Jeremy Guscott’s verdict on England: Let’s make most of Jonathan Joseph’s Midas touch in Dublin

It was the win that was expected but not quite the performance or style that was anticipated after last week’s heroics in the Millennium Stadium. A 30-point margin is adequate, Ireland managed a 23-point win against Italy, but in terms of the Championship, that last try conceded might well be crucial.
Given England’s remaining games – two at home, one away – you would expect England to be going for the Grand Slam or at least the Championship in the final game against France at home and I hope Jonny May‘s missed tackle and those seven points are not the difference.
It wasn’t the commanding performance we saw from England against Wales in Cardiff but credit for that must be given to Italy for their ability to slow the ball and frustrate England by not letting them build any kind of momentum.
In Cardiff we saw numerous phases of play that England dominated which allowed them to keep hold of the ball for two minutes plus at a time – which is a long time in rugby and keeps teams defending for much longer, ensuring they tire near the end.
What all teams look for is LQB – lightning quick ball – but that didn’t seem to be in the abundance that it was eight days ago.
In addition to the dogged Italians, for me it’s about England getting their heads in the right space and, judging by the start, they weren’t. Sergio Parisse’s try was very well-taken but one pass cut out five defenders. It left Anthony Watson and Mike Brown badly isolated and defensively England have a lot of work to do. First-up tackles were not as tough and physical as last week and didn’t knock the Italians back behind the gainline which is expected at this level.
Looking ahead a fortnight to the Ireland game, their coach Joe Schmidt, who is big on analysis, will certainly have noticed that England’s defence was somewhat narrow. It’s the way England’s defence has been under this coaching regime. Generally, it starts off narrow and doesn’t have huge line-speed. It goes up, holds, and with Joseph at outside-centre there is enough pace to go up and drift out to push the attack to the touchline.
I’m interested to see whether Schmidt capitalises on that. We know what a canny operator he is and you can quite easily see Ireland move into that space and then work even harder on ways to attack that area. If England come up slowly and drift out, that’s when the gaps start to appear and with speedsters such as Simon Zebo, Tommy Bowe or Rob Kearney cutting a line and slicing back on the angle they have the ability to exploit that space in the 15-metre channel from the outside.
Those are the areas England must work on before that crucial match in Dublin as Ireland will be pumped up and desperate to keep their own Grand Slam hopes alive.
England have to believe in the ‘England way’ – which for me is a dominant set-piece and effective catch-and-drive from the lineout. However, this area also needs attention because Italy showed how to combat that, occasionally sacking the lineout and stopping England’s momentum.
Forwards coach Graham Rowntree and his pack must work out ways of shifting the point of attack by varying the starting position of the driving maul more frequently. England must get command of the game and play at their pace when they catch the lineout, drive and then dictate where and how they want to attack.
Another variation I would like to see is England going off the top of the lineout with Luther Burrell charging through the middle – it’s a change I think they could adopt.
The great news is Jonathan Joseph’s performance. With him scoring tries in the manner he does, he is going to make defences wary. In this form, if you can exploit the space in and around JJ you’re in business.
The likely Ireland centre pairing of Jared Payne and Robbie Henshaw, and even the wingers, will be fixated on Joseph and you can’t blame them on his performances over the last two weeks. There is always a player in this tournament who seems to have the Midas touch because they are looking at the positives, doing what they can do best. So far it’s Joseph and in his case it’s his quick footwork that sets him apart – he covers oodles of space in such a short time.
His nip away from Kelly Haimona for his first try was sensational – you blink and he’s 20 yards away. Gone. And he continued to move away from the defence as if they were in quicksand. His second try was opened up by a beautiful pass from George Ford and Luca Morisi, the Italian No.13, went on the outside and left Joseph for a home run. He is a major positive for England.
It was also good to see Danny Cipriani come back and get in amongst it. Ford is the undoubted No.1, but I think Cipriani played well enough to keep himself on the bench regardless of when Owen Farrell comes back fit. His try was a good old-fashioned fly-half try – pass, support and a run-in.
England’s backs must be commended for their ability to adapt and reshuffle after Mike Brown’s injury – but the delay to the game seemed to be what was required for England to re-group and it was if the game restarted 0-0. From that point England didn’t look in too much trouble at any point despite the 15-5 scoreline at half-time. They were helped in that respect by Italy’s refusal to exit their own half through kicking – they preferred to handle which was a big mistake. I’d be massively surprised if Ireland employ the same tactic and run the ball out of their own half because they are allowing England to come onto them, dominate them and thereby run the risk of spilling ball in the wrong area.
England must start the game against Ireland in the same manner they have the second halves so far – with energy and vibrancy, knowing the patterns and shapes of play they want to execute. If they do that a victory is well within them. Two years ago it wasn’t great conditions and although the scoreline was only 12-6, England dominated.
This time they have to be so sharp and clinical and will be. Ireland are the holders and I believe England will have the right mindset to go over there and do a good job.
As we stand it is the Grand Slam/Champion- ship game. Lose and doubts will creep in whether it’s going to be another second place; win and everything is up for grabs.