Six Nations: talking points from the opening weekend’s action


Eddie Jones made a selection mistake, Ireland count the cost of their bruising win and Wales start the post-Gatland era brightly

However Eddie Jones hoped England’s back row was going to go, it didn’t. The decision to pick Tom Curry out of position to cover for Billy Vunipola cost them twice over, because it meant they didn’t get the best out of their star flanker and also lacked a real ball-carrying threat at No 8. He has options, since Ben Earl and Lewis Ludlam are both in the squad and can cover the position, but given that he could have had one of Alex Dombrandt, Sam Simmonds, or Nathan Hughes playing there instead it might be time to admit he got this one plain wrong and pick a specialist to do it. Andy Bull

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