'Big mistake before a World Cup': England fans on Eddie Jones sacking

The RFU’s decision to sack Eddie Jones following their recent Autumn Nations Series has been met by a range of responses from England fans online.

The contrast between England’s recent results and Jones’ successful overall record with the team means there are plenty of fans in either camp on whether he should have been sacked or not.

One thing that is apparent from fans’ responses on Twitter is that it is very late in the day to make a decision like this with the World Cup less than a year away. Jones’ side have spluttered for a couple of seasons now, which is why some supporters feel this decision should have been made then.

But with the Australian’s glowing World Cup record, there is a sense among the England fandom that Jones was building towards the World Cup and has been robbed of the opportunity for his plan to come to fruition.

Here are some of the responses:

“Thanks for everything Eddie, been a great coach for us and played some of the best rugby I have seen in the 2019 WC. But since then it has been a bit of a rough ride and series of poor results. Just a case of things plateauing and no real progress being made.”

Following a review of the @autumnnations, Eddie Jones has been dismissed as England men’s head coach.

The RFU will conclude coach succession planning in the near future.

Read the full RFU statement here 👉 https://t.co/eyoWDAb6kd pic.twitter.com/QwiCg4vkci

— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) December 6, 2022

“So, who is going in the RFU hierarchy? Who is going to be held accountable for the decisions made by the RFU that led us to the point? Dismiss Eddie fine, but he is one man and the issues are broader and deeper than that.”

So, who is going in the RFU hierarchy? Who is going to be held accountable for the decisions made by the RFU that led us to the point? Dismiss Eddie fine, but he is one man and the issues are broader and deeper than that. 😡

— Harry Thomsett (@harry_thomsett) December 6, 2022

“Probably should have happened 2 years ago – but thank you for some incredible memories in the 6N and the 2019 RWC. Not convinced that Borthwick is going to unleash the potential of this squad – but he’s done a good job with Tigers and used to the England setup. Scott Robertson?!”

Probably should have happened 2 years ago – but thank you for some incredible memories in the 6N and the 2019 RWC. Not convinced that Borthwick is going to unleash the potential of this squad – but he’s done a good job with Tigers and used to the England setup. Scott Robertson?!

— nick perry (@nick_perry7) December 6, 2022

“Should’ve either sacked him a year ago to allow a proper run up to the World Cup under a new coach, or let Eddie see his plan through. Sacking him now is the worst of all worlds.”

Should’ve either sacked him a year ago to allow a proper run up to the World Cup under a new coach, or let Eddie see his plan through. Sacking him now is the worst of all worlds

— TheFantasyFootballManager (@FPLPoliticsPain) December 6, 2022

“I don’t know how to feel about this. I agree that the performances have been awful and I don’t want to watch 4 years of rubbish in between world cups but we’re less than a year out now and he’s proven to be a good WC coach. Hopefully we see more expansive with whoever is next!”

I don’t know how to feel about this. I agree that the performances have been awful and I don’t want to watch 4 years of rubbish in between world cups but we’re less than a year out now and he’s proven to be a good WC coach. Hopefully we see more expansive with whoever is next!

— Jamie Tomkys (@JTomkys) December 6, 2022

“Awful decision. How can people not see that nothing matters as long as you win a World Cup. He uses these four years to make sure we reach a World Cup final. Some years we’ve won things in those periods some years we haven’t. No one better suited than him for the role.”

Awful decision. How can people not see that nothing matters as long as you win a World Cup. He uses these four years to make sure we reach a World Cup final. Some years we’ve won things in those periods some years we haven’t. No one better suited than him for the role.

— Richard Bowes (@R_Bowes) December 6, 2022

“Feels the wrong choice, seemingly loved by the players, an incredible World Cup record, openly spoken about how he is concentrating on 2023 and it’s all a build up plan. We backed him 2 years ago on this yet no @EnglandRugby have gone nuts. Good luck to whoever is next.”

Feels the wrong choice, seemingly loved by the players, an incredible World Cup record, openly spoken about how he is concentrating on 2023 and it’s all a build up plan. We backed him 2 years ago on this yet no @EnglandRugby have gone nuts. Good luck to whoever is next.

— Luke Dorbin (@LukeDorbin) December 6, 2022

“As much as I like EJ this is long overdue, surprised at the timing as should have happened much sooner as same problems have kept recurring for over two years now. Did think we were hanging on until after the WC but a great crop of players to work with for a new coach.”

As much as I like EJ this is long overdue, surprised at the timing as should have happened much sooner as same problems have kept recurring for over two years now. Did think we were hanging on until after the WC but a great crop of players to work with for a new coach.

— Mark Rainsbury (@marktheactor25) December 6, 2022

“Great timing @EnglandRugby, World Cup only 9 months away so you obviously are not intending for England to mount any sort of challenge in it, think some of those who made this decision, need to look at your own positions.”

Great timing @EnglandRugby , World Cup only 9 months away so you obviously are not intending for England to mount any sort of challenge in it, think some of those who made this decision, need to look at your own positions

— Paul Johnson (@paj130563) December 6, 2022

“So he’s free to get a job with another Union and explain everything England have been working on for 7 years? Might as well just give SA the world cup now. Short-sighted from the RFU. Would love the players to stand up.”

So he’s free to get a job with another Union and explain everything England have been working on for 7 years? Might as well just give SA the world cup now. Short-sighted from the RFU. Would love the players to stand up.

— Dominic Hill (@HillDom) December 6, 2022

“Big mistake before a World Cup.”

Big mistake before a World Cup

— Kurt hatch (@Kurt23Hatch) December 6, 2022

“This feels like the wrong choice to me. It’s meant to be about peaking at the right time for big tournaments. I think Eddie had time to turn it around with the 6 nations in Feb. I guess now we’ll never know…….!?”

This feels like the wrong choice to me. It’s meant to be about peaking at the right time for big tournaments. I think Eddie had time to turn it around with the 6 nations in Feb. I guess now we’ll never know…….!? 🤷‍♂️

— Alastair (@akinnear124) December 6, 2022