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Jones ponders breaking up Ford-Farrell partnership
By Peter Hanson
Eddie Jones may break up his trusted George Ford and Owen Farrell 10-12 partnership for England's crunch Six Nations clash against France, warning "no one is indispensable".
Defeat to Scotland in Edinburgh last time out ruined England's chances of winning the Grand Slam and left their title hopes in serious jeopardy.
For the majority of his tenure, Jones has opted for Ford at fly-half with Farrell at inside centre.
But the Australian, who says the match against Les Bleus will be a "slogathon", said when asked if he would stick with the partnership: "I am not wedded to anything. No one is indispensable.
"There's an old story about this old coach who had a bucket of water in his office and he would say 'come here son, put your hand in this bucket'. You put your hand in and take it out and he says 'what's happened?' Your hand creates a hole and as soon as your hand comes out, the hole is filled in.
"No one is indispensable. No one is dispensable. Same as me, I am not indispensable. The players understand that.
"They have got to play and perform so who is at 10 and 12 will be done on who we feel is the best for that game."
Jones also confirmed that Wasps wing Elliot Daly is in line to play in Paris.
Daly returned to the England squad having missed the first three matches with ankle and calf injuries.
"Elliot trained very well and is definitely in contention for selection. He's a very good player," he added.
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In the fine tradition of Irish rugby, Leinster cheat well and for some reason only known to whoever referees them, they are allowed to get away with it every single game. If teams have not got the physicality up front to stop them getting the ball, they will win every single game. They take out players beyond the ruck and often hold them on the ground. Those that are beyond the ruck and therefore offside, hover there to cause distraction but also to join the next ruck from the side thereby stopping the jackal. The lineout prior to the second try on Saturday. 3 Leinster players left the lineout before the ball was thrown and were driving the maul as soon as the player hit the ground and thereby getting that valuable momentum. They scrummage illegally, with the looshead turning in to stop the opposing tighthead from pushing straight and making it uncomfortable for the hooker. The tighthead takes a step and tries to get his opposite loosehead to drop the bind. Flankers often ‘move up’ and actually bind on the prop and not remain bound to the second row. It does cause chaos and is done quickly and efficiently so that referees are blinded by the illegal tactics. I am surprised opposition coaches when they meet referees before games don’t mention it. I am also surprised that they do not go to the referees group and ask them to look at the tactics used and referee them properly. If they are the better team and win, fair play but a lot of their momentum is gained illegally and therefore it is not a level playing field.
Go to commentsI’d be fascinated to see what other candidates you all might have for the Lions captaincy role. Let me know, below 👍
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