Clive Woodward has slammed Eddie Jones for insulting English rugby, after his comments surrounding players who come through the private school system. Jones took aim at the system and the pathway it provides for rugby players making their way into the professional game.
In an interview with the I , the England boss said: “They are good, tough players. They work hard but they only know what they know. If you have only been in a system where you get to 15, you have a bit of rugby ability and then go to Harrow.
"Then for two years you do nothing but play rugby, everything’s done for you. You have this closeted life.
“When things go to crap on the field, who's going to lead because these blokes have never had experience of it? I see it as a big thing. When we are on the front foot we are the best in the world. When we are not, our ability to find a way to win, our resolve, is not as it should be.
“I’ve been here seven years now and I’ve never seen kids in a park playing touch [rugby]. It’s all formal coaching in a formal setting in public schools. You are going to have to blow the whole thing up at some stage. Change it because you are not getting enough skilful players through.”
In the wake of his comments, World Cup winning coach Woodward has hit out at Jones, in a time when the sport finds itself in a ‘perilous situation’. Writing for Sportsmail , he said: “The sport is in a perilous situation at the moment and I was aghast when I read the story of former Scotland women’s international Siobhan Cattigan — who died aged 26 from suspected head trauma sustained while playing.
“Jones’s comments in comparison seem so misplaced. They are insulting to English rugby. At a time when the game must work together to solve incredibly important issues, to hear such a divisive stance from the England coach is astonishing.
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“If Jones’s comments were solely concerned with growing the game and finding ways to take rugby to new schools and unearth new talent, you would support him. But that is not what he is saying.” Woodward also took aim at the RFU, who he has criticised for failing to come out and address Jones’ comments.
The former England coach commented: “Jones can say what he likes, but he seemingly has a monopoly on the voice of English rugby. When the RFU just stand by and let it happen, you wonder what on earth is going on. Why does Jones have the right to belittle the English game like that? When nobody from the RFU — such as the chief executive Bill Sweeney — responds, then you can only assume that the powers that be at Twickenham actually think the same as Jones.”
