Sir Clive Woodward has slammed Eddie Jones for getting 'basic decisions wrong' during England's Six Nations defeat at Murrayfield.
"England could or even should have won what was always going to be a tricky game," wrote Woodward.
"This tournament isn’t over for them but they need to debrief honestly and look in the mirror — that is where the faults lie, nowhere else."
Below are the three 'basic' changes Woodward would make to his XV.
#BACK-THREE:
- 15. Freddie Steward
- 14. Jack Nowell
for Joe Marchant
- 11. Adam Radwan for Max Malins
Jack Nowell of Exeter Chiefs during the Gallagher Premiership match between Harlequins and Exeter Chiefs at Twickenham Stoop, London on January 8th 2022. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
#CENTRES:
- 13. Henry Slade
- 12. Manu Tuilagi for Elliot Daly
#HALFBACKS:
- 10. Marcus Smith
- 9. Raffi Quirke for Ben Youngs
#FRONT-ROW:
- 1. Ellis Genge
- 2. Jamie Blamire for Luke Cowan-Dickie
- 3. Kyle Sinckler
Jamie George of England celebrates after winning 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
- 5. Courtney Lawes for Nick Isiekwe
Maro Itoje of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
#BACK-ROW:
- 6. Lewis Ludlam
- 7. Tom Curry
- 8. Alex Dombrandt for Sam Simmonds
Woodward wrote: "Dombrandt — who is England’s starting No 8 for me — why was he asked to play blindside flanker when he came on for Ludlam? Dombrandt is a No 8 or second row, not a six.
"I’m a big Dombrandt fan, I would have started him at No 8. When he came on it had to be as a No 8 with Sam Simmonds moving to flanker. England must start getting these basic calls right."
Tom Curry of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
EDITORS PICKS:
- 6 players Eddie Jones should call up after this weekend
- 2022 Six Nations team of the week: Round 1
- Rugby Transfer Round-Up: New favourite to sign Cipriani
- Marler sends message to Cowan-Dickie after ‘costly mistake’
- Sir Clive Woodward’s Six Nations table prediction already looks silly
- Luke Cowan-Dickie releases statement after ‘absolute shocker’
