England’s new backline leads to surprise scrum switch

Eddie Jones has hinted England may have more tricks up their sleeve after a sneaky scrum switch featuring rising backline Joe Cokanasiga.

The speedster packed down in England’s back row for a late first half scrum with No 8 Billy Vunipola joining the backline.

It was a move aimed at unleashing Vunipola’s ball running skills, but the pack did not lack any grunt with the 1.93m 11k8kg Cokanasiga in its midst.

Cokanasiga in scrum and Billy at first receiver #9thForward

— Paul Morgan (@PaulMorganrugby) March 9, 2019

Just seen the scrum in the 36th minute where Cokanasiga slots in at the back of the scrum and Billy Vunipola stands in midfield.

That has Scott Wisemantel's hands all over it.

— Ali Stokes (@alistokesrugby) March 9, 2019

Eddie Jones joked that the switch was Englands’ “Tongan Fox” move.

“We just wanted to change things up,” he told BBC Sport.

“We’ve got a couple of ideas we play to play with now and then.

“We might see a little bit more of that next week.”

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