'He gave me my greatest moment in an England shirt… I do owe a lot to him'
Veteran halfback Danny Care has revealed what message he sent to outgoing England coach Eddie Jones after it was confirmed the rugby guru had been axed by the RFU.
It was confirmed earlier this week by the Welsh Rugby Union that Warren Gatland would be replacing Wayne Pivac as Wales’ head coach, and England made a major coaching announcement of their own shortly after which added to the drama.
After seven years in charge of the England team, which included three Six Nations titles and a Rugby World Cup final, supercoach Jones had been released from his duties.
While the decision was somewhat expected following a disastrous Autumn Nations Series campaign, it was still a major call to make with the World Cup just nine months away.
It wasn’t that long ago that Jones’ England team were the best in the world.
But that’s just a memory now.
Fast forward a few years and England are fifth in the world, but their recent form is especially worrying for a nation with genuine World Cup ambitions and dreams.
England only won one of their four tests during November, which was a 39 point demolition of Japan. While an incredible nine minute blitz saw them salvage a stunning draw against New Zealand, a loss to South Africa the week after seemingly sealed Jones’ fate.
But in the wake of this major decision, some applause and praise needs to follow one of the greatest coaches to have ever graced our game.
Speaking BBC’s Rugby Union Daily, former England scrum-half Danny Care thanked Jones for giving him his “greatest moment in an England shirt.”
“Everyone’s gonna have a different relationship with Eddie. My relationship with Eddie, although people think it probably isn’t good, I think we’re actually in quite a good spot,” Care said.
“I dropped him a text today just to say thanks for everything you did for me, I wish him all the best in the future… hopefully we can share a bottle of wine at some point.
“He gave me my greatest moment in an England shirt, he gave me that start in the Grand Slam game (against Scotland in 2016).
“I do owe a lot to him, obviously I didn’t play for a few years under him but he also gave me my best moment in an England shirt.
“For me he’ll always be thought of highly in my thoughts as one of my greatest coaches I’ve ever worked with.”
While Care has been in and out of the national squad, he was included in the England team to tour Down Under to Australia earlier this year.
England had never won a series in Australia against the Wallabies before Jones took over, but he rewrote history in his first year in-charge – and did so again in his last.
Reflecting on what that tour was like, Care said nobody thought that Jones wouldn’t be at the World Cup following the successful trip to the sports mad nation.
“Everything was still talking about the World Cup, and this team that is on this path to hopefully winning the World Cup, Obviously you never thought that the head coach wouldn’t be there to see it through after being there for seven years,” he added.
“We were pretty successful in Australia. Won the series, could’ve won that series 3-nil on another day.
“Obviously England haven’t played as well as we should’ve the last few years but I think everyone’s still probably in a little bit of shock that they’ve decided to pull the trigger.”
Comments on RugbyPass
$950k for a Prop that isn’t fit enough to play 10 mins of rugby? Surely there is someone better to replace Big Mike with
2 Go to commentsFour Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
10 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
16 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
2 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
10 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
10 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
10 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to comments