English rugby chiefs have been slammed by former internationals for not telling the truth when hailing the “solid progress” of their also-ran Six Nations team.
England won just two games for the second straight year, have now lost six of their last 10 in the championship and been outscored 10 tries to two in their last three games.
Yet the Rugby Football Union chose to release a statement stating that they are “encouraged by solid progress” and confirming the Union “continues to fully support” head coach Eddie Jones.
Former Test stars Ugo Monye, Sam Warburton and John Barclay said the response BEFORE a review into the campaign even gets underway insulted the intelligence of the English public.
Monye, who played for England and the Lions, said: “Fundamentally it's just dishonest. There isn't progress.
“With their financial backing, with the player pool, coaching staff and resources they have, you cannot be winning two out of five for two years in a row. It’s appalling, simply not good enough.”
Monye told the 5 Live Rugby Union Daily podcast that his first thought was that the statement was a practical joke.
He added: “If you’re going to make a statement on behalf of the RFU I want to know who’s saying it. I think everyone wants to know who’s saying it.
“Who in the eyes of the RFU thinks that signified progress and they’re happy with how things are at the moment?
“It’s been a bad Six Nations. Own it. Have a sense of accountability.”
Two-time Lions captain Warburton and ex-Scotland star John Barclay, appearing with Monye on the same podcast, took up the theme.
Warburton said: “Apart from Italy none of the [other] five nations will see two wins in the Six Nations as progress. It’s just to try to get the press off Eddie’s back. Don’t lie to us. Give us honesty.”
Barclay added: “England’s performances were disappointing enough but it’s more disappointing that they’re happy with that progress or they’re saying they’re happy with that progress. Two wins shouldn’t be acceptable.”
How the RFU have talked themselves into this mess is difficult to fathom. Surely they could have anticipated how it would be received.
“I had to read it again, my first thought was ‘this is class banter’,” added Monye.
A year ago Jones survived a review into England’s fifth place finish but told his performance would be monitored by ‘external experts’ from now on.
“We want to get better and better,” warned RFU boss Bill Sweeney. “We want to win World Cups. We want to win Grand Slams. We want to win consecutive Six Nations.”
Twelve months on you might ask what has changed. You would certainly not be alone in doing so.
