Ollie Phillips: England’s emphasis on the collective has turned the side into a multi-faceted one with a shot at a Six Nations Grand Slam
England have enjoyed a perfect start to the Six Nations but the length of the tournament and physical nature of rugby means squad depths will always be tested.
Mako Vunipola was one of the stand-out players in the wins over Ireland and France but an ankle injury means the back-up options now come into question.
Can Ben Moon or Ellis Genge step up to the plate for the crucial, potentially Grand Slam-deciding clash with Wales next Saturday?
Emphasis on collective
The fact the Wales game carries such significance is a measure of just how far England have come in such a short space of time – and how important the victory in Dublin was. It’s been some turnaround from Eddie Jones.
What has been so impressive is the emphasis on the collective: every single player has shone at one time or another. England have always had impact players, but now it seems seems to all be coming together from the off and there’s no one who’s over-relied upon.
One huge positive has been just how well England have come up with a game-plan, practised it on the training field and then implemented it on the pitch. They’ve not been one-dimensional either – Ireland and France were beaten in different ways.
The physical domination and gain line focus in Dublin was in stark contrast to France at Twickenham last weekend when five of their six tries came from intelligent kicking into space.
All the hard work is paying off, but the players still have to prove they are capable of re-thinking and adapting mid-game if the plan isn’t working, or if the opposition are on top.
Unsung heroes
England’s success has been underpinned by some unsung heroes and no one fits that description better than Mark Wilson.
Just eight Tests into his international career the Newcastle flanker is already building a strong case to be England’s starting No6 at the World Cup, ahead of the likes of Chris Robshaw.
Wilson’s work-rate and doggedness at the breakdown alongside Tom Curry has been exceptional, but I’ve also been encouraged by his body language, his motivational skills, energy and enthusiasm.
He’s just one of many, like Henry Slade, who have come on leaps and bounds of late to develop into top-class, consistent performers.
Devastating May
No-one can top Jonny May for improvement though. The Leicester winger’s 30-minute hat-trick over France was the culmination of years of working his socks off.
When May came into the side he was a lightning-fast winger with question marks over his decision-making and ability under a high ball. Now the 28-year-old is one of the best in the world: he’s solid in defence, a threat on kick-chases and devastating near the try-line.
I played with him at Gloucester. He’s an eccentric character and a well-liked member of the squad and his success over the past few years has been great to see.
Having bagged four tries in the opening two games he’ll be hoping to shape the all-important Wales match next.
Former England Sevens captain Ollie Phillips is a director within the real estate & construction team at PwC and founder of Optimist Performance. Follow Ollie on Twitter and on LinkedIn