Eddie Jones left humiliated as England rejects steal show in epic kick battle
It was a day where some overlooked England players sent a strong message to Eddie Jones today, as no fewer than three players stepped up and shone with the boot in Saracens’ win over Exeter Chiefs at Sandy Park.
It all came in the final 15 minutes of a close game, with Elliot Daly stepping up with a humungous 57 metre penalty to give Saracens a nine point lead. Ten minutes later Henry Slade showed his nerve by kicking what looked to be a match winning penalty a few minutes after Exeter had scored a try. The pair both missed out on England selection this week which came as a surprise to many, particularly as Daly looks to be one of the form players in the league.
However, the show was stolen by a player who knows the pain Slade and Daly would have felt this week all too well. Substitute Alex Goode came on to kick a match winning penalty for Saracens in the final play of the game having come on for an injured Owen Farrell. At the age of 34 now, Goode’s England days are over, but he was probably one of the most high profile players that were consistently overlooked by Jones.
This was quite a day for England outcasts. Take a look at their kicks:
Taking aim from range 🎯@Saracens stretch their lead with a beautiful kick from distance!#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/tPCuV4kttQ
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 22, 2022
You could hear a pin drop while he lined up to take that kick 👏
A huge moment from Henry Slade to put the Chiefs in front!#GallagherPrem pic.twitter.com/eoR0dHw58p
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 22, 2022
FT: @ExeterChiefs 20-22 @Saracens
Saracens snatch the win at the very death. And just look what it means to them…
What a battle! 👏 pic.twitter.com/ddWkkbglpx
— Rugby on BT Sport (@btsportrugby) October 22, 2022
England Squad
Forwards
Alex Coles (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Luke Cowan-Dickie
Tom Curry
Ellis Genge
Joe Heyes
Jonny Hill
Maro Itoje
Courtney Lawes
Lewis Ludlam
George McGuigan (Newcastle Falcons, uncapped)
Val Rapava Ruskin (Gloucester Rugby, uncapped)
David Ribbans (Northampton Saints, uncapped)
Bevan Rodd
Sam Simmonds
Kyle Sinckler
Jack Singleton
Hugh Tizard (Saracens, uncapped)
Billy Vunipola
Mako Vunipola
Jack Willis
Backs
Henry Arundell
Joe Cokanasiga
Owen Farrell
Max Malins
George Furbank
Will Joseph
Jonny May
Cadan Murley (Harlequins, uncapped)
Jack Nowell
Guy Porter
Raffi Quirke
Marcus Smith
Freddie Steward
Manu Tuilagi
Jack van Poortlviet
Ben Youngs
