England's back-three options will have Rugby World Cup 2019 opposition running scared

Topsy Ojo20 September 2019

When you compare England’s current back three to the ones they have had in the past, it is right up there with the best.

Obviously, the World Cup-winning unit from 2003 will still be above them because they actually went on and

won the grand prize, but this group definitely has potential.

I think the biggest advantage for this squad is that there is huge strength in depth. Back in 2003, that back three of Ben Cohen, Jason Robinson and Josh Lewsey was very settled and you knew they were going to start.

I don’t think that is the case this time around. It could vary and will depend on who the opposition is, as opposed to Eddie Jones saying: “He’s my No1 and he’s my No2.” If you look across all the players Eddie has picked, there is such a variety of skill sets. Jonny May has got the speed, Joe Cokanasiga has got the size, Anthony Watson and Jack Nowell have got footwork and power.

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Eddie can tweak and tailor his selection depending on who the opposition is. Each of those back-three players has their own X factor, which means Eddie can say: “Okay, for this game we need a bit more size, so Joe plays.” But in another game, England might want flat-out speed, so he could pick May or Watson. I think the fact they can almost pick and choose who they go with is a massive strength. If you’ve got that many weapons — and you can take all of them — it’s brilliant, because it adds so much to your armoury.

If I was to pick my back three right now — with Nowell injured — I would go with Watson at full-back, Cokanasiga on one wing and May on the other. It is a tough one at full-back, picking between Watson and Elliot Daly. Daly has been Eddie’s go-to for the No15 jersey in recent times, but I am used to seeing him playing at centre as a 13 and still think that’s his best position.

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I know Eddie has played him at full-back a lot and he has done really well there, despite a few defensive lapses, but for me I would lean towards Watson starting. Why? I just think he offers that little bit more at the moment. He is a bit more comfortable there and it does allow a really nice balance in the back three. The Bath man has also looked really impressive since returning to the squad after his long injury lay-off.

Other sides will be wary of England and it would be a good shootout between them and New Zealand as to who has the best back three in the tournament.

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South Africa’s is exciting as well, when you consider they’ve got Cheslin Kolbe, who is electric, Makazole Mapimpi and Willie le Roux, who has been lighting up the Premiership as that second playmaker, but England and New Zealand match up very nicely.

The All Blacks are consistently bringing through unbelievable back-three players. Obviously, it’s a shame that Damian McKenzie will not there, but then they have got Beauden Barrett to slot in at 15.

Add to that they have got Ben Smith, who is one of my favourite players at the minute, and on the wings Sevu Reece is coming through and there’s Rieko Ioane, who just scores for fun.

Just by reeling off those names, you realise how much serious talent is going to be on show in Japan over the next few weeks.

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