This article is a snappier look at Eddie Jones' words on New Zealand's post-Lions output, what has impressed him about Sam Simmonds, why Zach Mercer is back in the mix and it starts with his comments on those that have missed out on selection.
"There are a lot of guys who have a deserved right to be disappointed for missing out. Armand, Rokoduguni who’s really improved his defence and really come on, Marland who’s been in and out of the squad. They are all guys who are deservedly not happy. And I am pleased they are not happy.
"They’ve just got to keep at it because it’s a hard team to get into and it’s going to get harder. We’ve picked 34 and we’ve got ten who you probably think have a pretty good chance of getting in the 23 who are not available for selection. That’s how we want it to be."
Focus on Sam Simmonds
"He runs very good support lines. That’s the thing I liked about him the most. He has great acceleration, he’s not afraid to put his head over the ball and he’s worth having a look at.
"With Clifford out we don’t really have someone who can cover everywhere in the back row. I think potentially he can do that which makes him potentially very valuable for us."
"With Clifford out we don’t really have someone who can cover everywhere in the back row. I think potentially he can do that which makes him potentially very valuable for us."
New Zealand's Post-Lions progression
"What they've learned over the last eight years particularly is the process of building towards a World Cup campaign.
"What they've learned over the last eight years particularly is the process of building towards a World Cup campaign.
"What they've done post the Lions has been so clever in terms of being able to expand their depth, experimented with the way they've played the game, they've deliberately put themselves under pressure in games to equip themselves better for the World Cup.
"That's something we can certainly learn from and we're not trying to copy them, but given the experience I’ve had in World Cup campaigns, it's important that now we've had two good years and have a solid squad - solid style of play and solid credits in the bank - it's time to start developing the depth and adaptability of the team."
Focus on Zach Mercer
"He’s grown up. He's become a lot more mature about his play, worked harder off the ball.
"He’s grown up. He's become a lot more mature about his play, worked harder off the ball.
"Todd Blackadder has had a significant influence on him. He [Blackadder] was one of the most selfless players in the world. He worked so hard for his province and his country and he has brought those qualities to Zach Mercer.
"He [Mercer] has got great natural skill but he has lacked that want to do the things that are difficult and he is starting to do those things. He is still a long way away but that is why he is an apprentice but he has got the potential to take the next step."
Back five mix
"He started the season well, has fallen off a bit lately. Hasn’t been great the last couple of games.
Argentina in Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool
"It really doesn’t come into it. You can over-emphasise those things. When we play them in October 2019 they’re going to have a different team, we’re going to have a different team.'
Back five mix
"I see the back five as a five that work together. I don’t see you have to have the traditional aspects but you have to have traditional responsibilities within that. So you can get away with playing Itoje or Lawes as a six if the seven and eight have the complimentary skills to be able to cover the traditional 6, 7 and 8. So it’s a bit of a mix and match there. So no decided decision."
Courtney Lawes’ form
"As I say started the season like a house on fire, but someone has put some water on the fire. We’re going to try to reignite the fire again."
Argentina in Rugby World Cup 2019 Pool
"It really doesn’t come into it. You can over-emphasise those things. When we play them in October 2019 they’re going to have a different team, we’re going to have a different team.'
"They’re going to be in different physical condition, we’re going to be in different physical condition. So, you can win some points but you don’t win a knockout in these preliminary World Cup games."
Read the detailed article regarding Eddie Jones' 34-man squad selected to prepare for the Argentina Test HERE.
Read the detailed article regarding Eddie Jones' 34-man squad selected to prepare for the Argentina Test HERE.
