Ben Kay on England and the Six Nations

Ben Kay was speaking on behalf of BMW, proud partners of England Rugby and drivers of the BMW Sweet Chariots at the 2016 RBS 6 Nations.

World Cup winner Ben Kay believes the England squad which head coach Eddie Jones has selected for the upcoming Six Nations is an exciting prospect.

Jones has included seven uncapped players in his side for the tournament and omitted the likes of Danny Cipriani as well as Tom Wood, Ben Morgan, Brad Barritt and Tom Youngs.

The former Japan and Australia coach decided to firmly put his stamp on this England team when he announced the squad last week as he handed opportunities to Josh Beaumont, Paul Hill, Jack Clifford, Sam Hill, Elliott Daly, Ollie Devoto and Maro Itoje who combined, have an average age of just under 22.

And Kay thinks that Jones must now exploit the pool of talent which England possesses.

He said: “Reading between the lines, you look at the big names that have been left out and they are all in that late 20s bracket. For a starting XV, maybe age doesn’t matter, but in the wider squad, he wants to bring in some of the young talent that England have brought through.

“You have the likes of [Anthony] Watson, Itoje, Clifford, Jack Nowell. All these guys have come through the BMW Performance Academy and they are now considered as potential world class players.

“The guy I am most excited about is Jack Clifford. For me, he is mixture between [Michael] Hooper and [David] Pocock. Potentially, Number 8 might be his best position, but he can do that role as the second poacher that Australia utilise so well so I think he is a guy that will be in the England team before too long.

“Its quite exciting to see these players at such a young age get some time in the England squad. Their performances in Europe and the Premiership have given an indication that they might be able to sustain test level.”

There is certainly a dose of youth in the England side and but there is also experience in places including at centre where Manu Tuilagi has been selected in the Jones’ squad despite currently returning from a long term injury.

Tuilagi handed a boost to Jones after playing 79 minutes for Leicester in the European Cup last weekend and Kay fully backs Jones’ decision.

“I think it’s a no brainer, said Kay. You speak to anyone around the world about the player they most fear for England, its Manu Tuilagi.

“It’s not just necessarily because of what he does, but also because he can change defenders thoughts. Eddie Jones has mentioned Ma’a Nonu and he thinks Manu has the ability to become that sort of player for England and I think he is spot on.”

Just from his first couple of months in charge, it is easy to see that Jones already feels at home in his new role at England highlighted by him making these huge decisions.

What has also been notable though, is Jones’ straight talking approach which shows his authority and willingness to make his mark on this England team as soon as possible and banish thoughts of a woeful World Cup.

Kay echoed this point and believes Jones’ approach could give England that extra bite that they need heading into their first game of the Six Nations against Scotland at Murrayfield.

“It is a brilliant attitude to have,” said the former Leicester Tigers man. “I think he has been a bit creative in some of his marketing by saying “I am going to be tougher than any England players have experienced before.”

“Having spoken to some of the England players and various other people, England didn’t perform badly at the World Cup because they hadn’t trained hard enough.

“The attitude for the England players now perhaps needs a little more focus and a shift in mind-set that Eddie Jones feels needs to happen to make his players be more ruthless and not too nice or not comfortable and that puts a bit of extra pressure on the players.

“At the Six Nations, it will be interesting how quickly Eddie Jones can settle this England team down. I don’t there will be massive change in the way they play as I think they were training to play fast in the World Cup, but just couldn’t control that.

They know how they want to play and I think we will see England playing some good attacking rugby and with the fixture list how it lies with Scotland, France and Italy away from home, England might fancy it.”