- ‘Is that a reason to drop the player? I wouldn’t think so’
- Kyle Sinckler and Mako Vunipola return to England squad
Eddie Jones has given a qualified vote of confidence to his captain, Owen Farrell, following last weekend’s Calcutta Cup defeat but says the captain will be treated “no differently” to other players if his form does not improve. Although Farrell endured one of his least effective days in an England jersey against Scotland, he appears set to feature again in the squad to face Italy.
While the fly-half was far from the only England player to underperform against the Scots, Jones has the option of reinstating George Ford at No 10 and must now weigh up whether or not Saturday’s game was an unfortunate blip. “Owen was disappointed with his performance against Scotland,” said Jones. “Like a number of players, he wasn’t at his best. But like any outstanding player they can have a game where they’re not at their best. Is that a reason to drop the player? I wouldn’t think so. He’s been a highly consistent, highly successful player for us.”
