Eddie Jones Not Out

[Niegs]

I imagine it goes without saying that English supporters would be reasonably find with 'rebuilding' losses if there was a clear strategy and consistent selections of players who actually look like part of a future England squad.

[fishfoodie]

England's Rugby Football Union says it "continues to fully support" head coach Eddie Jones after the side's disappointing Six Nations campaign.

Jones said his performance had not been good enough after France powered past England to take the Grand Slam.

Jones' side won just two Six Nations games for the second year in a row.

But an RFU spokesperson said the coach "is building a new England team against a clear strategy", adding the governing body is "encouraged by solid progress".

Jones has repeatedly stated during the tournament that he sees England's losses as learning experiences for younger players in the squad like fly-half Marcus Smith, full-back Freddie Steward and scrum-half Harry Randall as they prepare for the 2023 World Cup.

The RFU spokesperson went on to say that "a full review" would be conducted "as is normal after each tournament", adding: "The RFU continues to fully support Eddie, the coaching team and players and we are excited about the summer tour and the progress to rebuild a winning England team."

[Kawazaki]

I imagine it goes without saying that English supporters would be reasonably find with 'rebuilding' losses if there was a clear strategy and consistent selections of players who actually look like part of a future England squad.

We just want Eddie Jones gone. You can be a graceless prick if you're playing good rugby and winning but we don't get any trade off. It's shit and then he rubs your nose in it.

[OomStruisbaai]

Rassie took that Springboks in 2018 from record losers to winning the WC in 2019.

It can be done but the RFU need to act quickly.

[Kawazaki]

Rassie took that Springboks in 2018 from record losers to winning the WC in 2019.

It can be done but the RFU need to act quickly.

I'd rather have Jones for another 5 years than Erasmus for 18 months

[Niegs]

Bait.

[OomStruisbaai]

Rassie took that Springboks in 2018 from record losers to winning the WC in 2019.

It can be done but the RFU need to act quickly.

I'd rather have Jones for another 5 years than Erasmus for 18 months

No coach have achieved that. I hope Rassie don't get the England job.

[sockwithaticket]

Rassie took that Springboks in 2018 from record losers to winning the WC in 2019.

It can be done but the RFU need to act quickly.

I'd rather have Jones for another 5 years than Erasmus for 18 months

No coach have achieved that. I hope Rassie don't get the England job.

Brian Ashton took charge of England in December 2006 and we inexplicably made it to the 2007 final. Admittedly, it's widely reported that senior players like Dallaglio took over after the pool stages, but that's a pretty short turn around from embarassment to finalists.

[assfly]

That statement by the RFU is bonkers.

[Hal Jordan]

They haven't got the money to sack, nor to buy whoever might replace him out of their contract, so we're stuck.

[JM2K6]

Even so, flat out lying to everyone is a terrible look. What a fucking awful statement.

[ASMO]

Even so, flat out lying to everyone is a terrible look. What a fucking awful statement.

Well they wont be getting another penny out of me until that cunt has gone.

[SaintK]

England's Rugby Football Union says it "continues to fully support" head coach Eddie Jones after the side's disappointing Six Nations campaign.

Jones said his performance had not been good enough after France powered past England to take the Grand Slam.

Jones' side won just two Six Nations games for the second year in a row.

But an RFU spokesperson said the coach "is building a new England team against a clear strategy", adding the governing body is "encouraged by solid progress".

Jones has repeatedly stated during the tournament that he sees England's losses as learning experiences for younger players in the squad like fly-half Marcus Smith, full-back Freddie Steward and scrum-half Harry Randall as they prepare for the 2023 World Cup.

The RFU spokesperson went on to say that "a full review" would be conducted "as is normal after each tournament", adding: "The RFU continues to fully support Eddie, the coaching team and players and we are excited about the summer tour and the progress to rebuild a winning England team."

Utterly delusional

[ASMO]

England's Rugby Football Union says it "continues to fully support" head coach Eddie Jones after the side's disappointing Six Nations campaign.

Jones said his performance had not been good enough after France powered past England to take the Grand Slam.

Jones' side won just two Six Nations games for the second year in a row.

