'If guys want to have a drink, that's not a problem... the guys will police each other'
England will adopt a self-policing approach to drinking in Japan to ensure there is no repeat of the controversies that blighted the most recent overseas World Cup.
Eddie Jones’ squad have touched down in Miyazaki, the setting for a week-long training camp where they will step up preparations for their tournament opener against Tonga on September 22.
Jones has allowed alcohol to be consumed throughout his reign as head coach and the policy will remain in place over the forthcoming campaign to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy.
At the 2011 World Cup, Martin Johnson’s England became embroiled in a series of off-field incidents that undermined their pursuit of the sport’s greatest prize and also stained Twickenham’s reputation.
Ben Youngs was present in New Zealand eight years ago and as a current senior player he has been involved in shaping the approach taken to Japan.
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“We have addressed the elephant in the room and spoken about how off-field stuff can bring unneeded attention that affects momentum,” the Leicester scrum-half said.
“Sometimes guys will get it wrong but in this group I think guys will look out for each other. We want to see Japan and have down time.
“If guys want to have a drink, that’s not a problem. The guys will police each other and make sure everyone makes the right decision.
Can this squad win the World Cup for England?
Every players goes under the microscope as @alexshawsport runs the rule over Eddie Jones' chosen 31.https://t.co/dkEmCxlHzX
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) September 9, 2019
“If you’re putting the team first then that’s the main thing. I’ll be surprised if boys want to have a drink. You’ve just got to be smart adults. You’re representing the country and you’re representing each other.
“What you do has a knock-on effect on your team-mates and I feel this group is mature enough to make the right decisions. Hopefully we won’t face any of those issues.”
After being subjected to a five-hour delay on arrival into Tokyo on Monday due to the fallout from Typhoon Faxai, England enjoyed more harmonious transit to the south western island of Kyushu where Miyazaki is situated.
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A small but noisy crowd gathered at the airport to greet the players as they funnelled through arrivals and straight on to the team bus. Owen Farrell and his team-mates have been told in no uncertain terms by Jones what the coming weeks could mean for the nation.
“Eddie was part of Australia when they lost in the 2003 final and he’s been part of South Africa when they won it. He said, ‘Boys you’ve got the opportunity to create and be part of something that will be the most amazing thing of your life’,” he said.
“You saw what the cricket did with the World Cup, the football World Cup too. He’s made us aware of that. In terms of rugby, you just have the opportunity every time you’re out there to inspire a nation and do something very special and I think this group is certainly excited by that.”
– Press Association
WATCH: The trailer for the soon-to-be-released RugbyPass documentary on the Tonga national team as they prepare to play England in their 2019 World Cup opener in Japan
Comments on RugbyPass
A Springbok 2-0 win: haha told you we were champions now shut up An Irish 2-0 win: the referee was under orders from world rugby to cheat us but luckily we don’t care because this is part of Rassie’s grand world Cup plan.
103 Go to commentsI hope they didn’t pay Jones fee?
2 Go to commentsTo be fair, the teams he's had to put out are reminiscent of those available to Gatland during his horrible run at the Chiefs in late 2020. Anyway, he's only got a two year contract and Wellingtonian Tamati Ellison will be ready by then, as will a lot of talented youngsters (like the Chiefs Gatland blooded). The Crusaders are planning for the long term.
5 Go to commentsGreat to see more community spending leading to higher participation in the community. It's a long road but that's a good first step.
2 Go to commentsPoetic justice for trying to sell him to Australia as another kiwi saviour coach, not ! Deans was just as bad actually but McCaw and Carter covered up for him. That’s why they didn’t want him as All Black coach, even after Graeme Henry’s bumbling effort in 2007.
