Winter came early for England's rugby supporters. The cold blast of early December saw Eddie Jones, manager of the team for 7 years, blown out of office. We'll never know if his master plan was set for success in Paris. His supporters berate his detractors but by the end of the 2022 Autumn series, it was hard to make out a case to retain him given the primary evidence on the field. England are capable of so much more.
He didn't give the supporters or the RFU enough to believe in. I read that his dismissal - so close to the World Cup - was madness but it would have crazy to trudge on when the evidence from the field, where it matters, was so damning. 5 wins from 12 games in 2022, including an unexpected loss to Argentina, plus the comprehensive hammering at the hands of a South African side busily transforming themselves into 2023 contenders in front of our eyes.
Eddie Jones paid the price for failed expectations. A trip to Twickenham is one of the great sporting experiences. To many it is the rugby version of a pilgrimage. To the enormous credit of the crowd, they kept turning up, continuing to believe but the performance levels and results had dried up.
No one expected them to lose to Argentina. And the last time that happened at Twickenham, then Head Coach, Andy Robinson, was almost immediately dismissed. When Emiliano Boffelli scored his tries and kicked his goals, the writing was being scribbled on the West Stand Wall.
The Pumas went on to lose to Wales and Scotland. That didn't help with the look of the loss. Yet don't forget Australia and the All Blacks in New Zealand are amongst their 2022 victims. No one will know what to expect when the two sides meet in Marseilles in their World Cup openers. At least England fans have been warned.
Even inthe doldrums, England were able to put half a century on Japan. When England dominate up front, they are a good team and Japan, in the same World Cup pool as England and Argentina, are a side full of wit and invention but England were able to grab the front foot from first to last. Forward control allows Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinckler to bring their brilliant broken field game to the fore. Behind the scrum, Freddie Steward was masterful at full back. England can be extremely good with a pack puts them on the front foot.
New Head Coach Steve Borthwick will need to reassert England as one of the world's set piece sides. This could be a shock return to international action for Dan Cole. Dropped from England after the World Cup final, it might be time to see if the veteran, in tandem with Joe Marler, can stabilise England for 50 minutes before releasing the world class running game of Ellis Genge from the bench.
Genge went into the tournament the darling of the England fans – and media - but he had a hard time of it against Tyrel Lomax and the New Zealand scrum. The All Blacks were in control when England threw caution and game plans to the wind. Marcus Smith was everywhere, and at 100 mph. He ran onto the gain line and passed Henry Slade into gaps. From second gear, England hit overdrive. England turned a 21 point deficit into a draw within the mere space of the final 8 minutes. There was suddenly glitter amidst an undeniably difficult period.
Borthwick can replay to his team this 8 minutes of hi octane inspiration. Alas, one week later and England reverted to an over prepared game plan. Marcus Smith put away his dancing shoes and kicked obsessively on the thrilling young Springbok winger, Kurt-Lee Arendse and the inspiring full back, Willie le Roux. There was insufficient variety to make South African defenders think twice. By full time it was clear South Africa were moving in the right direction and that England had stagnated. The barometer of the England performance, you – the supporters – chillingly chose to boo. It proved to be the soundtrack to Eddie Jones's final game after 7 year roller coaster ride.
On results alone, England's prospects look bleak. Yet I refuse to write England's Six Nations off. A Grand Slam, with Ireland in Dublin, looks a tall order but victory against France at Twickenham would reignite their World Cup hopes.
The good news is the talent exists. For whatever reason, Jones refused to consider players some of the outstanding in form players. Now at Toulouse but available for selection, the former Wasp back row forward, Jack Willis, deserves more than the few minutes he received in November. Alex Dombrandt was unavailable for the opening two games but Jones should have recalled him with Billy Vunipola struggling. It is time to place some trust in the exquisitely skilled Harlequin. The back row can yet be a frightening weapon for England as soon as the 2023 Six Nations.
Behind the scrum Saracens' Elliot Daly demanded and continues to demand a recall, preferably to the team, definitely the 23. With Anthony Watson in glittering form in the first round of Europe and youthful genius like Henry Arundell to come off the bench, the back 3 is another area where England ooze class.
Jones began life as England manager the finest of selectors but this November he seemed to select teams to negate the opposition, not to maximise his own team. Maybe that happens after seven years in charge. England will expect clarity from his replacement.
It wasn't the best November to be an England fan but there is no need for gloom. The RFU have finally acted. There is still the time and talent to make a bold bid for the World Cup. As for the Six Nations, a return to the Top 3 and at least 3 victories is a reasonable target. It takes only the smallest shift in the vocal chord to turn a boo into a cheer!
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