Record breaking England side set for World Cup glory?

Unfortunately, this article is not going to be outlining Gareth Southgate’s clear path to World Cup triumph in Russia. However, an ever-improving England team led by Eddie Jones in Japan could bring home success from the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Jones was appointed as England’s first ever foreign head coach in November 2015. The four-year deal gave Jones the opportunity to build his squad in time for the 2019 RWC. The new coaching team retrieved instant success by winning England’s first Six Nations Grand Slam in 13 years defeating all 5 opponents in 2016. Jones has managed to construct a consistent and dynamic squad in preparation for the upcoming global tournament. The group of players he has at his disposal seems to have a perfect balance of exciting young talent alongside experienced internationals. This has allowed the coaching team to develop tactical approaches that have proven to be very hard for opponents to stop.

This year’s Six Nations tournament is looking increasingly likely to come down to an England vs Ireland blockbuster at Twickenham on 17^th March. The penultimate match of the tournament between the two nations may well become the championship decider. After round 2 of fixtures both teams have 9 points with Ireland only edging England on point difference with 39 and 37 respectively. If both teams continue to perform as expected in the next two rounds, there will be immense pressure piled on to the home side as they have the chance to make history by becoming the first ever side to win three consecutive Six Nation Tournaments.

According to the World Rugby Rankings, the rejuvenated England national team are ranked as the second best in the world only to be bettered by the infamous New Zealand rugby set-up. If a third consecutive Six Nations can be secured, this will build on the 11 notable team  honours Jones has collected in his short reign as well as picking up the prestigious 2017 World Rugby Coach of the Year. With only one loss in his first 25 games and various unbeaten records being achieved in the process, a dominant 2018 could provide England a real chance in Asia next summer. This promising current squad may be set to earn international accolades that would give the nation something to really get behind.

By Olly Roberts