England legend Will Greenwood has mapped out three possible changes that head coach Eddie Jones should make ahead of the 2022 Six Nations.
Based on the team he picked in
The Telegraph for the Autumn Nations Series, he'd like to see at least three changes.
#1. Alex Dombrandt for Jonny Hill
This would reshape the team with Courtney Lawes moving into the second-row with Tom Curry moving from number 8 to his preferred blindside-flanker role.
Greenwood wrote: "If there is a weakness with Curry and Underhill it's that while both are good passers, I'm not sure they are great link men.
Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 1 cap) speaks to Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 87 caps) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
"Dombrandt, though, has that vision and passing game. It's harsh on Sam Simmonds, but the way Dombrandt combines with his half-backs to set up attacks, with those out-the-back offloads, would give England's back row real balance.
"You might say Lawes offers an extra lineout threat from six. But honestly you could throw Dombrandt a bar of soap in a monsoon and he’d catch it blindfolded with his left hand. The lad is on fire. I felt he would have given real balance not only to the back row but the back two rows."
DID YOU KNOW? He captained Wales U20ss in all five of their games in the 2017 Six Nations Under 20s Championship, qualifying as a resident student at a Welsh university. However, he didn't have any birth, family or residency qualifications to play for Wales at Test level.
#2. Joe Marler for Ellis Genge
Greenwood wrote: "Still astonishingly good (Marler). England missed him in last year's Six Nations and for all the plaudits for Harlequins' backline play, their Premiership title and good start to this season have also been down to dominating set-piece, and that is due to Marler.
"It's almost unbelievable to leave Ellis Genge out given the form he has been in for Leicester and how well he has grown into that role as Tigers' captain."
Joe Marler (Harlequins, 72 caps) during England Rugby training session at The Lensbury Hotel, Teddington, London on 28 Sept 2021. Photo: Phil Mingo/PPAUK
#3. Raffi Quirke for Ben Youngs
Greenwood wrote: "You can have Ben Youngs on the bench for security if you want, but it might be time for a change. Quirke in the long run is going to be the man. He's magic. So explosive, so quick, such a good kicking game and has that threat around the fringes."
Raffi Quirke of England on the break to go over for a try during the Autumn Nations Match between England and South Africa at Twickenham Stadium on 20 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK
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