Are England’s problems all down to Jones?

England have endured another unsuccessful Guinness Six Nations campaign, failing to muster a significant improvement on their 2021 effort when they lost three out of their five matches. Eddie Jones entered the tournament under huge pressure to revive England fortunes against their rivals in the northern hemisphere, but the campaign has followed the same pattern as the last despite an overhaul in personnel.

Jones made a number of changes, dispensing with the Vunipola brothers along with other experienced hands. However, England entered the final game of the campaign as 13/5 underdogs in the Six Nations odds 2022 against France at the Stade de France as a result of their poor campaign.

Marcus Smith lived up to expectations as one of the stars of the tournament for England, but the play in and around the fly-half was inconsistent at best. An influx of attacking talent such as Max Malins, Joe Marchant and Freddie Steward failed to make their mark over the course of the competition, although Harry Randall proved himself to be a capable successor to Ben Youngs.

Tom Curry had fitness issues throughout the tournament as he replaced the injured Owen Farrell as skipper, failing to produce his best when his team required flawless performances on the field from their leader. Ellis Genge grew into his role as a starting prop, and was part of a brilliant forward performance against Ireland. However, standout displays from the entire team were few and far between. There is more than enough talent in the ranks, but questions now have to be asked whether Jones is the right man to get the best of the squad, with time quickly running out ahead of the 2023 World Cup.

Since reaching the Word Cup final three years ago, England have failed to stamp their authority on the Six Nations, despite bright performances against Australia and South Africa. Their recent exploits in the Six Nations have been filled with underwhelming displays in the final third where they have failed to break down their opponents, while the Red Rose have been guilty of horrendous mistakes under pressure.

Red card!

Game-changing moment inside two minutes as Charlie Ewels is sent off for foul play after an upright hit on James Ryan#ITVRugby pic.twitter.com/qw4eY9XdeQ

— ITV Rugby (@ITVRugby) March 12, 2022

Luke Cowan-Dickie’s deliberate bat-away from Darcy Graham against Scotland cost England the Calcutta Cup when they had seemingly taken control of the contest. Charlie Ewels was then dismissed for a high challenge on James Ryan two minutes into England’s game against Ireland, effectively ending their hopes of winning from the off. Jones’ team displayed fight throughout, but were eventually worn down by the visitors at Twickenham.

It has been a common theme of the second half of the Jones era as England allowed Scotland to make a monumental comeback in 2020 at Murrayfield, and made naïve errors in a 2021 defeat against Wales at the Principality Stadium. Jones seems to have no solution to remedying these mistakes.

The aura that Jones created for his team in his first four years has been whittled away as Scotland and Ireland have won at Twickenham in back-to-back years, while an understrength Wales team pressed England hard in the second half of their contest. It is a worrying trend ahead of the World Cup, but there is time for them to find their form and take momentum into competition. Whether Jones is the man to lead them there is another matter.