England’s Pool of Death suddenly carries a deadly threat

NICK CAIN VERDICT

SINCE Eddie Jones took over as England coach, there has been an assumption that the ‘Pool of Death’ his team face in Japan does not compare to the one which confronted Stuart Lancaster in 2015.

Australia and Wales were seen as much more of an obstacle then than France or Argentina this time.

That notion took a pummelling after France edged out Argentina in yesterday’s 23-21.

It is apparent that rather than being stepping stones for England to reach the quarter-finals, both teams look as slippery as wet marble – and unless his players are at the top of their game the Red Rose could take a pruning.

France and Argentina have arrived in Japan wearing their pristine World Cup coats rather than the shabby numbers they have been shuffling around in.

The two French tries involved sweeping attacks which reintroduced an almost extinct species – a French side playing with flair. Argentina will also be dangerous because they are already in must-win territory.

The ease with which lock Guido Petti and bench hooker Julian Montoya scored against France from driving mauls will give Jones and his forwards coach, Steve Borthwick, plenty of food for thought.

This is especially the case as England’s own driving maul – and maul defence – have not been impregnable, or even close to it.