England focus on chop tackles to avoid further red cards against France

England have been preparing for Saturday’s final Six Nations match, against France, by perfecting their chop tackles to avoid another nightmare red-card scenario in Paris, and Eddie Jones has left Max Malins out of his squad to face Les Bleus.

Charlie Ewels was sent off after 82 seconds in Saturday’s defeat by Ireland for an upright, head-on-head collision with James Ryan– deemed a dangerous tackle by the referee, Mathieu Raynal. As a result Jones’s squad have this week been focusing on their tackle technique and ensuring they go low against the grand-slam chasing French.

Jones, meanwhile, has left Malins – one of only three players to appear in every minute of England’s campaign to date – out of the 28-man squad that flew to Paris on Tuesday. The 25-year-old was impressive against Italy in round two but, with England managing a combined total of only two tries against Scotland, Wales and Ireland, Malins has seemingly paid the price for their misfiring attack. Elliot Daly would appear the favourite to take his place on the wing but Louis Lynagh, Luke Northmore and George Furbank have also travelled to France.

Jack Willis has returned to Wasps after briefly joining the squad, strongly suggesting Sam Underhill will replace the injured Tom Curry at openside flanker, while Nic Dolly is set to come on to the bench in place of Jamie Blamire, who has been left out after a botched lineout throw late on against Ireland. Alfie Barbeary is again among the 28 as the 21-year-old waits for a debut.

Whichever way Jones shuffles his side, they have been given a clear reminder of the need to be accurate with their tackles. “It is probably something that everyone needs to work on anyway, the height in tackle,” said the No 8 Sam Simmonds.