But an RFU spokesperson said the coach "is building a new England team against a clear strategy", adding the governing body is "encouraged by solid progress".

Jones has repeatedly stated during the tournament that he sees England's losses as learning experiences for younger players in the squad like fly-half Marcus Smith, full-back Freddie Steward and scrum-half Harry Randall as they prepare for the 2023 World Cup.

The RFU spokesperson went on to say that "a full review" would be conducted "as is normal after each tournament", adding: "The RFU continues to fully support Eddie, the coaching team and players and we are excited about the summer tour and the progress to rebuild a winning England team."

Utterly delusional

The only way the RFU will act is if people vote with their feet and Twickenham is half empty for home games, their bottom line takes a hammering, then and only then will they do something.

[Kawazaki]

The only way the RFU will act is if people vote with their feet and Twickenham is half empty for home games, their bottom line takes a hammering, then and only then will they do something.

You'd be amazed at how many people still think Jones is the top man for the job. They'll see third place and think it's not too bad, progression from last year etc and that's exactly how Jones will sell this to Sweeney. Mind you, I get the impression that Bill Sweeney could come home from work and catch Eddie Jones banging his wife and Jones would still be able to leave his house with a pay rise and new contract.

[Lobby]

The only way the RFU will act is if people vote with their feet and Twickenham is half empty for home games, their bottom line takes a hammering, then and only then will they do something.

You'd be amazed at how many people still think Jones is the top man for the job. They'll see third place and think it's not too bad, progression from last year etc and that's exactly how Jones will sell this to Sweeney. Mind you, I get the impression that Bill Sweeney could come home from work and catch Eddie Jones banging his wife and Jones would still be able to leave his house with a pay rise and new contract.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNWHbnts45E

[Paddington Bear]

Utterly delusional

The only way the RFU will act is if people vote with their feet and Twickenham is half empty for home games, their bottom line takes a hammering, then and only then will they do something.

Seems very very unlikely to me, there were 81,000 in for Tonga in the Autumn. I could see a scenario where Argentina in the autumn is a harder sell if the economy tanks like it may do but we've got SA and NZ in consecutive weeks, you could fill HQ twice over for that.

[sockwithaticket]

The only way the RFU will act is if people vote with their feet and Twickenham is half empty for home games, their bottom line takes a hammering, then and only then will they do something.

You'd be amazed at how many people still think Jones is the top man for the job. They'll see third place and think it's not too bad, progression from last year etc and that's exactly how Jones will sell this to Sweeney. Mind you, I get the impression that Bill Sweeney could come home from work and catch Eddie Jones banging his wife and Jones would still be able to leave his house with a pay rise and new contract.

Yep, if you dip into reddit, comments on newspaper columns/articles, facebook or whatever there's an astonishing amount of apparently genuine support for the bloke.

[ASMO]

The only way the RFU will act is if people vote with their feet and Twickenham is half empty for home games, their bottom line takes a hammering, then and only then will they do something.

You'd be amazed at how many people still think Jones is the top man for the job. They'll see third place and think it's not too bad, progression from last year etc and that's exactly how Jones will sell this to Sweeney. Mind you, I get the impression that Bill Sweeney could come home from work and catch Eddie Jones banging his wife and Jones would still be able to leave his house with a pay rise and new contract.

Yep, if you dip into reddit, comments on newspaper columns/articles, facebook or whatever there's an astonishing amount of apparently genuine support for the bloke.

Probably the sorts who rock up to HQ and dont watch a minute of the game.

[eldanielfire]

I imagine it goes without saying that English supporters would be reasonably find with 'rebuilding' losses if there was a clear strategy and consistent selections of players who actually look like part of a future England squad.

At least in the 2018 badness England did appear to have that.

[Brazil]

You'd be amazed at how many people still think Jones is the top man for the job. They'll see third place and think it's not too bad, progression from last year etc and that's exactly how Jones will sell this to Sweeney. Mind you, I get the impression that Bill Sweeney could come home from work and catch Eddie Jones banging his wife and Jones would still be able to leave his house with a pay rise and new contract.

Yep, if you dip into reddit, comments on newspaper columns/articles, facebook or whatever there's an astonishing amount of apparently genuine support for the bloke.

