Eddie Jones thinks that external forces may have influenced the decision to select Marcus Smith instead of Owen Farrell for the game against France, which resulted in a defeat.
"The selection of Marcus — to me that’s always the political selection,” said Jones on his podcast EDDIE. “
A player has been out of form, hasn’t quite done well at Test level and then he plays one or two club games and he’s a hero. The media starts banging on the door — you’ve got to pick him, you’ve got to pick him — and then the board reacts to that, and ask, ‘Why aren’t you picking him?’
“When you’re a young coach at the start of your career you can get influenced by that. I really felt for Marcus in that game. The thing you’ve got in England is the intenseness [sic] of the media, which then affects the board, and they start to step in, and that’s when you get problems. Allow the coach to coach.
“The board have a strategic role, but because they feel the pressure they try to get involved in the operational side, and that’s when things get worse. Unless you have strong people around the team that can be a difficulty.”
An RFU spokesperson told Telegraph Sport: “Team selection is entirely Steve’s decision as England Head Coach.”
“Last chance saloon” – 4 England Players at Risk of Missing Rugby World Cup
You can read our five nailed on player for the 2023 World Cup squad.
1. Alex Dombrandt
A Telegraph headline today reads that the Harlequins number 8 has 'one game to salvage his international career'.
Last Saturday, Dombrandt’s contributions against France went viral for the wrong reasons.
Saturday’s match feels like a seminal one for Dombrandt and a number of English players who underperformed against France.
Alex Dombrandt of England is tackled by Grant Gilchrist of Scotland during the Six Nations Championship, Calcutta Cup match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on February 4th 2023. - PHOTO: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
2. Ollie Chessum
This pick is nothing to do with form. Chessum faces a race against time to be fit for the Rugby World Cup after Borthwick confirmed the Leicester star could be out for five to six months.
The 22-year-old lock had been a key player for England during the Six Nations before the unfortunate injury.
Ollie Chessum of England during the England Rugby Captains Run ahead of the Six Nations Match between Wales and England at Principality Stadium, London on 24 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
3. Manu Tuilagi
Another player in the last chance saloon against Ireland this weekend.
With the in-form Ollie Lawrence breathing down his neck for selection, Tuilagi is in need of a big performance against Ireland to put his hand up for World Cup selection..
Manu Tuilagi will likely leave Sale Sharks this summer
4. Sam Simmonds
Saracens Billy Vunipola or Newcastle Falcons Callum Chick will be confident of getting a recall if England's back-row struggles persist.
There is also the prospect of all-action number 8 Zach Mercer on the horizon after former Bath powerhouse signed a contract with Gloucester for next season
Simmonds next cap very realistically could be his last unless he puts in a serious shift between now and the World Cup.
Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 7 caps) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
