Eddie Jones adopts interchangeable approach previously used by All Blacks
Sure enough, it turns out that Eddie Jones was protesting too much as he continually stressed the importance of selecting three specialist line-out jumpers in his starting pack.
Just as he did when England beat New Zealand in the semi-final of the World Cup in 2019, Jones has picked two locks with a pair of tearaway flankers to complement Billy Vunipola.
The difference is a change of Sams. Underhill is injured, so Simmonds starts at blindside flanker – or, more pertinently, in the No 6 shirt – alongside Tom Curry. Expect the Montpellier-bound Exeter Chief to pack down at the base of the scrum occasionally, though.
His acceleration from those situations is a real weapon. Simmonds and Billy Vunipola were on the field for the final minutes of the 52-13 win over Japan, and Simmonds stayed at No 8.