Probably the sorts who rock up to HQ and dont watch a minute of the game.

Or only watch the 6N and the occasional AI, and think that one off wins over good teams are acceptable. There are also a lot with a weird deference to international coaches, who assume that they no better despite the evidence of their own eyes.

[OomStruisbaai]

I see Eddie use the Rassie example for England to win the World Cup. Look like he read my thread.

[sockwithaticket]

I see Eddie use the Rassie example for England to win the World Cup. Look like he read my thread.

It's a weird example for Eddie to be bringing up, because Rassie coming in with a short time before the world cup is the example of why England should bring someone new in while they still can.

[Mahoney]

Yep, if you dip into reddit, comments on newspaper columns/articles, facebook or whatever there's an astonishing amount of apparently genuine support for the bloke.

Probably the sorts who rock up to HQ and dont watch a minute of the game.

Or only watch the 6N and the occasional AI, and think that one off wins over good teams are acceptable. There are also a lot with a weird deference to international coaches, who assume that they no better despite the evidence of their own eyes.

Yes, there’s a Welsh bloke I know pulls that bollocks about Gatland’s Lions selections.

[Paddington Bear]

I imagine it goes without saying that English supporters would be reasonably find with 'rebuilding' losses if there was a clear strategy and consistent selections of players who actually look like part of a future England squad.

At least in the 2018 badness England did appear to have that.

Yes I was adamant in 2018 he should stay on - you could see the plan. I don't see it now.

[OomStruisbaai]

Ben Smith recon England have an easy WC draw, no worries about Eddie.

https://www.rugbypass.com/news/england- ... -have-a-wo

[Kawazaki]

I imagine it goes without saying that English supporters would be reasonably find with 'rebuilding' losses if there was a clear strategy and consistent selections of players who actually look like part of a future England squad.

Too late to change now. As much as I'd like to see Jones kicked out on his arse immediately, we're stuck with him until England go out of the RWC next year. I could already write out now exactly what he'll say in the post-match press conference when England lose.

[Jimmy Smallsteps]

The only way the RFU will act is if people vote with their feet and Twickenham is half empty for home games, their bottom line takes a hammering, then and only then will they do something.

You'd be amazed at how many people still think Jones is the top man for the job. They'll see third place and think it's not too bad, progression from last year etc and that's exactly how Jones will sell this to Sweeney. Mind you, I get the impression that Bill Sweeney could come home from work and catch Eddie Jones banging his wife and Jones would still be able to leave his house with a pay rise and new contract.

[eldanielfire]

I imagine it goes without saying that English supporters would be reasonably find with 'rebuilding' losses if there was a clear strategy and consistent selections of players who actually look like part of a future England squad.

At least in the 2018 badness England did appear to have that.

Yes I was adamant in 2018 he should stay on - you could see the plan. I don't see it now.

I mucha gree. Or rather I see a failing plan, positionless backs and all this crap is just not working. He seems more interested in experimenting with some long gestrating ideas about the future of the game, rather than actually attempting to win the 6 Nations title.

[Kawazaki]

I'm warming to Clive Woodward...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... fools.html

[eldanielfire]

I'm warming to Clive Woodward...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... fools.html

It does sound like the "behind the scenes" stuff is shitter and elss professional then we though. And that takes some doing.

I point to my post on PR when I illusyrated how the RFU sicne Woodward had never actually put together an England head coach appointment of any kind that was a rigorous and professional recruitment process. It's all appoint buddies from within in or desperation moves to bad outcomes, often expensive ones. Robinson, Ashton, Johnson, Lancaster and Jones. Plus many of their teams. Just think how numerous countries went about appointing top coaches around the end of the last RWC. They ahd processes. Whether it was the right or wrong chocie, has the RFU ever done that in 20 years? Nope.

[OomStruisbaai]

You lot complain about Woodward for vokken ages.

Get real supporters and back your team and coach specifically through difficult times.

