"Gun XV" - Sir Clive Woodward reveals how England should line-up with multiple changes

Monday, 21 March 2022 at 07:06

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byRugby Rucker

Sir Clive Woodward has called for Eddie Jones to pick his best team and back it following their dismal 2022 Six Nations campaign.

He wrote in his column for the Mail Online: "With all the talent that Eddie Jones' side have, it seems they have no coherent game plan or structure that could allow them to compete with the likes of France and Ireland.

"England at best are treading water while France and Ireland disappear into the distance. A few point to an ‘improvement’ from fifth place to third but frankly don’t even go there.

"England lost three of their five games and all the big questions about the side remain unanswered."

WOODWARD'S GUN ENGLAND XV

BACK-THREE:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Ollie Hassell-Collins (London Irish)
11. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)

Woodward wrote: "Steward has something special about him, he is clearly very strong mentally, and now I would like to see those attacking skills more fully deployed at full back to complement his defensive qualities.

"If England are going to try a few players —something that should have been done two years ago — why haven’t we seen Adam Radwan or Ollie Hassell-Collins get extended runs in big matches that really count?"

Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

CENTRES:

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

Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears)

Woodward wrote: "Other than a determination to give Marcus Smith an extended run at 10, which I applaud, I have no idea what England’s first-choice back division looks like. It changes every week."

Marcus Smith of England scores a penalty during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

FRONT-ROW:

1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers)
2. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)

Ellis Genge of England celebrates after winning with his son Ragh Ellis during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

SECOND-ROW:

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

Woodward wrote: "Courtney Lawes or Itoje are as good as it gets for your second row."

Final whistle celebrations for Maro Itoje of England Rugby after the Six Nations Championship match between England and Wales at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 26th 2021. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

BACK-ROW:

6. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)

Woodward wrote: "Assuming full fitness, the back row should be Tom Curry at seven, Sam Simmonds at six and Alex Dombrandt at No 8."

Tom Curry of England Rugby during the Six Nations Championship match between England and Italy at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on January 13 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK