RFU CEO Bill Sweeney has reacted to 'dishonest' statement on Jones
Rugby Football Union chief executive Bill Sweeney has acknowledged that the Guinness Six Nations fell below expectations – but he remained convinced that Eddie Jones is the right man to guide England into the 2023 World Cup. England finished third in the Six Nations table after slumping to three defeats for a second consecutive year, yet the RFU’s initial reaction was to state that “we are encouraged by the solid progress the team has made”.
It was an attempt to end any uncertainty over Jones’ future, but it provoked an outcry with former England wing Ugo Monye and retired Wales captain Sam Warburton accusing Twickenham of being “dishonest”. RugbyPass columnist Andy Goode also weighed in on the debate, the ex-England out-half alleging that the RFU statement was “insulting to fans”.
Sweeney has reacted to the controversy, saying: “The feelings were genuine. Really disappointed, massively frustrated. Should we have said that more upfront on Saturday? Yes, probably, recognising fans’ disappointment as well.
“We are all, as an organisation and to a person, incredibly disappointed with what happened this year in the Six Nations. You’d expect more from England and we demand more in terms of our results and our performances. Our emotions have been running very high. It still feels quite raw.
“Winning two this year compared to winning two last year is not progress and that’s a fair criticism. But in terms of how we feel the team is progressing and how it’s developing, in the context of where we want to get to, we feel we’re heading in the right direction, hence we were OK with that statement.”
Apart from the title won on points difference during the covid-interrupted Six Nations of 2020, England’s record in the tournament over the last five years makes for grim reading. In that period they have finished fifth twice and on three occasions managed to claim only two wins, increasing the scrutiny on Jones’ position as head coach.
A successful autumn that produced victories over Tonga, Australia and South Africa bought him breathing space, yet the RFU’s unconditional support of the Australian rankles with sections of the rugby public. Jones will now face the customary end-of-championship review that will be conducted by Sweeney and a panel of unnamed figures from the game, but his future is assured whatever their findings.
“We speak with Eddie on a very frequent basis and he updates us in terms of our thinking and where he thinks we’re falling short,” Sweeney said. “He has got the absolute belief and commitment of the players and we believe he is the right guy to take us through. We will continue to review as we go through.
“It’s not easy coming fifth in a Six Nations. It’s not easy coming third, but it is worse coming fifth. Forget the rankings for a second – you just don’t want to lose. Do we have the right setup? Do we have the right organisation? Are we going to progress or are we deluding ourselves? Whenever we have had that conversation, we have come out on the side of ‘no, we think we’re going in the right direction as we are transitioning and rebuilding this team’.”
Among the criticisms made against Jones are his repeated promises to ensure that England peak at the World Cup, which is being staged in France next year, while the Six Nations pass without success. It is a message that jars with supporters asked to pay up to £200 to watch a match at Twickenham, but Sweeney has offered reassurances that the championship has not been reduced to a series of staging posts marking out time until the global showpiece.
“We go into every tournament wanting to win it and we thought we had a good shot at this one,” Sweeney said. “We will certainly go into the next one expecting to go to Ireland in the final game going for a Grand Slam – that is certainly our intention.
“In international rugby, you have got that balance of winning matches and also developing the team at the same time. So, how do you do that? You will hear conversations about ‘development’ or ‘progression’ or whatever but that is not to mean, or intended to be, to the detriment of the current competition you are playing in. We hold the Six Nations very dearly.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Think you might have written this just before the Brumbies got thrashed last weekend
5 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.
5 Go to commentsSBW the biggest moron to pull on a black jersey a park footy player at best
7 Go to commentsSBW is fast becoming a laughing stock, his misplaced comments & lack of insight Is actually pretty sad.
7 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.
5 Go to commentsMmm. Not sure I like this article or see it as necessary.
7 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.
5 Go to commentsSome dumb selections there. Not Porecki Not Donaldson Not Gordon Not Lonegran - both Not Nic White - Fines instead Not Liam Wright Not Paisami Definitely not Vunivalu Other than that not bad.
5 Go to commentsI've never been convinced that Patty T is a test match all black. Otherwise I probably agree it's the best side available to beat the poms. Caveat that Codie Taylor is yet to be seen and could very likely warrant selection by June. I hope that Razor brings the young loosies, half backs and locks into the training squad and develops/ selects the best
12 Go to commentsYou doing the same thing I disliked about the example of Samisoni Taukei'aho, Nick. He’s great the way he is, you’re trying to do what modern-day coaches frustrate me doing, turning everyone into the perfect athlete. Next thing you’ll be telling me you’ll bench him until he’s hit that arbitrary marker, and can’t overtake the current guy who’s doing all his workons. He’s a young Kieran Read, through and through, plays wide and has threat, mainly (and evident in your clips) through his two hand carry and speed. Just let him work on that, or whatever he wants, and determine his own future. Play God and you risk the players going sideways, like Read did, instead of being a Toutai Kefu. I mean I was in the same camp for a while, wanting our tight five to have the size, and carry ability, as the teams they were getting beat by. Now I’m starting to believe those teams just have better skilled and practiced individuals, bigger by upwards of 5kg sometimes, sure, but more influentially they have those intrinsic skills of trust and awareness. Basically our guys just didn’t know wtf they were doing. Don’t think I’m trying to prove a point here but hasn’t Caleb Clarke been in much better form this year, or does he just ‘look’ better now that he’s not always trying to use his size?
44 Go to commentsThe pack lacks a little in height for the line out and I wouldn’t be completely convinced by some of the combinations till we see it in action.
12 Go to commentsThe side is good but lacks experience. International playing bona fides udually trumps super rugby form for good reason. And incumbents are usually stuck with. Codie Taylor should start or come off the bench. B Barrett will start at fullback. Blackadder has not earned the position, Finau has. TJs experience and competitiveness earns him a starting role, Christie or Ratima off the bench
12 Go to commentsPretty good side. Scott Barrett should be the captain. Ethan Blackadder a great choice at blindside. He is going to go from strength to strength having made a couple of starts for the Crusaders. Scott Robertson rates him highly. Perenara could start a no 9.
12 Go to commentsI question and with respect. Was enough done over the last few years to bring through new blood knowing the Whitelocks and co couldn’t last forever. There should have been more done to future proof the team. New squad new coach, he and they weren’t set up well. IMO
6 Go to comments