Cook Cup 2016: Eddie Jones beefs up bench

Eddie Jones has made two predictable changes to the England’s starting XV but kept his surprises to his bench.

George Ford runs with the ball in training in Melbourne.

Eddie Jones has made two predictable changes to the England’s starting XV for the second Test in Melbourne tomorrow but kept his surprises to his bench.

The main shock is that he has gone for a 6-2 split of forwards and backs, precisely the same tactic that caused such chaos in the Australian backline in the first Test in Brisbane last week after winger Rob Horne was injured. Still, the fact that Jones is reinforcing his bench with an extra forward is evidence aplenty of how he expects the Wallabies to attack his side — through the forwards and with plenty of physicality.

Bath’s George Ford has come in at five-eighth, forcing close friend Owen Farrell to inside centre where he displaces Luther Burrell. That was the change Jones made at the 29th minute in Brisbane and it worked brilliantly, with Ford playing a hand in his side’s two final tries.

Ironically, the man he sent over in the right-hand corner with a brilliant overhead pass, Marland Yarde, has been dropped from the match day 23 entirely, with Exeter’s Jack Nowell coming in to replace him. Most critics had expected Nowell to play in the first Test and seemingly Jones was sending him a message to smarten up at training. Nowell has apparently done that and it would have to be said that the Red Rose team that will take the field at looks more formidable than last week’s starting XV. Former Queensland State of Origin player Ben Te’o came strongly into the reckoning for a midfield spot but Jones again drew back from handing him his England Test debut.

“Ben Te’o is coming along nicely,” Jones said. “He’s certainly getting into the swing of things but at this stage George and Owen are our best combination. Their understanding of the game, for 23 and 24-year-olds, is outstanding.”

There was some speculation that out-of-sorts fullback Mike Brown might be replaced by Alex Goode but Jones has clearly taken the attitude that while form in temporary, class is permanent.

Jones noted with interest the selection of Sean McMahon at number eight in the Australian side and recalled seeing him play in Tokyo in the Australian sevens side and thinking him a star in the making.

“I don’t know how McMahon will go but I know how (England number eight) Billy Vunipola will go. He’s ready for the game of his life,” Jones said.

The bench changes also look to have made England more powerful, with hooker Jamie George taking over from Luke Cowan-Dickie, Jack Clifford providing England with an onballer to counter Michael Hooper and Sean McMahon, and Wasps’ Eliot Daly, who is described as “seriously quick”, providing cover in the outside backs.

Meanwhile, French sporting newspaper L’Equipe has reported that Quade Cooper has turned down the second year of his contract with Toulon, which almost certainly means he will be heading home to Australia.

The question is, will he head back to Ballymore and the Queensland Reds or go to Melbourne and make a new start with the Rebels.

England: Mike Brown; Anthony Watson, Jonathan Joseph, Owen Farrell, Jack Nowell; George Ford, Ben Youngs; Billy Vunipola, James Haskell, Chris Robshaw, George Kruis, Maro Itoje, Dan Cole, Dylan Hartley (c), Mako Vunipola. Reserves: Jamie George, Matt Mullan, Paul Hill, Joe Launchbury, Courtney Lawes, Jack Clifford, Danny Care, Elliot Daly.