England
Sir Clive Woodward hails Eddie Jones' new-look England squad
ESPN Staff
January 14, 2016
'Squad a mix of experience and potential' - Jones

Eddie Jones' first England squad has been given the seal of approval by Sir Clive Woodward, with the Rugby World Cup-winning coach hailing it as a unit packed with pace and good form.

Jones, who was appointed England coach last November, has named seven uncapped players in his squad for the upcoming Six Nations. Former stalwarts such as Tom Youngs and Brad Barritt have been cut as the Australian looks to rebuild a side that became the first World Cup hosts ever to exit at the pool stage last year.

Writing in his Daily Mail column, Woodward admitted he spent much of his coaching career trying to thwart then-Australia boss Jones' plans, but has now saluted his rival for attempting to address England's problem areas in the back-row and centres.

"I spent most of my career trying to undermine and pick holes in Eddie Jones' Australian squad," Woodward said. "But I can say a big well done on this one. I believe it ticks just about every box after the disappointment of farcical selections for the World Cup and shows Eddie is still very clear in his thinking.

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"Eddie is clearly determined to fix the problem at openside and the lack of pace in the back row, both of which highlighted the failings of the previous regime. He has given himself two options at No.7, Matt Kvesic or young Jack Clifford.

"Kvesic has done well for Gloucester over the last two seasons but he never came into the equation because England decided very early on to go with three big ball-carriers in the back row. It was totally the wrong call. Test rugby at the highest level is about pace; always has been, always will be."

Woodward has previously hit out at the RFU for the manner in which former coach Stuart Lancaster was left to shoulder the blame for England's abject World Cup campaign, but the 60-year-old is confident that England now have the right man for the job.

He praised Jones' decision to retain World Cup captain Chris Robshaw as an option at blindside, while also signalling the coach could be prepared to name a creative duo at 10 and 12, rather than plump for the defensive security of Barritt at inside centre.

"I sense that Eddie is going to take the bull by the horns and pick a second playmaker at inside centre, England's other seemingly perennial problem position," he said. "For me, it's the way forward. Don't be surprised if you see Owen Farrell at 12 rather than 10, or Henry Slade when he gets back from injury."

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Woodward acknowledged that the return from injury of Manu Tuilagi would pose questions in Jones' midfield, but called on those who had been dropped from the side to return stronger.

"People are assuming that when Tuilagi is fully fit he will come straight in at 12," he said. "That will only happen if Manu works on his distribution skills. That's the big challenge for him and he should be excited, not intimidated.

"Tom Youngs is probably the biggest casualty but his line-out throwing was letting him down. He is still young and it's up to him to return a better player.

"To me, this now looks like a squad packed with what is needed at the top level with some real quality players to come in. What Eddie has done very well with his first squad is ensure the right balance.

"There are some big hints at the future but he is also assembling a team of in-form players to take on Scotland in the opening match of the Six Nations. They can get into the details in camp but with a clean slate they must now play without fear of losing. There is everything to gain."

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