Joseph Must Stop Ambling Through And Get Positive
The Rugby Paper|February 04, 2018

IF Jonathan Joseph was more penetrative in his running, and making more clean breaks, there would be no discussion about the England 13 shirt because, rather than being ousted by Ben Te’o, he would have made it his own.

Jeremy Guscott
Joseph Must Stop Ambling Through And Get Positive

Instead, the Bath outside-centre has been replaced in the starting line-up against Italy by Te’o, with Eddie Jones picking a man who has not played since being injured in October.

That is a serious warning shot. The signs were there that the England coach was not satisfied with Joseph’s progress because he was left out of the squad at the start of the season.

Work-rate is an issue with Joseph, with Jones suggesting he should go looking for the ball more. However, that’s what every player should do at international level and even more so because the 13 is so pivotal in defence as well as attack.

Outside-centres are now very much defensive leaders, and Joseph’s ability in that area is his trump card, and although he drops to the bench it is the main reason he is in the match 23.

He is not a stop-in your-tracks tackler but he is very effective. What a back of his size does not want is some giant running at him in a straight line, and I was similar in that regard. If you go low you are vulnerable to being bumped off or run over, and if you go high there is the danger they will simply push you off as you come in to tackle.

Instead, Joseph utilises his pace to get to the ball-carrier or intended receiver very quickly. That way you either push the attack back inside, or you give them the outside because the chance of them out-gassing you is not high. If they try it, you get the angle on them and scythe them down.

There’s a lot of thinking required when it comes to defending that 13 channel, and that’s why outside-centre has become such a high-salary position in today’s pro game.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin February 04, 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin February 04, 2018 sayısından alınmıştır.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.

THE RUGBY PAPER DERGISINDEN DAHA FAZLA HIKAYETümünü görüntüle
Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy
The Rugby Paper

Ten-try Chiefs show Pirates no mercy

TEN-TRY Exeter inflicted the backlash from six successive defeats in their worst ever start to a Premiership season on a young Pirates side suffering their own problems in the Championship.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
South America look to keep on building
The Rugby Paper

South America look to keep on building

AS Sebastián Piñeyrúa's historic six-year term as President of Rugby Sudamérica comes to an end, his replacement shows no signs of slowing down.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Scarratt excited by new pathway
The Rugby Paper

Scarratt excited by new pathway

ENGLAND centurion Emily Scarratt is delighted with the new women's BUCS programme which aims to provide a smoother pathway for young aspiring female players.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Baxter: I want to make things better
The Rugby Paper

Baxter: I want to make things better

ROB Baxter will not be walking away from Exeter, the only club still looking for a Premiership victory this season, believing he can get the Chiefs back on track and he cannot bear the thought of anyone else doing the job.

time-read
3 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Pearce walks in his father's footsteps
The Rugby Paper

Pearce walks in his father's footsteps

PADDY Pearce is living a dream after emulating his father and great-uncle by playing for the club he supported as a boy, Bristol.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
New England group will cause uncertainty
The Rugby Paper

New England group will cause uncertainty

SO JUST when we thought that everything was getting sorted between the RFU, the clubs and players, a number of new agreements and a new group raises its head.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Galthie turns his sights to the future
The Rugby Paper

Galthie turns his sights to the future

FRANCE head coach Fabien Galthie offered the clearest hint yet of Les Bleus' future on Wednesday, when he released 19 players back F to their clubs for the ninth and final Top 14 round before the international break.

time-read
4 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson
The Rugby Paper

Gilmore has tightened up our defence - Anderson

CAMERON Anderson has hailed the impact made by defence coach Jason Gilmore, below, since he arrived at The Stoop in the summer.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath
The Rugby Paper

Ampthill given 11-try lesson in class from Bath

BATH secured a thumping away success in the opening match of their Premiership Rugby Cup campaign against Ampthill at Dillingham Park.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024
New faces take the plaudits for Saints
The Rugby Paper

New faces take the plaudits for Saints

NORTHAMPTON handed out a thorough lesson to a tame Leicester team in this one-sided East Midlands derby to launch the Premiership Cup.

time-read
2 dak  |
November 03, 2024