Vickery calls for greater variety
The Rugby Paper|February 21, 2021
PHIL Vickery has told England to make better use of their “embarrassing” array of talent or risk defeat by a rejuvenated Wales.
ALEX BYWATER
Vickery calls for greater variety

Eddie Jones’ England were beaten by Scotland in round one and failed to hit top gear in victory over Italy. Wales haven’t been at their best either, but have beaten both Ireland and Scotland.

Jones last week said his team have struggled to hit the levels of aggression he requires because of the absence of a crowd and Vickery sympathises.

But the 2003 World Cup winner expects a lot more from England, who he says lack variety.

Vickery told TRP: “England look very samey. That’s not always a bad thing, but it is often seen that way when you’re losing. I look at the talent England have and they have the most amazing players.

“The depth of talent in England compared to other nations is embarrassing. The Simmonds brothers, Joe and Sam, are not even in the England squad, but it looks to me like England are always doing the same thing.

“I’m a proud Englishman and 90 per cent of what England are doing is really good. But they need to keep improving because they’re going to come up against a stubborn team in Cardiff.”

This story is from the February 21, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the February 21, 2021 edition of The Rugby Paper.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM THE RUGBY PAPERView All
England were good, but a bit complacent
The Rugby Paper

England were good, but a bit complacent

WATCHING the France versus England game last Saturday night, I couldn’t help but think that a little complacency had found its way into the England team after their surprise win against Ireland.

time-read
4 mins  |
March 24, 2024
Hurricanes fly high as Crusaders flop again
The Rugby Paper

Hurricanes fly high as Crusaders flop again

JORDIE Barrett bagged two tries as the Hurricanes thumped the Melbourne Rebels 54-28 to maintain their 100 per cent record at the top of the table.

time-read
3 mins  |
March 24, 2024
Millfield end long wait as they take 14th title
The Rugby Paper

Millfield end long wait as they take 14th title

MILLFIELD ended their decade-long wait to win a 14th Cup title at Rosslyn Park as they defeated reigning Champions Harrow 28-17 in a thrilling final.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
Turner leads Crusaders to hardest of triumphs
The Rugby Paper

Turner leads Crusaders to hardest of triumphs

DINGS and Exeter University were involved in a try-fest that could have gone either way.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
Having strength in numbers is proving big Barnes bonus
The Rugby Paper

Having strength in numbers is proving big Barnes bonus

BARNES have used an incredible 51 players this season, and head coach Jack Heald puts his side’s success down to their squad depth which derives from a second team that continuously punches above their weight.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
Cooper stars as Bury end poor run
The Rugby Paper

Cooper stars as Bury end poor run

RELIEVED Bury St Edmunds ended a run of seven defeats by grinding out a win against an emerging opponent.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
Lewis full of pride for his Titans in bid for promotion
The Rugby Paper

Lewis full of pride for his Titans in bid for promotion

LOSING just one game all season would usually be more than enough to finish first, but Rotherham Titans can count themselves unfortunate to be in the same division as Leeds Tykes.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
Okafor at the death has Tykes stunned!
The Rugby Paper

Okafor at the death has Tykes stunned!

ROTHERHAM Titans threw the promotion race wide open by inflicting a first defeat of the season on Leeds Tykes in a tense Yorkshire derby yesterday afternoon.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
Warren seals Tigers' league status in thriller
The Rugby Paper

Warren seals Tigers' league status in thriller

A WIN at long last for Sedgley Park Tigers who hosted Cinderford at Park Lane yesterday and came away with a well-earned win for the first time in 2024 to secure their place in National 1 for next season.

time-read
2 mins  |
March 24, 2024
The whistleblowers under the spotlight
The Rugby Paper

The whistleblowers under the spotlight

Matthew Luddington talks to two referees at the lower end of the game about the trials of taking charge of a match

time-read
5 mins  |
March 24, 2024