Thursday 21 January 2016 19:40, UK
England head coach Eddie Jones doesn't need to tear everything up and start again, according to Northampton back row Tom Wood.
The Saints star, who was a surprise omission from Eddie Jones' Six Nations squad, says he expects to see a different England in the coming weeks but expressed frustration with the assertion that it is now necessary to start anew.
"It sounds very dramatic and it sounds like we [have] got to tear things up and start again," Wood told Sky Sports.
"I don't believe that to be the case. I think by and large the players we have in and around the squad, the experience that we have gained is invaluable and we are there or thereabouts.
"Of course you are going to bring in some fresh blood and this is a natural time to do that but by and large the core of the squad [remains]; by and large, the training regime, the work we've done off the field, [under Stuart Lancaster] was pretty damn good.
"It really is a shame we didn't get the results that we wanted to endorse all the good work so no, I don't believe we have to tear it all up."
Wood says he expects to see a new-look England through the coming Six Nations' campaign by way of personnel and possibly style, but also an England where Jones will add to work completed by his predecessor.
"There is going to be some new faces in there and perhaps a new lease of life with those changes," he said.
"We've a fresh start. There's going to be a lot of excitement I'd imagine, but you know, I've not seen Eddie Jones work before. I've not met him. So I don't know what training or what the game plan is going to look like.
"I'll be watching like the rest of us in anticipation of that first game and how he's going to play."
You get the phone call to tell you you are not in; you are not good enough. It's hard to take but that's the nature of professional sport.
Much has been made of the make-up of the back row and the expectation now is that much-maligned World Cup captain Chris Robshaw will move across to fill Wood's No 6 position.
When asked how he felt about this, the Northampton back-rower would only say: "Chris is a great player; Chris is an honest, hardworking player who has only ever given his best for England and it's been tough to see him take the criticism that he has. He did nothing but give his best for England and to see someone take such flak and suffering that way is tough."
He added: "It's about balance, it's about contributing across the board, and covering all bases as far as the back row is concerned."
Reflecting on the possible reasons for his omission, Wood said: "I'm obviously disappointed to have missed out. The thing for any new coach is they obviously want to separate themselves from the old regime.
"They want to put their own stamp on things. They want to bring freshness to the environment and they've done that by making a few changes.
"But until the first ball goes up in the air it's all just talk and hype and expectation and until we get into it nobody knows.
"I think personally, I've been injured the last five or six weeks which just happened to coincide with Eddie Jones' arrival in the country so he's not really seen me play and perform yet.
"He's in a fortunate position where the likes of Jack Clifford and Chris Robshaw are all fit and on form. Billy Vunipola, Josh Beaumont, the guys that are in have been fit and performing so that's just the way it goes.
"Its hard to take it personally at this stage. You get the phone call to tell you you are not in; you are not good enough. It's hard to take but that's the nature of professional sport.
"You've got to shake it off pretty quickly and get back to work."
