“Everyone in the team has got a different role this week. That is what is exciting for us.”
At Pennyhill Park on Thursday lunchtime Eddie Jones was on very good form as he lifted the lid on his selection choices for England’s final Test of 2017 against Samoa. This week and this Test match is all about continuing to increase England’s depth in two specific areas; depth of experience and depth of leadership.
“At the start of the year in Portugal we put out 12 rugby balls. Each of the balls signified a game in our season - we have got 12 Tests. I said to the players ‘for each of these balls, some of you will be starting players, some of you will be finishing players and some of you will be squad players but you have all got a role to play in making England win’."
“Great squads have that ability for people to change their roles and still contribute. It is a great test for players this week who have been starting guys to become finishers and to see how they support the team because that is so important. For some guys have been squad members now their job is to be starting guys and they have got to understand their role and understand their role completely and do it well because it’s different."
Eddie Jones elaborated further on the intracies of these different roles using the examples of two specific individuals; Jamie George and Ellis Genge. For the Saracen it will be about getting the scrum right and working out what the referee wants to see from the offset without having time to reflect on the bench. This of course is something he does day in and day out so it shouldn't be an issue but his national head coach will want to see it for his own eyes in an England jersey. Equally when it comes to Ellis Genge being a starter then he must set also the tone at the set piece and after that deliver his ball carrying impact around the park.
When it comes to England’s co-captains, George Ford and Chris Robshaw, both were very clear that on the field it will be business as usual. The fly-half will continue run the attack and the flanker will focus more with regard to England’s forward pack and defence. As you’d expect decisions to kick for the corner or go for the posts will be made between the two and it was made clear that as soon as Dylan Hartley arrives on the field he will take over the captinacy. Both George and Chris are natural leaders of this group and I firmly believe will lead their country with distinction as they did against the Barbarians.
One of the most interesting aspects of this England squad will be how Alex Lozowski and Henry Slade link together in the midfield. Now, I hold my hand up in saying that last time England had a new partnership with Jonathan Joseph and Henry Slade against Argentina I got a little bit over-excited at the potential of the duo. We all know that they didn’t quite click on the day so this time around I’m keeping the excitement at a more measured level. Without question the potential of Alex Lozowski and Henry Slade as a duo is great however they will be under significant pressure from an extremely physical Samoan side so right now I’m saying let’s wait and see!
When it comes to England’s opponents Eddie Jones knows exactly what to expect having been a techincal consultant for Samoa in 2005 and the Australian has the greatest of respect for the Island nations as he articulated clearly on Thursday.
“As I said the other day I think that Island rugby is so important for World Rugby. They bring this uniqueness to the game, they’re great athletes, they have got this freedom of expression in the way that they play the game so everything needs to be done to ensure that they keep playing the game at the highest level.
“I think what World Rugby has done for them has been absolutely outstanding, absolutely outstanding and they never get any credit. World Rugby’s a bit like the RFU, like everything they do is not right, they never give enough money – they do, they do some great work, and they’ve done a lot of good work with Fiji, Samoa and Tonga.”
Personally I’m really excited for Saturday’s Test match and firmly believe that Eddie Jones’ approach to it is spot on. He has picked a different side for a reason, he has co-captains for a reason and is doing everything with their longer term goal in mind. This Samoan Test will be a physical and tough one and another key step on the road towards Rugby World Cup 2019.
England: 15 Mike Brown, 14 Jonny May, 13 Henry Slade, 12 Alex Lozowski, 11 Elliot Daly, 10 George Ford (co-capt), 9 Danny Care; 1 Ellis Genge, 2 Jamie George, 3 Dan Cole, 4 Joe Launchbury, 5 Charlie Ewels, 6 Maro Itoje, 7 Chris Robshaw (co-capt), 8 Sam Simmonds. Replacements: 16 Dylan Hartley, 17 Joe Marler, 18 Harry Williams, 19 Nick Isiekwe, 20 Courtney Lawes, 21 Ben Youngs, 22 Piers Francis, 23 Semesa Rokoduguni.
Samoa: 15 Ah See Tuala, 14 Paul Perez, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Alapati Leiua, 11 David Lemi, 10 Tim Nanai-Williams, 9 Dwayne Polataivao, 1 Jordan Lay, 2 Motu Matu´u, 3 Donald Brighouse, 4 Josh Tyrell, 5 Chris Vui (c), 6 Piula Fa'asalele, 7 TJ Ioane, 8 Jack Lam. Replacements: 16 Manu Leiataua, 17 James Lay, 18 Hisa Sasagi, 19 Fa'atiga Lemalu, 20 Ofisa Treviranus, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Reynold Lee-Lo, 23 JJ Taulagi.
