"He has to play" - Will Greenwood reveals his five 'guaranteed' England starters this Autumn

Rugby News
Tuesday, 02 November 2021 at 10:55
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When picking his England XV for the Autumn Nations Series, Telegraph columnist Will Greenwood insisted these five players MUST start for Eddie Jones.
Check out who he picked out as players who 'have to play'.

#1. Joe Marler

Greenwood said: "Still astonishingly good. England missed him in last year's Six Nations and for all the plaudits for Harlequins' backline play, their Premiership title and good start to this season have also been down to dominating set-piece, and that is due to Marler."
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#2. Owen Farrell

Greenwood said: "He's the captain, and your primary goalkicker, so he has to play. I still feel he is a better fly-half than inside centre, but I have to get Marcus Smith into the side, so Farrell moves here."
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Owen Farrell (Saracens, 93 caps) and Mark Atkinson (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

#3. Tom Curry

Greenwood said: "Looks so battle-hardened, so good with his jackalling and tackling. He's a machine. There are some really good back-rowers about, but with an eye on France 2023, you just want to play Curry as much as possible."
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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

#4. Maro Itoje

Greenwood said: "I would probably have made him captain. He played all 80 minutes against Wasps and most of the match the previous week against Bath - both routs - yet performed like each game was on the line. His defensive energy, lineout work on both sides of the ball - right now he is in magnificent form."
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#5. Henry Slade

Greenwood said: "He has been the best outside centre in the country for three, four weeks on the trot. Some people mature a little bit later and right now he looks like stardust at 13."
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Henry Slade, Captain of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership match between Exeter Chiefs and Worcester Warriors at Sandy Park on 9 Oct 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

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