'No one is bullet-proof. No one is indispensable. He knows that'
Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney denies Eddie Jones is immune from the sack but remains convinced he is still the best man to oversee the England challenge for the World Cup next year. Sweeney insists Jones is not “bullet-proof” despite emerging from another failed Six Nations campaign with the support of the RFU.
For a second consecutive year, England lost three of their five matches, finishing 15 points adrift of winners France, and they engineered only three tries outside of their rout of Italy. The RFU’s initial reaction was to state “we are encouraged by the solid progress the team has made”, provoking an outcry before Twickenham belatedly accepted on Thursday that the performance had fallen well below expectations.
Jones has urged supporters to keep believing in his ability to deliver at France 2023 and while he has the support of Sweeney, he has been told it is not without its limits. “No one is bullet-proof. No one is indispensable. I’m not indispensable. Anyone can go at any particular time, but that happens when there is a loss of confidence,” Sweeney said.
“People stay in their role because there is a belief that you are still heading in the right direction, even when sometimes the results might not back that up. You make a call, you make a judgment – are we heading in the right direction? If we felt we weren’t heading in the right direction, then of course he is not bullet-proof. He knows that himself.
“We review and evaluate things as we go along. It’s not a case of saying, ‘let’s wait six months and then review it and see how we’re going’. We will continue to review all the way through, from before the summer tour to Australia and all the way through the tour. We will have those conversations and as long as we are moving in the right direction, we are happy.”
Jones is the highest-paid coach in international rugby and was recruited in the aftermath of a dismal 2015 World Cup to deliver silverware for England. To date, he has masterminded a Grand Slam and two further Six Nations titles, but only one of those has come in a disappointing last five years that included an appearance in the 2019 World Cup final when they were crushed by South Africa.
“We haven’t performed well in the last two Six Nations. A conversation with Eddie saying ‘that’s not acceptable’ – of course, that happens,” Sweeney continued. “Eddie has said it himself, that he hasn’t done a good job. He said that in one interview. If you go back we won three championships with him since he has been here.
“You only remember the most recent performances and the ones that hurt at the moment are the last two years. But do we think that he is the coach who is capable of winning us the Six Nations next year? Absolutely correct. And we believe that is the case definitely.”
A concern is that the end of the current Six Nations was the last opportunity to part ways with Jones given the World Cup is just 18 months away, but Sweeney does not have a time frame in mind if a change does have to be made. “We don’t have a date in the diary which is the critical cut-off date. There is a constant process of review,” he said.
“What we do have – and we started it off two years ago – is a pretty good coaching succession plan in place, looking at all the various different options. That will come into force.”
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