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)
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.”