England's Captaincy Options Ahead of RWC 2019

Eddie Jones has a massive decision to make over the summer, as he hinted at a permanent change to the England captaincy last week. We look at some of his options for the role and give some pros and cons to giving each player the increased responsibility.

Dylan Hartley

The Northampton skipper will miss the South African tour this summer as he experiences a prolonged lay-off due to concussion. He has captained the international side for the duration of Eddie Jones’ reign as head coach, from 2015 until now. England initially performed at a world-class level under the leadership of Jones and Hartley, winning 18 games on the bounce and equalling New Zealand’s world record. However, during that time many critics called for a change in the hooker position, as they viewed their captain as an ineffective addition to the England pack. There can be no doubt that he has cleaned up his act to lead the team by example but he does not put up the impressive stats in both defence and attack, as a more dynamic number 2, such as Jamie George. His position in the starting XV is most definitely in question.

Owen Farrell

The Sarries maestro took over captaincy duties for the French game in the Six Nations. He has now been trusted to lead the side in their three-game series in South Africa. Jones has expressed his admiration for the young ten in a leadership role, comparing his ability to demand the best from each individual, to those of wallaby-great George Gregan. He has admitted to worries over unity within the camp, following rifts that opened after a tumultuous Six Nations campaign. He has also described the England team as a combination of ‘different groups’ that must be united to ‘play for one single purpose’. Being that Farrell is originally from the North, but plies his trade in the South, he may be the perfect option to unite those divisions. However, given that he is the man that runs England’s gameplan, regardless of position, and takes the responsibility of kicking at goal, could Jones be giving too much responsibility to the young man of just 26 years of age?

Chris Robshaw

Robshaw captained the English team while Stuart Lancaster was in charge of operations, between 2012 and 2015. He was also criticised by a number of pundits, who believed that there were more dynamic options that could be chosen for the back-row. However, he has proven himself to be extremely durable and a mainstay in this England squad. Jones has continuously picked him to start in the backrow, in all 3 positions. He started all of England’s Six Nations fixtures and was named as co-captain for a fixture against the Baa Baas in 2017, showing that Jones still trusts him to lead the side. He does face sterner competition in that back-row now though, following the import of Brad Shields from New Zealand. Sam Simmonds has also shown that he can be just as effective in the 7-shirt as he is at 8. If Vunipola is fit, it may be impossible to leave the two ball-carrying back-rowers out of the XV.

Joe Launchbury

The 27-year-old second row was named Wasps club captain in the 2016/17 season and has continued to lead the side to a high-level. They went to the Premiership final in his first year and again made the playoffs this season. He has played out of his skin for the international side of late as well, cementing his place in the starting XV at the beginning of the Six Nations, with standout performances against Wales and Italy. However, there has never been as much competition for places in the English 2^nd row. With three 2017 Lions in the squad, as well as Launchbury and some young talent like Nick Isiekwe and Jonny Hill. No one’s place is safe it seems.

Ben Youngs

The scrum-half is one of the most experienced players in the England squad, with 74 caps. He seems to be Jones’ favoured option at nine, over Danny Care, and also is a key player in England’s gameplan, scoring a number of tries from clever snipes, on the back of carries from his abrasive pack. His older brother Tom is the current captain at Leicester Tigers but it would seem that the younger of the two will take on that role when his 31-year-old sibling is ousted from the starting XV by some of Tigers young-guns. His lack of experience as skipper, as well as competition with Care and Robson for the nine shirt, may prevent Jones from giving him that role just yet.

Maro Itoje

A complete wildcard for the role, given his age and the short-time he has been in the international setup but just hear us out. He has won just about every trophy that he could win so far, has started and starred in three Lions tests over the summer and is pretty much the only forward in the squad that is nailed on as being in the starting XV. The young man is a freak in terms of athleticism but may have a bit to go in terms of his knowledge of the game. Nonetheless he always shows great hunger, leading from the front, and will more than likely be in the England squad for another ten years. Maybe something to think about for the Aussie coach.