Jones to meet RFU officials regarding downturn in form
England head coach Eddie Jones will meet RFU officials to discuss the national team’s recent downturn in form.
Before the 25-10 tour-concluding win in Cape Town last weekend, Jones had watched his England side lose an excruciating five consecutive matches.
Beginning with the team’s dismal end to the Six Nations, defeats against Scotland, France, and Ireland were compounded by the two losses inflicted by South Africa.
RFU chairman Andy Cosslett has given Jones his backing, but admitted the coach had some questions to answer.
Cosslett said:
He [Jones] has to go back now and make a report on the tour, and sit with the chief executive [Steve Brown] and explain where the plan goes from here,
But we support Eddie and we back him. He’s got an 80% win ratio and joined us when England were at their lowest ebb. He’s done a fantastic job picking the team up and picking the country up.
Cosslett also acknowledged the eclectic character of his head coach:
He has his interesting ways and it is certainly interesting working with Eddie, but he has our full support.
A potentially disastrous tour was part-salvaged in Cape Town, and Cosslett was using that match as grounds for hope:
We were thrilled, and I will pay tribute to the players and the coaching squad. They have been in a tough place and they really showed their mettle,
We definitely saw things [in Cape Town] that really make you feel good about the future.