Click:Hinode 1000SPF315S 315A 1000Vac aR Fuses
1) Climb the rankings
Eddie Jones’s aim when he took charge was to get England to the top of the world rankings before the start of the World Cup. Reaching the top three would be an achievement with Ireland following their Six Nations grand slam with victory over New Zealand and Wales on course for a first clean sweep in the autumn internationals. Ireland and Wales have developed strength in depth and while it does not quite match England’s, they both know what they are about. England still look a work some way off completion, not helped by a perpetually long injury list; they attempted 100 more tackles than Japan and got away with missing 32, winning the match despite having only 37% of possession.
Joe Cokanasiga scores debut try to help spare England’s blushes against Japan
2) Reboot the personnel
Jones has ditched Mike Brown and Dan Cole, despite the proximity of the World Cup. Will there be a way back for Chris Robshaw, who pulled out of the autumn series through injury, with Sam Underhill looking an option at No 6? Was it significant Dylan Hartley was brought on with only eight minutes to go against Japan, despite the sticky position England were in until the final 11 minutes? The co-captain had 10 minutes in the first period when Jamie George was in the sin-bin but it was to Owen Farrell that the coach turned to at half-time when England were not just losing but floundering. A team should be out of the laboratory in the final Six Nations before a World Cup but England will not be.
3) Redemption for Sinckler
One significant plus for England this month has been Kyle Sinckler. The tighthead prop looked to have lost his way after ending last year’s Lions tour to New Zealand having his collar felt. With the help of Joe Marler and Adam Jones at Harlequins, he has got back on course and, after providing forward impetus against New Zealand, he made a decisive intervention from the bench against Japan. Sinckler has always played with a flourish, comfortable handling, passing and running, but he has versed himself in the rudiments of front-row play and has the potential to become a fixture in the side well beyond the World Cup. It is up to him.
4) Relish Farrell’s commitment
Farrell remains central to England’s ambition. There he was at the end against Japan, the game won and the clock approaching zero, thumping into a tackle and winning a penalty. His face wore an expression of competitive fury: the war had been decided but there were still battles to be fought. The question is whether he plays at 10 or 12 but given the pulverising nature of the match between Ireland and New Zealand, when the players scarcely had time to draw breath so gruelling was the search for space, it will surely be the former. England are not in the most demanding World Cup pool but France and Argentina will be grappling contests when Farrell will need to be close to the action.
Eddie Jones: ‘In the second half we finally got stuck in – that’s pleasing’
5) Improve the running game
England are at their most effective when executing a plan, as they showed at the start of the first half against New Zealand and in the final 20 minutes against Japan. They train at a far higher tempo than they play: they put together a 14-phase move at the opening of the game that ended with a knock-on, but it was all about seeking contact and recycling. England made five offloads in the match to Japan’s 12, and while they have Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph to return from injury, they too often play with the handbrake on. Joe Cokanasiga got the crowd on its feet with some bullocking breaks but with their Six Nations campaign starting in Dublin they will need more spatial awareness.