Jones set to stick with 10-12 partnership of Smith and Farrell
England boss Eddie Jones set to stick with 10-12 partnership of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell against Australia despite criticism
- Eddie Jones is set to persist with partnership of Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell
- Sir Clive Woodward has expressed doubts about the pair playing together
- Jones believes partnership will work well eventually and should be given time
Eddie Jones is ready to defy critics and persist with the 10-12 partnership between Marcus Smith and Owen Farrell as England strive to keep their series against Australia alive here on Saturday.
Sportsmail columnist Sir Clive Woodward and several other English rugby grandees have expressed doubts about the wisdom of picking the two playmakers in tandem, since the Wallabies won the first Test 30-28 in Perth to condemn their Red Rose rivals to a fourth successive defeat – and their fifth in seven games this year.
But asked if the Smith-Farrell alliance is the way forward, Jones said: ‘Certainly for the next Test.’ The head coach called for understanding as the pair seek to establish a positive rapport, adding: ‘It was a good start. They are one-and-a-half Tests into it. I thought there were some opportunities we were not quite clinical enough to take, which they created. They’ll be very good together, but it takes time.’
Eddie Jones is set to stick with the partnership of Owen Farrell (left) and Marcus Smith (right)
England landed on Australia’s East Coast on Sunday night with one forward in danger of missing the next Test and another unexpectedly cleared to participate. Tom Curry could be ruled out, after failing a head injury assessment which forced him to miss the second half in Perth, but Jonny Hill avoided a citing for the two-handed shove to the head of opposite number Darcy Swain which so incensed the Wallabies.
Jones’s confidence in the Smith-Farrell axis received an unexpected endorsement from the rival camp on Sunday. Noah Lolesio, who stepped in at No 10 for Australia when Quade Cooper was injured just before kick-off at Optus Stadium, said: ‘I think it’s a good combination. It is hard to defend at times and stresses us out wide. I thought their attack was pretty sharp.’
It became a lot sharper in the closing minutes in Perth after Henry Arundell came off the bench and announced his emerging talent to the wider world with a first-touch try on debut.
Jones said that the pair made a good start but added it will take time for them to excel together
When asked if the London Irish sensation is now a contender for a starting place, Jones said: ‘We want to bring him along slowly. He’s got a long career ahead of him.’ Farrell offered his own tribute to the teenage flier, adding: ‘We’ve seen some sharp players come through here and I’m not sure I have seen any as sharp as him. He’s got a gift, really. It is brilliant when you have those players in your back line when they get any sort of space you think they are going to score. He is definitely one of them.’
Jonny May is another prolific finisher who is far more established, and Jones confirmed that the Gloucester wing ‘should be available’ after coming out of Covid isolation. He also dismissed any need for panic after another damaging defeat, saying: ‘We will be alright. We understand what we need to do.’
But there are glaring faults to rectify in a hurry. Farrell wants to see more attacking intent, saying: ‘We need to give ourselves opportunities to fire a shot.’
Maro Itoje says that England can get more out of their defence with numbers on feet
Maro Itoje added: ‘We can get more out of our defence, with numbers on feet and more time in the tackle. There are some key areas we can definitely be better at. We’ll try to get to the root of the problem ASAP, whatever the problem is.’
The Lions lock knows from experience that the moment of truth is approaching. ‘Every three-Test series I’ve played in, the intensity of game two goes up,’ he said. ‘In moments when your back is against the wall, the team has to get tighter. We have to narrow our focus and play tough rugby.’
Australia will be boosted by the return of their mighty prop Taniela ‘Tongan Thor’ Tupou
Before the buoyant Wallabies flew east on Sunday, they revealed that full-back Tom Banks is likely to be out for four months after breaking his arm in Perth, while home lock Darcy Swain faces a hearing on Tuesday after being sent off for head-butting Hill.
But Australia will be reinforced by the timely return of their mighty prop Taniela ‘Tongan Thor’ Tupou, and head coach Dave Rennie will wait to discover if leading fly-half Quade Cooper will recover from a calf injury to be available.
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