[Rhubarb & Custard]

Since Woodward is an odd claim when the Woodward appointment itself was hardly what you'd consider professional

As so often in this with Clive I'm amused at his take, were he the coach the criticism of a former coach and the idea he'd need a rugby man over him would both have gone down like cold buckets of sick. Poacher turned gamekeeper is I suppose long established thinking

Mostly I think better than spending a decent six figure sum on someone to fill a role such a Clive envisages, whether on Clive as he envisages or otherwise, would be better spent on community rugby. Jobs for the boys often wins out though

[Paddington Bear]

I'm warming to Clive Woodward...

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/rugby ... fools.html

It does sound like the "behind the scenes" stuff is shitter and elss professional then we though. And that takes some doing.

I point to my post on PR when I illusyrated how the RFU sicne Woodward had never actually put together an England head coach appointment of any kind that was a rigorous and professional recruitment process. It's all appoint buddies from within in or desperation moves to bad outcomes, often expensive ones. Robinson, Ashton, Johnson, Lancaster and Jones. Plus many of their teams. Just think how numerous countries went about appointing top coaches around the end of the last RWC. They ahd processes. Whether it was the right or wrong chocie, has the RFU ever done that in 20 years? Nope.

They're all a reaction to their predecessor since Robinson. Ashton to offer a more exciting gameplan, Jonno to regain the respect of the players, Lancaster to restore a more disciplined environment, Jones to be mentally tougher than Lancaster. Nothing proactive to compare to France's recent moves.

[ASMO]

What i still dont understand is how the England coach does not report to the director of performance, what is the point to the post if it only oversees a part of the structure and not arguably the most important part.

[laurent]

What i still dont understand is how the England coach does not report to the director of performance, what is the point to the post if it only oversees a part of the structure and not arguably the most important part.

money for old boys ?

TBF prior to the current set up the french maffia appointed a self confessed "I don't understand the modern game" bloke to do a report and Sack Noves (Noves results were not great but did not deserve sacking considering the Maffia was doing everything to trip him up.

[Kawazaki]

Telegraph

Should be an interesting press conference for Sweeney tomorrow, his first public comments for 366 days FFS.

A widely respected rugby administrator said earlier this year that one of the sport’s biggest failings is that no one explains anything properly to the public. The reasons behind a decision or strategy are never addressed. No one talks about the “why”.
That came to mind on Sunday when the RFU chose to back Eddie Jones, hours after England had finished a second successive Six Nations campaign with only two wins. That was absolutely their prerogative — and arguably the practical decision in the circumstances — but Bill Sweeney, the RFU chief executive, refused to say why.
The RFU’s talk of “strong, positive steps” was lampooned. Worse than that for Sweeney, it was called dishonest, with the RFU accused of lying to fans who know what they have seen.
This should be a wake-up call to the RFU to abandon its attitude of secrecy, symbolised by the anonymous review panel, and seek to engage once again with the rugby public.
Bring them on the journey with more effort than some Instagram videos and TikTok posts. Engage the kids, for sure, but do not forget who is being asked to pay up to £200 for a ticket, generating revenues upon which the union’s whole financial model is built.
Give people the why. Recognise that the media is there to provide scrutiny but also wants to tell positive, constructive stories about a sport we love.
Sweeney has not held a chief executive’s press conference to share any information or insight for a year. He will speak tomorrow — day 366 — and there are some fundamental questions needing to be addressed.
England scored only three tries against the competitive sides during the Six Nations despite promises of a dynamic new attack
England scored only three tries against the competitive sides during the Six Nations despite promises of a dynamic new attack

Does Eddie Jones run the RFU?
Last year Sweeney said: “I know some people feel that is the perception, but he doesn’t have power and influence within Twickenham.”
Except Sir Clive Woodward’s column in The Daily Mail yesterday painted a very different picture. Woodward told a story of a private meeting with Sweeney after the 2019 World Cup, in which he shared honest feedback and opinions — only to receive a “foul-mouthed” message within an hour from Jones.
Also, Jones wrote in his book that he will not be held to account by executives who have not coached at the highest level. It would appear that Neil Craig, the head of performance and a former Australian rules coach, is the only person with the licence to challenge or criticise.

Why back Jones?
This will be about “New England”. The vision is to build a fluid attacking system with young players who bring pace, instinct and creativity. The result was three tries in four games against Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France. England’s kick-return metres are improved, apparently, but the attack looked confused and lacked penetration. Joe Marchant, Ellis Genge and Freddie Steward did step on in the Six Nations.

