Danny Care believes England must drop Jack Van Poortvliet to avoid 'battering against Ireland
Rugby NewsWednesday, 15 March 2023 at 12:01
Danny Care has encouraged Steve Borthwick to select Alex Mitchell and Marcus Smith as the half-back pairing for the Ireland match in Dublin, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing speed.
Speaking to The Telegaph, he said: "If England are to challenge the likes of France and Ireland, they can’t do toe-to-toe with them,
“I don’t think they can. I think [France and Ireland] are too physical and too good at the nuts and bolts. I think you have to pick a team that runs teams around and runs quickly and the ball has to be gone from the breakdown in two seconds.
"IIf you sit and wait anywhere around four [seconds] then the French defence is just going to bully you.
“The same thing will happen in Ireland if they just want to kick, slow balls down and kick again, they’ll get battered. If they are to give Ireland a bit of a scare, then go and throw caution to the wind and go quickly.
"For me, the pairing I would pick at nine and 10 is Mitchell and Smith." added the 36-year-old
Ahead of the World Cup, he added: “England could stick with what they’ve got and limp out of the World Cup in a semi-final because of the draw, or they could go ‘let’s develop some of these lads,’
“I feel like it was a bit of a wake-up call for everyone [in the England side] and a nod to how brilliant France are,
“I know Ireland are the number one team in the world and they won a couple of weeks ago but I think France would have beaten Ireland playing like that. I also think it shows that France are way down the line in terms of their journey.
“They had a bit of a re-set four of five years ago. They had some pain, had some heart ache and made some big decisions.
"Now I think them and Ireland are on a different planet at the moment. It’s almost unfair to judge England against them, even though you have to because they are the best at the moment. England are way behind that, I feel.”
“Manu Tuilagi Returns” – Expected England XV to Face Ireland
15. Freddie Steward
Freddie Steward of England is tackled by Ardie Savea of New Zealand during the Autumn International Series match between England and New Zealand at Twickenham, London on 19 November 2022 (Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK)
14. Max Malins
11. Anthony Watson
13. Manu Tuilagi
Manu Tuilagi of England during the Autumn Nations Match between England and Australia at Twickenham on 13 November 2021. Photo: Micah Crook/PPAUK
12. Owen Farrell (C)
10. Marcus Smith
Marcus Smith of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
9. Jack van Poortvliet
- Ellis Genge
Ellis Genge of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
2. Jamie George
3. Kyle Sinkler
4. Maro Itoje
A frustrated Maro Itoje of England during the Guinness Six Nations match between England and France at Twickenham Stadium, Twickenham, London on Saturday 11th March 2023 | Photo: James Fearn/PPAUK.
5. David Ribbans
6. Lewis Ludlam
7. Jack Willis
Try Celebrations for Jack Willis of England as he goes over for a try during the Six Nations Match between England and Italy at Twickenham, London on 12 Feb 2023 (Photo: Tom Sandberg/PPAUK)
8. Alex Dombrandt
Replacements
16. Dan Cole
17. Mako Vunipola
18. Jack Walker
19. Nick Isiekwe
20. Ben Curry
21. Alex Mitchell
22. George Ford
23. Henry Arundell
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