"I would have dropped Marcus Smith" - Woodward reveals the THREE changes he'd make to the England XV

Saturday, 20 November 2021 at 11:50

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bySteven Smith

Sir Clive Woodward has revealed a number of changes he would make to Eddie Jones England XV ahead of their huge clash with the Springboks at Twickenham today.

#1. MAKO VUNIPOLA FOR ELLIS GENGE

Woodward said: “My biggest concern is the front row. Eddie has not picked Mako Vunipola, who has played in five of Saracens’ seven games this season. That decision rests squarely on Eddie’s shoulders if it backfires."

Mako Vunipola of Saracens after the Gallagher Premiership match between Saracens and London Irish at The StoneX Stadium, Hendon, London on November 6 2021. - PHOTO: Micah Crook/PPAUK

#2. ALEX DOMBRANDT FOR JONNY HILL

WOODWARD SAID: "As for Curry, he has done little wrong at No8 but is he having the same impact he demonstrates when playing flanker? I don’t think so.

"The acid test though will come on Saturday against the Boks’ high-powered back-row which operates off the platform of a fearsome front five. Get ALex Dombrandt in at number 8"

Tom Curry and Freddie Steward of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

#3. DROP MARCUS SMITH

WOODWARD SAID: "Everything I’ve seen from Smith leads me to believe he is a character who rises to the occasion against demanding opposition. He is at his best when his team need him most.

Having said that, had Owen Farrell been available or George Ford in the squad, I wouldn’t have started Smith.

"Farrell, Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade are the midfielders the Boks would not have wanted to see. I’ve said all along, it’s ‘either or’ for the No10 shirt and for this game, I would have started Owen, with Smith coming on later in the game to cause serious damage."

Try Celebrations for Marcus Smith of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK