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Nigel Owens uses a Gatland comparison as he backs Eddie Jones
Former international referee Nigel Owens reckons England have a lot of work to do ahead of next year’s World Cup following a disappointing Six Nations campaign – but insisted that Eddie Jones is still the right man for the job. England suffered a 25-13 defeat to France on Saturday to finish third in the Six Nations, igniting questions about the Australian’s position in charge of the 2019 beaten finalists.
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Owens, though, has backed Jones to wait out the storm and lead England to a successful campaign next year. “When you are 18 months out from a World Cup it’s a big ask to change any coaching set-up really,” said Owens to William Hill. “It’d be a huge gamble to do that.
“Eddie has won a Grand Slam with England, Six Nations titles, he took them to the last World Cup final and outplayed New Zealand in that semi-final. They played brilliantly in that game, probably one of the best England performances that one has seen. So he has definitely still got the ability to lead them into the World Cup.
“If you look back at Warren Gatland, there were times in that ten or eleven years coaching Wales when he didn’t have the best of seasons. But then the next season he got things right and would bounce back. Wales went to the semi-finals of the World Cup in 2019, the quarter-finals in 2015 and the semi-final in 2011 which they should have won…
“But it will be interesting to see how Eddie and England go over the summer and in the autumn as they do need to now start getting some wins in and build up some confidence as the World Cup is getting closer.
“England have shown glimpses in the Six Nations. They played well in Paris and they played well against Ireland, even though they lost those two games. But there is something not quite right there. They have got some quality players, with Owen Farrell still to come back, who will bring a lot to the side, particularly experience-wise. But they have got a lot of work to do.
“They have shown glimpses but they are nowhere near winning the World Cup at the moment, so they have got a lot of work to do in that respect – but it looks like it’s work that can be done pretty quickly. They have got the players, they just need to find that rhythm, style and confidence.”
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Away from Jones and the England situation, Owens believes France are the favourites to win the World Cup following their Grand Slam success and home advantage next year, but he suggested they still need to work on a few things. “They are my favourites for the World Cup next year. The fact they are playing in France is the key to it, but Ireland are in a good place at the moment, New Zealand will always be strong, South Africa as well…
“France are going in there as one of the favourites. The only question I do have is, like we saw in Cardiff in that second half against Wales, when the pressure is on, how will they deal with it? What are they going to be like against South Africa, New Zealand, or even Ireland or England, if they go into the World Cup in form?
“What will they be like if there is only a couple of points in it and there is pressure on them? But there is another year-and-a-half to go so they will keep improving. But at the moment, they are not out and out favourites like New Zealand in 2015. They are still favourites but it will be interesting to see how they go in the build-up to next year.”
Owens, who last week outlined some constructive criticism for this year’s championship referees, also said that Italy’s win against Wales on Saturday proved that they deserve their place in the Six Nations, despite some calling for them to be replaced. “Italy showed with that win they belong in the Six Nations. I have been supporting Italy and saying that Georgia and the others are not good enough to replace Italy. They are not of the standard to replace Italy.
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“Italy have struggled in recent years, of course they have, but Georgia are not better than Italy. If you look in recent years, Benetton have been playing some great rugby, and that was Kieran Crowley coaching them. And he seems now to have got the Italian players for Italy playing like Benetton were playing, as we saw on the weekend.
“I hope those calling for Italy to be chucked out of the Six Nations are feeling a bit embarrassed now. And what happens next year if Wales finish with the wooden spoon? They were only a few points ahead of Italy this year. What happens then if you are talking about the bottom side being relegated? The Six Nations is special and needs to stay the way that it is. The weekend has put that argument to bed.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Sly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
1 Go to commentsA bit of sensationalism, but surprised by the comments about SBW. I’ve always thought of him as a pretty authentic person. There is nothing worse than working with a colleague you’ve seen straight through.
9 Go to comments100% agree with your comment about Touch. I’ve been playing it competitively since Covid. It’s on a Wednesday night after work. It means the weekend is free for time with my family.
1 Go to commentsRodda back is massively important for the Wallabies. Kaitu at hooker important too coz he was very good a few years ago.
1 Go to commentsThe pink cabous might be eligible this year and the Boks don’t need him
7 Go to commentsNasser and kaitu are options for hooker. Especially Nasser. You forgot Rodda who touch wood will be fit at test time and if fit he’s number one. Great partner for the great Skelton and Oz best lineout caller. Third best lock is LSL whom I’d be inclined to sub on for Skelton around 60 minutes. Probably start valetini at 8 because I like a big body back there. Cale should play 6 at the brumbies. For Wallabies definitely cale in the squad but as an apprentice. Dunno who starts at 6 seru wright Swinton hanigan with Will Harris and Harry Wilson not far away. Seru and Swinton my front runners but Swinton is going. Still if we don’t cap seru then Fiji must coz they need his lineout skills and easily compensate for his lack of weight
7 Go to commentsYeah but who was it?
9 Go to commentsThink you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
7 Go to commentsI really do believe that Billy Proctor should be selected at least in the larger squad but also it would be my choice at 13, much more a center than Ioane who can still play at wing. Roigard if fit should play, otherwise it should be Perenara or Christie. Also, Iose could deserve a spot at blindside. Of course, being a Canes supporter I’m biased but I really believe that at least Billy P is deserving a chance and being Holland one of the Selectors, I’m having a little hope he could grab it.
12 Go to commentsI would not play Swinton I’d pick Wright or Hanigan. The rest are decent starters, but can’t agree on any subs except Tupou. My take on the subs: Gibbon, Ueslese, Tupou, LSL, Wilson, White, Will Harrison, and Petaia.
7 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
9 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
9 Go to commentsJust well you guys are couch 🛋 potatoes selector's, picking a team of greenhorns to play England! “What are you people smoking?” The halfbacks will be Christie, Fakatava, Perenara Props; Newell, Bower, Lomax, Tunga'fasi, Hookers; Asosa Amua when fit, Taylor, Samisoni,
12 Go to commentsQuite frankly, all this is a bit pathetic. The first time Wales get the Wooden Spoon in 21 years and everyone is on the bandwagon for a ‘play-off’ game. Wales have no obligation to Georgia and no obligation to the rest of the Six Nations to play such a game. If they want Georgia in so badly then they need to include South Africa into a Northern Hemisphere competition with 2 leagues of 4 teams with the top 2 competing for the Championship. Sadly, this will end Triple Crowns and Grand Slams forever. Is this really what you want?
4 Go to commentsI think Finau to start Blackadder to come on. Poss Prokter instead of Ioane, haven't seen much from Reiko so far this year.
12 Go to commentsJoe will have had a good chat with Dave Rennie, a smart move to begin with while it’s doubtful Fast Eddie will be consulted? Plenty of Aus players hitting top form so they should go OK.
7 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
9 Go to commentsBlackadder but no Finau! 😀 It’s Razor so you are probably right, plus Taylor at 2…
12 Go to commentsThe strongest possible AB side would actually include Aaron Smith, Bodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Shannon Frizzel.. don’t get me started on the rest of the injury hit brigade that got flung on the heap so left. Many a whole not getting filled as of yet.
12 Go to commentsI don’t think anyone knows what Schmidt will do, one thing is certain it ain’t gonna be all the picks we on the keyboard will think. My impression of him is that he will be looking at who can step up and what is the best combination. He will ignore individuals as he looks for guys who can build a powerful team and not just guys who can make a flashy run or ignore the winger as they want to score themselves.
7 Go to comments