Does the RFU believe the World Cup is all that matters?
This has been one of the takeaways from the Six Nations. It raises further questions about why supporters would pay huge ticket prices for matches at Twickenham if everything is about building for the World Cup. And it is a high-risk strategy to pin everything on a knock-out tournament. Tom Ilube, the RFU chairman, said England should always be ranked in the world’s top two. They have slipped to fifth.

Does the RFU agree with Jones that a high turnover of coaches is positive and constructive?
England have had to pay off a lot of people, leaving Jones to bed in a new management team midway through the World Cup cycle. It worked in 2018, when Scott Wisemantel and John Mitchell joined. The jury is still out on the current group of Anthony Seibold (defence; first rugby union job), Martin Gleeson (attack; second full year in union), Matt Proudfoot and Richard Cockerill (forwards).


Does the RFU sign off on all Jones’s outside interests?
The RFU has always said it supported Jones coaching at Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath — but never answered whether it knew from the start. The suspicion is it did not — just as it was surprised to learn about a number of personal sponsorship arrangements.
Jones has also held roles with Goldman Sachs and Nomura, and when Umbro became England’s kit provider, Jones signed his own deal to be an ambassador. It happened around the same time as RFU staff took a 25 per cent pay cut.
Jones has an array of non-England commitments, including a coaching role in Japan and corporate briefs with Goldman Sachs and Nomura
Jones has an array of non-England commitments, including a coaching role in Japan and corporate briefs with Goldman Sachs and Nomura

What is the succession plan?
The RFU has had four different chief executives during Jones’s tenure and the succession plan has changed nearly as many times. Will a successor be recruited before the World Cup, as France did with Fabien Galthié, and does he need international coaching experience, which has previously been a prerequisite?

Why has the RFU not taken any action over the conduct of the England Under-20 team and doctor during their defeat by Italy?
The incident was nearly six weeks ago. The England doctor sought to overrule the head-injury-assessment procedure and allegedly swore at the female referee. There have been further complaints about the team’s overall conduct to the official. The lack of action is not in keeping with the RFU’s trumpeted values of respect and discipline.

The RFU is being sued by former players — does rugby need to stand down concussed players for longer?
There was an outcry when Kyle Sinckler played against France a week after appearing to be knocked out against Ireland. He passed the six-stage return-to-play programme but rugby league and AFL have a longer mandatory stand-down period. Is that now best practice and should rugby follow suit — or are you wedded to the current system because of the law suit?

Is Jones speaking on behalf of the RFU when he suggests England are held back by the Premiership?
Jones twice highlighted the lack of preparation time as being a hindrance to England. France have stolen a march on England in terms of club-country co-operation since Bernard Laporte took over as FFR president. It is seen much more now as a joint venture.

What is the RFU’s vision for the second tier?
The last we heard, the RFU believed the Championship could no longer function as a professional league. Would that mean a permanent ring-fencing of the Premiership? This is especially relevant as the strength of the French Pro D2 has had a significant impact on the success of the national team, producing Melvyn Jaminet and Gabin Villière.
There are issues at grassroots level, too. By December last year, rugby’s participation had not returned to pre-Covid levels and there has been a downward trend for some years.

Bill Sweeney knew that he was joining the RFU at a challenging time for the sport when he became chief executive less than three years ago. His predecessor, Stephen Brown, had stepped down suddenly after only 14 months in the role due to an increasingly gloomy financial picture, as the game’s wealthiest union announced a loss of £30.9 million and made 62 redundancies.
He soon had to deal with the fallout from the Saracens salary-cap scandal, the ring-fencing debate in the Gallagher Premiership, the protracted attempts to make changes to the international calendar and a pandemic that further damaged finances.
But Sweeney, 64, was hired partly due to his record of turning around parlous financial positions, having taken the British Olympic Association (BOA), his previous employer, from losing £700,000 in 2014 to announcing record profits two years later. After making his name at Puma and Adidas, along with earlier roles at Shell, Mars and Unilever, Sweeney said the job at the RFU was “the only opportunity I would have left the BOA for”.
After giving Eddie Jones a contract extension in April 2020 through to the next World Cup, Sweeney found himself having to defend the head coach after last year’s dismal fifth-placed finish in the Six Nations. Now he finds himself in familiar territory again.

