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Six months after demanding it open, Eddie Jones now wants the Principality roof closed


The Principality Stadium in Cardiff. (Photo by David Rogers/Getty Images)
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Saturday’s weather forecast in Cardiff isn’t predicting any rain, but England boss Eddie Jones has asked for the Principality Stadium roof to be closed when they face Wales in the second of their World Cup warm-up fixtures.

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Just six months ago, Jones caused an uproar by refusing to let the Welsh close the roof for the February Six Nations clash between the countries. However, with England due to play their opening two fixtures at next month’s World Cup under a closed roof, the Australian has now changed tack regarding his surroundings in Cardiff. 

England start their World Cup bid at the Sapporo Dome against Tonga on September 22 and they will also be under a roof when they take on USA in Kobe on September 26.

Jones was reported on Twitter by the RFU saying: “We’re hopeful Wales close the roof, as our first two games in Japan are under closed roofs.”

He will now hope to get his way and have Wales agree that the warm-up, which will be played in front of a capacity crowd of more than 70,000, will take place under a roof for a summer match in contrast to what happened in winter when England and Ireland forced the Welsh to open it. That resulted in the Grand Slam clincher against the Irish taking place in a constant downpour. 

Meanwhile, Leinster-bound Wales assistant Robin McBryde has spoken about the impact which Gareth Anscombe’s World Cup-ruining injury has had on the Welsh squad.  

“It is a big loss,” he told WRU TV. “He [Anscombe] has been there consistently over the last however many games on that winning streak. He has worked well and led the ship well. Any player of that calibre is going to be a loss to the squad.”

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Wales are due to name their team for Saturday’s match at 11am on Thursday, with England scheduled to follow suit two hours later at 1pm. 

WATCH: Eddie Jones talks to the media on Monday after confirming his 31-man squad for the World Cup

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Phantom 36 minutes ago
Nations Championship: 'The data shows the north has finally caught up with the south'

Fact: the gap between the North and the South has narrowed considerably - that I get. However, determining that only selecting only Home grown players or playing in the home country is is the optimal strategy is a bit of a toss up and highly reliant on the economies of the home union. I do understand that England and to a lesser degree Ireland selects home based only. The top 14 is a massive threat to their domestic product. France would probably not be affected (the money is at home). Fiji, Argentina, Samoa, Italy and you could even argue Scotland have only benefitted from this. Their players either go overseas to learn at higher levels (Fiji, Samoa, Argentina) or players coming into their leagues to strengthen the home product and their National teams (Scotland, Italy, Japan).

South Africa used to limit its selection to the home based players, but the reality of a weak currency vs what players could earn oversees meant that you lost access to your best players at some stage of their careers, with very few exceptions. Kolbe left SA as he was considered too small for International Rugby (yes coaches/selectors view), but ironically in France he forced selectors to notice his endeavors and select him. He is only reaching 50 caps now despite being north of 30 - granted rotation and the odd injury also played a role, but for the most part it is having debuted or becoming a regular so late.



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