Friday 17 April 2020 11:27, UK
England have bounced back from their disappointing World Cup to claim their first Grand Slam since 2003 after beating France in Paris.
Eddie Jones took over from Stuart Lancaster after that disastrous World Cup campaign and Will Greenwood looks at what the Aussie has done differently to Lancaster.
"Eddie Jones has not re-invented the wheel," said Greenwood on the Rugby Club Wrap-Up.
"He has the same squad, apart from Maro Itoje, but really it is the World Cup squad that Stuart Lancaster had. Lancaster came close to winning a few Grand Slams - he took them to the final games but they could just not get across that final hurdle.
"What Jones has done is change their mindset, and the coaching staff he has brought in has made them dominant at the set-piece once again.
"England have always been reasonably difficult to beat but I think Paul Gustard has done some excellent work in defence. Fewest tries conceded, fewest points conceded. There is also a much harder press higher up the field which has allowed England to be really dominant in and around that area."
Jones has already turned his eye on world domination and insists there is still plenty of improvement to come from England. Calls for him to address the balance of the backrow have been loud throughout this campaign, but Greenwood says that it is right to let the incumbents of the No 6 and No 7 jersey have their time in the sun.
"It is fascinating that when Chris Robshaw wore a No 7 shirt and James Haskell the No 6, Lancaster was pilloried for inappropriate selection of 6 and a halfs," added Greenwood.
"All Eddie Jones did was stick a seven on Haskell and a six on Robshaw and all of a sudden we have got a world beating backrow!
"There will be questions about getting an out and out No 7 into the team but right now, straight after a Grand Slam win, let's let Haskell and Robshaw have the final joke on everyone with that cracking photo with them both holding up No 6 ½ jerseys."
Greenwood also had high praise for Owen Farrell who did not let England down playing in the No 12 jersey.
"I think you have to give credit to the sheer forceful nature that is Owen Farrell," he added.
"His mental strength to stand up and take the kicks has never been questioned. But when everyone is talking about Henry Slade, asking 'where's Manu', Farrell has been so noisy, so loud and so forceful that he has made that shirt his in the short term."
Australia await
Greenwood was part of the 2003 Grand Slam winning team - the same team that went on to win the World Cup later that year. The class of 2016 will have to wait until 2019 for the next World Cup but face a challenging summer tour when they head to Australia.
"Out of all the places on the planet that Jones would want to go and show what he can do with an England squad, this is it," said Greenwood.
"England need to win one of the first two Test matches to make it competitive - take it to the decider.
"Jones and the players will want to win all three. If you look at the brilliance of Australia in the World Cup and the quality of some of their play in Super Rugby so far, well they are showing that they have a pack as well as a back line who can deliver at the highest level.
"What I think would be great as an England fan, is to find us in the third and final Test with the series still up for grabs.
"That is a realistic target for the boys to achieve."
