"Balance of youth and experience" - Sir Ian McGeechan picks his England XV for the Autumn

Sunday, 24 October 2021 at 21:32

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byRugby Rucker

Legendary coach Sir Ian McGeechan has analysed the options Eddie Jones has at the disposal and has picked his England XV that he believes the 'right balance of youth and experience'.

Writing in his column for The Telegraph, McGeechan interestingly didn't even mention Owen Farrell's name in his 700+ word post.

Where to watch the Autumn Nations Series:

Prime members can watch the Autumn Nations Series live from 30^th October with the Prime Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablets, games consoles, on Virgin’s V6 TV Box, the Talk Talk TV set top box, Apple TV, Chromecast, BT TV or online.

For a list of all compatible devices visit amazon.co.uk/watchanywhere.

BACK-THREE:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Jonny May (Gloucester)
11. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)

McGeechan wrote: "How about a combination of the experienced Jonny May, the super-quick Adam Radwan and 6ft 5in counter-attacking full-back Freddie Steward, who is steady under the high ball and has a remarkable ability to break tackles from deep. That's a balanced back three that blends youth and experience."

CENTRES:

13. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs)
12. Manu Tuilagi (Sale Sharks)

HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Raffi Quirke (Sale Sharks)

McGeechan wrote: "If he decides to start with Smith, why not pair him with Sale Sharks 20-year-old scrum-half Raffi Quirke? He's both the right sort of personality and player to combine effectively with Smith."

FRONT-ROW:

1. Joe Marler (Harlequins)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)

McGeechan wrote: "As for the pack, England and Smith will be looking for ball-carriers to carry off second and third phase in all positions. The front row could be Joe Marler at loosehead, plus Jamie George at hooker and Kyle Sinckler at tighthead."

SECOND-ROW:

4. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)
5. Maro Itoje (Saracens)

McGeechan wrote: "In the second row Maro Itoje and Courtney Lawes are both exceptional ball-carriers who can also play at six if more ballast is needed."

BACK-ROW:

6. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)

McGeechan wrote: "England’s back row could see Tom Curry and Sam Underhill on the flanks, although I'm a huge fan of Ben Earls' powerful carrying. No 8 would, of course, be Smith's partner-in-crime at Quins, the man mountain Dombrandt. His ability to combine with Smith is uncanny and would be central to England's attacking threat."