14 Reasons why Eddie Jones has to go

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‘TCUP’ was the mantra that Sir Clive Woodward instilled in his World Cup winning side, standing for ‘Thinking Correctly Under Pressure.’

Just a mantra of “Thinking” would be a start for Eddie’s side. Has there ever been an England side that seems oblivious to the game around them? That walks so readily into traps? A side that seems to have so little communication on the field? Are they over coached or undercooked?

In the aftermath of this defeat to Wales, the 14 reasons for Eddie’s departure could have been the final 14 minutes where England managed to concede 13 unanswered points. It could have been the 14 percent more possession that Wales managed, illustrating England’s impatience in attack or the 14 percent more territory enjoyed by Wales, showing they had a better grasp of where to play the International. Or the 14 tackles made by Taulupe Faletau, showing that England played to the strengths of their opponent in attack.

No, the 14 reasons Eddie needs to move on were the penalties conceded. England averaged conceding as few as seven penalties in 2019, nine in 2020 and amazingly thirteen in 2021. As is often the case with this England side, you only need to watch the first five minutes to see where the trajectory of the game is, and that was the case this afternoon.

Inside just five minutes, three penalties had been given away; Jonny May not releasing the ball on the floor and there were two Maro Itoje penalties, the first a deliberate knock on and then for infringing at the lineout. The matchday television commentators called all three marginal.

Four more penalties were conceded before halftime. Maro Itoje again the culprit, ripping the ball away when off his feet; the commentator bemoaning “such small margins” but that doesn’t away from the fact that it was unnecessary. Owen Farrell not rolling away in the tackle led to the first controversial try, but the penalty was the correct call.

The sloppiest penalty so far going to Mako Vunipola playing the ball when off his feet after England had knocked on. The most schoolboy of schoolboy errors. The misdemeanours being round off by Maro Itoje being called offside at the ruck, called by assistant referee when he actually wasn’t. Again “Marginal“ according to the commentary team, but the advantage was used to the build up to the second controversial try.

The cynics out there will point to six of the seven being given by Saracens players who aren’t playing competitive rugby, but they know the rules. Or more importantly, they know when to spot a whistle-happy referee when they see one. So a horror first half completed, who in the dressing room is talking discipline? If that was the message from coach, captain or player, it didn’t land.

Second half the story continued, or if anything got worse as Mako Vunipola clumsily played the ball that his teammate had knocked on and Jonny Hill unnecessarily clearing out at the side of the ruck. The only understandable penalty of the game came when Tom Curry entered the ruck at an angle, but as Henry Slade was isolated in the tackle, it was in attempt to recycle the ball. Despite the ten penalties conceded in the game England were tied going into the final fifteen minutes.

Maro Itoje was again pinged for offside at the lineout; a strange decision as when warned by the officials, he left the maul; this goes against the rhythm of modern rugby. Ellis Genge joined the penalty club moments later sealing off at the ruck, the right call yes, but how many times is that missed in a game?

The game ended with two needless penalties as Charlie Ewels blatantly jumped across at the lineout and Dan Robson blocked the chaser when tracking back. Had either replacement been watching the game?

There is a world of difference between experience and wisdom. The starting XV averages more than 50 caps per player, but they lack the wisdom to see how a game is unfolding before their eyes. It’s surely time for a new voice.