Resurgent England have the edge on Wales in Six Nations Grand Slam decider February 21, 2019 The turnaround in England’s fortunes during the Six Nations has been unbelievable. Before the championship people wondered if they might finish third or fourth, but now they have a trip to Wales on Saturday for what I believe is a Grand Slam decider. It’s not just that England have beaten Ireland and France; it’s the [...]
Ollie Phillips: Autumn internationals showed that northern hemisphere sides are edging towards becoming World Cup favourites November 29, 2018 The autumn internationals came to their conclusion last weekend and what stood out for me was just how strong the northern hemisphere sides are at the moment. Ireland and Wales won all four of their matches, England claimed three out of four – losing the other by one point to New Zealand – while Scotland [...]
Ollie Phillips: Pressure mounting on Eddie Jones ahead of autumn internationals as RFU publicly pursue his successor October 25, 2018 The Rugby Football Union are already preparing for life after Eddie Jones, it emerged this week. That in itself isn’t controversial. One day he will have to step aside – it just depends whether that will be at the end of his contract in 2021 or following the 2019 World Cup. Jones is well aware [...]
Ollie Phillips: England’s emphasis on the collective has turned the side into a multi-faceted one with a shot at a Six Nations Grand Slam February 14, 2019 England have enjoyed a perfect start to the Six Nations but the length of the tournament and physical nature of rugby means squad depths will always be tested. Mako Vunipola was one of the stand-out players in the wins over Ireland and France but an ankle injury means the back-up options now come into question. [...]
Wales 21-13 England: Eddie Jones’s side need to learn how reverse momentum after first Six Nations defeat February 24, 2019 England’s wins over Ireland and France had been defined by well-executed game-plans, taken from the training pitch and implemented effectively under the pressure the Six Nations provides. In Dublin the tactic to send high, hanging kicks down the flanks to test Robbie Henshaw, playing out of position at full-back, was performed to perfection. At Twickenham, [...]
Liam Williams will be in the spotlight if England continue to kick against Wales with Leigh Halfpenny absent February 21, 2019 England exploited Robbie Henshaw's inexperience at full-back in the win over Ireland and then capitalised on Yoann Huget's inability to lead the backline in the victory against France a week later. Liam Williams will not present such an obvious weakness in the Wales back three for Saturday's Six Nations showdown, but Eddie Jones's side have [...]
New defensive coach John Mitchell is Eddie Jones’ secret weapon as England prepare to face New Zealand November 8, 2018 John Mitchell is the Kiwi in the England camp and could give Eddie Jones’s side the edge this weekend as they look to inflict what would be only New Zealand’s second defeat in the past year. England’s new defensive coach was brought in to the set-up by Jones ahead of the autumn internationals to shore [...]
Ollie Phillips: England have a squad of in-form players for the autumn internationals, although it’s by accident not design October 18, 2018 Eddie Jones arrives at the autumn internationals under pressure after six defeats from his last seven games and the England head coach’s life hasn’t been made any easier by a raft of key players being unavailable for next month’s matches. Losing Mako and Billy Vunipola to injury is massive and the absence of Chris Robshaw [...]
Ollie Phillips: Alex Goode’s omission from England’s squad proves Eddie Jones is contradicting his own statements October 4, 2018 I find some of the messages coming from England coach Eddie Jones confusing. He says he picks players on form and his side will be comprised of the best performing players from the Premiership. But if you look at the squad that simply isn’t the case. Alex Goode has been brilliant for Saracens over a [...]
Ollie Phillips: Experimental England need to use Japan match as opportunity to show their attacking credentials November 15, 2018 Eddie Jones has made 11 changes for England’s match against Japan on Saturday, which leaves him open to accusations of playing a second-string side. But looking at the XV it isn't quite that simple. Instead it highlights their strength and depth with exciting options all over the pitch. Japan are clearly the easiest of the [...]