Nowell an option for England at flanker, reveals Jones

Eddie Jones has suggested he could pick Jack Nowell at openside flanker and play nine forwards in an alternative approach ahead of England’s Six Nations campaign. 

The versatile Nowell, who plays for Exeter Chiefs, has lined up at wing, centre and full-back, with both club and country taking advantage of his versatility. 

Jones raised eyebrows after naming his Six Nations squad on Thursday, saying the 25-year-old could feature as a forward as he ponders an alternative approach with the World Cup looming on the horizon. 

Asked what position he sees Nowell in, the England head coach replied: “Seven.” 

The Australian added: “He is definitely an option at seven. We haven’t tried him out but he is definitely an option, because he has great ball-carrying, great tackling skill; he puts his head over the ball, he’s a tough little bloke. 

“He’s a great option. He can play wing, 13, 15 or seven for us.” 

Jones added: “There are great opportunities in the game to change it and we’re looking at opportunities to change it.

“Maybe one of the opportunities is nine forwards. There is no reason why you can’t play nine forwards. He [an additional forward] could stand on the blindside wing. 

“When Japan played Georgia in the final warm-up game before the 2015 World Cup, we played nine forwards and no-one knew. 

“The game has become so orthodox, so we have to look at opportunities to change it. Jack Nowell is the one who stands out. Tom Curry and Sam Underhill are the opposite (forwards who could shift into the back line). 

“They are as quick as Nowell. They could play in a number of positions on the field.”

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