Sir Clive Woodward picks his England XV for Ireland and France

Wednesday, 02 March 2022 at 07:54

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byRugby Rucker

The next two matches will show if Eddie Jones’ men are a first division outfit like France and Ireland, or second tier believes former boss Sir Clive Woodward.

"I am slightly more sanguine than some after the narrow win over Wales even though for much of the game it was like watching a different sport to the glories of France’s attacking masterclass against Scotland," wrote Woodward.

"England didn’t produce the coherent attacking game I was hoping for but the old rivalries and intensity of Six Nations games and the very special atmosphere at Anglo-Welsh encounters doesn’t always allow for that.

"Now the dust has settled, England are in decent shape. They will unquestionably start as underdogs against Ireland."

Sir Clive Woodward: England XV

BACK-THREE:

15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers)
14. Max Malins (Saracens)
11. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs)

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)
or Mark Atkinson (Gloucester) for Elliot Daly (Saracens)

Woodward wrote: "If Manu can make the starting line-up against Ireland it would be a massive bonus for England but if he is still injured, it remains a problem position.

"The Ollie Lawrence experiment was deemed a failure without giving him a decent opportunity and Eddie Jones seems reluctant to trust Gloucester’s Mark Atkinson."

Henry Slade of England kicks the conversion 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. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears)

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) for Luke Cowan-Dickie (Exeter Chiefs)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears) f

Ellis Genge of England (digitally altered) 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 (Saracens) replace Curry as captain
5. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints) for Charlie Ewels (Bath)

Woodward wrote: "The pack allowed the tempo to slip way too often and the endless faffing around at scrum-time in the first half threatened to not only derail the match as a spectacle but England’s performance. It all seems so unnecessary and counterproductive. I don’t anticipate many changes in the pack although you fancy that England would profit from the solid presence of Joe Launchbury, whose nous would also be invaluable. I would put Courtney Lawes back into the second row with Maro Itoje for now."

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. ALfie Barbeary (Wasps) or Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs) for Courtney Lawes
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks)
8. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins)

Woodward wrote: "I'd add even more pace to our back row through Sam Simmonds or Alfie Barbeary from Wasps."

Alfie Barbeary of Wasps during the Gallagher Premiership rugby match between Exeter Chiefs and Wasps at Sandy Park on 17 April 2021. Photo: Cameron Geran/PPAUK