Eddie Jones appointed new head coach: a G'day to be English?

So, it has been officially announced that Aussie Eddie Jones will be taking over from Stuart Lancaster as England's new head coach. As the first non-English head coach of the national team Jones has the mammoth task of dragging England out of their post-world cup slump and back in to winning ways.

For the past three years Jones has been the head coach of Japan, a side who have clearly flourished under his leadership after beating the likes of South Africa and winning the 2015 Pacific Nations Cup. Jones has also coached his own national team of Australia, as well as assisting and coaching high end teams such as Australian club Brumbies and Saracens here in the premiership.

His credentials seem more than satisfactory to steer the wheel of English rugby in the right direction, but how will the fans and players react? While many may see the appointment of an overseas coach as being the breath of fresh air that this England side needs there are some patriots who would prefer to "keep it within the family", as they say.

However, Jones isn't the only new face as a result of the RFU's shake-up. Forwards coach Graham Rowntree and assistant coach Andy Farrell have also been axed from the lead coaching set up. An old friend of Jones', Glen Ella, has been tipped to assist England on their attacking game play during their upcoming series tour of Australia. Steve Borthwick will replace Rowntree as forwards coach, with Paul Gustard taking charge of England's defence.

All eyes will be firmly set on Jones as he journeys down under with England to face his home nation this June. Time will tell if Jones' overseas influence will help bolster England's success.

England march to successive 6 Nations victory over Italy

Italy provide England with a statement of intent early on

England have secured the second victory of their 6 Nations campaign against Italy with a convincing 47-17 win over a tenacious Italian side. While many expected England to comfortably out-do the visitors', Italy made life particularly difficult for the hosts in the opening exchanges, preventing England from getting a dominant foothold in the game throughout the best part of the first half. While a 30-point lead at full-time caused many an English fan opportunity for celebration, England will be aware of the missed opportunities they left out on the pitch.

Lancaster's faith in his unchanged match-day squad was rewarded by a controlled performance high in both attacking intensity and defensive physicality. After the loss of Mike Brown to a head injury, the back-line was considerably shaken up; with Josephs moving to wing and Watson filling in at fullback England could have lost their structure and dominance over the game. However, the rearrangement barely ruffled an English feather and the hosts upped-the-anti to close out the win. Individual performances were again key to England's success and in particular that of Jonathan Josephs who scored two tries to help secure victory for his team. England's back row was once more crucial to England's momentum with flankers Haskell and Robshaw putting in monumental shifts and number 8 Billy Vunipola carrying monstrously in to the Italian defence. 

Jonathan Joseph goes over for his second try against Italy

Although Italy provided moments of dangerous intent for the hosts, England's complete team performance weathered the intermittent Italian storms to seal off a comfortable victory. While the display was far from perfect with the help of some rueful mistakes and rough patches, England showed a purpose and determination that stands them in good stead for their round three encounter with defending champions, Ireland.

England victorious in first round of RBS 6 Nations

On a rather chilly Friday night, an emphatic England team travelled over the bridge to beat Wales in the opening round of the RBS 6 Nations. Despite going 10 points down early on in the first half, England put in a dominant and controlled performance which left Wales little room to manoeuvre round the impressive English defence. England had many ghosts to banish from two years ago, and it could be said that the odds were somewhat stacked against them; a hospital wing of injuries, 290 caps fewer than their opponents, playing away from home, and thousands of passionate Welsh supporters baying for English blood (although perhaps not literally...).

An early penalty conceded in the first 2 minutes was hardly the start that Lancaster would have wanted from his team, and a converted try by Rhys Webb resulting from sublime hands from Welsh number 8 Faletau, hinted at the danger the men in red were capable of. However, momentum soon swung in the way of the visitors who went in to the half time break close on the heels of the home side at 16 points to 8 off the back of a superb combination between Brown and Watson to give England their first try of the match. England were clearly the dominant side in the second half, keeping Wales scoreless and looking dangerous in all the right areas of the field. A brilliant individual try from centre Jonathan Joseph, combined with Ford's penalties, led England to a momentous 21-16 victory which will be remembered by many an English fan for a long time.

