How England could line-up with Warren Gatland in charge, including George Ford recall

Wednesday, 30 November 2022 at 22:28

byRugby Rucker

It’s been revealed tonight that former Wales boss Warren Gatland is open to taking charge of England on a caretaker basis if Eddie Jones is axed by the RFU.

The Mail Online have revealed that they are set to make a move for Gatland if they sackJones following dire autumn campaign that saw them win just one of their four matches.

Current Leicester boss Steve Borthwick, who is the current favourite to land the role long-term, could then work with Kiwi before taking over after the World Cup.

Eddie Jones pay-off?

Sources suggest the Aussie will receive an £800,000 pay-out if he is sacked as England boss – but he wouldn’t be able to take another job before the Rugby World Cup.

The RFU had promised a review, but sources indicated they could act before that to bring down the curtain on Jones’s seven-year tenure with the 2003 World Cup winners.

The Mail Online have reported that senior RFU performance executive Conor O’Shea was canvassing players.

A function involving Jones, senior RFU figures and members of the media was scheduled to take place on Monday, December 5, but that has now been postponed.

Below, we take a look at the team we think Gatland name for England's Six Nations opener against Scotland.

BACK-THREE:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Adam Radwan (Newcastle Falcons)
11. Elliot Daly (Saracens)

Kick your penalties from wherever or whenever is something Gatland has always pushed. That explains Daly's shock selection in the 2021 Lions squad due to his ability to slot kicks from over 50m out. Radwan's performances so far this season make him the front runner for the other shirt.

Gatland wrote: " Freddie is exceptional in the air and I also really like the way he has been developing as a full-back. He offers an attacking threat, and scores tries.

Freddie Steward of England is tackled by Ardie Savea of New Zealand during the Autumn International Series match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham, London on 19 November 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)

CENTRES:

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

A powerhouse ball carrier on the inside with a more technical playmaker on the outside is a staple of Gatland sides down the years, with the partnership of Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies coming to mind. Tuilagi is without doubt England's best big man to be the first received while Slade's performances for Chiefs have been consistently excellent so far this season.

HALFBACKS:

10. George Ford (Leicester Tigers)
9. Alex Mitchell (Northampton Saints)

Gatland has always resisted the flashy halfbacks, with the Kiwi only introducing Finn Russell during the third Lions test after Dan Biggar limped off. Ford is the most similar to Biggar out of the English options and seems like a perfect fit for Gatland while Mitchell brings balance to the team in comparison to the more unpredictable Harry Randall or Raffi Quirke.

FRONT-ROW:

1. Ellis Genge (Bristol Bears)
2. Jamie George (Saracens)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears)

Experience and power is the order of the day in the front three.

Gatland wrote: "Ellis just edges it for me. He has matured with the captaincy at Leicester and his ball carrying is explosive and set-piece is very strong."

Ellis Genge of England is tackled by Damian de Allende of South Africa during the Autumn Nations International Series match between England and South Africa at Twickenham, London on 26 November 2022 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)

SECOND-ROW:

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

Gatland has stated Lawes one of the best second-rows he's ever seen while Itoje would act as the team captain of the new era under the Kiwi.

Gatland wrote: "I have been so impressed with Courtney. The biggest compliment I can pay to Courtney is that I would make him my captain with some great leaders to support him.'

Courtney Lawes of England during the Match between England and Barbarians at Twickenham Stadium on 19 June 2022. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK

BACK-ROW:

6. Tom Curry (Sals Sharks)
7. Jack Willis (Wasps)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)

A powerful ball carrier at number 8 with two breakdown specialists on either flanks. Gatland is not a fan of Billy Vunipola, which means that only leaves Dombrandt to start number 8.