Former England coach Eddie Jones has outlined three mistakes during his time in charge of the national side.
Following a dismal run of results, the RFU review panel met last month and opted to relieve the Australian of his duties. Under Jones' tutelage, England reached the 2019 World Cup final and won three Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2016.
But 2022 has seen a change in fortunes as the team produced its worst results since 2008 - including a return of just five victories in the last 12 Tests. Reflecting on his tenure, Jones, 62, wondered if he was too soft on the players. “There’s this perception I’m a raving lunatic,” he told the Guardian.
“But I haven’t been like that for a long time. I don’t know whether I was too soft in England. Did I get enough out of the players? Probably no, in the end, and that’s why you get the sack, mate.” During his seven years in charge of England, Jones spoke often of his inability to develop leadership skills among players.
He blamed the privileged lives of players educated at public school - a view and he previously voiced in an interview last year. “That was one of my mistakes, mate,” he says, remembering the hostile reaction from the RFU and the Twickenham crowd.
“Once you get that group offside you’re in trouble. But diversity is so important and sport’s not sheltered from that.” Although the national team won both the Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup in 2020, Jones recalled the critics the team received due to their playing style. This is something he believes he failed to address and explained some mitigating factors at the time.
“In 2020 we won the two trophies on offer [the Six Nations and Autumn Nations Cup] but were widely criticised because of the style of play," Jones commented. "The adjustment to a better style was needed and I probably didn’t get the evolution right. There were a number of other things going on [including Covid and Saracens being relegated for breaking the salary cap] but you can’t have excuses.”
Despite his time as England coach ending on a sour note, Jones is proud of what he achieved with the team which included a win percentage of 73%, the best record of any England rugby coach in history. "Eighteen straight wins which is still the world record for a tier one country. We were the only team to win a series in Australia, not once, but twice,” he shared.
“We made the World Cup final and that’s how I see England playing, with power, pace, a great deal of physicality and also some subtlety. That was enjoyable but we never quite got the right balance back.”
Steve Borthwick was appointed as his successor with Kevin Sinfield coming on board as the side’s defence coach. Jones has offered his support to the new coach and is keen to see him take the team forward. "I wished him the best and if he needs anything I’m there to help him,” Jones added. “If he needs any help I’ll be all hands on deck.”