5 Go to commentsSACK HIM !
5 Go to commentsSafas are so triggered by Ireland. 3 consecutive losses, incl RWC. 8 losses out of last 12 Tests. Always excuses, of course, with Bok fans. Now Rassie with his “88%” nonsense, the Claytons Excuse is an embarrassment to Bok teams of the past when every test mattered. Their fickle mojo will be on edge for the Ireland tour. Have the referees been appointed yet ? They will need security. Have WR laid out strict guidelines for TMO’s and replays on the stadium screens ? Will the constant stoppages from Bok forwards for cramps and bootlaces be tolerated ? We’re not talking a dominant Springbok team here, they won the LOTTO Cup and they know it whether they admit it or not. The Disney doco has their fans positively fermenting internally, its going to be a nasty hangover if they get beaten on home soil. What will the excuses be then……
103 Go to commentsGreat role model.
2 Go to commentsOne significant tell, not a single Waratahs player stopped to whinge to the ref about Finau’s tackle. They got on with playing the game. Great tackle.
8 Go to commentsWouldn’t be a bad move if Ireland pulled into SA with a young side. Particularly in Pretoria. Invaluable experience getting thumped in the bosveld.
103 Go to commentsIreland. The Princess Diana of Rugby. I never cheered so much for a team as i did for the All Blacks in that QF.
103 Go to commentsWill be great to see the Leinster first XV back in action again after their cotton wool time…
1 Go to commentsLooked up Grant Constable on google and reply was doppelgänger for Ben Smith
103 Go to commentsIt is so good that we now all get excited and debate who is best and emotionally get involved. We all back our teams which is great. Up until about 15-20 years ago, NZ was basically on its own, and then Saffa, Aussie and sometimes French and English were there. We now have at least 5-6 really top sides and another 4 who keep improving. This is so healthy. So we should not resort to rubbish comments and unhealthy debate, but rather all be chuffed that the product we watch is not competitive, exciting and often uncertain. It would be so good if World Rugger could find a way to align the rules to professional players as well as spectators. Live rugby games are SO boring as there is SO much down time as we wait for refs and TMOs and whoever else to look at every small event going back endless phases with the hope of eventually find a minute infringement to then decide cancel what was a wonderful try. This is the ultimate cork back in the bottle moment and feels like every balloon is always being popped. Come on- we must be better with the rules.
103 Go to comments“upon leaving said establishment I tripped over a stool knocking some bottles into the air and as I fell I accidently dislodged a police officer’s teaser who was passing by on an unrelated matter there by landing on said taser which caused it to discharge 50,000 watts into me. Out of shock I shouted Ireland are going to win the world cup. Upon waking up I apologised for the distress caused by my Ireland comment. The matter is closed. If you wish to pursue this matter may I remind you what I told Wayne Barnes when he sent me off. I AM A BIG ASS MAN”. Or was it “I AM A BIG ASS, MAN” or was it “I AM A BIG ASSMAN”?
2 Go to commentsThe only championship the Boks hold are: Great value for the incompetence of referees during the RWC Moaning endlessly and champions of spewing utterly ignorant 💩 at all times. Displaying the dangers of a third world education End of.
103 Go to commentsSouth Africa and Rassie do a phenomenal job of treating the 4 years in between World Cups as nothing more than a training exercise to build squad depth. The Six Nations money that keeps Irish rugby afloat is unfortunately too important to allow the same approach, and basic population size means we'll never get close to matching the depth of South Africa, England and France. That being said, Irish rugby is in a relatively good place and slowly improving inch by inch. If the other three provinces can pull the finger out and actually develop some players it'd be even better.
103 Go to commentsGood on Clarke for taking on the criticism and addressing his deficiencies, principally his laziness.
2 Go to comments“It is the people’s favourite against the actual favourite. It is the people’s champions against the actual champions. I’m joking, but it’s going to be a fantastic series.” Why did Darcy make that joke knowing it would be used as click bait? Why did RP headline it as a serious comment? Anyway, the tired comment isn’t very astute. SA players may have played more games etc. Darcy over estimated as a pundit.
103 Go to commentsNot sure Frisch will ever make the French team with Depoortère and Costes waiting in the wings to take over from Danty and Fickou.
1 Go to comments