Will Greenwood reveals the three changes he’d make to the England team

Friday, 05 November 2021 at 12:00

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byRugby Rucker

Will Greenwood has been left ‘puzzled’ by a number of selections in Eddie Jones England XV for their Autumn Nations Series opener against Tonga at Twickenham.

"There are no excuses," wrote Greenwood. "I’m struggling to think of a more powerful England team in my lifetime. Genuinely. Absolute machines all over the place.

"I think I pretty much called it last week. In fact, I’m not sure I’ve ever predicted an Eddie Jones team as accurately.

"No, the only area which surprised me - and with which I might quibble - would be the back row.

"I’ll be taking the kids to a fireworks display after the match on Saturday. I just hope that on my first visit to Twickenham as a fan in decades, the display starts early. Out on the pitch.

Below, check out the changes Greenwood would have made.

England’s autumn fixtures

England vs Tonga, 3.15pm on Sat 6 Nov
England vs Australia, 5.30pm on Sat 13 Nov
England vs South Africa, 3.15pm on Sat 20 Nov

Where to watch the Autumn Nations Series:

Prime members can watch the Autumn Nations Series live from 30^th October with the Prime Video app on TVs, mobile devices, Amazon Fire TV, Fire TV Stick, Fire tablets, games consoles, on Virgin’s V6 TV Box, the Talk Talk TV set top box, Apple TV, Chromecast, BT TV or online.

For a list of all compatible devices visit amazon.co.uk/watchanywhere.

#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. George Martin on the bench

With Dombrandt in his starting XV, Greenwood would have opted for the exciting Leicester man on the bench.

Greenwood wrote: "The really tricky selection might be the No 20 shirt, where I would have Leicester's George Martin over Simmonds. Martin is a proper player - handles well but has so much edge to him too."

Leicester Tigers player George Martin is tackled by Bath player Josh McNally during the Gallagher Premiership Rugby Match between Leicester Tigers and Bath Rugby on the second weekend of the Return to Rugby campaign as rugby continues after COVID 19 lockdown at Welford Road on 22 Aug. Photo: Steve Bond/PPAUK/Gallagher