SM
Barcelona vs. Brann: 36 mins
Upcoming predictions and previews

England

Jones: I want Cokanasiga to play 100 Tests for England

:Headline: Jones: I want Cokanasiga to play 100 Tests for England: ID:353429: from db_amp
The giant Bath wing was surprisingly overlooked for the Six Nations finale against Scotland but is set to go to this year's World Cup.

Joe Cokanasiga is bound for the World Cup after Eddie Jones claimed the giant wing is capable of becoming a Test centurion despite his shock exclusion from England's clash with Scotland.

Cokanasiga has even been overlooked for the bench after losing his place on the right wing for Saturday's Guinness Six Nations finale at Twickenham to Jack Nowell, who has recovered from a shoulder stinger injury.

Only five days earlier the 18-stones Bath battering ram was named man for the match for swatting aside Italian defenders with ease in a performance that Sir Clive Woodward declared evoked memories of Jonah Lomu.

Cokanasiga impressed against Italy but will not face Scotland this weekend (Gareth Fuller/PA)

Jones has a schedule based on the summer's four World Cup warm-up Tests that will develop the 21-year-old in time for Japan 2019, but is also wary of the hype generated by his marauding display.

"With young players, particularly in this environment, you've got to look after them," England's head coach said.

"I want him to play 100 Tests, I don't want him to just play 10 Tests. We've got a good plan in place for him. He'll be ready by the World Cup.

"Sometimes you push young guys forward and sometimes you've got to pull them back.

"It's about taking a measured approach at the start of their career, letting them develop their game and exposing them to the right games. That's when you get a good player and that's what we're doing with him.

"I don't need to fast-track him. I've got him on the right track. There's only one track – the right track.

"You've got to keep players' feet on the ground. When they're blown up to be something they're not, it's difficult for them, so that's part of it.

“I want him to play 100 Tests, I don't want him to just play 10 Tests. We've got a good plan in place for him. He'll be ready by the World Cup.”
- Eddie Jones

"And part of it is getting them the right amount of Tests to get the required level of confidence to play well in the bigger games.

"He's a very good kid, but anyone's head can be turned. I recall (as Australia coach) looking after guys like Matt Giteau and George Smith in a similar way.

"You expose them, bring them back, expose them, bring them back. And when they're ready to go, you let 'em go."

England captain Owen Farrell points to Jones' success in developing Maro Itoje as evidence of his sound judgement.

Jones has helped develop Maro Itoje, pictured, with England  (Paul Harding/PA)

"There is proper reasoning behind it. I remember he did it a little bit with Maro and he turned out all right," he said.

"I'm sure Joe won't be sad. He's always getting beaten at pool and darts in the team room and but still always got a massive smile on his face!"

Jones has reverted to his first-choice midfield with Manu Tuilagi and Henry Slade paired in the centres outside Farrell, resulting in Ben Te'o's demotion to the bench as threequarter cover.

In total there are four changes in personnel to the XV that battered Italy 57-14 at Twickenham with Ben Moon restored at loosehead prop ahead of Ellis Genge and Mark Wilson displacing Brad Shields at blindside flanker.

Ben Youngs will be making his 85th England appearance to surpass the national record for a scrum-half held by Danny Care.

The showdown with Scotland could be Jones' final Six Nations match with his future beyond the World Cup uncertain.

"Well that's not for me to decide. Other people decide that. I don't know," Jones said.

"The only thing I know is that we have had a great week this week and we are absolutely excited by the prospect of us finishing well."

amp_article__353429 : Database Data restored...  : 
last updated article - 2019-03-14 22:04:02:
html db last update - 2021-02-08 03:49:39 :

ex - 7200 : read : read cache amp html

Click here for more stories about England

Share this article now:
Read more about England Rugby Union
Recommended Next on SM
Premier League Table
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal28204470244664
2Liverpool28197265263964
3Manchester CityMan City28196363283563
4Aston Villa29175760421856
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs28165759421753
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd28152113939047
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham2912894650-444
8Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2811985044642
9Wolverhampton WanderersWolves28125114244-241
10Newcastle UnitedNewcastle281241259481140
11Chelsea27116104745239
12Fulham29115134344-138
13Bournemouth2898114152-1135
14Crystal Palace2878133348-1529
15Brentford2975174154-1326
16Everton2887132939-1025
17Luton TownLuton2957174260-1822
18Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest2967163551-1621
19Burnley2945202963-3417
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd2835202474-5014
Scroll for more - Tap for full version


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
AL
Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!

Loading ...

Failed to load data.



. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .