SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: The potential in England's squad is SCARY

SIR CLIVE WOODWARD: England have gone backwards since the World Cup final but the potential in this squad is SCARY… now Eddie Jones must gives Steward, Smith, Lynagh and Co a chance to shine

  • You could pick the most exciting side in rugby from England’s 45 man squad 
  • England have gone backwards since 2019 but the new generation is promising 
  • Players like Alex Dombrandt and and Marcus Smith must start on merit 
  • The potential is scary and Eddie Jones should let them play with pace and vision 

Better late than never! I very much like the look of this squad but England should have made these changes after the last World Cup.

From the 45 players, you could pick the most exciting side in world rugby. But the time wasted is the real story.

England reached the 2019 World Cup final with a young team but that encouraged Eddie Jones and some of the squad to think most would be involved again in 2023. Players became far too comfortable which is a recipe for disaster. 

England’s 45-man squad is full of exciting talent, but it’s time to start picking based on merit 

Eddie Jones cannot waste more time with the group, which has gone backwards since 2019

In the absence of a radical shake up, England have gone backwards. We can only hope they will start picking on merit which has been lacking for the past two years.

George Ford will have the ideal platform to restate his claims in a Leicester side which is going places while Billy Vunipola, brother Mako and Jamie George will also be very hungry.

The new generation headed up by Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt must have their chance and be allowed to play their natural games. Smith must now start on merit.

Up and coming stars like Marcus Smith must be allowed a chance to play with pace and vision

England must be thrilled about the attacking potential of Leicester’s Freddie Steward 

I’m delighted to see Louis Lynagh in the squad. He is a hot commodity, with Australia and Italy also having a claim but I’m glad England have registered their interest after playing a big role in his development.

Everybody at Leicester has been raving about Freddie Steward for a while and I would like to think England are as excited by his attacking potential.

England’s potential now is scary — if those picked are allowed to play with pace and vision. The real question is, can the coaching of this team step up to the plate?




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