Eddie Jones’s mounting problems showed little sign of easing before England’s autumn squad announcement on Thursday. The latest casualty is Chris Robshaw, who has been ruled out for eight weeks following knee surgery and will miss next month’s series in company with Billy Vunipola, Joe Launchbury, Sam Simmonds and a host of other regulars.
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With Nathan Hughes set to be sidelined by suspension, and injury doubts also hanging over Saracens’ Mako Vunipola and Nick Isiekwe, the news on Robshaw adds to the increasing stack of problems confronting Jones. With 66 caps for his country, the Harlequins flanker has started seven of his country’s eight Test matches this year and his absence stretches England’s back-row resources even thinner before their opening game against South Africa on 3 November.
England play New Zealand, Japan and South Africa on successive weekends and will have to do so with a significantly reshuffled pack. Bath’s Zach Mercer, Sale’s Tom Curry and Wasps’ Brad Shields, perhaps the three leading back-row contenders still standing, have six caps between them.
Alternatively, Jones could pick Newcastle’s Mark Wilson on the blindside flank, belatedly show some faith in the in-form Exeter duo of Matt Kvesic and Don Armand or hand the No 8 jersey to Gloucester’s Ben Morgan, who has not played for England since the 2015 World Cup.
Bath’s Sam Underhill and Harlequins’ James Chisholm will also be keenly awaiting Thursday’s announcement, as will Gloucester’s Val Rapava Ruskin, fast emerging as a strong candidate at loosehead prop if Mako Vunipola’s calf problem persists.
The unfortunate Robshaw suffered his injury against Saracens 10 days ago and has already had an operation. “We are hugely disappointed to lose Chris,” said the Quins head of rugby, Paul Gustard. “He has been one of our standout performers across our first seven games and I am sure he would have featured strongly in Eddie Jones’ plans.” While Robshaw was dropped for England’s second Test against South Africa in Bloemfontein in June, he did play in the third Test victory in Cape Town a week later.
With Bath’s Anthony Watson and Jonathan Joseph also long-term absentees, the only positive development for Jones was an update from Worcester that the Lions centre Ben Te’o is back in training and may feature in their European Challenge Cup tie against Ospreys. With a weekend of pool fixtures looming, there is no guarantee Jones will not have to deal with further casualties.
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The England management have been advised to look west for their best-available solutions, with the Gloucester coach, Johan Ackermann, and Bath’s Todd Blackadder confident their clubs can supply some ready-made cavalry. Ackermann has revealed Jones visited Gloucester a month ago to discuss Rapava Ruskin and Danny Cipriani, with Morgan’s improved fitness and timely return to form having also propelled him back into Test consideration.
Rapava Ruskin and Morgan shed a significant amount of weight during the off season and Ackerman believes they would prosper with England. “The intensity and pressure of Test-match rugby is a step higher but there’s no doubt in my mind they have the ability to play at that level, particularly in the form they’re in now,” Ackermann said. He suggested Morgan is the closest like-for-like alternative to Vunipola and Hughes. “Unless you’re playing a very fast game, you have to look at Ben if you want Premiership players with more or less the same qualities.”
Blackadder also reckons the 21-year-old Mercer would grasp an opportunity next month with both hands. “If they select him he’ll definitely be ready. He’s probably been our standout player this season. I’m not saying he’s the complete package because he’s so young but he’s only getting better. He’s probably got the best feet in the game at the moment.”