Saturday 9 June 2018 18:08, UK
Stuart Barnes expects England to go all out attack against South Africa on Saturday, live on Sky Sports Action, but ushered a word of caution on their dependence on No 8 Billy Vunipola.
Head coach Eddie Jones has selected Elliot Daly at full-back for the first of a three-Test series, and a triple playmaker-type system in midfield with out-half George Ford having both Owen Farrell and Henry Slade in the centres.
Mike Brown, Jones' customary selection at full-back, is named on the wing for the second game in succession having featured there in defeat against the Barbarians, with Jonny May on the other wing and scrum-half Ben Youngs completing the backs.
"Eddie Jones was as good as his word - he said that England would attack and that he'd pick a creative backline, and he's certainly done that," Barnes told Sky Sports News from South Africa.
"I am delighted Elliot Daly stays at full-back. He had a good game against the Barbarians but there was a feeling that come Ellis Park and the pressure of the occasion, Jones would go with the trusty pick of Mike Brown.
"Brown stays on the left wing, which is an excessive show of faith in Mike Brown, and perhaps a show of non-faith in Denny Solomona. But Daly starting is fantastic for England and with Henry Slade starting at 13, you have two creative hubs outside of Farrell and Ford.
"It looks, on the face of it, that if England can win some quick ball, that's a backline that should be capable of doing damage on the Highveld."
Within the forwards, Jones has selected five Saracens players including 20-year-old lock Nick Isiekwe for his first ever England start.
Mako Vunipola, Jamie George and Harlequins' Kyle Sinckler make up the front row, Maro Itoje partners Isiekwe in the second row, while Quins' Chris Robshaw, Sale's Tom Curry and Billy Vunipola form the backrow, with the uncapped Brad Shields waiting in situ among the replacements.
"Ellis Park is a place that tests even experienced players," Barnes added.
"Eddie Jones often says there is a world of difference between club and country and there is, even between a Twickenham Premiership final is another world from Ellis Park, even though the crowd probably won't be quite as big.
"But with a black man leading South Africa out in the shape of Siya Kolisi for the first time in 127 years, this place is going to be rocking, so it's going to be a big test for Owen Farrell, let alone an Nick Isiekwe.
"Brad Shields has to be there. Chris Robshaw had a pretty dodgy game against the Barbarians - he missed a lot of tackles which led to scores and on these southern hemisphere tours, if players are struggling after 20 minutes, Jones is not afraid to hook them.
"Shields could be on very early unless Robshaw rediscovers some form that we haven't seen for a while."
Billy Vunipola will be making his first start for England since March 2017 on Saturday, following an injury-ravaged year-and-a-half.
The Saracen has proven hugely influential for England when fit, and in his absence the national team has struggled, with Barnes stressing their reliance on the No 8 has become a concern.
"Billy Vunipola is absolutely central, and I think he's too central for England really," he said.
"The amount of time we spend talking and writing and showing footage of Billy Vunipola, no team should be quite that dependent on one player, and that is a concern.
"But if he's fit and well, that's great news for England. The question is, of course, we're at the Highveld in Johannesburg, he's a big old beast is Billy and hasn't played that much rugby, how much has he got in his lungs?
"They've been training in wonderful conditions down here at sea level in Durban, it is very different up there. I'm sure he'll give everything he's got, but how much will he have?"
