RFU ‘encouraged’ by England’s Six Nations campaign under Jones

The Rugby Football Union has leapt to the defence of Eddie Jones, insisting the under-fire England head coach has the governing body’s full support and making the remarkable claim it is “encouraged by the solid progress” despite another highly disappointing Six Nations campaign.

Evidence of progress is thin on the ground after England ended the tournament with a 25-13 defeat in France, ensuring a record of just two wins and three defeats, as was the case 12 months ago. The RFU will conduct a campaign debrief in the next fortnight and Jones will hold a review with feedback from his assistants and players. But in terms of Jones’s future, the mind of the chief executive, Bill Sweeney, is already made up. Indeed in its statement the RFU expressed no disappointment and made no hint of an apology towards England supporters.