Former England coach Eddie Jones has offered his perspective on the current state of the England rugby team, highlighting the intense scrutiny on head coach Steve Borthwick and the potential for significant internal activity at Twickenham if results do not improve.
Jones, who previously led England, described the unique pressures within the Rugby Football Union (RFU) headquarters, noting that rumors about coaching changes are common during difficult periods. He stated that chief executives often feel pressure during losing streaks, which can influence their decisions. While acknowledging RFU CEO Bill Sweeney has been supportive of Borthwick, Jones suggested that any coach must prioritize winning games.
England is currently on a five-match losing streak, and the upcoming match against Fiji is seen as crucial. Jones believes Borthwick will ultimately succeed but acknowledged that a loss to Fiji would likely lead to considerable "goings-on" at the RFU. He also pointed out that teams have been heavily defeated by South Africa recently, as England was, and Borthwick will be looking for redemption.
Player Performance and Potential
Jones specifically addressed the inclusion of Henry Slade in the lineup, suggesting the player has not yet reached his full potential at the Test level despite his considerable skill. "For all the skill Slade has, he’s probably never played as well as he’s capable of for England," Jones remarked. He believes Slade's left boot offers a valuable kicking option and his experience could provide a calming influence.
Tommy Freeman has been moved to the wing, a position from which Jones knows he can score effectively. He also expressed interest in 19-year-old Noah Caluori, who is set to debut from the bench, comparing his potential assessment to a method used in cricket for evaluating young batsmen.
Tactical Adaptations and Player Ethic
Reflecting on the recent match against South Africa, Jones highlighted the importance of quick scoring from unstructured play, a tactic employed effectively by the Springboks. He noted that successful teams can score within two or three phases after gaining possession. "England just need to be able to play flatter and faster when they get unstructured ball," he advised.
Benhard Janse van Rensburg, a South African import, is expected to bolster England's work ethic. Jones described him as a typical tough South African player with a strong work ethic who embraces the physical aspects of the game. "Borthwick shakes hands with Benhard Janse van Rensburg - the South African import will bring a huge work ethic to the England team", he commented.
International Player Recruitment
Jones also raised concerns about England's approach to player recruitment from overseas. He suggested that England could benefit from a more proactive strategy, similar to countries like Scotland, Wales, Ireland, and France, which maintain extensive databases of potential international players. He cited examples like Dave Ribbans and Herbie Farnworth as players England could have potentially recruited earlier. Jones believes England's current method is "a bit antiquated" and that the RFU did not show sufficient interest in recruiting such talent during his tenure.
Despite these observations, Jones reiterated that Borthwick's immediate focus will be on securing a victory against Fiji.