Sky Sports expert sticks up for Warren Gatland after Sean O'Brien criticism
Friday 22 September 2017 23:19, UK
Stuart Barnes says that the complexion of Eddie Jones' England training squad highlights the dual focus of managing the 'here and now' with developing for Rugby World Cup 2019.
On Friday, the Australian announced a 33-man training squad for a camp in Oxford, with England's head coach deciding to exclude a number of experienced faces from his plans.
Jonathan Joseph, Kyle Sinckler, James Haskell and George Kruis are amongst those who are not required for the three-day camp next week.
Sky Sports expert Barnes told Sky Sports News that he is not surprised by the complexion of the squad or the omissions from it.
"I think that you have got to realise that England and Eddie Jones are not picking a squad for the next game - Argentina," said Barnes. "It's a balance of the next international and the World Cup.
"They start at A and they get to Z and in the meantime, they've got to try and win games en route to fuel them towards Tokyo. That's the incentive.
"So for this game, for people like Jonathan Joseph and Kyle Sinckler, it will be a kick up the backside to prove that you're up to it."
Barnes also looked at the exclusion of Wasps' 32-year-old flanker Haskell and considered the back row forward's position in the international mix.
"For James Haskell, it may well be that, at his age now and with the form that he hasn't been in this season, Jones is starting to think that maybe he's fading out of contention," explained Barnes.
"So, there's fluidity to what Jones does. Some players will not be in there as a way to incentivise them and some will naturally fall out. It's about the next game, but it's also about the bigger order."
One mainstay in England's squad since the beginning has been Dylan Hartley. The Northampton Saint led England's summer tour to Argentina, while his 'understudy' at international level - Jamie George - went away with the British & Irish Lions to New Zealand.
George made six appearances in total for the touring party, including featuring in all three Tests, yet Barnes highlighted that England's captain currently remains in the driving seat.
"Everyone is talking about Jamie George, the Lions' hooker who played really well in that series, but Jones sees Hartley as the man who, game after game after game, delivers the victories and the momentum to keep them going," added Barnes.
"So, lots of us in the media are saying that now is the time to go for the younger man - but Jones is thinking about keeping on winning and while Hartley is playing well, that is the counterpoint to the Marcus Smith type inclusion."
Smith, the 18-year-old fly-half, is included in England's training squad for a second time after featuring in August and despite the early-season hype surrounding the young man, Barnes is staying composed about the back's prospects.
"He's a very talented player but again, Jones is already bringing him down to earth by saying that, at the age of 18, George Ford was probably more talented, and I would go along with Jones on that point.
"He [Marcus Smith] played with great assurance and maturity against Wasps away from home, and he looks to be a very good player, but it's a long way to go.
"Eddie Jones right now is saying that I'm not really thinking about him for the team, I'm thinking about him for a year, 18 months or maybe even two years on."
Away from the English international arena, Sean O'Brien's reflections on the British & Irish Lions' tour have been well documented of late.
The Irishman has criticised the Lions coaches, saying the 2017 squad should have won the drawn series with New Zealand, and Barnes gave his view on the flanker's comments.
"I must admit that his logic leaves me a little bit baffled at times," said Barnes. "By saying that New Zealand are the best team in the world, I would go along with that. But, he said that the Lions had the best players and the greatest strength in depth. I would go along with Steve Hansen and raise my eye and say that New Zealand have that as well.
"So, the expectation that the Lions should have gone there and won is a strange one.
"The Lions have won one series in New Zealand in their history, with one of the greatest teams ever to leave these shores - and that's it. So, to go there expecting to win 3-0 seems strange and because of the lack of logic, I have to say that my sympathies at the moment tend to lie with Warren Gatland and the Lions management. "
