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EDDIE JONES has been blasted for making his ‘odd’ substitution as England’s Six Nations opener started with defeat.
The national boss names his side for Sunday’s clash in Italy today amid huge criticism for taking off Marcus Smith.
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And former England international Mark Cueto feels Jones should carry the can for the changes that swung the Murrayfield meeting Scotland’s way.
“Taking Marcus off was an odd substitution,” said 55-cap winger Cueto. “He was playing well and wasn’t carrying a knock.
“People talk about Marcus Smith but he hasn’t played a full 80 minutes of international rugby union – that was the perfect time to give it him.
“The team was doing well, we were winning when he was on the pitch. It was just a weird decision.
“Even in the last few minutes when Eddie tried to put Jack Nowell on. It was like, ‘We’re behind. If you make a substitution, it’s normally to run the clock down.’
“We weren’t, we were the team chasing. To try and run the clock down with a substitution, I just didn’t get it.”
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Cueto was speaking at an event as former club Sale Sharks’ community trust delivered their ‘Are you AO-K’ program to schoolchildren at the start of Children’s Mental Health Week.
And he believes mentality is key to making sure the Scotland loss does not linger as he added: “You’ve got to get over it.
“Not to disrespect Italy but I don’t think England have ever lost to them and they’ll be looking for a big reaction.
“There were a couple of key areas that lost the game for them – they have to right them and get a good result.”
*Mark Cueto was speaking as Sale Sharks delivered their ‘Are you AO-K’ program to schoolchildren, in association with sponsors AO.
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