Eddie Jones claims he could play winger in the back-row - Ruck
The Exeter Chiefs contingent of the England squad Henry Slade of England, Jack Nowell of England, Ben Moon of England, Harry Williams of England and Alec Hepburn of England sign the national anthem during the Quilter International Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium, Richmond, London on November 3. - PHOTO: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
Rugby News

Eddie Jones claims he could play winger in the back-row

18 January 2019
Steven
Eddie Jones has made the remarkable claim he may break from convention and select nine forwards in his England side.

Jack Nowell is also now seen as an option at openside flanker for the Six Nations as Jones considers ripping up the traditional playbook.

The Aussie predicted the emergence of a “new breed of player” equally adept as a forward and a back.

Nowell has won all of his 31 caps at either wing, full-back or centre, but Jones said: “We haven’t tried him out but he is definitely an option. He has great ball-carrying, great tackling skill; he puts his head over the ball, he’s a tough little bloke. He is going to be the new breed of player.

“The game has changed. The game used to be 80 minutes, now it is 100 minutes. The next change is you will have players who can play backs and forwards.

“Do you remember Rod Macqueen [Australia’s World Cup-winning coach]? He used to talk about it. It is going to happen. Jack Nowell is the one who stands out. [Tom] Curry and [Sam] Underhill are the opposite. They could play in a number of positions.”

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