Eddie Jones Side Could Finish 2016 Undefeated Even With Injury Crisis

A year is a long time in sport. Just under a year ago Eddie Jones was named as England rugby coach on the back of an embarrassing home World Cup campaign for the Red Rose. Now the Australian and his team stand on the verge of a undefeated 2016.

Whilst there are still some significant hurdles to get over before Jones' side complete an unthinkable 2016 the fact they've got this far is crazy enough considering where they were when he came into the job.

The former Australia head coach might have been the best option for England following the Stuart Lancaster era but he looked like the only one after a slew of others ruled themselves out of a post that became available when England became the first hosts knocked out of the Group Stage of a World Cup following embarrassing defeats to Wales and Australia.

Since then England have won the Grand Slam at the Six Nations, winning every match in the tournament. The team then made history by whitewashing the Aussies 'Down Under' the first time it had been done.

They now face a tricky Autumn series starting with South Africa on Saturday. After that comes Fiji, Argentina and finally Australia at the beginning of December.

First up are the Springboks who England have failed to beat in the last 12 meetings between the pair with the 14-14 draw in Port Elizabeth in 2012 the only time they've not lost to them since 2006.

England go into the series with injury worries, especially in the forwards. Maro Itoje and George Kruis are out of the second row with James Haskell and Sam Jones missing from the back row.

Former Lions winger Ugo Monye spoke to us ahead of the series and asked about the injuries said, "After an injury free year they've all seem to come at once. Missing key players such as Anthony Watson, James Haskell, George Kruis and Mark Itoje is disappointing but equally a chance to test the depth of the quality which we have in England.

"Any team in the World would miss Itoje's presence because he's simply World class. For me he's the biggest loss in a commanding position. In saying that. New Zealand in the last year have lost Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu and Kevin Mealamu since the World Cup. Over 600 caps between them and have coped pretty well!

"Now is Englands opportunity to dig deep into their player pool and show everyone what a great squad we have!"

The Red Rose's strength in depth is evident with Joe Launchbury and Courtney Laws coming in to the pack and Tom Wood returning for the first time under Jones.

Jonny May returns to the wing with Marland Yarde on the opposite flank. Wasps' Elliot Daly makes his first start having only played off the bench previously.

It will mean a more dynamic attack if George Ford and Owen Farrell can hit the mark with Daly's ability to ghost past defenders. It's Daly's defence that raises the biggest questions with Jonathan Joseph having made outside centre his own because of it.

Jones' side have every reason to be optimistic. The Boks lost three of their Rugby Championship fixtures and drew with the Barbarians at Wembley last weekend and have been leaking points for the entire year conceding on average 26.7 points in 10 tests.

Allister Coetzee is having a tough time but the match is still likely to be a physical encounter, as it usually is against the Boks, and Jones' is clearly expecting that by going for a five/three split on the bench.

Talking about the entire Autumn/Winter to come Monye reckons it's England's game against Australia that is the the most interesting prospect: "The South Africa match should be a firecracker however the game I'm most looking forward to is England V Australia! After a successful whitewash series down under in the summer Australia will be looking for revenge!"

Players of England, Ireland, Wales and Scotland will all be hoping to impress Warren Gatland during the year hoping to get their way onto the Lions tour in the summer to New Zealand and Monye explained that this is the perfect time of year to get yourself noticed saying:

"The Autumn is a great opportunity for players to propel themselves into Lions reckoning. I got capped in the Autumn series in 2008 and six months later went on tour with the Lions to South Africa. Massive opportunity for all involved, Warren Gatland will be watching with a very keen eye."

Finally the former Harlequin talked about the emotional victory in America last weekend when Ireland broke the All Black's world record winning run saying:

"Ireland have shown that no team is invincible - inspired by Anthony Foley. Anthony Foley played his 1st test against NZ 15 years ago and lost 29-40. 15 years on and after 111 year wait beat NZ 40-29! Only sport can give you stories like that. An amazingly emotional and powerful tribute to a great man. "

England have a genuine chance to go the whole year unbeaten. If they break the South African spell this weekend then Eddie Jones can prove just how different the world can look a year on.

Ryan Sidle

Ryan is a writer for SPORTbible. He covers all sport from football, formula one, cricket, rugby, tennis, athletics, mma and wrestling. He obviously hates YOUR football team and has no interest in synchronised swimming.

@Sidler28