England: Danny Cipriani the latest to criticise Eddie Jones after Marcus Smith decision against Scotland

Colin Newboult

Former England fly-half Danny Cipriani believes that head coach Eddie Jones made an error in replacing Marcus Smith midway through the second half of their clash with Scotland.

Smith had just kicked a penalty – taking his personal tally to 17 points – when he was surprisingly replaced by George Ford.

At that point the Red Rose were 17-10 ahead against Scotland and in control of the clash but they would go on to lose 20-17 at Murrayfield.

England did have a late chance to snatch the win when they were awarded a penalty 40 metres out but Ford’s kick to touch only just reached the 22, which allowed the Scots to compete and win the lineout.

Shocked by Jones’ call

“As a No 10, the last 20 minutes of a big game is when you earn your money. It’s a chance to really put your stamp on the game and that’s why I was shocked when Eddie Jones brought off Marcus Smith early on Saturday,” Cipriani wrote in his Daily Mail column.

“If Smith had been given the chance to finish the match, I think England would have won. The whole complexion of the weekend would be very different and nobody would be here now questioning trust or belief.”

Despite showing some nice touches, it took until the second period for Smith to get into his stride, with the fly-half touching down in the 53rd minute to give his side the lead.

The Harlequins playmaker was starting to have a real influence on the game before Jones hauled him off for the Leicester Tigers fly-half.

Cipriani added: “Smith had scored all of England’s points and was having a growing influence on the team before he was replaced by George Ford. He was just starting to get a foothold in the match and find his flow. He’d spent a good hour building towards that sweet spot.

“Maybe it was pre-meditated or maybe it was an emotional decision because Smith had just missed a kick to touch. Whatever Jones’s reasoning, it didn’t seem like a decision that was in line with the way the game was going.

“There’s no chance Gregor Townsend would have taken off Finn Russell in that position.”

READ MORE: Scotland backed by Glasgow skipper Ryan Wilson to challenge for title

 

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Is Eddie Jones at fault for England loss to Scotland in Six Nations opener?

Is Eddie Jones responsible for England's Six Nations loss to Scotland after Marcus Smith was replaced?