Eddie’s England, what has changed?

October 3, 2015. Arguably one of the lowest moments in England rugby history as they are sent crashing out of their own World Cup at the group stages. June 18, 2016, in contrast, is up there with one of the finest. A first series win for England on Australian soil.

Two sides, two matches, eight months apart. One new coach. The change under Eddie Jones’ reign at Twickenham has been monumental in a very short time. Since that loss in the World Cup which drew the curtain on Stuart Lancaster’s tenure, Jones has led England to their first Grand Slam since 2003, clinched the series down under, climbed from 8^th to 2^nd in the world rankings and are yet to lose again since the Australian took charge.

So, what has he changed? Personal wise, on the pitch there has been very little change. A new skipper in Dylan Hartley has been central to the change in ethos and a tinkering with the backline opting for two playmakers in the Ford/Farrel axis have been central to Jones’ success. As has been the selection of Maro Itoje, one of those over looked for the World Cup but a player who has been, in a word, outstanding, in every game he has played.

There have been wholesale changes in the coaching department but in terms of the squad there have been very few, Jones having been given a limit of how many changes he could make to Lancaster’s squad from the Six Nations.

With Jones’ tenure has come a new approach to selection. Whereas Lancaster opted for a ‘money in the bank’ approach, Jones has based selections on form, Itoje being a prime example. And the new England coach is not afraid to make bold calls, the inclusion of Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler in the Australia tour squad are both prime examples and, when needed, Jones is not scared to wield the axe. Luther Burrell getting the chop having been hauled off after 20 minutes in the first test. There is a trust in form at club level that was overlooked by Lancaster’s ‘money in the bank’ approach – the likes of Daley and Itoje given their chance after stellar seasons at club level.

The most notable to change, however, is the attitude. The swagger is back in English rugby. It could even be called arrogance, but if you can’t be a bit arrogant after winning the Grand Slam then when can you be. Jones has been bullish in the press, talking of ‘bodyline’ and wanting to ‘smash’ the Australians. And this approach has been backed up on the pitch, spearheaded by his captain. Hartley’s post match choice of words was testament to this, immediately brushing aside the fact that they had just made a piece of history and stating in no uncertain terms that he is there for the white-wash.

England have bullied their oppositions, with a relentless defence bought in by Paul Gustard – the second test in Australia will go down as one of the greatest defensive efforts in the game. Lancaster wanted a culture, Jones has give England an edge. They are abrasive, nasty and in your face The Moore/Robshaw scuffle was a prime example. A one in all in approach, similar to the ’99 call’ of the amateur days.

Itoje’s constant geeing up is also central to this, celebrating every knock-on, turnover and penalty. Loud, in your face and never letting up. This approach, this arrogance, has turned England players tarnished with an abysmal World Cup into winners that ooze confidence when they step onto the pitch, for the first time in a long time you just know somehow they will find a way.

And this attitude has bought the best out in the players. James Haskell is finally showing just how influential he can be, Chris Robshaw physically looks to have a weight off his shoulders and George Ford after a mixed season for Bath and a poor kicking game against Wales before the tour looks back to his best- the chip through for Jack Nowell’s try at the end of the first test a sign of a player with total belief in himself.

Jones has, in a very short space of time, changed the entire nature of the English side. He has built an abrasive, efficient and merciless points machine. The backbone of which comes from a suffocating defence, a ruthless killer edge and underneath all of this an inner belief in the players that the squad feeds off.

Will they complete the white-wash? Will they topple the All Blacks? Only time will tell. But if the current form is anything to go by, then the answer is most definitely yes.