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Have England reached their peak?

Ever since Eddie Jones took charge of the England team, he has set his sights on winning the 2019...
Newstalk
Newstalk

12.42 26 Feb 2018


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Have England reached their pea...

Have England reached their peak?

Newstalk
Newstalk

12.42 26 Feb 2018


Share this article


Ever since Eddie Jones took charge of the England team, he has set his sights on winning the 2019 Rugby World Cup. 

He claimed two 6 Nations Championships in a row - winning 18 of his first 19 matches in charge. England steadily rose to number two in the world rankings and the much anticipated clash with New Zealand is scheduled for this November. 

The winner of that game was due to be installed as the favourites for the next World Cup but Scotland have ruined those plans.

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Gregor Townsend's side thoroughly out-played and out-muscled their visitors with a 25-13 win at Murrayfield and former Ireland international Alan Quinlan thinks the make-up of the England team is completely unbalanced. 

"The issue for England is - have they peaked? Are they as good as we think they are? They are a better side then they shoed on Saturday and that's rugby for you because if you don't turn up or you don't get it right - there's an incredible surge of urgency and aggression from them," Quinlan told Ger on Monday's OTB AM. 

"They have issues in certain areas - there's no balance to their back-row whatsoever. Underhill is sitting on the bench - he should be playing "7". Robshaw is a "6" - he (Jones) criticised him before he took over himself after the World Cup saying 'he wasn't a "7"' and now he's playing him as a "7". 

"With all the depth in English rugby, I just can't believe that they can't get a proper balanced back-row. Vunipola is a massive loss to them because he as a focal point for the way Jones wanted to play but playing Courtney Lawes at "6" - I'm a fan of Courtney Lawes - incredibly abrasive, good player but he's a second-row. Itojie's a second-row, Launchbury's a second-row - three into two doesn't go so pick two of them and put one on the bench - that's just the reality. Pick proper back-rows - there's enough of them in the UK. 

"Simmons is a great player, he got injured. I think that balance in the back-row isn't right and they were completely dominated by Watson, Wilson and Barkley - who was outstanding." 

Monday's OTB AM is available here:

Have England reached their peak?

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