The major positive England fans are taking from loss to Ireland
Eddie Jones is criticised a lot for playing players out of position, but he may have been taught the ultimate lesson against Ireland at Twickenham.
This is concerning Courtney Lawes, who, after being named at blindside flanker, played the majority of the match in the second row after a red card to lock Charlie Ewels after 82 seconds. What came after that was a scrummaging masterclass from England, where Ireland barely won a scrum all day. To make matters worse for the victors, Jack Nowell was playing at flanker.
Since then England fans have been calling for Lawes to start in the second row all the time, a position that many think is his best position and one that he has played the majority of his career in.
Not only did the England captain clearly show what an asset he is in the scrum when playing in the second row, but this would open up a back row position for one of England’s many talented loose forwards, be it Alex Dombrandt (to start), Sam Underhill or Alfie Barbeary.
While this was a loss for England, this is one huge positive that fans are taking not only for France next week but looking ahead to the 2023 World Cup.
This is what has been said online:
https://twitter.com/Ben_Chalky/status/1502696743829397510?s=20&t=MUOtf7EGRDx95kapjTmlRQ
ENG are accidentally finding that Lawes/Itoje was their best lock combination all along. Manful performance from 7 man pack. Bring back the kamikaze kids in the back row. #ENGvIRE
— Martin Whiteley (@MartWhit) March 12, 2022
The fact we played better without Ewels shows something about how much of an empty shirt he is. Who knew Courtney Lawes was a Test class lock and not a 5.5 blindside?
More inspired subs by Eddie Three Locks, too.
— Alastair Liddiard (@AlastairLiddia1) March 12, 2022
Lawes and Maro immense in the 2nd row scrum was dominant so expect Jones to change it next week – wanker
— Phil Hetherington (@philbyre32) March 12, 2022
https://twitter.com/Lee_A_Bridgeman/status/1502706358524825602?s=20&t=MUOtf7EGRDx95kapjTmlRQ
Lawes in the 2nd row is what is giving England scrum power…
— A Guy called Chris (@seismicshed) March 12, 2022
Can we keep Lawes in the 2nd row next week please#ENGvIRE
— AJ Thomas (@zzypt) March 12, 2022
Given the England second row, bar Itoje, is weak at the moment, and the back row is strong (Barbeary, Willis etc plus those in the squad), why isn’t Lawes used as a second row routinely?#EnglandRugby
— Simon Watkinson (@simon__w) March 12, 2022
No coincidence that Lawes is forced back into the second row after the red card and the England pack/scrum dominates. Would love for him to stay there with Itoje for the French game. https://t.co/bynKk6s7Z9
— Callum Emery (@CallumCEmery) March 12, 2022
Lawes and Itoje second row next week, and go full fuck it and start Dombrandt, Simmonds and Barbeary as the backrow. #ENGvIRE
— Mana Rugby (@mana_rugby) March 12, 2022
Take a look at the teams:
ENGLAND XV
15. Freddie Steward (Leicester Tigers, 8 caps)
14. Max Malins (Saracens, 13 caps)
13. Joe Marchant (Harlequins, 10 caps)
12. Henry Slade (Exeter Chiefs, 46 caps) (VC)
11. Jack Nowell (Exeter Chiefs, 37 caps)
10. Marcus Smith (Harlequins, 8 caps)
9. Harry Randall (Bristol Bears, 4 caps)
1. Ellis Genge (Leicester Tigers, 34 caps)
2. Jamie George (Saracens, 64 caps) (VC)
3. Kyle Sinckler (Bristol Bears, 50 caps)
4. Maro Itoje (Saracens, 54 caps)
5. Charlie Ewels (Bath Rugby, 29 caps)
6. Courtney Lawes (Northampton Saints, 91 caps) (C)
7. Tom Curry (Sale Sharks, 39 caps) (VC)
8. Sam Simmonds (Exeter Chiefs, 12 caps)
FINISHERS
16. Jamie Blamire (Newcastle Falcons, 5 caps)
17. Joe Marler (Harlequins, 77 caps)
18. Will Stuart (Bath Rugby, 18 caps)
19. Joe Launchbury (Wasps, 69 caps)
20. Alex Dombrandt (Harlequins, 7 caps)
21. Ben Youngs (Leicester Tigers, 115 caps)
22. George Ford (Leicester Tigers, 79 caps)
23. Elliot Daly (Saracens, 55 caps)
Ireland XV
15. Hugo Keenan (UCD/Leinster) 18
14. Andrew Conway (Garryowen/Munster) 29
13. Garry Ringrose (UCD/Leinster) 40
12. Bundee Aki (Galwegians/Connacht) 35
11. James Lowe (Leinster) 10
10. Jonathan Sexton (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) (capt) 103
9. Jamison Gibson-Park (Leinster) 15
1. Cian Healy (Clontarf/Leinster) 114
2. Dan Sheehan (Lansdowne/Leinster) 5
3. Tadhg Furlong (Clontarf/Leinster) 55
4. Tadhg Beirne (Lansdowne/Munster) 28
5. James Ryan (UCD) 42
6. Peter O’Mahony (Cork Constitution/Munster) 82
7. Josh van der Flier (UCD/Leinster) 38
8. Caelan Doris (St. Mary’s College/Leinster) 15
Replacements
16. Rob Herring (Ballynahinch/Ulster) 24
17. Dave Kilcoyne (UL Bohemians/Munster) 46
18. Finlay Bealham (Buccaneers/Connacht) 21
19. Iain Henderson (Academy/Ulster) 66
20. Jack Conan (Old Belvedere/Leinster) 25
21. Conor Murray (Garryowen/Munster) 94
22. Joey Carbery (Clontarf/Munster) 30
23. Robbie Henshaw (Buccaneers/Leinster) 55
