A radical tactic which could shake up the rugby world is being put to the test.
England head coach Eddie Jones has revealed he's keen to start with nine forwards and six backs in their Autumn Nations Cup opener against Georgia this weekend, introducing the prospect of "hybrid" players.
It'snot the first time Jones has mentioned his ambition to select players comfortable playing both in the backs and forwards, previously putting it into practice while in charge of Japan. Jones started No 8 Hendrik Tui on the wing in Japan's 13-10 win against Georgia before the 2015 World Cup.
"It worked brilliantly, we won and the previous time we played them we got pumped," Jones told the Telegraph. "It might be out again. We will wait and see ... There are a number of guys we are trying to make into hybrid players."
"The tradition says that you have eight forwards and seven backs. That seems right and is probably right but there's no reason why we can't look at it."
Tom Curry has played outside of his position. Photo / Photosport
Earlier this year, the Australian-born coach was criticised over selecting players such as Tom Curry and Jonathan Joseph outside their traditional positions, however, said at the time the impact of Covid-19 on the international game would see it become the new norm.
Jones said the financial strain of the pandemic would see a need for more multi-positional players.
"How teams operate will be different. Every sport, particularly rugby, has been blown up through television rights and what will happen is that squads will become smaller and will need more multi-skilled players," he said.
"We got criticised a lot for playing like Tom Curry, who can play six, seven and No8, but they are the sort of players you're going to need to have: Jack Nowell being able to play wing or flanker, Ben Earl being able to play flanker or wing.
"So my message would be to learn what you can now, find a way to be active and productive and be ready for the future."
