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‘Climbing Mount Everest’ as Jones backs Te’o and Tuilagi to shine against
Italy
LONDON, March 8, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – England coach Eddie Jones will unleash a
powerful midfield pairing of Ben Te’o and Manu Tuilagi against perennial Six
Nations strugglers Italy at Twickenham on Saturday as he explores his options
ahead of this year’s World Cup.
It will be the first time the two dynamic ball-carriers, who both have
Pacific Islands heritage, have started a Test together, with Henry Slade
dropped to the bench to accommodate Tuilagi’s move to outside centre and
Teo’s return.
This season has seen Tuilagi make his first Six Nations start in six years
after a miserable run of injuries, with the Leicester midfielder in the
starting XV for all three of England’s previous matches — including the 21-
13 defeat by Wales in Cardiff a fortnight ago that scuppered their hopes of a
Grand Slam.
“They’re both very good players,” said Jones, who has also recalled
powerhouse right wing Joe Cokanasiga.
The Australian was especially excited by how Tuilagi had coped with
opposing speedy England wing Jonny May in training.
“Manu is really starting to come back to where he can be,” insisted Jones.
“In training, Jonny May went to go around him and Manu rounded him up. I
haven’t seen that sort of acceleration from Manu for a long time.”
Jones said an overtly physical midfield would be important against Italy,
for all they have yet to beat England in 24 attempts and are also on a 20-
game overall losing streak in the Six Nations.
“In certain games it’s massively important, when maybe you’re not getting
fast ruck ball and the only way to get through the line is by smashing
through it,” added the former Wallaby and Japan boss.
“Maybe it’s going to be that sort of game on Saturday. Italy are a
difficult opponent.”
Meanwhile Jones tried to put the Wales defeat in context by saying it was
part of England’s evolution.
“The great thing about rugby is you never get there, you are always
striving to get there,” he said.
“You are climbing up Mount Everest and you never get to the top, you are
always trying to get there and sometimes you slip down a bit.”
It was a view endorsed by England captain Owen Farrell, who insisted he had
not been distracted by recent newspaper allegations that he and his club
Saracens, the English champions, had broken Premiership salary-cap
regulations.
“We’re just concentrating on what’s in front of us,” said the fly-half.
“We’re all part of a team that wants to bring more out of ourselves and also
enjoy what we are doing.”
– ‘Delusional’ Italy –
England were embarrassed by Italy coach Conor O’Shea’s ‘no ruck’ ploy
during an eventual 36-15 win at Twickenham two years ago, with Jones
decidedly unimpressed.
The memory clearly rankled judging by his comment on Thursday that “when
Italy are allowed to play rugby they are a good team”.
But Jones lauded an Italy back-row featuring No 8 great Sergio Parisse and
also hailed centres Michele Campagnaro and Luca Morisi as “good strong,
dynamic players” before saying scrum-half Tito Telbadi “played like he was
playing for his life against Ireland”.
Victory for Italy, 60/1 rank outsiders to win this weekend, would be the
greatest upset in Six Nations history.
They have though been bolstered by the return of skipper Parisse, fit
following the concussion that saw him miss the 26-16 defeat by Ireland a
fortnight ago — a match the Azzurri led 16-12 at half-time.
“This is an Italy team that’s preparing to win” insisted O’Shea. “Everybody
thinks we’re delusional. But we’re sports people, we’re competitive people.
“The big thing is to get the confidence to win and get the energy that
comes with that,” the former Ireland full-back added.
“We have to dust ourselves down every time and come back. This is a massive
ask but I can’t wait for this weekend.”
BSS/AFP/GMR/0900 hrs