Eddie Jones teases position changes for Ben Earl and Jack Nowell

Tuesday, 21 April 2020 at 12:57

bySteven Smith

England boss Eddie Jones believes versatile players such as Jack Nowell and Ben Earl will be worth their weight in gold once rugby returns.

During the 2020 Guinness Six Nations, back-row star Earl covered the back three for England and Jones has previously suggested that winger Nowell is capable of playing international rugby as a flanker.

“How teams operate will be different,” Jones said in a video posted on Instagram. “Every sport has been blown up and I think what will happen is that squads will become smaller and will need more multi-skilled players.

“They are the sort of players you’re going to need to have: Jack Nowell being able to play wing or flanker, Ben Earl being able to play flanker or wing.

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“Also in terms of your staff, you’re going to need multi-skilled staff – a coach that can coach across spectrums, physios who can do strength and conditioning. I would imagine that’s the same in any business.

“So my message would be to learn what you can now, find a way to be active and productive and be ready for the future.”

LIST: 5 Players who have played as back and forward

We thought it timely to have a look at the small amount of players who have played in both the backs and forwards with mixed results.

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1. Richie Vernon (Centre, Flanker, Number 8)

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2. Tom Youngs (Centre, Hooker, Winger)

Youngs is the son of former Leicester and England scrum-half Nick Youngs, and the elder brother of current Leicester and England scrum-half Ben Youngs. Originally a centre/winger he changed to play at hooker after advice from then Tigers’ coach Heyneke Meyer.

What might surprise you is how rapid and small he was. Check this out.

3. Jonah Lomu (Flanker, Winger)

Lomu started his rugby union career in the forwards, mostly as an openside flanker (no.7), sometimes to the blindside (no.6), before switching to the left wing in what he described as the “best move he could have made”. Long story short, he’s without a doubt the best winger of all-time.

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4. Sam Burgess (Flanker, Centre)

Who could forget this odd position change? The cross-code star came into rugby union, playing in the back-row for Bath in the Premiership. England then started him in the centre at the Rugby World Cup. Still trying to work that one out.

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