England head coach Eddie Jones says Elliot Daly's selection is for tactical reasons
Thursday 10 November 2016 17:44, UK
Eddie Jones has revealed his selection of Elliot Daly for England’s opening autumn international against South Africa is for tactical reasons.
Wasps centre Daly will make his first start for his country on Saturday, after winning five caps as a replacement, having been chosen ahead of Jonathan Joseph for the game, which is live on Sky Sports.
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Joseph had reportedly been suffering with a minor groin injury earlier in the week but Jones confirmed that Daly's inclusion has not been enforced and instead is made with the anticipated wet Twickenham conditions in mind.
"He's always been a kid with a lot of raw talent, but he's had to work on a few of the small things that he does," he said.
"He's a good powerful runner and he's got a burning left foot on him which we think may be useful in the conditions that we're expecting on Saturday.
"With younger players it's often a case of the little things in their game; how quickly they get on their feet and get back in position, how quickly you can be another option, things like that.
"We feel that he may suit our game plan a little better with the attributes that he brings."
Also included in the England XV is Northampton back row Tom Wood, recalled after a year's absence, to provide competitiveness against a South Africa side the head coach feels is returning to their abrasive roots.
"Tom Wood gives us a good lineout option and we feel he is capable of stopping South Africa on the gain line," he said.
"South African rugby is all about that - in many ways they've gone back to what they were good at doing in the past.
"We want Tom to make their first breakdown as messy as he possibly can and then we'll go from there."
Watch England v South Africa on Saturday. Coverage begins on Sky Sports 1 HD at 2pm.
