Eddie's full-back dilemma
Elliot Daly recently played at fullback for England against South Africa
©PA
With just over a year until the World Cup in Japan, Ali Stokes takes a look at some of the candidates for England’s fullback position.
Over the last season, England boss Eddie Jones has shown favour to three fullbacks, of varying styles.
Mike Brown; the dependable, rock solid (if uninspiring) Quins stalwart that rarely concedes an error, Anthony Watson; the speedster from the West Country that has shown glimpses of world-class attacking attributes both at wing and 15, but is yet to offer a consistent threat, and finally Elliot Daly; the Wasps man that has flitted from centre to wing and finally fullback under Jones.
The incumbent, Daly, offers the most complete skill set of the three; pace, passing skills and playmaking vision all in abundance but appeared a tad out of sorts in June after wearing the 15 jersey for the first time in years.
In a turbulent time for England that included a shameful fifth-place finish in the 2018 Six Nations and a 2-1 series defeat in South Africa, Eddie Jones conceded that big game experience was found lacking in the latter of the two campaigns. Jones admitted his side were guilty of not reacting well in tough situations and that the return of the experienced Dylan Hartley and James Haskell in last weekend’s pre-season training squad would go some way to rectifying the issue.
On this basis, it seems as though Jones will be forced to make a final decision at 15 with the requisite for a successful Autumn campaign that Jones’s job may rely upon. A stable presence in the backfield is a must for the red rose. Alongside new attack and defence coaches - that Jones confirmed would be announced imminently last week – the national coaching set-up must make a final decision on the all-important position that will play a large role in both of the new coaches’ disciplines.
Will rumoured defence coach John Mitchell demand the defensive presence of Brown as the last line of defence and bomb defusal expert? Or will a new attack coach insist on Daly’s creativity to ensure England have an attack worthy of lifting the World Cup next year?
It seems that with Watson currently set to return for Bath in early 2019 – after an initial return date of September – Daly is currently Jones’ favoured option after forcing Brown onto the wing this June.
Daly may have been guilty of the egregious mistake under the highball in Johannesburg that allowed Springbok wing S'busiso Nkosi one of the easiest Test tries he will ever score, but his persevered selection throughout the series suggests Jones intends to settle the 25-year-old into the position in time for the trip to Japan 13 months from now.
However, should this plan backfire and Daly continue to concede mistakes - after confessing his preferred position to be at centre – as he did this summer, Jones may be forced to return to the reliable Mr Brown or hold out hopes of a return to form for Watson after suffering an achilles injury; an impairment that may significantly hamper his evasive footwork and electrifying pace.
Smart money would be on the continued selection of Daly, with Jones notably commending him as the most complete rugby player in England two seasons ago.
Outside bets
While the aforementioned trio are odds-on to feature in the 15 jersey over the next year, opportunity through injury and/or form has opened the door for many a player on the international scene, just ask former London Welsh and Harlequins frontrow Daryl Marfo, who started against the All Blacks last season after suffering liquidation while at the former of the two English club sides.
Jason Woodward
Former Super Rugby star and a force to be reckoned with in a Gloucester jersey, Woodward has produced some stunning attacking displays in the Premiership over the last two seasons with both Gloucester and Bristol. More akin to the type of all-round fullback Jones seems to favour in Daly’s skill set, the New Zealand-born former Hurricanes man enjoyed a national squad inclusion during the off-season, travelling to South Africa but failing to feature in a matchday 23.
Woodward, 28, may have to prove his off-the-ball capabilities to Jones before being handed a Test start but has all the ingredients to emulate the role former Hurricanes teammate Nehe Milner-Skudder fulfilled for New Zealand during the last World Cup, rocketing to a starting role in the final and leapfrogging a host of star names.
Harry Mallinder
The 22-year-old son of former Saints boss and current England u18 coach, Jim, Mallinder jnr has been shown some favour from the national set-up, but has struggled with injuries during the latter stages of the 2017/18 season.
With his sizeable 6ft 3” 109kg frame and obvious natural attacking instincts as both a running and playmaking threat – having come through the system as a fly-half - Mallinder stands as an unlikely option for England, but cannot be ruled out of contention should his return to fitness profit a return to form and November squad inclusion.
Alex Goode
Paradoxically, Goode is the most consistent and experienced option in this list yet is also the most unlikely to take to the Twickenham turf having been shown the cold shoulder by Jones, despite his standout form for current Premiership champions Saracens.
It would take a mighty backtrack from Jones to bring the 30-year-old back into the squad for the first time since touring Australia in 2016, but this is a man who should never be ruled out, especially given the inclusions of current and former teammates Michael Rhodes and Chris Ashton in the pre-season camp in Teddington.
Plenty of options for Jones to choose from, although a limited list when it comes to the type of Test experience mixed with attacking dimensions the Australian is currently hunting. Who would you pick to start for England at 15?
