"Our captain" - Eddie Jones reveals the five 'nailed-on' players for his World Cup XV

Wednesday, 23 March 2022 at 14:02

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byRugby Rucker

Eddie Jones begins planning for next year’s World Cup in France with a game against the Six Nations leaders at Stade de France this weekend.

Jones said yesterday: “If I did not have the petrol in the tank then why would I be sitting here,” and has repeatedly talked of his New England project, insisting his side would come good by the World Cup next year. He claimed England were just 3% from where they wanted to be and urged disillusioned supporters to keep faith in him.

“They’ve got to have some faith,” he said.

“I think I’ve done a reasonable job for England for the past seven years. We’re going through a period now where we’re rebuilding the team and it takes time. We’ve rebuilt the side from the last Six Nations.

“I think the progress is very positive. The results aren’t the results we’d like – we’d all like to be winning tournaments and be at the top of the table, but we’re not quite good enough to do that now. But within the next 12 to 14 months when we prepare for the World Cup, we will be.

“There are areas of our game we need to improve and there is about probably a 3% gap between where we are and where we need to be.”

JONES NAILED-ON WORLD CUP STARTERS:

#1. Ellis Genge

Age: 27
Club: Leicester Tigers
Position: Prop

“Ellis will tell you that he is from the wrong side of the tracks and we’re quite happy for him to stay on the wrong side of them,” Jones said.

"Can he take a formal leadership role? There’s no reason why he can’t, whether that’s in the future, or now.”

Ellis Genge of England (digitally altered) during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#2. Marcus Smith

Age: 23
Club: Harlequins
Position: Fly-half

“There’s no ceiling to how good he can be,” said Jones. “If he keeps on wanting to get better, keeps having a learning mindset, he could be an absolutely outstanding player at Test level by the World Cup. And obviously that’s pretty important, to have a good 10.”

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

CONTINUES ON PAGE THREE

#3. Maro Itoje

Age: 27
Club: Saracens
Position: Second-row

"I've never seen a guy mature as much as he has in the last six months so it's been a really good period for him," Jones said.

"I'm going to contradict myself - and contradiction's a big part of life - but I've got no doubt in the future he will captain England. Whether that's in my time or someone else's time."

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

#4. Tom Curry

Age: 23
Club: Sale Sharks
Position: Flanker

Jones said: “One man who’s done remarkably well for England is Tom Curry. You look at the way his game has developed since he came into the team during the last Lions tour in 2017.

“He’s played at 6,7 and 8 for us and I can really see his game developing to another level. He came in as a very strong defensive player but I think he can really develop his attacking game in a similar way Richie McCaw did.”

“There is no limit to where his game can go.”

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

#5. Owen Farrell (Captain)

Age: 30
Club: Saracens
Position: Centre/Fly-half

"We're happy with the way he is going but like any part of our organisation he can improve," he said.

Jones added to BBC Sport: "He can improve in the way he speaks to the referee, he can improve in the way he leads the team. But we are all open to that sort of scrutiny."

Owen Farrell (c) of the Saracens during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Bath Rugby and Saracens at the Recreation Ground on 17 Oct. Photo: Steve Haag/PPAUK