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Eddie Jones unrepentant after demanding England bring brutality to 'Le Crunch'
England are intent on tearing into France after Eddie Jones stuck by his pledge to unleash “brutal physicality”, despite local indignation over the language he has used.
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Jones is unrepentant after demanding his World Cup runners-up launch their Six Nations title pursuit with a display of savage intensity in Paris on Sunday.
Upset has been caused in rugby circles on this side of The Channel by the use of the word “brutal”, which when translated into French has explicit connotations of violence.
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When it was pointed out to Jones the shock his words had caused, the England head said: “Well, that wasn’t the intention but the game is violent, isn’t it?
“It’s a brutal, physically aggressive game. We saw in the World Cup final how important aggression is.
“It’s going to be the same on Sunday, so I apologise if it’s been interpreted in the wrong way. You should translate it in a better way.
“I’m just saying how I want us to play rugby. Someone asked me how we were going to play, what do you want me to say? We’re going to have a cup of tea?
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Eddie Jones has clearly touched a nerve. #FRAvENG https://t.co/9lvaRGhUOk
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) January 31, 2020
“It’s what rugby is about and has been ever since I started watching the game and it will be for as long as I watch the game.
“It’s a physical, confrontational game and your aim is to be brutal on the gainline. You either win or lose on the gainline and that will be the case on Sunday.
“England v France always are ferocious games. It’s nicknamed ‘Le Crunch’ and there’s a reason for that – it’s a great rivalry and a historical rivalry.
“It’s a battle for supremacy. We’re looking forward to it and I’m sure France are as well.
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“It’s a tough game and we intend to play tough on Sunday. French teams never have been shy and never will be. So we’re expecting that.”
The Stade de France showdown will be England’s first outing since they were flattened 32-12 by South Africa in the World Cup final three months ago.
In the weeks leading up to the Yokohama showpiece they had blazed a trail through the tournament and Jones admits the wound inflicted by collapsing at the final hurdle will never fully heal.
“We will have that scar for the rest of our lives. It never goes away. But it’s how you deal with the scar,” Jones said.
“If you buy good moisturiser, you can lessen the scar. If you don’t put moisturiser on it the scar stays there, so I have been up the chemist this morning and I have bought the best moisturiser I can find in this area.
“Our scar is healing, but it will always be there. It is always there.”
Uncapped full-back George Furbank is one of only two players in the matchday 23 on parade in Paris unmarked by the experience in Japan, replacement prop Will Stuart being the other.
Furbank has been in scintillating form for Northampton in the Guinness Premiership this season and, after seven days in the England camp preparing for France, Jones was convinced the 23-year-old is ready for his Test debut.
“George’s understanding of running lines, his positioning, his support play…he’s just one of those footballers that you don’t need to coach a lot,” Jones said.
“Some players you need to coach a lot, some you don’t need to coach too much. I think he is one of those you don’t coach too much.
“He’s got a good head on him, knows what he’s got to do, knows his role. He just naturally knows how to play. I’ve been really impressed with him.”
– Press Association
In other news:
Comments on RugbyPass
I hope WRU cops a 12 month ban.
1 Go to commentsOuch. Pumped. Even Nohamba is a better flyhalf than Ford.
2 Go to commentsI hope Leinster’s proud of themselves fielding a poor team. They should decide if they’re all in or not.
2 Go to commentsJordie is looking at 16 games maximum if Leinster reach both the URC and champions cup finals. Thats not guaranteed. Some of those home URC fixtures will be cakewalks as well for Leinster and there is not much doing during the 6 nations in Feb and March so he can probably get a decent rest then. He will have to really put in it for maybe 7 or 8 games max. It should be a good move for both.
13 Go to commentsThe game was a quarter final, not a semi final. Barrett will be here for 6 months, he is no one's replacement at 13. That mantle will most likely ultimately go to Jamie Osborne, though Garry Ringrose has at least 4 more years in him. The long term problem position (in the next 3 years) for Leinster is tighthead prop, though there are a couple of prospects at schools level.
25 Go to commentsSo much for all that hype surrounding the ‘revival’ of Aussie rugby. The Blues were without the likes of regular starters Perofeta, Sullivan, Christie etc… This was a capitulation of the highest order by Australia’s finest. Joe Schmidt definitely has his work cut out for him.
2 Go to commentsYes they can ignore Sotutu. Like Akira Ioane plays OK at Super level but gets lost in tests. Too many chances too many failures.
2 Go to commentsA wallaby front-row of Bell, Blake and Tupou…now that would be hefty
1 Go to comments“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
13 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
10 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
13 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
6 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
25 Go to comments