2020 Six Nations: France could take advantage of Eddie Jones selection calls

England's Six Nations Squad 2020 – Why We Should Not Be Surprised?

The 2020 Six Nations is here and could be the best yet after an exciting World Cup. Eddie Jones has rightly rewarded most of the squad who performed well at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. England has a decent production line of youth and talent coming through which bodes well for the future. On the eve of the 2020 Six Nations England have made some bold calls on selection, or lack of, especially in the number nine and eight jerseys. France v England clashes are always tasty and Sunday afternoon promises to be one of the best. Charlie Inglefield reviews England’s team and fears that France is being underestimated.

Quicker service from the base

The perseverance of Ben Youngs and Willi Heinz as the scrum halves in this England squad is the most confusing call by Jones. One can understand that Ben Youngs when he is playing in front of a dominant pack is the right selection. But his box kicking was inconsistent in Japan and against South Africa in the final he had a shocker. Youngs has been a wonderful servant to English rugby but is he good enough to continue at this level?

England need faster ball off the first and second phases and that surely cries out for Wasps’ Dan Robson? Robson is Danny Care’s younger clone and deserves his chance to at least be in the squad. Heinz is arguably in better form than Youngs but at 33 where is the logic in his selection. It is also worth noting just how good France’s scrum half is, Antoine Dupont. Dupont is up there as being the best scrum-half in the world and will be the attacking heartbeat of this French team.

Muddled Back Row thinking

Playing Courtney Lawes in the blindside jersey has not been a previous success. This is not to belittle Lawes’ credentials, he is a world-class second row. England tried it against Scotland two years ago and it was a disaster. Surely play Ben Earl or Lewis Ludlam in the number six jumper and keep Lawes where he is at his best.

There has been so much talk about Harlequins’ Alex Dombrandt who has been outstanding this season. Exeter’s Sam Simmonds has also been excellent for Exeter since coming back from an ACL injury. They are both fast and dynamic and would revel in England’s game plan to dominate possession. It seems that when the media build a player up that Eddie Jones goes the other way. I have not seen a number eight display the kind of skill set that Dombrandt did over Saracens and Clermont over the last two weekends. Maybe Simmonds –  and yet both are not in Jones’ eye line.

It is right that Jones stays loyal to the squad who performed in Japan but he also has to reward proper form. What an opportunity it would have been with Billy Vunipola out to bring in one of Ludlam, Dombrandt or Simmonds to fill the number eight jumper.

Positive French revolution

France rugby has finally injected youth and some serious talent to the international stage. For too long they have picked players who once sparked for France but have been past it for a while now. Now, there is an avalanche of victorious Under-20 players who could thrive at senior level. We have not seen a  more exciting squad of players come out of France for the last 15 years.

The shrewdest pick, however, is the recruitment of Shaun Edwards. He will demand the highest of standards especially on commitment which France has been terrible at, at times. It may take another 12 months but this young French side is going to be a global force

The backline which goes in against England on Sunday is frighteningly good. They have the perfect blend of skill, power and pace with the likes of Vakatawa, Dupont, Penaud and Ntamack. If Fabien Galthié, the French coach, can tell them just to play their natural game then England let alone the rest of the Six Nation’s teams better watch out. The question is whether their pack can get enough ball for them to play with?

England’s power game

Eddie Jones has fired another broadside by suggesting that this young French side has not come across England’s firepower. Or words to that effect. Recent history suggests that when Jones goads the opposition it does not turn out well for England. France will rise to the occasion on Sunday as they like nothing better than seeing an Englishman walk into Paris. The inclusion of Matt Proudfoot, who was part of the victorious Springbok coaching staff would suggest that Jones wants more power.

For all of the excellence of Mako Vunipola if England want to try and dominate France upfront then Joe Marler should start. Jones has got that spot-on as the setpiece is such an important cog in England’s machine to run to plan. Ellis Genge is the coming man for England and for now Vunipola has to kick his heels.

Two tough away trips

For England to beat France and Scotland away from home on successive weekends is a huge task. They couldn’t do it two years ago. Jones’ squad lacks a proper number eight, a youthful number nine and then there is a potential World Cup hangover. Those are the negatives but England found a way to improve game on game in Japan and that will serve them well in the 2020 Six Nations. There is no question that this England team could be great. The nucleus of youth, talent and experience are exciting. It is great to see Northampton’s George Furbank get a go at full-back as Elliot Daly’s best position is most likely on the wing. Also, forget about the Sarries scandal, those players will be desperate to prove to Jones that they still need to be picked next year.

Lots of positives intermingled with a few questions to answer, which is the way it should be at the highest level. I can’t help but feel that France are on the cusp of something special and they can beat England on Sunday afternoon.

 

“Main photo credit”

England's Six Nations Squad 2020 – Why We Should Not Be Surprised?
LONDON, ENGLAND – JANUARY 20: England Head Coach Eddie Jones addresses the media during an interview to announce The 2020 England Six Nations squad at Twickenham Stadium on January 20, 2020 in London, England. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)