Six Nations: England ace Anthony Watson reveals his preferred position - EXCLUSIVE
EDDIE JONES has few selection issues as he prepares to name his team to face Wales – a seven-try win over Italy and no injuries point strongly towards continuity – but there is one recurring headache which will not go away. The Mondeo or the Maserati at full-back?
Jones acknowledged last week the debate over whether to tear the No15 jersey out of the grasp of the reliable but limited Mike Brown and hand it to Anthony Watson is a live one, but the answer thus far has always stays the same. If Brown is fit, it belongs to the Harlequin whatever the potential benefits of expanding Watson’s sphere of influence from the right wing.
The Bath full-back has started 29 Tests for England but the only time he did so as a full-back was when Brown was injured against Australia last November.
“When I’m at my club I prefer to play full-back. I enjoy the freedom to be able to counter-attack,” admitted Watson.
“But the way England play, I’m more than happy to be on the wing. I can impact the game just as much from there. It doesn’t bother me. Plus, Mike doesn’t like it when I say I prefer full-back.”
Watson is an unprepossessing character not programmed to demand control of the TV remote let alone Brown’s shirt, but it is surely a case of when, not if, he inherits it full time.
The 23-year-old has all the tools to do the job plus the x-factor Brown, for all his yeoman values, will never possess.
Man of the match in Rome on the opening weekend, Watson singed the Stadio Olimpico turf in scoring twice against Italy.
“We’ve been working hard on speed. We always do in England camp. And I was on the end of some unbelievable work from George (Ford) and Owen (Farrell),” said Watson.
Mike doesn’t like it when I say I prefer full-back
“I was thinking about stepping inside but there wasn’t room so I went on the outside. It was a nice start but I was more happy that we had started well as a team.”
Wednesday morning at Pennyhill Park, the emphasis was on speed again as the England backs worked out with weighted sleds attached and went through quickfire attack drills on an artificial upslope.
While Jones then had them imagining they had Scott Williams trying to rip possession off them in a wrestling session, there was also work for the back three with Neil Craig, the RFU’s head of high performance who – with his Australian Rules background – doubles as an aerial skills coach.
“Having worked in AFL he’s got a good understanding of high balls and catching and kicking. He’s been a great asset,” said Watson.
“There are opportunities to take it above your head but you have to make sure it’s right. You catch the ball higher so it’s more difficult for the opposition to get it, and your hands are free to play it on.
“There’s a bit of technique but a lot of it is mindset-based.” A handy skill for a wing. Or a full-back.
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