Coaching an international rugby team, especially during a losing streak, can be an isolating experience, according to former England coach Eddie Jones. "When you're losing, that feeling is only exacerbated 10 times over," Jones stated, drawing parallels to his own tenure.
Jones, who was sacked by the RFU in 2022 after winning five of 12 games that year, described the intense public scrutiny coaches face. He recalled instances of feeling judged by the public during his own struggles. "The nation expects its top sports teams to win and when that doesn’t happen, the coach cops the flak," Jones noted.
This pressure is currently on Steve Borthwick following England's fifth consecutive loss, a 45-21 defeat against South Africa, which followed their worst Six Nations performance. Jones believes Borthwick must refocus quickly to navigate the upcoming match against Fiji amidst significant media attention.
Attacking Deficiencies and Talent Gap
Despite expressing belief in Borthwick's ability to turn the team around, Jones argued that England currently lacks the talent to be among the world's top three teams, suggesting they are capable of being a top-six side. "To make the next step and be considered genuine World Cup contenders, I think they need to not only unearth some new gems, but also significantly improve their attack," he said.
The defeat to South Africa, Jones explained, highlighted England's predictable "carry and clean" style of play. This approach, he elaborated, involves easily identifiable ball carriers and supporting players solely focused on rucking, with little deception or offloading. This reliance on power and physicality, Jones contends, is insufficient against a dominant team like South Africa.
"Test rugby now is attack driven," Jones observed, citing the high scoring in the recent Nations Championship. He contrasted this trend with England's methodical rugby model, which he believesEnglish players lack an innate flair for the ball-playing aspects of the game. Historically, English teams excel at set-piece and kicking, but possess few players capable of creating tries out of nothing, unlike the X-factor talents like Jason Robinson, who was part of England's sole World Cup-winning team.
Jones suggested that players like Henry Arundell, who has demonstrated an ability to produce "moments of magic," could provide the unpredictable spark England needs. He also mentioned Jack Willis, currently ineligible due to playing abroad, as a player who could enhance the squad. Jones reiterated his view that the RFU rule preventing the selection of players based overseas is "archaic" and should be abolished.
Discipline and Future Matches
Poor discipline has also been a concern, with England accumulating numerous yellow and red cards. Jones linked these errors to the pressure of being on the back foot and defending for long periods. He suggested that maintaining possession for more phases could alleviate this pressure and reduce the frequency of sin bins.
Looking ahead to the match against Fiji, Jones believes England should secure a victory. He pointed out that Fiji's traditional weaknesses lie in scrummaging, mauling, and line-out driving, areas where England typically excels. "Against Fiji, that will flip completely and should be crucial," he stated.
However, Jones cautioned that Fiji remains a dangerous fixture, especially given England's previous loss to them. The mental aspect of the game will be a significant challenge for Borthwick and his team as they aim to regain winning momentum and overcome the doubts that may have set in.