The message coming loud and clear from Steve Borthwick’s first England squad selection is that he and his coaching crew believe they can teach Eddie Jones’ old dogs new tricks.
The most obvious example is defence coach Kevin Sinfield’s conviction that he can get Owen Farrell to tackle lower. However, a handful of newcomers and the return of Dan Cole at tight-head is not much of an overhaul of the Jones squad, particularly with Farrell retained as captain despite England’s rudderless Autumn campaign.
Asking old king Cole to shore-up the Red Rose scrum at 35 is a big call. The front row decisi...