Eddie’s in need of a big rethink says Lamb

France-bound fly-half Ryan Lamb says Eddie Jones’ decision to exclude Freddie Burns, Danny Cipriani and Christian Wade from the tour to Argentina is “unbelievable”.
Lamb, who is joining Top 14 shock troops La Rochelle from Worcester this summer, reckons playmakers Burns and Cipriani have suffered for gaining unfair reputations as mavericks whereas in New Zealand and France their God-given talents would be embraced.
Delivering a withering parting shot at English rugby’s innate adherence to structure, Lamb told The Rugby Paper: “You look at people like Christian Wade, Danny Cipriani and Freddie Burns and anywhere else those guys would be revered by international coaches.
“Wade’s scored 17 Premiership tries – a record for a season – and yet doesn’t even get into England‘s second string squad for Argentina, which is pretty unbelievable.
“You can’t deny England’s results have been superb under Eddie Jones and, individually, it’s hard to knock Owen Farrell and George Ford, but in France and New Zealand they value players who express themselves and want to play with their heads up and make big decisions.
“With that sort of backing it’s much easier for players to operate because they’re not getting judged or criticised on every decision they make. Guys like Beauden Barrett and Aaron Cruden make mistakes but they get encouraged to keep playing what they see, whereas in England if you try something to change a game you get a bollocking afterwards.”
Lamb added: “Danny Cipriani and Freddie Burns have got this reputation as mavericks who won’t conform but they’re way, way better than that. They’re fantastic players and you saw the long pass Freddie threw to Peter Beatham for one of Leicester‘s tries against Wasps last weekend. Very few players can do that and yet more often they’ll get criticised.
“Freddie’s kicking is 85 per cent this season – better than anybody else, including Farrell and Ford – and yet he doesn’t get a look-in with England despite getting Leicester into the top four against the odds. He’s got every right to feel aggrieved, as has Cipriani.
“Wasps reached the Premiership final, scored the most tries ever in the Premiership and yet Cips is overlooked as well. Tries win matches, don’t they? I’d definitely have those guys playing in my side and Eddie Jones needs to be having a rethink.”
Lamb, 30, is looking forward to a fresh challenge at one of France’s premier clubs after admitting he had considered quitting the game. The experienced former Gloucester, London Irish, Northampton and Warriors No.10 explained candidly: “There’s a few things about the English game that really annoy me and I just didn’t want to stay in it anymore.
“For me personally, they over-coach in England now. You used to be given responsibility for decision-making on the field or reacting to things, but it’s gone away from that a lot and you’re told what to do in each area of the field and can’t go outside that.
“It’s frustrating for a lot of players because lots of things happen on a rugby field that are different to what you prepare for in the week. If things come off the coach is a genius, but if they don’t it’s always your fault for not changing things, except you can’t!”
Lamb adds: “It works for teams like Saracens and they’re the kings of structure, but I find it boring. I was getting stale and thought about quitting, but now I’ve got this chance with La Rochelle which is exciting and a chance to refresh in a different environment.
“I just want to do the best I can and I’ll go with my family to embrace the culture and everything the Top 14 gives. Hopefully, I can fit in and put my game on the field. French rugby is a bit more ‘play what you see’ so I’m hoping that will really suit my game.”
NEALE HARVEY