The head coach may crave revolution before the 2023 World Cup but as it stands he is in a strange halfway house
It is unclear whether Eddie Jones wants to change the world but he is looking for a new England. He has given his squad that label this summer, repeatedly urging those for whom the international stage is new to seize their opportunity, to make the jersey their own, to ensure the senior players away with the British & Irish Lions, or given a few extra weeks off, have a fight on their hands next season.
Sixteen new caps and a new-look, albeit temporary, coaching staff certainly suggest change is in the air but it has been instructive to hear Jones try to keep a lid on things after high-scoring victories against significantly inferior opposition. Given their limited buildup, the USA really had no right to score four tries and though there was considerably more cohesion in the 10-try thrashing of Canada, they are at their lowest ebb for quite some time. “The big thing for us now is how many of these players are prepared to work really hard to be the best, the master craftsmen of their position,” said Jones. “It would be premature to say we’ve got outstanding depth after two wins over the USA and Canada though.”
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