[SaintK]

Telegraph

Spoiler

Show

Should be an interesting press conference for Sweeney tomorrow, his first public comments for 366 days FFS.

A widely respected rugby administrator said earlier this year that one of the sport’s biggest failings is that no one explains anything properly to the public. The reasons behind a decision or strategy are never addressed. No one talks about the “why”.
That came to mind on Sunday when the RFU chose to back Eddie Jones, hours after England had finished a second successive Six Nations campaign with only two wins. That was absolutely their prerogative — and arguably the practical decision in the circumstances — but Bill Sweeney, the RFU chief executive, refused to say why.
The RFU’s talk of “strong, positive steps” was lampooned. Worse than that for Sweeney, it was called dishonest, with the RFU accused of lying to fans who know what they have seen.
This should be a wake-up call to the RFU to abandon its attitude of secrecy, symbolised by the anonymous review panel, and seek to engage once again with the rugby public.
Bring them on the journey with more effort than some Instagram videos and TikTok posts. Engage the kids, for sure, but do not forget who is being asked to pay up to £200 for a ticket, generating revenues upon which the union’s whole financial model is built.
Give people the why. Recognise that the media is there to provide scrutiny but also wants to tell positive, constructive stories about a sport we love.
Sweeney has not held a chief executive’s press conference to share any information or insight for a year. He will speak tomorrow — day 366 — and there are some fundamental questions needing to be addressed.
England scored only three tries against the competitive sides during the Six Nations despite promises of a dynamic new attack
England scored only three tries against the competitive sides during the Six Nations despite promises of a dynamic new attack

Does Eddie Jones run the RFU?
Last year Sweeney said: “I know some people feel that is the perception, but he doesn’t have power and influence within Twickenham.”
Except Sir Clive Woodward’s column in The Daily Mail yesterday painted a very different picture. Woodward told a story of a private meeting with Sweeney after the 2019 World Cup, in which he shared honest feedback and opinions — only to receive a “foul-mouthed” message within an hour from Jones.
Also, Jones wrote in his book that he will not be held to account by executives who have not coached at the highest level. It would appear that Neil Craig, the head of performance and a former Australian rules coach, is the only person with the licence to challenge or criticise.

Why back Jones?
This will be about “New England”. The vision is to build a fluid attacking system with young players who bring pace, instinct and creativity. The result was three tries in four games against Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France. England’s kick-return metres are improved, apparently, but the attack looked confused and lacked penetration. Joe Marchant, Ellis Genge and Freddie Steward did step on in the Six Nations.

Does the RFU believe the World Cup is all that matters?
This has been one of the takeaways from the Six Nations. It raises further questions about why supporters would pay huge ticket prices for matches at Twickenham if everything is about building for the World Cup. And it is a high-risk strategy to pin everything on a knock-out tournament. Tom Ilube, the RFU chairman, said England should always be ranked in the world’s top two. They have slipped to fifth.

Does the RFU agree with Jones that a high turnover of coaches is positive and constructive?
England have had to pay off a lot of people, leaving Jones to bed in a new management team midway through the World Cup cycle. It worked in 2018, when Scott Wisemantel and John Mitchell joined. The jury is still out on the current group of Anthony Seibold (defence; first rugby union job), Martin Gleeson (attack; second full year in union), Matt Proudfoot and Richard Cockerill (forwards).


Does the RFU sign off on all Jones’s outside interests?
The RFU has always said it supported Jones coaching at Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath — but never answered whether it knew from the start. The suspicion is it did not — just as it was surprised to learn about a number of personal sponsorship arrangements.
Jones has also held roles with Goldman Sachs and Nomura, and when Umbro became England’s kit provider, Jones signed his own deal to be an ambassador. It happened around the same time as RFU staff took a 25 per cent pay cut.
Jones has an array of non-England commitments, including a coaching role in Japan and corporate briefs with Goldman Sachs and Nomura
Jones has an array of non-England commitments, including a coaching role in Japan and corporate briefs with Goldman Sachs and Nomura

What is the succession plan?
The RFU has had four different chief executives during Jones’s tenure and the succession plan has changed nearly as many times. Will a successor be recruited before the World Cup, as France did with Fabien Galthié, and does he need international coaching experience, which has previously been a prerequisite?

