Sir Clive Woodward's England XV for the 2022 Six Nations with new captain

Monday, 17 January 2022 at 12:55

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byRugby Rucker

Sir Clive Woodward has revealed what he thinks would be Eddie Jones strongest XV heading into the fast approaching 2022 Six Nations.

Off the back of a promising autumn, England head into the competition looking to bounce back from a woeful 2021 campaign which saw them finish fifth for the second time in four years, above only Italy.

A first defeat to Scotland at Twickenham since 1983 was followed by defeats on the road in Wales and Ireland, as England equalled their worst-ever championship performances of 1987 and 2018.

November brought fresh introductions to the squad – eight uncapped players, plus a further 14 with under 10 caps – and with it positive results, with victories over Tonga, Australia and South Africa.

Here's the team that Woodward suggested was England's strongest XV back in November.

BACK-THREE:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Louis Lynagh (Harlequins)
11. Max Malins (Saracens)

Freddie Steward of England goes over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK

CENTRES:

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

Woodward said: "I'm going with Manu at 12. The best I've seen England play under Jones was in Ireland when they were underdogs but smashed the Irish. It was Farrell, Tuilagi, Slade at 10, 12, 13 that day. The one position Tuilagi should play is inside centre and the one position Slade should play is outside centre."

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

HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins)
9. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers)

Marcus Smith of England celebrates after winning during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

FRONT-ROW:

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

Woodward said: "I see Genge and Sinckler like Trevor Woodman and Phil Vickery - they can run around, tackle and have real X-factor. I'd always have George in my team. He's a class act."

Ellis Genge of England celebrates after winning with his son Ragh Ellis 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 (Sarcens) - Captain
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints)

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. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
7. Sam Underhill (Bath Rugby)
8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs)

Woodward said: "I'm very clear on my back row. Underhill and Curry, with Simmonds at 8. Simmonds is the most explosive and the fastest. I don't care who wears which number. You start with your best team. I like Dombrandt but he would be on the bench."