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.
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?
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.
“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.
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“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
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Comments on RugbyPass
Good luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
37 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
37 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
2 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
37 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
49 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
37 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
37 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
37 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
37 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to comments