What is the real problem with England?
Watch from the 15th minute to hear the discussion!
The team and coach Eddie Jones seem to have drifted into the abyss a little bit, and it almost seems impossible to remember that this team was tipped to be one of the best in the World not so long ago.
The real question on everyone's minds – What has happened to this English Rugby Team??
There has been much talk about the conditioning of the players, as they look slow, jaded and overworked. Is this a direct result of the vigorous training regime under Eddie Jones? The style of coaching that he applies can be seriously taxing on the body and could well be a contributing factor in England's recent demise.
Another reason that is being debated much as well as even referenced by Eddie Jones himself is the fact that players are completely overplayed. After a gruelling Lions tour and the Premiership, these players have been on the go for a very long time now. (Don't know how it hasn't seem to affect the Irish players as much…)
Conditioning aside – the team looked lost on the field at times, with no real driving force or player that could make something happen, create a special moment or spark some life into the team. The forwards also looked out of their depth at the breakdown, and seriously outmatched. It is pretty safe to say there was serious selection mistakes this year for England and perhaps the light at the end of the tunnel is when Exeter Chiefs' star player, Don Armand, was selected to play in the last test. A sign that perhaps Jones is looking to players that have been performing well in the Premiership currently and not just picking players that have been in the England setup for a vast number of years.
One way or another, there is a lot of work to do before they depart to take on the Springboks in June, and some major questions on all of our minds will finally be answered – Who will Eddie Jones select? Will he go for experience or youth, perhaps both? All will be revealed in due time.
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