"All roads lead too..." - Will Greenwood selects his replacement for Eddie Jones

Tuesday, 06 December 2022 at 09:26

byRugby Rucker

Eddie Jones is a great guy but he has lost Twickenham and England need change according to World Cup-winning centre Will Greenwood.

It was wifely reported that Jones will be sacked today after the Aussie was summoned to showdown meeting with RFU chiefs today following dismal run.

Chris Foy

@FoyChris

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Breaking story for ⁦@MailSport⁩ - Eddie Jones set to be sacked by the RFU tomorrow once union board formally ratify review panel verdict that his position has become untenable. Steve Borthwick to take over as England head coach. dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugbyuni…

7:23 PM · Dec 5, 2022

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Despite a plucky series victory in Australia, 2022 has been an underwhelming year for the Aussie and his team, with just five wins in 13 matches.

It will take until tomorrow for the RFU board to formally ratify rthe eview panel verdict that 'his position has become untenable.'

"So, all roads lead to Borthwick," wrote Greenwood.

"He is on a long list of one. England must move fast and get him released from Leicester and in situ.

"Is there a worry? There always has to be when things are done in a rush. Steve had been identified as the long-term candidate, to take over from Eddie after a successful English campaign in 2023.

"Plan A has been well and truly thrown out of the window. So my only niggle is it would be an almighty shame if he was rushed into the post, through no fault of his own, and his painstaking diligence and work ethic is unable to deliver instant results and he forever fights an uphill battle with the masses."

Greenwood added: "Steve must then turn to his right in the coaching box at Leicester and ask Kevin Sinfield if he will join him at HQ.

"A ticket of Borthwick with Sinfield is an absolute MUST (England rugby cannot afford to miss out on another league legend and arguably one of the most inspirational people in the country right now). That is a coaching ticket we could all get behind."

Will Greenwood: 2025 Lions XV

#BACK-THREE:

15. Hugo Keenan (Ireland)
14. Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)
11. Adam Radwan (England)

Greenwood on Radwan: "The Newcastle Falcon might be raw, but if you’re good enough, you’re old enough. We’ve seen Cheslin Kolbe hot-step his way to a series-clinching try; Radwan could do the same."

Greenwood on Rees-Zammit: "The Welshman saw his opportunities limited on the tour to South Africa but in the short periods he did feature you could tell there was a star in the making."

Our selection: Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales), Adam Radwan (England), Freddie Steward (England)

#CENTRES:

13. Garry Ringrose (Ireland)
12. Cameron Redpath (Scotland)

Greenwood on Redpath: "I am convinced that Redpath would have toured South Africa this year were it not for the serious knee injury sustained while in action for Bath."

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Our selection: Garry Ringrose (Ireland), Cameron Redpath (Scotland)

#HALFBACKS:

10. Marcus Smith (England)
9. Tomos Williams (Wales)

Greenwood on Smith: "He only had time for one appearance, but the outrageous, audacious manner in which he inspired Harlequins to their second Premiership title proves he is developing wonderfully. By 2025, he could be one of the world’s best fly-halves."

Our selection: Marcus Smith (England), Jamie Robie (Scotland)

#FRONT-ROW:

1. Ellis Genge (England)
2. Ronan Kelleher (Ireland)
3. Zander Fagerson (Scotland)

Greenwood on Genge: "With the ball in hands, Genge offers a threat that no other loosehead can match – he is unique in that regard – and still might have made a surprising impact in South Africa."

Our selection:Ellis Genge (England), Alfie Barbeary (England), Andrew Porter (Ireland)

#SECOND-ROW:

4. Maro Itoje (England, captain)
5. Adam Beard (Wales)

Greenwood on Itoje: "As things stand, there is simply no one else who could captain this side. Australia will be his third Lions tour and he will be just 30 in 2025. Itoje could quite easily match Alun Wyn Jones and play on four straight tours – and 12 straight Tests. Comfortably the Lions’ best player in South Africa."

Our selection: Maro Itoje (England), James Ryan (Ireland)

Maro Itoje of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Tonga at Twickenham Stoop on 6 November 2021. Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK

#BACK-ROW:

6. Jamie Ritchie (Scotland)
7. Tom Curry (England)
8. Caelan Doris (Ireland)

Greenwood on Ritchie: "Ritchie has looked the real deal for Scotland for a few seasons now. He is a trusty option at the lineout, he has pace to burn and, most importantly, has a top engine. He is a pest at the breakdown, too. There is a real chance that Scotland can build on their recent successes in the next four years – and Ritchie will be at the heart of that."

Greenwood on Curry: "Curry was not at his World Cup best in South Africa, but he was not far off. People forget he is still just 23-years-old and that he is only going to get better. And no other 2021 Lions openside will be in the mix come 2025."