'I've had at least three or four players ring me during the week' - Eddie Jones
Eddie Jones has revealed he received a number of calls last week from England players eager to address the indiscipline that has ruined their Guinness Six Nations title defence.
Following the 40-24 mauling by Wales, the squad left camp for a scheduled break week but the shortcoming of England’s Championship-high penalty count compelled some to ring Jones.
Across the opening three rounds, the team have leaked a ruinous average of 13.6 penalties per game with the collapse at the Principality Stadium the nadir. Maro Itoje alone conceded five.
Improved discipline has become England’s number one priority and Jones detects a high level of motivation to stop incurring the wrath of referees.
“No one goes out there and tries to give away penalties. Everyone is working hard but sometimes players just over-exert in certain areas,” Jones said.
“Those players we’ll have a quiet chat to and they’ve been reflecting on it. I’ve had at least three or four players ring me during the week to talk about how they need to tend to their errors. That’s the great honesty of this team. We’ll keep working on that.
“There are other little bits and pieces you can do, but the main thing is to understand your responsibility at that point in the game.
“We looked at the Wales game. We’re disappointed that we didn’t handle that last 20 minutes better. Unfortunately we didn’t finish that game off well.”
England’s next assignment is against France at Twickenham on Saturday before their Six Nations ends against Ireland in Dublin the following weekend.
INCREDIBLE: The 2019 Premiership and European Cup double winners have been ambushed in Cornwall on their English Championship debut #ChampRugby #CORvSAR
https://t.co/XOOJx91PxT— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 6, 2021
Sam Underhill made a successful comeback from a hip injury for Bath against Exeter on Saturday but Jones stated that the squad size limit of 28 players means he can not pick the big-hitting flanker.
Emphatic losses to Scotland and Wales are forcing England to rescue their Six Nations from disaster, while in the process freshening up an underperforming team.
“We are going through a transition period now,” Jones said.
“We had a fairly settled team from 2019 until now and, like most teams when you have had a settled period, there needs to be a little bit of a revision of your members and freshen it up and we are going through that at the moment.
The England second row has been the subject of debate since giving away 5 penalties against Wales. https://t.co/gttRsh0K5H
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) March 7, 2021
“I would say anywhere up to 70 per cent of this squad will go through to the World Cup, but it will be dependent on their desire, their form and their fitness. We take all of those things into consideration.”
An outbreak of coronavirus in France’s squad resulted in the postponement of their round-three match against Scotland, meaning the tournament favourites will not have played for a month when they arrive at Twickenham.
“We’ve seen teams play very well after breaks and teams play not so well after a break. We’re more concerned about ourselves this week rather than what France will bring,” Jones said.
“We know they’ll be well organised, big and physical in the forwards. The good attributes they bring to the game won’t have changed and we’ll have to find the best of ourselves.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Kinda strange that he wasn’t with a premiership team or a higher level of rugby? Start playing late or something? With that kind of size and athleticism you’d think someone would have picked him up?
2 Go to commentsShows how much attitude matters. Last week the Brumbies got done, this week they dominated the tournament leaders, who were likely thinking they could cruise to victory.
4 Go to commentsA Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
4 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
4 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
2 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to comments