The 5 England changes Sir Clive Woodward would make

Monday, 01 March 2021 at 07:54

bySteven Smith

Sir Clive Woodward believes Eddie Jones picking too many players on reputations and not picking on merit has finally caught up with him.

Writing for the Mail Online, he has selected the five players England should call-up based on Gallagher Premiership form so far this season.

"Now is the time to rejuvenate and get the show back on the road," wrote Woodward.

Here's the five players that Sir Clive Woodward wants to see in an England shirt very soon.

Sir Clive Woodward makes his five changes:

Alex Dombrandt for Mark Wilson

Club: Harlequins
Age: 23
Position: Flanker/Number 8

WOODWARD SAID: “I want Alex Dombrandt in my team for his ball-carrying, handling and try-scoring nous."

DID YOU KNOW? He played for Wales under 20s in the 2017 Six Nations, qualifying as a resident student at a Welsh university. However he has no birth, family or residency qualifications to play for Wales at Test level

Marcus Smith for George Ford

Club: Harlequins
Age: 21
Position: Fly-half

Despite his stellar form for Harlequins, he’s since been in the international wilderness with no sign of a recall from Eddie Jones. However, following Owen Farrell's recent performance against Scotland, it's clear as day that England need a more creative number 10 to orchestrate the attack.

WOODWARD SAID: "Smith has the ability to terrify defences and is currently the best goal-kicker in world rugby."

DID YOU KNOW? Smith picked up the game of rugby union at the age of seven with Centaurs RFC when his family moved to Singapore from the Philippines

Sam Simmonds for Billy Vunipola

Club: Exeter Chiefs
Age: 26
Position: Number 8

He’s a bit of a renegade but, with 11 tries in the Premiership already, the calls for an international recall continue to grow. Hopefully talent prevails, but in this case it’s more likely that Eddie Jones ignores fans and carries on with Vunipola. The Saracens back-rower was sin-binned against Scotland and was poor against Italy.

WOODWARD SAID: "I also want the sheer gas and dynamism of Sam Simmonds at No 8. He's the best player in the Premiership right now."

DID YOU KNOW? After graduating through their academy, Simmonds made his Exeter Chiefs debut in November 2012

Max Malins for Elliot Daly

Club: Bristol Bears
Age: 24
Position: Fullback

The 23-year-old, who can operate at full back or fly half, made his England debut against Georgia in November 2020 following a series of eye-catching displays for the Bears in the Gallagher Premiership and European Challenge Cup.

WOODWARD SAID: "Malins should have all started against Italy on merit. He's looked good in flashes for England, but that's all we've seen of him so far."

DID YOU KNOW? He is studying a business and finance degree at the University of Hertfordshire

Piers O'Conor for Owen Farrell

Club: Bristol Bears
Age: 25
Position: Centre

The speedster was in scintillating form for the Bears in January as his club won all three matches, beating Newcastle Falcons, champions Exeter Chiefs and Bath Rugby to end the month top of the Gallagher Premiership table earning the praise of BT Sport’s Ugo Monye.

WOODWARD SAID: “He has been in excellent form for Bristol and has real gas. There is no substitute for it.”

DID YOU KNOW? O’Conor is qualified to play international rugby for Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and England