As the Six Nations campaign comes to a close, England are finishing in a disappointing 5th place, far below the expected standards for the 2019 World Cup finalists, who are also third in the World rankings. Where has it all gone for Eddie Jones' side?
England's 2021 Six Nations Results:
England 6 - 11 Scotland
England 41 - 18 Italy
Wales 40 - 24 England
England 23 - 20 France
Ireland 32 - 18 England
Selection
The selection from Eddie Jones has been questionable at best, and this time it's clear he got it awfully wrong. Naturally, hindsight can be a wonderful thing but this is just an obvious lack of foresight, continuing to pick Saracens players despite their relegation last season. The Championship season had barely begun at the start of this year's Six Nations and those in the England camp were specifically not picked for Saracens matches to keep them fit for England. Although they may have been "fit to play", throughout the tournament the Saracens contingent, of which there were 6 against Ireland, have looked off the pace and lacking match sharpness.
What makes this lack of flexibility from Eddie Jones so frustrating is the quality and form being demonstrated by some of the players in the Premiership, most notably fly-half Marcus Smith, scrum-half Harry Randall and number 8 Alex Dombrandt, as well as many others he could have chosen from.
Owen Farrell has looked uninspiring, both Vunipola's took a few games to find their stride and Elliot Daly should never pull on the number 15 shirt again for England - he can't catch a high ball and should be on the wings/centre.
England fans have been calling for drastic personnel changes throughout the tournament and Eddie Jones refused to listen. The loss against Ireland was the exact result his stubbornness deserved.
It will be interesting to see what Warren Gatland, the head coach for the Lions tour in the Summer, made of England because based on their performances, there are very few England names you would argue are certainties for the South Africa tour.
Tactics
At least if England had played good rugby and went on to lose their games against Scotland, Wales and Ireland, you would be able to make an argument for them at least trying to entertain and score tries. But this England team now look completely devoid of ideas, inspiration and their style of rugby is painful to watch.
An England attack tends to go as follows. The forwards will run into the opposition for a few phases making minimal advancements on the gainline before either Youngs, Farrell or Ford send the ball into orbit and the backs chase, usually in vain. It was so clear in the games particularly against Scotland and Ireland that England were very reluctant to run the ball through their backs. When you have the likes of Jonny May and Anthony Watson on the wings you have to use them. They will make things happen if it isn't working in the forwards.
This comes back again to a distinct lack of flexibility from Head Coach Eddie Jones. When plan A isn't working, there is no plan B.
Discipline
This may of course come under the category of tactics but England's discipline has been so woeful it needs its own section. England's penalty count has been in double figures for every single one of their games this year. That is astonishingly poor, and with a record like that, you're making it very difficult for yourself to win a game, especially at International Test standard.
The worrying thing is the England camp will know that their discipline is costing them games, and yet nothing is changing. The 67 penalties conceded in England's 5 games is matched only by Italy. On a separate note it would be nice to see a different European team replace Italy some time soon because they are the easiest five points to every other nation.
How England go about addressing their discipline before the Autumn needs to be a priority for the coaching team, that is of course if that coaching team remains the same.
There are a lot of problems to address before England next play. For me, as well as most other England fans, a change of coaching is necessary. Eddie Jones has been with England for over 5 years now. The team he has built is recognised for its ruggedness and clever kicking rugby, but this tournament showed an England that was a long way away from the side that reached the World Cup Final just a year and a half ago.
Now would be the perfect time for Jones to depart giving whoever is next to come in plenty of time to prepare. So far I've heard Exeter coach Rob Baxter being taunted as a possible replacement which would be a huge pull for England given his recent successes.
So whilst it's been a dreadful few weeks for England, they should look to put it behind them, learn from it and begin a rebuild. New coaching staff, new tactics, and bring in the in-form Premiership players. So Eddie Jones, thank you for your service, it's time to go.
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