England must score four tries against French 2nds
The Rugby Paper|December 06, 2020
THERE is always a danger in making too many changes at the international level and still expecting a team to function smoothly.
JEREMY GUSCOTT
England must score four tries against French 2nds
We see it all the time in the Six Nations when you see leading teams put out a second-string mix against Italy, and it takes at least 15 minutes for them to reboot and start to connect together.

It just looks messy. The players may know each other well on the training field, but in a match it is different, and they have not had enough time to develop the instant understanding that’s required.

Eddie Jones likes to have his 700plus caps on the pitch for England, and he appears to take the view that it is always better to be winning games, although planning and development are also key.

You can question whether some players will be as competitive in three years’ time as they are now, and people will be saying that where there are question marks, rest them sometimes and give other players a chance. I understand that, but if someone is going strong at Test level, a coach will always be reluctant to change something that’s working.

We saw this when Jones moved Tom Curry to No.8 at the start of the last Six Nations and there were a lot of voices saying that Alex Dombrandt should be given a chance to show what he could do.

Eddie saw it differently. There are clear standards that he has in his mind that you have to be a certain level in terms of fitness, decisionmaking, and rock-solid defence before he will bring you into the starting side. Players have to give him that light-bulb moment, and that’s why some of the guys in the wider squad remain, and others go back to their clubs.

Denne historien er fra December 06, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 06, 2020-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE RUGBY PAPERSe alt
England can find a little bit of cheer
The Rugby Paper

England can find a little bit of cheer

SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
The Rugby Paper

Stop messing with Marcus - Campese

DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
The Rugby Paper

Being a Lion was the highlight of my career

I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.

time-read
6 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
The Rugby Paper

Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half

THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
The Rugby Paper

Forwards pack a punch for the Reds

OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
The Rugby Paper

Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley

SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
The Rugby Paper

Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon

FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 24, 2024
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
The Rugby Paper

It's a whole new ball game for Rigg

WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt leads the way for Lightning

LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.

time-read
1 min  |
November 24, 2024
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
The Rugby Paper

Becconsall: We need to release pressure

WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 24, 2024