When someone used the word “callow” to describe England’s starting back row to face Wales on Saturday, Eddie Jones asked his questioner for a precise definition. The dictionary offers several alternatives, ranging from immature, inexperienced and naive to green as grass, raw and untried. Not all are entirely suitable but a steep Cardiff learning curve definitely awaits in Cardiff.
By choosing Maro Itoje, Jack Clifford and Nathan Hughes in tandem opposite the Wales trio of Sam Warburton, Justin Tipuric and Ross Moriarty, Jones can hardly be accused of conservatism. Itoje will be making only his second start on the blindside flank, Clifford has never started a Six Nations game, while Hughes will be wearing the England No8 jersey for only the third time. Warburton will be winning his 71st cap and Tipuric his 48th.
Collectively the Wales back row have a tally of 130 caps compared with England’s paltry 20; it is just as well Taulupe Faletau (62 caps) is only on the bench. Experience is not the sole quality required to excel in the Six Nations but, by any standards, England are short of it. Can their combination neuter the threat of three strong candidates for Lions places this summer and extend their team’s winning Test run to 16 games? “I wouldn’t have picked them otherwise,” said Jones, brusquely.
Individually there is no real problem. Itoje is already one of the key men in England’s pack, Hughes is the powerful next cab off the rank in the absence of the injured Billy Vunipola and Clifford, like Itoje, is a former England Under–20 captain long earmarked for senior prominence. The snag is that, as a well-oiled back-row blend, they have never operated together, not an ideal situation for a visit to the Principality Stadium.
Jones’s hand has been forced to a large extent with James Haskell not yet deemed fit to start a Test following his lengthy injury layoff, Chris Robshaw out for the entire tournament and Northampton’s Tom Wood having barely trained this week after taking a bang to a shoulder against France. Quite what happens if the 6ft 4in Clifford twists an ankle in the opening minute will be one of several questions being raised by both sets of supporters between now and kick-off.
The England management, nevertheless, remain publicly bullish. They need more pace in the pack, not to mention another ball-carrying option, and Clifford ticks those boxes. The 23-year-old Harlequins player also knows Moriarty well, having played with him in the same triumphant under-20 side before the latter declared for Wales, and Jones argues that talent ultimately trumps everything else. “Before Clifford was picked, everyone here was telling me he’s the best young player. Now I pick him he’s too inexperienced so I don’t see how you can win here. He’s a great young player and deserves the opportunity.”
England’s captain, Dylan Hartley, unsurprisingly, was also quick to back the Brisbane-born Clifford, who scored a try in England’s 27-13 victory over Wales in their pre-Australia tour game at Twickenham last May and has also represented his country at sevens. “Jack went on tour in the summer so he has done his time,” Hartley said. “He has stuck in there and been a really good influence within the squad. He makes the team laugh but I can’t say any more. It’s a big game for him; I don’t want to create any banter.
“I don’t think experience is going to be a deal-breaker. If you look what is in front of those guys it is a front five that is pretty hefty in caps. Maro has been in the team a long time and he’s a fantastic player. I don’t think experience is an issue for him and Nathan has been around the team for a long time too. We will be just fine.”
Jones did admit to omitting Clifford, the son of a Kenyan father and an English mother, from last month’s training camp in Brighton as a hurry-up and did not attempt to downplay the breakdown challenge awaiting England. “Warburton’s an interesting player – he reminds me a bit of Chris Robshaw. He’s not a traditional seven but he’s a hard-working grafter who carries and tackles well … a good glue player. Tipuric’s a bit different: a bit like a French No7, an Olivier Magne-type player, a ball-carrier, fast feet, defensively good and bad. It’s an interesting mix and then they have a No8 that carries.”
As a talking point it at least made a change from the stadium-roof debate; Jones’s vote to keep it open is presumably to allow all the pre-match hot air to escape. Where England do not want to be caught cold is out wide where the return of Jack Nowell for Jonny May is an entirely sensible choice for this fixture and allows the left-footed Elliot Daly to operate more often on his more natural flank.
“Jack Nowell brings a bit more work rate and his great attribute is his ability to carry through contact,” Jones said. “Wales are not a side you get around because of the way they defend so you have to go through them. His running skills will suit us better this week than Jonny’s.”
Always assuming England can first escape the clutches of Warburton, Tipuric, Moriarty and friends.
