Sir Clive Woodward blasts 'rubbish' England selection - Ruck

Sir Clive Woodward blasts ‘rubbish’ England selection

Former England head coach Sir Clive Woodward has blasted has blasted Eddie Jones selection ahead of the clash with Wales in Cardiff on Saturday.

“There is such a thing as being too loyal to your players and I fear Eddie is guilty of that.” wrote Woodward.

“It was, for example, quite startling this week to read Billy Vunipola admit he has been ‘playing rubbish’. Now credit to Billy for his honesty but you must question what’s going on.

“If Billy knows how poorly he’s been playing, everybody in the team and coaching staff will also know. Why is it that some players in the group seem immune from being dropped? Nobody in rugby history has been undroppable.

“England are not a club side. ‘Playing rubbish’ is not an option for any player or his coach.

“And how dispiriting must it be for in-form players like Sam Simmonds and Alex Dombrandt to hear Billy’s comments when they still can’t get in the squad? And to rub salt into the wound, a virtually untried 19-year-old, George Martin, is suddenly parachuted into the matchday 23.

“Now, I wish the Leicester forward all the best if he gets on, he is a good talent, but frankly others are well ahead of him in the pecking order.”

Wales v England latest odds

Wales: 5/2

England: 17/35

Draw: 24/1

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EDITORS PICKS:


Sir Clive Woodward’s FIVE most talented players he’s ever seen

5. Danny Cipriani (England)

“Cipriani is the only English number 10 of the past 20 years who, if I’d been coach and he had been up for selection at the same time as Jonny, could have caused big selection headaches.

“The Sale man’s skill-set is so complete. He poses an attacking threat with ball in hand and has a superb kicking game and world-class distribution. I think Wilkinson would have got the nod over him in the end but the fact I even mention them in the same breath shows how highly I rate Cipriani.”

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