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This article was published on April 1st. Reader discretion is advised.
Eddie Jones has been offered the role of head coach for the British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa in 2021.
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It is understood that Warren Gatland turned down the role as he wishes to return to coaching in New Zealand post the Rugby World Cup. Gatland was the clear favourite following a successful tour to Australia in 2013 and a tied series in New Zealand in 2017.
Joe Schmidt has also ruled himself out of contention as he wishes to take time away from coaching post his role with Ireland. This leaves Jones as the favoured option for the touring side.
Jones recently suggested that the role wouldn’t be of interest and described it as ‘an ambassador job’ in an interview with Courier Mail. “The last thing I want to do is spend eight weeks in a blazer,” he said.
The Australian has subsequently backtracked, describing the opportunity as too good to turn down. Speaking exclusively to RugbyPass, Jones explained what changed his mind.
“Mate, to be honest I didn’t think I had a snowball’s chance, so when I said those things it was more as a defence mechanism and maybe also to rile Gats a little bit. But when they came knocking I realised I had to consider it. It’s one of the most sought after and prestigious coaching roles in rugby”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bvs_7NPg72m/
“I gave them my vision for the squad and they bought into it and I can’t wait to put my stamp on the team”
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“In Australia, we grow up hating the POMs, so for me to be now coaching England and the British Lions just blows my mind”
Jones’ appointment will no doubt be met with surprise and anger amongst some fans, particularly given his divisive comments describing Wales as a “little s*** place” and Irish fans as “scummy”, something he’s unconcerned by.
“Mate, they’ll get over it when I start winning for them. That’s all they care about right? They hated me when England were smashing them a couple of years back, but they’ll love me when I’m doing it for the Lions. That’s all that matters.’
He has yet to decide on his coaching ticket, but is keen to bring in some outside help from his fellow Six Nations coaches.
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“Mate, how good would Gregor Townsend be as my assistant? I could coach the first half and he could do the second half. We’d be unbeatable”
The official announcement is expected to be made later today at a press conference in Cardiff, with Jones set to be unveiled to the public on Dublin’s O’Connell Street on Wednesday, where he will be posing for pictures and signing autographs.
Comments on RugbyPass
Jacobsen will definitely be in the 23
2 Go to commentsLots of discussion points, Ben, but two glaring follies IMO: 1. Blackadder at 6. Has done nothing so far this season to justify his selection. Did you see him going backwards in contact at the weekend? Simply has not got the physical presence at 6: we need a Scott Barrett or a Finau (or wildcard Ah Kuoi), beasts who are big enough to play lock, like Frizzell. If Barret played at 6, Paddy could be joined at lock by Vai’i or one of the young giants we need to promote, like Darry or Lord (if he ever gets on the field). Blackadder best left to join the queue for 7. 2. Not even a mention for Christie? Ratima gets caught at crucial times at the back of the ruck when he hesitates on the pass. The only way he starts would be if Christie and TJ are injured.
2 Go to commentsWhat a dagg in more ways than one
5 Go to commentsRegroup come back next year but sack some of the coaching team and don't be like the ABs last minute sacking. If Crusaders don't do well ABs don't do well.
5 Go to commentsProctor Definitely inform again this year had a hell of a season last year and this year is looking even better. Still mixed feelings about Ioane tho.
4 Go to commentsDagg is still trying to get enough headlines to make himself relevant enough to get a job. The Crusaders went back to square one at all levels. Shelve this season and nail the next one.
5 Go to commentsHe was in such great form. Sad for him but only a short term injury and it will be great to see him back for the finals.
1 Go to commentsAfter their 5/0 start, I had the Crusaders to finish Top 4 only…they lost the plot in Perth but will reload and back themselves vs 4th placed Rebels…
5 Go to commentsBoth nations missed a great opportunity to book a game that would have had a lot of interest from around the world. I understand these games can’t be organised in 5 minutes but they should have found a way to make it happen. I don’t think Wales are ducking anyone but it’s a bad look haha.
3 Go to commentsIt will be fascinating to see the effect that Jo Yapp has. If they can compete with Canada and give BFs a run for their money that will be progress
1 Go to commentsFollowing his dream and putting in the work. Go well young fella!
3 Go to commentsPerhaps filling Twickenham is one of Mitchell’s KPIs. I doubt whether both September matches will be at Twickenham on consecutive weekends. I would take the BF one to a large provincial stadium so as not to give them the advantage and experience of playing at Twickenham before a large crowd prior to the RWC.
3 Go to commentsvery unfortunate for Kitshoff, but big opportunity potentially for Nché to prove he is genuinely the best loosehead in the world, rather than just a specialist finisher. Presuming that if Kitshoff is out, it will also give Steenekamp a chance to come into the 23? Or are others likely to be ahead of him?
1 Go to commentsA long held question in popular culture asks if art imitates life or does the latter influence the former? Over this 6 nations I can ask the same question of the media influencing the thoughts of its audience or vice versa. Nobody wants to see cricket scores in rugby, as a spectacle it is not sustainable. With so many articles about England’s procession and lack of competition it feeds the epicaricacy of many looking for an opportunity to pounce. England are not the first team to dominate nor does it happen only in rugby, think Federer, Nadal, Red Bull or Mercedes, Manchester Utd, Australia in tests and World Cups. Instead of celebrating the achievements why find reasons to falsify it pointing towards larger playing pool, professional for a longer period or mitigate with the lack of growth in other nations. Can we not enjoy it while it is here and know that it won’t last for ever, others coveting what England have will soon take the crown, ask the aforementioned?
6 Go to commentsShame he won’t turn out for the Netherlands now they’re improving. U20s are Euro champs and in the U20 Trophy this year. The senior sides gets better every year too.
3 Go to commentsWill rugbypass tv be showing these games?
1 Go to commentsWell where do you start, the fact that England have a professional domestic league and Ireland’s is fully amatuer, that they have fully seperated professional squads at Fifteens and Sevens (7’s thinly disguised as GB), and Ireland have fully pro Sevens squad who loan some players back to the Semi-Professional Fifteens squad (moved from amateur for only a year or so) for a few games at 6N & RWC’s. The Women’s games is a shambles, and is at risk of killing itself by pushing for professionalism when the market isn’t really there to support it outside one or two countnries..
6 Go to commentsWayne Smith's input didn't have as much impact on the last final as Davison's red card for Thompson. England were 14 points up and flying when that happened.
6 Go to commentsBilly's been playing consistently well for 2 - 3 seasons now and deserves a look in at the top level. Ioane and ALB are still first choice but there needs to be injury cover and succession. His partnership with Jordie gives him first dibs you'd think. Go the Hurricanes.
4 Go to commentsIt’s not up to Wales to support Georgian Rugby. That’s up to International Rugby and Georgia. I sympathise with Georgia’s decent attempt to create this fixture. But for Wales the proposed match up is just a potential stick to beat them with and a potential big psychological blow that young Welsh team doesn’t need. (I’m Irish BTW.)
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