Predicting the Starting England XV vs. Scotland in 6 Nations Opener

There was no hanging about for Eddie Jones.

The Australian, now in charge of England, swung the axe hard and fast on some of the key figures of the Stuart Lancaster era as he announced his first squad.

The selection, described by the Guardian’s Robert Kitson as spilling “enough blood to make even Quentin Tarantino wince,” saw seven new names added to the party and a third of the World Cup squad nowhere to be seen.

Geoff Parling, Tom Wood and Tom Youngs—two of them 2013 Lions Test starters—are out. As is the man so often acclaimed as the team’s defensive lynchpin, Brad Barritt.

But for all the claret spilled and new names welcomed, Jones was quick to point out that Murrayfield was hardly the venue likely to see a host of them handed their first England caps.

Maro Itoje, Ollie Devoto, Jack Clifford and some of the other newcomers are far likelier to get their international beaks wet against Italy on February 14.

And with that in mind, let us predict who will run out against Scotland on February 6 to start the Eddie Jones era.

15. Mike Brown

Mike Brown perhaps emerged from the World Cup as the only England player with increased credit in the bank. He is in good form for Harlequins, and his extra attacking verve against the solidity of Alex Goode keeps him as the front-runner for the No. 15 jersey.

14. Anthony Watson

A promising World Cup from Anthony Watson has been followed by a stuttering season for everyone at Bath, but he has proved his danger at the top level.

11. Jack Nowell

Injury permitting, Jack Nowell has looked sharp for the Exeter Chiefs this season and has the smarts Jones is looking for in his players. He twisted his knee in a tackle against Gloucester recently, but early fears the injury would require surgery have subsided, per the Exeter Express & Echo.

13. Jonathan Joseph

Elliot Daly has sparkled for Wasps this season and will get a chance at some point in the Six Nations, but with Jones hesitant to blood new players in such a testing first game, Jonathan Joseph will get the nod.

The Bath man recovered quicker than expected from the pectoral injury he suffered during October's World Cup that saw him initially ruled out for three months, and his extra experience may keep him ahead of Daly. If Jones was to break his rule of no new caps in the game against Scotland, Daly would be the exception.

12. Owen Farrell

Described by Jones himself as capable of playing either 10 or 12, Owen Farrell is the most experienced option in the squad at inside centre with there being no place for Luther Burrell or Brad Barritt. Sam Hill is only there as cover for Henry Slade—likewise Ollie Devoto for Manu Tuilagi. Farrell really is the only option.

10. George Ford

Even if Jones thought Farrell was in better form for Saracens than George Ford is for Bath, Ford will have to start because Farrell has to play at 12. The Bath man was dealt a bad hand during the World Cup and has misfired for his club at times this season, but he has looked good in recent weeks.

9. Danny Care

Danny Care has been on fire for Harlequins this season, revelling in his role as captain. He has jumped ahead of Ben Youngs on form and will start at Murrayfield.

8. Billy Vunipola

Billy Vunipola is healthy and causing havoc for Saracens off the back of their dominant scrum. Jones will be asking for more of the same from the 23-year-old in order to combat the powerful David Denton of Scotland.

7. James Haskell

As much as this columnist would love for it to be time to see whether Matt Kvesic can cut it, it looks as though a makeshift No. 7 is going to be deployed instead. We can guess this much by the fact the Gloucester man is only in the squad as injury cover for Exeter’s Dave Ewers and comments made by Jones, reported by the Telegraph.

Rather than chance his arm on two-cap Kvesic, it appears Jones is leaning toward picking James Haskell. Haskell was talked up by Jones, who revealed the Wasps skipper had been doing extra work with eminent Australian openside George Smith on his ground game.

6. Chris Robshaw

With a string of good performances for Harlequins and in no doubt as to the position Jones sees him playing, Chris Robshaw will start on the blindside flank. He made his bow as skipper at Murrayfield in 2012 and led England to a win. England need that sort of experience in this game.

5. George Kruis

As long as George Kruis passes all tests in the return to play protocol after being knocked out against Harlequins on Saturday, his form this season puts him ahead of Courtney Lawes for the second-row slot.

4. Joe Launchbury

Joe Launchbury has the same post-concussion hurdles to get over before we can be certain he will be able to play against Scotland, but he has been key for Wasps this season and was another to suffer no damage to his reputation during the World Cup. He has been tipped by many, including World Cup winner Matt Dawson, to be the next England captain.

3. Dan Cole

Dan Cole has been giving away penalties a little too often this season, but Henry Thomas lacks the experience to be thrown into this game and is only in the squad as injury cover for Kieran Brookes, who may well become the first-choice No. 3 once fit.

2. Dylan Hartley

Dylan Hartley has struggled with form and fitness so far this season but has the experience to outweigh those factors in order to start against Scotland. Jamie George and Luke Cowan-Dickie are the next men in line after the surprise omission of Tom Youngs. As detailed by the Guardian, Hartley is another man mentioned as Jones' pick to captain the side.

1. Mako Vunipola

Mako Vunipola’s scrummaging has improved, and he is playing better rugby than loosehead rival Joe Marler. WP Nel will put him to the test.