England prop Phil Vickery has picked the team he would have started against Argentina in their Autumn Nations Series opener at Twickenham.
Alex Coles will make his international debut in the second row against Argentina on Sunday as Maro Itoje moves to flanker to cover the injured Courtney Lawes.
World Cup-winner Vickery, who played for England 73 times between 1998 and 2010, has revealed on Raging Bull’s Facebook page that he’d make two major changes to the XV.
The 46-year-old isn’t convinced by the Marcus Smith-Owen Farrell axis and would instead have Manu Tuilagi at inside-centre with Henry Slade on the outside.
A controversial pick is Saracens speedster Max Malins at fullback instead of Leicester Tigers and current England stalwart Freddie Steward.
His final change compared to Jones’ selection is injured Courtney Lawes in place of debutant Coles.
Phil Vickery facts:
- He was a member of England’s World Cup winning squad in 2003, playing in all seven matches in the tournament
- Vickery ended his club rugby career at London Wasps, joining the London side in 2006 after eleven years with Gloucester Rugby
- Given the nickname “Raging Bull”, he played in three Rugby World Cups, including as England captain in the 2007 tournament
- The prop toured Australia and South Africa with the British & Irish Lions
- Vickery has an Oriental tattoo on his left shoulder which roughly translates to “I’ll fight you to the death“
These retired rugby players put us 20- and 30-somethings to shame when it comes to fitness.
1. Jonathan Davies – 59
Less Guinness and more hard work has seen the former Wales star transform himself during lockdown. He looks incredible!