• [Daily Mirror Icon]
• Sport
• Rugby Union
• Challenge Cup

Chris Robshaw makes Eddie Jones revelation ahead of Quilter Nations Series conclusion

Winners of the last two World Cups, the Springboks head to Wales this Saturday looking to complete an unbeaten Quilter Nations Series

[Premier Sports TV's Chris Robshaw before the Investec Champions Cup match at the Twickenham Stoop Stadium, London]

View 2 Images

Premier Sports TV's Chris Robshaw before the Investec Champions Cup match at the Twickenham Stoop Stadium, London

South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus is revolutionising rugby with his use of replacements but Eddie Jones deserves much of the credit according to former England skipper Chris Robshaw.

Winners of the last two World Cups, the Springboks head to Wales this Saturday looking to complete an unbeaten Quilter Nations Series, having smashed Ireland in Dublin after already beating France and Italy despite first-half red cards in both games.

The strength of their forward pack has been the defining feature of each of those victories, with the Springbok scrum particularly dominant against the Irish.

A lot of that has been down to their use of their replacement bench, bringing on replacement props before half-time to reinforce their dominance in Dublin.

But while South Africas use of the bench has been revolutionary, long-time England skipper Robshaw believes that it was Jones who showed the way in his time in charge of England, with his understanding of the importance of replacements.

Players still want to start, we all want to have that 1-15 top, we want to be out there from the off and play the whole game, said Robshaw, who is part of the TV team delivering the Champions and Challenge Cup for Premier Sports this season.

But being on the bench now doesnt have that negative connotation, you are still going to be a massive part of that game. I think Eddie is a massive part of changing that.

He empowered that, it was the first time Id seen it. We used to have leadership meetings and it would be five of the starters and I remember going to one with Eddie and there were 17 players there and we all thought that was a bit strange.

But he said: realistically in the last 5-10 minutes, youre going to be off, youre going to be off, youre going to be off and all the starters arent going to be there. So that bench almost becomes more important.

It is a view that has been shared by his successor Steve Borthwick, who this November kept the likes of Ellis Genge, Tom Curry and budding superstar Henry Pollock on the bench for games, with the idea of using their impact against tiring legs.

[Chris Robshaw]

View 2 Images

(Image: Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

England won all four of their fixtures, including a first win over the All Blacks in six years, and have now won 11 on the spin, their best run in a quarter of a century.

Pollock was crucial to that, particularly in wins over Australia and New Zealand, and Robshaw believes that it is a forward-thinking approach being employed by Borthwick.

He added: We saw that with Steve putting some of his better leaders like a Genge on the bench because international rugby and these tight games come down to the last five or 10 minutes.

We are seeing its much more of a game for 23 than 17 or 18. Its a massive impact from the 23 all involved and you will have a big role.

You see with the Pom Squad, or Rassies Bomb Squad, they are changing games. Now, unless you have a good 23, you are probably not winning the game.

The game is evolving and its a good thing.

Big Games. Bigger Moments. Premier Sports is the home of Investec Champions Cup rugby across the UK and Ireland with every match live including 21 EPCR Challenge Cup games and all the knock-out stages and Finals. Visit premiersports.com to join in from just 11.99 a month @ PremSports.tv

[Daily Mirror Icon]

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Choose Daily Mirror as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.