Johan Ackermann urges England to pick Gloucester star - Ruck

Johan Ackermann urges England to pick Gloucester star

Gloucester head coach Johan Ackermann has urged England boss Eddie Jones to pick Jason Woodward for England’s upcoming tour to South Africa.

Woodward starred at full-back for the Cherry and Whites in their 33-12 Challenge Cup semi-final victory over Newcastle on Friday and won the official Man-of-the-Match award after that game.



And Ackermann feels the New Zealand-born utility back, who qualifies for England via his grandmother, will do well in the Test arena.

“I think he is definitely heading for that level,” said Ackermann after his side’s win over the Falcons at Kingsholm.

“He will grab it with both hands.

“Like any player, you have got your work-ons and stuff, but if you look at him as a player who has got X-factor and he is versatile.


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“He can play on both wings, 13 and he enjoys full-back. His skill, the fact he can off-load in the tackle, he has got an abundance of speed and he is great under the high ball.

“He tries things. And sometimes the other players don’t even know what he is going to try, but it is good to know he has got that freedom to try it.

“I think full-back is his best position at the moment, I would say. It is the place I think we get the most out of him.”