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'To be part of the World Cup squad would be something so special'
By Nick Heath
As one of those drafted into England’s starting XV on Friday, Jonathan Joseph put in a decent showing in Eddie Jones’ midfield on Sunday as he strove to impress ahead of Rugby World Cup squad selection.
Joseph told RugbyPass following the win over Wales at Twickenham: “I was very happy… obviously a late call-up, so I had to make sure I was up to speed with everything. Really happy with how it went. There’s still obviously a lot to work on - your first hit out, there’s always areas you want to get better at.”
In terms of England’s unexpected victory, given the experience they were giving away to Wales, Joseph was impressed at how they managed to carve out the comfortable win. “As a whole, to put in a performance like this, to get the win like that – unbelievable. I thought we started exceptionally well.
“We had a bit of a dry patch in the middle but for us to overcome that… before you could argue we wouldn’t have been able to keep that lead and push on, but it shows great character in the squad now. I feel like we have overcome those challenges.”
As the minutes ticked down to Eddie Jones’ squad announcement for Japan on Monday, Joseph was hoping he had done enough to impress the boss.
He added: “If you look at the squad we have as a collective, the belief we have to go there and win it is amazing.
“To be part of that would be something so special. Fingers crossed. If it’s not to be, it’s not to be. Just massively excited over what is to come.”
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Latest Comments
Agree with Wilson B- at best. And that is down to skilled individual players who know how to play the game - not a cohesive squad who know their roles and game plan. For those who claim that takes time to develop, the process is to keep the game plan simple at first and add layers as the squad gels and settles in to the new systems. Lack of progress against the rush D, lack of penetration and innovation in the mid-field, basic skill errors and loose forwards coming second in most big games all still evident in game 14 of the season. Hard to see significant measureable progress.
Go to commentsKeep telling yourself that. The time for a fresh broom is at the beginning - not some "balanced, incremental" (i.e. status quo) transition. All teams establish the way forward at the beginning. This coaching group lacked ideas and courage and the players showed it on the pitch. Backs are only average. Forwards are unbalanced and show good set piece but no domination in traditional AB open play. Unfortunately, Foster - Mark 2. You may be happy with those performances and have some belief in some "cunning plan" but I don't see any evidence of it. Rassie is miles ahead and increasing the gap.
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