Why has the RFU not taken any action over the conduct of the England Under-20 team and doctor during their defeat by Italy?
The incident was nearly six weeks ago. The England doctor sought to overrule the head-injury-assessment procedure and allegedly swore at the female referee. There have been further complaints about the team’s overall conduct to the official. The lack of action is not in keeping with the RFU’s trumpeted values of respect and discipline.

The RFU is being sued by former players — does rugby need to stand down concussed players for longer?
There was an outcry when Kyle Sinckler played against France a week after appearing to be knocked out against Ireland. He passed the six-stage return-to-play programme but rugby league and AFL have a longer mandatory stand-down period. Is that now best practice and should rugby follow suit — or are you wedded to the current system because of the law suit?

Is Jones speaking on behalf of the RFU when he suggests England are held back by the Premiership?
Jones twice highlighted the lack of preparation time as being a hindrance to England. France have stolen a march on England in terms of club-country co-operation since Bernard Laporte took over as FFR president. It is seen much more now as a joint venture.

What is the RFU’s vision for the second tier?
The last we heard, the RFU believed the Championship could no longer function as a professional league. Would that mean a permanent ring-fencing of the Premiership? This is especially relevant as the strength of the French Pro D2 has had a significant impact on the success of the national team, producing Melvyn Jaminet and Gabin Villière.
There are issues at grassroots level, too. By December last year, rugby’s participation had not returned to pre-Covid levels and there has been a downward trend for some years.

Bill Sweeney knew that he was joining the RFU at a challenging time for the sport when he became chief executive less than three years ago. His predecessor, Stephen Brown, had stepped down suddenly after only 14 months in the role due to an increasingly gloomy financial picture, as the game’s wealthiest union announced a loss of £30.9 million and made 62 redundancies.
He soon had to deal with the fallout from the Saracens salary-cap scandal, the ring-fencing debate in the Gallagher Premiership, the protracted attempts to make changes to the international calendar and a pandemic that further damaged finances.
But Sweeney, 64, was hired partly due to his record of turning around parlous financial positions, having taken the British Olympic Association (BOA), his previous employer, from losing £700,000 in 2014 to announcing record profits two years later. After making his name at Puma and Adidas, along with earlier roles at Shell, Mars and Unilever, Sweeney said the job at the RFU was “the only opportunity I would have left the BOA for”.
After giving Eddie Jones a contract extension in April 2020 through to the next World Cup, Sweeney found himself having to defend the head coach after last year’s dismal fifth-placed finish in the Six Nations. Now he finds himself in familiar territory again.

That sums it all up...........a fucking mess!!!
How can a multi million pound business be run so badly?
I've dropped Sweeney an e-mail asking him to get shot of Jones now!! Don't expect a reply.
billsweeney@rfu.com

[Rhubarb & Custard]

it does make one wonder if a coach is going to do a two WC cycle should they take a break in season 5?

it's not like Eddie even tried to progress the side in his 5th and 6th season, for whatever reason he was just treading water with a large number of players, some allowance needed there for a global pandemic, but still. just it does feel a little like the coach can all too easily visit their own fundament and prove unable see the wood for the trees. so maybe even if you want to retain a head coach you consider it a development season looking to new players and hand over the selection reins to some more junior coaches, and then the head coach returns having had some distance and corresponding time to think.

such line of thinking isn't of course exactly respectful of the idea the next game is in and of itself the most important, and it'd carry through a 6N, summer and autumn tour

[sockwithaticket]

Good article that highlights a lot of pertinent questions.

This did stand out to me, though

Woodward told a story of a private meeting with Sweeney after the 2019 World Cup, in which he shared honest feedback and opinions

Admittedly I hate the smug prick, but what value is there really in asking the opinion of a man 14 years removed from professional rugby about how he thought England fared at that tournament?