Eddie Jones needs Steffon Armitage, says Stuart Barnes

Image: England need Toulon's Steffon Armitage, says Sky Sports expert Stuart Barnes

Sky Sports rugby union expert Stuart Barnes believes new England head coach Eddie Jones must try and find a way to get Steffon Armitage back into the international fold.

Armitage plays his club rugby in France for Toulon and is therefore unavailable for selection under the RFU's ban on overseas-based players representing England.

Jones has said he will respect the ban but Barnes feels Jones will be keen to make sure one of the best openside flankers in world rugby is available for selection.

That could spell the end of Chris Robshaw's time in the No 7 jersey and Barnes also predicts the Harlequins player will lose the England captaincy.

Stuart Barnes looks ahead to Sunday's Champions Cup rugby fixtures and gives his thoughts on England coach Eddie Jones

"What you say and what you do are two different things," Barnes told Sky Sports News HQ.

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"We know that because everything Eddie Jones has said and written about England as a columnist or Japan coach has nothing to do with what he said at his first press conference.

"He is now saying he will accept the RFU have their ruling on overseas players and he will go with it," he added.

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"Eddie Jones is a winner and openside is the most important position in the modern game. Steffon Armitage is the hole in this England team. He is what England need.

"It is inconceivable he will not try and find a way to get Armitage back. Maybe he will go over to Toulon and try and affect a deal to get him back to England.

"England just don't have a seven at the moment."

Image: England captain Chris Robshaw looks dejected after the World Cup defeat to Wales

That leaves Robshaw's England future in doubt as Jones looks to stamp his authority on the side.

"I don't concede that Chris Robshaw will be England captain. Eddie Jones did say before he got the England job he wouldn't be his captain," added Barnes.

"He has had to backtrack and now has to be a little bit political. He said he is going to sit down with Robshaw but I think he is going to sit down and explain why he is no longer captain.

"He will say to Chris Robshaw 'this is what you need to do if you want to stay in the England team', but it won't be as a seven."

Jones is yet to confirm his backroom staff and Barnes has urged him and the RFU to take their time to make sure the right set of coaches are appointed.

Jones gave his first press conference as the new coach of England

"There are contract negotiations and contract renegotiations," said Barnes.

"I think Eddie Jones will know pretty soon who he wants and he will probably go to RFU chief executive Ian Ritchie and say 'this is the balance between English coaches and overseas coaches'.

"It's one of those things where he has got to get the right team there and it has got to take as long as it takes.

"England are in no rush to go and appoint someone within two weeks if a month from now they could get the right men."

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