Individual performances were key to England's success, with each player stepping up to the plate and delivering when it counted. Chris Robshaw gave a captain's performance, setting the example for his team by being everywhere and anywhere with barely a blade of grass untouched, with fellow flanker James Haskell also putting in a colossal performance and adding muscle combined with mobility to a dominant England pack. The new combination in the centres was a pivotal talking point in lead up to the match, but both Joseph and Burrell proved their worth throughout the 80 minutes with dangerous gain line successes. The back three also put in blinding performances, not least that by Anthony Watson who gave us a glimpse of the dangerous attacking game that he possesses. Scrum half Ben Youngs was fundamental to England's success; increasing the tempo of the game by constantly questioning Wales' usually stalwart defence, and combining with precision with Ford who controlled the game with a consistency and maturity far beyond his 21 years. 

In summary, it is hard to pick out one outstanding performer; the entire team, including the mightily strong bench, combined to produce an outstanding performance and victory that no doubt will be remembered by English and Welsh fans alike, for many years to come. Eyes will now undoubtedly shift towards the oncoming group stages of the 2015 World cup, in which these two sides will face each other again. England seem to have gotten the upper-hand in this encounter, and it is Wales who will have a lot to prove over the next 8 months.

RBS 6 Nations Build Up

Preparation has been underway for what has been dubbed by some as England's biggest test of metal to date; taking on Wales in their own backyard. With such close proximity to the home World Cup, Stuart and his young side will be happy with nothing less than victory and a chance to prove that the depth in the squad is very much present, despite an injury list as long as your right arm. While opportunities are present for new faces to build a name for themselves on the international stage, the return of a number of British and Irish Lions in to the squad will no doubt provide vital experience and stability in the most testing of environments.

Over in Wales Warren Gatland announced his starting XV two days ahead of schedule, and it came as little shock to many as to who is lining up to face England this Friday. As always, Wales will want to attack England with a physicality and dominance that has come to be expected from this experienced Welsh side: with 648 test caps shared between the starting XV alone Wales will want to impose themselves early on upon a relatively young English side. The Millennium Stadium is one of the toughest away venues that England will face in the RBS 6 Nations, and the crowd will undoubtedly endeavour to make England uncomfortable, roof opened or closed. 

For England, this particular encounter will see a new centre partnership in Luther Burrell and Jonathan Joseph which could set up a mammoth battle against opposite numbers Jamie Roberts and Jonathan Davies. Although, the focus may be on England's new injection of pace from the back three with the inclusion of wing Anthony Watson off the back of a successful Autumn, and Jonny May who is fast cementing his claim to the no. 11 shirt. With Owen Farrell's untimely absence, eyes will undoubtedly be fixed on George Ford. The young fly half will be tested to the extreme by the lively atmosphere of the Welsh crowd, as well as the pressures from home for a convincing away victory.

The history between the two Nations will do much to raise the tempo and excitement in the build up to round one, with a fraught and tension-filled encounter expected. Despite England's injury list, on paper there isn't a lot to tell the two teams apart. While both camps will maintain that their focus is on the game at hand, no doubt eyes will be looking forward to the next time these two teams will meet; the group stages at the 2015 World Cup. 

Wales: 15 Leigh Halfpenny 14 Alex Cuthbert 13 Jonathan Davies 12 Jamie Roberts 11 George North 10 Dan Biggar 9 Rhys Webb 1 Gethin Jenkins 2 Richard Hibbard 3 Samson Lee 4 Jake Ball 5 Alun Wyn Jones 6 Dan Lydiate 7 Sam Warburton (C) 8 Taulupe Faletau Replacements: 16 Scott Baldwin 17 Paul James 18 Aaron Jarvis 19 Luke Charteris 20 Justin Tipuric 21 Mike Phillips 22 Rhys Priestland 23 Liam Williams

England: 15 Mike Brown 14 Anthony Watson 13 Jonathan Joseph 12 Luther Burrell   11 Jonny May 10 George Ford 9 Ben Youngs 1 Joe Marler 2 Dylan Hartley 3 Dan Cole 4 David Attwood 5 George Kruis 6 James Haskell 7Chris Robshaw (Capt) 8 Billy Vunipola 

Replacements; 16 Tom Youngs 17 Mako Vunipola 18 Kieran Brookes 19 Tom Croft 20 Nick Easter 21 Richard Wigglesworth 22 Danny Cipriani 23 Billy Twelvetrees

Nicknamed 'The Cauldron', the Millennium Stadium is a tough
place to travel to.